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Best Travel Insurance for Winter, Adventure, and Extreme Sports

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Why Get Adventure Sports Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance often excludes high-risk sports, credit card travel insurance often excludes high-risk activities, travel insurance for high-risk sports, how to get travel insurance for high-risk sports, what sports travel insurance costs, how to choose travel insurance for high-risk sports, the best sports travel insurance plans, final thoughts.

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Planning an adventurous trip? Your travel insurance might not cover everything you want to do — particularly if you plan on adventure activities or winter or extreme sports. 

Whether diving the ocean’s depths or ziplining through a forest, sports travel insurance can help you go confidently on adventures knowing you’re covered if anything goes wrong. Whether you need emergency assistance and evacuation or a reimbursement for a trip cut short by injury, travel insurance with sports coverage can help.

While standard travel insurance typically offers medical coverage, most policies exclude certain activities, particularly risky sports. But you can purchase a travel insurance policy that provides coverage for all your adventures , either as a stand-alone policy or an add-on to a comprehensive travel insurance package.

Let’s explore everything you need to know about travel insurance for sports and adventure activities and how to get that coverage for any high-risk activities you may plan for your travels.

Adventure sports travel insurance covers activities such as mountain climbing or deep-sea scuba diving (i.e. any activity that has a higher risk level than a “regular” travel activity).

While accidents can happen anywhere, you’re particularly vulnerable when away from home. Medical expenses and evacuation can be costly , especially if traveling to remote areas or a foreign country where you’re unsure about quality medical care. Sports travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses, ambulance services, and evacuation.

Some travel insurance companies offer emergency assistance services , which can help you get the medical care you need in a remote location or challenging environment. The travel insurance company can provide access to medical professionals, coordinate your care, and arrange an emergency evacuation if needed.

For example, if you’re climbing a mountain and break a leg, adventure sports travel insurance can help get you off the mountain and connected with medical care.

Adventure sports travel insurance can also help if a sports-related injury requires you to cancel or interrupt your trip or if you experience equipment loss or damage. That can save you money on non-refundable expenses and help you replace sports equipment.

While getting travel insurance is wise, you should understand that standard travel insurance policies may not include coverage for certain sports activities . Some travel insurance plans offer coverage for sports-related injuries and accidents, but others may have exclusions or limitations for high-risk or extreme sports.

When you purchase a travel insurance policy, review the terms and conditions to know which sports and activities are covered and any exclusions or limitations you may need to work with. Usually, travel insurance medical coverage encompasses unexpected accidents or injuries, which can include some sports like hiking or snorkeling, for example. But extreme or high-risk sports such as white water rafting or skydiving may not be included.

Exclusions depend on the insurance policy, but here are some examples of sports and activities that your standard travel insurance policy may not cover:

• Base jumping
• Bungee jumping
• Martial arts and combat sports
• Motor racing and motorsports
• Mountaineering and rock climbing
• Off-piste skiing and snowboarding
• Paragliding and hang gliding
• Scuba diving and deep-sea diving

If you find your travel policy lacking in coverage for the activities you’ve planned, you should consider getting additional coverage, such as a specialized sports travel insurance policy or add-on coverage.

Don’t expect your credit card travel insurance to cover extreme sports. 

While you should read the terms and conditions of the policy, most credit card travel insurance policies exclude risky activities , which extends to sports considered extreme. 

Credit card travel insurance often covers basic medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption, lost baggage, and travel accidents. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® has premium travel insurance, offering up to $1 million in travel accident insurance, along with emergency evacuation and transportation insurance, emergency medical and dental benefits, and other travel insurance benefits.

If you plan to do high-risk activities and use credit card travel insurance, check your coverage and consider upgrading your travel insurance to include your desired activities.

Credit card travel insurance is helpful but sometimes limited, especially compared to adventure sports travel insurance policies. You may need to pay for travel insurance if you’re planning extreme sports or activities.

As you plan an adventurous trip, consider which travel insurance coverage may be most appropriate for your plans. Some travel insurance policies are comprehensive and cover multiple types of high-risk sports, while others are more specialized. 

Because there’s a wide variety of what’s covered (or not) on each policy, using a travel insurance comparison service such as Squaremouth can be helpful. You can search for travel insurance policies that cover the activities you’re looking for and compare costs and coverage.

Consider these types of adventure travel insurance policies or add-ons:

• Adventure Sports: On an adventure sports travel insurance policy, look for covered activities such as hiking, mountaineering, or rafting. The policy may encompass injuries, medical expenses, trip cancellations or interruptions, and equipment loss or damage.
• Extreme Sports: Travel insurance for extreme sports typically covers skydiving, bungee jumping, or rock climbing, providing coverage for accidents, injuries, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation.
• Sports Equipment: Some travel insurance offers coverage for sports equipment, which can reimburse you for loss, theft, or damage to your gear.
• Team Sports: A travel insurance policy may cover team-related expenses, such as tournament cancellations or travel delays if you travel for competitive events.
• Water Sports: Water sports travel insurance policies may cover surfing, diving, snorkeling, or water skiing. For diving coverage, you should verify that the policy covers the depths you’re planning and whether you need certifications for coverage.
• Winter Sports: Winter sports travel insurance policies are designed for winter sports enthusiasts, offering coverage for skiing or snowboarding-related injuries and emergency medical expenses or equipment loss or damage. Some also cover ski resort closures.

While you can get travel insurance for sports, including high-risk sports, most travel insurance companies have personal liability requirements . Generally, you’re required to act responsibly to use your coverage. That includes not going against local authority warnings, like entering restricted spaces, working close to dangerous animals, or not using proper safety equipment.

Do some pre-trip planning on your chosen activities to learn about the risks and requirements for everything you want to do. You may need to complete certifications or training to participate safely.

Generally, if you want travel insurance for adventurous activities, you should get quotes for a comprehensive travel insurance plan and add a hazardous sports rider. Or specialized insurance providers may offer comprehensive plans for high-risk sports and activities.

Looking for insurance companies specializing in adventure sports is often a good idea to get comprehensive coverage for all your planned activities. 

With any travel insurance policy, you should review the terms and conditions to verify your planned activities are covered. Read your policy documents for exclusions, limitations, or requirements for your chosen activities. You should also verify your coverage limits. 

If you have a health or life insurance policy, check with your insurance carrier about coverage for high-risk sports during travel. While these are likely not covered, you may be able to add a special endorsement to your policy.

Travel insurance that can evacuate you off a mountain sounds like it would be costly, but it might be more affordable than you’d think. It’s certainly less expensive than calling for your own rescue helicopter.

You should expect to pay around 5% to 10% of your total trip cost for sports travel insurance. Your actual adventure sports travel insurance costs will vary depending on your age, trip cost and duration, location, planned activities, and other factors. 

To give you an idea of what you should expect, we got a quote from IMG for an iTravelInsured Travel Sport policy. For a 29-year-old traveler on a $1,500 5-day skiing trip in the U.S., coverage costs $119.65 . 

This policy includes $1 million in medical evacuation coverage and $50,000 in search and rescue coverage. You’re covered for up to $50,000 for medical expenses due to adventure or organized sports, though hazardous and extreme sports are limited to $5,000.

Consider these factors as you compare high-risk sports travel insurance coverage:

• Claims Process and Customer Support: Get the details on what happens if you need emergency assistance or want to file a claim. For example, find out how to get medical attention if injured in a remote area and whether you’re expected to pay upfront and file for reimbursement.
• Cost: Expect adventure travel insurance to cost more than standard travel insurance. Cheaper policies tend to offer less comprehensive coverage, so consider your needs as you balance cost and coverage.
• Duration: Some sports travel insurance policies limit the length of coverage for certain activities, so make sure you have coverage for your whole trip.
• Emergency Assistance and Evacuation: You may engage in high-risk activities in remote locations or challenging environments where medical attention is unavailable immediately. A travel insurance policy can offer emergency assistance or evacuation for medical care.
• Exclusions, Limitations, and Deductibles: Every policy has limits — even extreme policies. Find out what’s excluded, the limits of what you can claim, and if you’re expected to pay a deductible before getting reimbursed. Also, understand the terms and conditions, such as duration and geographical coverage.
• Medical Coverage: With a greater risk of injuries from extreme sports, you should ensure that the insurance policy has adequate coverage for medical emergencies, including hospitalization, ambulance services, and, if needed, medical evacuation.
• Requirements: You may need to meet age limits and disclose any preexisting medical conditions to get appropriate sports travel insurance coverage.
• Reviews: Consider customer reviews and ratings, which can give insight into a travel insurance provider’s coverage quality, customer service, and claims handling.
• Sports Coverage: Find out which sports and activities are covered so you can verify yours are covered.
• Sports Equipment Coverage: If you’re traveling with costly sports equipment such as scuba gear or snowboarding equipment, compare coverage for loss, theft, or damage to your equipment.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption: A travel insurance policy should cover trip cancellation or interruption due to sports-related injuries.

Your high-risk sports travel insurance may require you to participate responsibly. For example, terms of coverage may require you to choose reputable operators, obtain proper training or certifications, follow local regulations, and use appropriate safety gear.

Not all travel insurance providers offer sports travel insurance, but you have options. Compare these leading travel insurance policies for sports:

• battleface : battleface’s adventure sports coverage includes cycling, mountain climbing, scuba diving, canoeing, snowboarding, and more, but it has limitations, including how deep you can dive or how high you can climb.
• Cat 70 : Cat 70’s Travel Plan covers some adventure sports, including snowboarding, but excludes bodily contact sports, skydiving, scuba diving, and more.
• HTH Worldwide : The HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offers coverage for adventure sports, including certified divers up to 60 feet and water rafting grades 1 to 3.
• IMG : IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Sport plan has a wide range of covered activities, including adventure, extreme, hazardous, and organized sports. However, there are exclusions for races, endurance competitions, and piloting or learning to pilot.
• John Hancock : You’re covered for some — but not all — adventure sports with a John Hancock Gold travel insurance plan. Some exclusions include diving deeper than 100 feet, participating in sports competitions, or contact sports.
• Nationwide : With a Prime plan, you can get covered for adventure sports such as cycling, fishing, rafting, and zip lining, but exclusions apply, such as extreme sports, mountaineering, and organized sports.
• Travelex : The Travelex Adventure Sports upgrade covers professional athletic events, mountain climbing, skydiving, and more. Travelex’s Travel Basic and Travel Select plans provide basic coverage for some activities, including skiing, snorkeling, and scuba diving up to 60 feet.
• World Nomads : With the World Nomads Explorer plan, you can get covered for more than 200 activities, including scuba diving, bungee jumping, and mountain biking.

The right travel insurance coverage is essential when embarking on an adventurous trip with high-risk sports or activities. Adventure sports travel insurance can coordinate medical care, offer evacuation, and save you thousands if you’re injured on a trip. Whether bungee jumping or scuba diving, sports travel insurance can provide peace of mind while you’re chasing thrills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are adventure sports covered by travel insurance.

Adventure sports can be covered by travel insurance, but extreme sports are usually excluded from standard travel insurance coverage. Review your policy’s terms and conditions to determine whether your desired activities are covered. If not, you may want to purchase additional coverage appropriate for the activities you’re planning for your travel.

Does travel insurance cover water sports?

Travel insurance coverage for water sports varies depending on the policy and provider. For example, your standard policy may cover snorkeling, shallow diving, and surfing but could exclude deep-sea diving or white water rafting.

Does travel insurance cover sports injuries?

Travel insurance often covers sports injuries, but it depends on the sport. If you’re injured doing a sport not covered by your policy — such as ziplining or skydiving — medical care for your sports injury will not be covered. 

What travel insurance includes cover for sports equipment?

Sports travel insurance typically offers coverage for sports equipment, which can reimburse you for loss, theft, or damage of your sports equipment while traveling.

What travel insurance company covers me for extreme sports?

Several travel insurance companies cover extreme sports, including battleface, Cat 70, HTH Worldwide, IMG, John Hancock, Nationwide , Travelex, and World Nomads.

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About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

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Best Adventure Sports Travel Insurance

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Heading out on a vacation can be an exhilarating experience, especially if you’re into adventure activities. However, with increased adrenaline comes increased danger — and decreased coverage from insurance companies.

Being protected in an emergency is valuable when you’re doing something risky, so we’ve gathered some of the best adventure travel insurance policies.

Factors we considered when picking adventure sports travel insurance companies

You’ll want to consider the following facets of travel insurance during a comparison:

Cost . We looked for a mix of affordability and comprehensive coverage. 

Types of coverage . Extreme sports insurance isn’t usually included with standard travel insurance, which is why we’ve made sure it’s included. 

Coverage amounts . Being underinsured is almost as bad as having no insurance at all. 

Customizability . Plans that can be customized offer more flexibility for travelers. 

» Learn more: What does travel insurance cover?

An overview of the best adventure travel insurance

To determine the best extreme sports insurance, we gathered quotes from various companies using insurance aggregator SquareMouth. To do so, we input a sample trip of a 33-year-old from Colorado traveling to New Zealand for two weeks. The total trip cost was $3,400, and activities included hiking and camping.

SquareMouth came back with 16 policies offering varying levels of coverage. Among the six we chose as the best, the average cost totaled $147.18 — though you’ll find significantly lower and higher on this list. Here are our picks.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Top adventure travel insurance options

Let’s take a closer look at our top six recommendations for adventure travel insurance.

What makes Battleface adventure insurance great:

Much lower cost than other options.

Provides primary health insurance. 

Includes six customizing options. 

Battleface is known for its adventure sports travel insurance, which makes it much more compelling than other products. Even at less than half the cost for other options, Battleface is providing you $100,000 in primary health insurance, $500,000 for medical evacuation and even coverage for pre-existing conditions .

Although its basic plan lacks features like lost luggage reimbursement, you’ll still get standard trip protections such as trip cancellation and employment layoff coverage. The extremely low cost may make this an enticing option for backpacker travel insurance or anyone wishing to save money on their travels.

What makes Travelex great:

Strong travel protections.

$50,000 in primary medical insurance. 

Coverage for medical quarantine included. 

Here’s a snippet from our Travelex review :

“Travelex’s primary goal is to provide travel insurance protection personalized to the type of trip you’re taking and the style of traveler you are. And regardless of which plan you choose, you’ll always have 24/7 access to travel assistance.”

What makes Tin Leg great:

Coverage for activities such as bungee jumping and skydiving. 

No medical deductible.

Strong trip protections.

Here’s a snippet from our Tin Leg review :

“The Adventure Plan … features primary medical coverage and work-related cancellations, plus more lost luggage insurance than the Luxury plan, coverage for accidental death and dismemberment during the trip (excluding flights) and extra coverage for delayed sports equipment. It’s also the only plan that offers medical coverage for adventure activities like mountain biking.”

What makes IMG great:

Up to $300 in reimbursed kennel fees for delays in returning home. 

Comprehensive trip protections, including trip delay and trip interruption reimbursement. 

Lower-than-average cost. 

Here’s a snippet from our IMG review:

“Some policies provide emergency medical evacuation coverage, while others skip this benefit entirely. This benefit may be more important if you travel to a remote location or engage in physical activity such as trekking.

“More comprehensive plans may include other benefits such as assistance with acquiring a new passport, reimbursing reward mile redeposit fees or coverage for pre-existing conditions. If these are something you’re interested in, be sure to check that your policy includes these options.”

John Hancock

What makes John Hancock great:

Trip delay reimbursement after three hours.

No medical deductible. 

$750 reimbursement for missed connections.

Here’s a snippet from our John Hancock review :

“The Gold plan provides the greatest benefits, including a much higher limit for emergency medical and lost baggage reimbursement. Other than that, however, the Silver level is fairly similar, enjoying the same 150% reimbursement rate for trip interruption and a three-hour window for trip delay to kick in.

“The Bronze level is the least expensive, but it’s not all that far off from the cost of the Silver level. At this rate, you’ll be looking at far less coverage for emergency medical and trip delay, though you’ll still have $200 in coverage for change fees and 100% of costs incurred for trip cancellation.”

HTH Travel Insurance

What makes HTH Travel Insurance great:

$500,000 in primary medical coverage. 

$1 million in medical evacuation. 

High-limit travel protections. 

Here’s a snippet from our HTH Travel Insurance review :

“HTH offers several types of travel medical insurance, as well as trip protection plans that include coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, baggage delays, and accident or sickness. … The cheapest plan … included 100% of the trip cost in case of cancellation, up to 150% of the trip cost in case of trip interruption and a variety of other benefits, including medical insurance coverage.”

What does travel insurance cover?

You’ll find a wide variety of coverage types offered by travel insurance policies. This is true whether you’re purchasing a single-trip or annual travel insurance plan.

Accidental death insurance .

Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance .

Cancel for Any Reason insurance .

Emergency evacuation insurance .

Medical insurance .

Rental car insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance .

Trip interruption insurance .

How to choose the best adventure travel insurance policy

Travel insurance can be good to have while you’re away from home and can provide coverage when your plans go awry. Standard plans will generally include coverage for trip interruption, lost luggage and emergency medical situations.

However, they also usually include a provision excluding adventure sports from their policies, so it’s important to read over your plan documents thoroughly. Companies like SquareMouth also allow you to filter travel insurance plans by the types of activities you’re doing, which may make it simpler to find one that fits your needs.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

If you want to buy adventure sports travel insurance

Participating in adventure sports or extreme activities can be thrilling but also riskier than the average traveler’s trip. Because of this, if you’re interested in purchasing travel insurance, you’ll want to be sure it provides coverage for your planned activities — whether you’re camping or cliff diving.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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Adventure Travel Hub

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Home » Travel Insurance » Best Insurance Companies for Adventure Travel [Master Guide]

Best Insurance Companies for Adventure Travel [Master Guide]

Written by Antonio Cala

• Affiliate Disclosure

Table of Contents

Traveling with an adventure travel insurance is crucial, especially when engaging in adventure sports and extreme activities. Many insurance companies provide travel coverage for international trips, but it’s difficult to know what’s covered what’s not when planning outdoor adventures or going to remote places.   

In this article, we’ve tried to compiled the best adventure travel insurance policies available, specifically those designed for adventure sports. There are definitely more insurance providers out there. Many offer generic travel insurance policies, but we’ve decided to only include the best adventure-specific ones to make the process of choosing one less overwhelming for you.

Quick Recommendations

Check out this quick list of our favorite insurance policies, or continue scrolling to see our full list of favorite companies with in-depth reviews.

Type of Adventure Trip

Independent Expeditions

Global Rescue

• Adventure Cruises

Diving Liveaboards

Dive Assure

Hiking Trips

Mountaineering

Adventure Motorcycling

Mountain Biking Trips

Individual Situations

Pre-existing Conditions

Seniors Over 65

Photographers

What Type of Adventure Trip Are You Planning?​

Many standard travel insurance policies cover a range of adventure and outdoor activities. However, if you plan to do more extreme and adventurous activities, you will need to purchase an adventure add-on or a completely different policy. 

Make sure you check if your trip already includes some insurance. For instance, some adventure cruises offer medical & evacuation insurance with every booking, so in this case what you really need is a policy with a high trip cancellation/interruption insurance, but not a high medical/evacuation coverage since you are already covered by the cruise company. 

These policies provide financial protection and peace of mind in the face of unpredictable events, ensuring you can fully enjoy your journey without worries about cancellations, medical emergencies, or unexpected disruptions in remote and challenging environments where adventure cruises take you.

Consider purchasing separate travel insurance for adventure cruises, as it’s often not included in bookings. Focus on high trip cancellation/interruption coverage due to the significant cost involved. Ensure your policy includes medical/evacuation coverage, especially for remote destinations.

Recommended Companies: Travelex Select | Faye | World Nomads – Explorer

Related Guide:   Best Travel Insurance for Adventure Cruises

Obtaining insurance for ski trips is indispensable for mitigating the risks associated with this high-adrenaline winter sport. 

Skiing accidents and weather-related disruptions are not uncommon, and having ski trip insurance ensures that you’re covered for medical emergencies, equipment loss or damage, and trip interruptions, allowing you to hit the slopes with confidence, knowing you’re financially protected in the event of unforeseen setbacks.

Recommended Companies: Faye | World Nomads – Explorer | Travelex – Select

Related Guide: Best Travel Insurance for Ski Trips

Securing insurance for hiking trips is fundamental to enjoying the great outdoors with peace of mind. Hiking adventures often take you to remote and rugged terrain, where injuries, unexpected weather changes, or emergencies can occur. 

Hiking trip insurance provides vital coverage for medical expenses, search and rescue, and trip cancellations, ensuring that you can explore nature safely and worry-free, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Recommended companies: Global Rescue |  Faye |   World Nomads – Explorer

Related Guide: Best Travel Insurance for Hiking Trips

If you would like to read more about insurance options for specific hiking routes from around the world, you can check out all the trails we’ve written about by using the toggle below.

Himalayas Region

• Travel Insurance for Annapurna Circuit
• Travel Insurance for Everest Base Camp Trek
• Travel Insurance for K2 Base Camp Trek
• Travel Insurance for Stok Kangri Trek

Andes Region

• Travel Insurance for Inca Trail
• Travel Insurance for Lares Trek
• Travel Insurance for Salkantay Trek
• Travel Insurance for Mount Kilimanjaro Climb
• Travel Insurance for Tour du Mont Blanc
• Travel Insurance for Kokoda Track

Mountaineering & High Altitude Trekking

Obtaining insurance for mountaineering and high-altitude trekking trips is absolutely essential for venturing into challenging and remote environments. These adventures come with inherent risks such as altitude sickness, extreme weather, and the need for specialized rescue operations. 

Mountaineering and high-altitude trekking insurance ensures you are covered for emergency medical evacuations, equipment losses, and trip cancellations at a high altitude (over 9,000 ft / 2,400 m) , enabling you to pursue your high-altitude goals with confidence, knowing that you have comprehensive protection against the unique challenges of these pursuits.

Recommended companies: Global Rescue | Faye |   World Nomads – Explorer

Related Guide: Best Travel Insurance for Mountaineering & High Altitude Trekking

Mountain Bike Holidays

Securing insurance for mountain bike holidays is crucial for enjoying adrenaline-packed adventures while minimizing potential risks. Mountain biking can be physically demanding and accidents are a possibility, especially on challenging trails. 

With mountain bike holiday insurance, you can protect yourself against unexpected medical expenses, bike repairs or replacements, and trip disruptions, ensuring a worry-free and exhilarating experience as you explore new trails and destinations.

Related Guide: Best Travel Insurance for Mountain Bike Holidays

Diving Liveaboard Trips

Obtaining insurance for diving liveaboard trips is paramount when embarking on underwater adventures in remote and diverse marine environments. Diving accidents and unexpected health issues can arise. 

This type of insurance covers you in the event of an accident while scuba diving and includes the cost of hyperbaric chambers and other related medical expenses.  Additionally, you can obtain insurance to protect your trip investment and diving equipment.

Recommended companies: Divers Alert Network | Dive Assure

Related Guide: Best Travel Insurance for Diving Liveaboards

Adventure Motorcycle Trips

Adventure motorcycle trip insurance is indispensable for those seeking thrilling journeys on two wheels through varied terrains and remote regions. 

Motorcycle adventures come with inherent risks and this type of insurance remains effective even if the accident occurs while you’re riding a motorcycle. 

With adventure motorcycle trip insurance, you gain critical coverage for medical emergencies and evacuation costs, enabling you to explore the open road with peace of mind, knowing you’re financially safeguarded against unexpected setbacks.

Related Guide: Best Travel Insurance for Adventure Motorcycle Trips

What's Your Personal Situation?

Depending on your personal situation like you place of residence, age or personal health, you might or not qualify for certain insurance policies. 

Make sure you check if your particular situation is covered by your policy. For instance, some companies only offer coverage for US residents while others might have an age limit or do not accept pre-existing conditions. 

Primary Residence

Your country of residence plays an important role when choosing an insurance policy. Not every company covers every nationality or country of residence, so you should first check which companies are you eligible to be insured with.

United States:   Faye   |   Travelex   |   Global Rescue   |   World Nomads

Europe, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia & New Zealand:   Global Rescue   |   World Nomads

Rest of the World:   Global Rescue   | World Nomads

Pre-Existing Conditions

Travel insurance for individuals with preexisting conditions is essential, as it provides tailored coverage for their unique healthcare needs while journeying abroad. 

This specialized insurance ensures access to medical treatment, medications, and emergency services related to preexisting conditions during travel, offering peace of mind and enabling those with prior health concerns to explore the world confidently, knowing they are financially protected against unexpected health issues while away from home.

Recommended companies: Faye | Global Rescue | Travelex – Select

Related Guide: Best Travel Insurance for Pre-existing Conditions

As age can bring increased health considerations, specialized travel insurance for seniors addresses their unique needs, covering medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen disruptions. 

This coverage ensures that mature adventurers can fully enjoy their journeys without worrying about unexpected setbacks, making their travel experiences not only memorable but also worry-free.

Recommended companies: Faye |   Global Rescue   | World Nomads

Related Guide: Best Travel Insurance for Seniors Over 65

Items You Bring

If you bring a lot of expensive gear with you, you might want to have an insurance policy that gives you a higher coverage against lost luggage or theft. 

Most travel insurance policies won’t cover anything above $3,000, so if you are traveling with serious camera equipment you should consider getting a separate camera insurance apart from your regular travel insurance policy.

For the average traveler (laptops, phones, cameras): Protect Your Bubble

For serious photographers (DSLR cameras, lenses, housings, drones, etc):  photoGuard   |   Full-Frame

Best Adventure Travel Insurance Campanies in 2024

Our Pick For

Independent Expeditions + Remote Locations + People Over 75

Nationalities: all nationalities are covered.

Pre-existing conditions: Yes.

Seniors Over 65: People aged 65-75 are included in the Individual Plan. Extended Plan memberships are available to those age 75-84 and include all services but are contingent upon completion of a medical form and a physician’s medical verification.

Trip Duration: Short term policies (7, 14 or 30-days) and long term policies (1 to 5 years) available.

Groups: Individual, family and student plans available.

Situations covered:  It covers civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies (when purchasing the Security package).

• Pros & Cons

Reasons To Buy

Remote locations coverage. Coverage available for 65-84. Pre-existing conditions accepted. All nationalities accepted​.

Reasons To Avoid

The price is a bit higher than other insurance policies. However, no other company provides the same coverage as Global Rescue. It doesn’t cover trip cancellations or delays. It doesn’t cover equipment.

Worldwide field rescue (up to $500,000) in remote or dangerous environments. Global Rescue’s deployable teams are standing by to rescue their members from the point of illness or injury for any serious medical emergency.

Medical Evacuation. Global Rescue’s fully deployable medical teams have unparalleled capabilities to transport our members back to their home hospital of choice from anywhere in the world. This includes global COVID-19 transport.

Medical & Security Advisory Services. Global Rescue’s operations centers are staffed by experienced nurses, paramedics and military special operations veterans. Global Rescue also has partnerships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations, Elite Medical Group and Partners HealthCare, the Harvard Medical School affiliate.

Security Membership. Global Rescue’s teams of military special operations veterans are available to provide advisory, consultation and evacuation services for events like natural disasters, terror attacks and civil unrest when you are in danger.

Destination Reports & Event Alerts. Destination reports for 215 countries and principalities worldwide include entry requirements, COVID-19 travel status and restrictions, detailed health and security assessments and required immunizations. Keep up to date on health and security events worldwide.

My Global Rescue Mobile App. Access Global Rescue services in one location. Browse destination reports and alerts, activate emergency assistance, real-time virtual health visits and keep track of the people you care about with GPS tracking and messaging.

Security Package. Physical extraction when you are in danger of bodily harm. It includes civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies.

Global Rescue  is the most comprehensive travel protection available worldwide. It has the least restrictions and biggest coverage than any other medical insurance.

It’s a medical-only protection designed for adventure travelers planning to go remote in an independent or organized adventure trip. All nationalities are covered and options for people over 75 are available.

We recommend  Global Rescue  for:

• Independent expeditions
• Remote locations
• Mountaineering trips
• High altitude hiking trips
• Adventure motorcycling
• Trips in unstable countries

Global Rescue  stands out as the  most expansive global travel protection option , offering unparalleled coverage with minimal restrictions compared to other medical insurance plans.

American Residents Who Want the Highest Coverage​

Nationalities:  Only US citizens and residents are eligible.

Pre-existing conditions:  Pre-existing conditions can be covered for Trip Cancellations and Interruptions, as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, and are medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Seniors Over 65:  There is no maximum age limit.

Trip Duration:  All plans cover trips up to 180 days.

Groups:  Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.

The prices are very competitive.

Plans are very customizable with plenty of extras available and the option of removing items you don’t need.

Pre-existing medical conditions accepted.

24/7 chat available with the Faye Mobile App

Only available to American residents.

Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $250,000. If you experience sudden illness or injury in-trip, including COVID-19. We can cover prescription drugs, hospitalization and physician costs.

Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage of transportation in the case of illness or injury that is acute, severe or life threatening when adequate medical treatment is not available in the immediate area.

Trip Cancellation: Up to 100%. If you need to cancel your trip for covered reasons, including if you get sick, contract COVID-19, or a travel provider goes bankrupt. We can cover flights, hotel bookings, tickets & activities, and quarantine accommodation.

Trip Interruption: Up to 150%. When you must unexpectedly cut your trip short or extend it for covered reasons, including if you contract COVID-19.

Trip Delay: Up to $4,500. Up to $300/day, for delays of more than 6 hours. When you’re stranded in transit due to reasons outside of your control such as flight delay or theft of passport.

Lost or damaged Belongings: Up to $2,000. Reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, including clothing, personal items and professional equipment like a phone or laptop.

Cancel for Any Reason: Up to 75% of Trip Cost. The ability to nix your trip for reasons other than those covered in your plan’s trip cancellation coverage, including fear of contracting COVID-19, as long as you purchase this coverage within 14 days of your initial trip deposit and cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled departure date.

Pet Care: Up to $2,500 in veterinary expenses & 
$250 for kenneling. Coverage of veterinary expenses if you take your furry friend along (including pet sickness or injury), or kenneling costs if you arrive back home later than expected.

Adventure & Extreme Sports: Up to $250K (international trips) or $50K (domestic trips) for accidental & sickness expenses. Medical and transportation coverage if you become injured while participating in an adventure or extreme sport, like skydiving, bungee jumping, motocross or free diving.

Faye insurance  provides American residents one of the biggest medical coverages on the market at a very competitive price. You can also add or subtract items so you only pay for what you really need.

We recommend Faye for:

• Seniors over 65
• Adventure cruises
• Mountain biking holidays

For U.S. residents seeking complete travel protection, including high medical coverage, trip protection, and baggage coverage,  Faye  emerges as  one of the best options available .

Expensive Trips ($10k+) + High Medical Coverage

Travel Guard

Nationalities:  Only residents of the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and UAE can purchase a Travel Guard insurance policy. 

Pre-existing conditions:  Yes.

Seniors Over 65:  Travelers aged 65-75 are covered.

Trip Duration:  All plans cover trips up to 364 days.

Groups:  One children aged 17 and under is included with an adult policy at no extra cost.

Highest medical  expenses and trip cancellation/interruption coverage combined under the same policy.

Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver Available (must be purchased within 15 days of the Initial Trip Payment).

Not all nationalities are covered.

Must be less than 75 years old.

Travel Medical Expense/Dental Expense: Up to $100,000/$500. Travel Medical Expense pays for medical expenses incurred due to a Sickness or Injury that happens while on a Trip. A $500 sub-limit applies for dental expenses.

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains: Up to $1,000,000. Covers evacuation expenses as directed by a Physician to the nearest adequate medical facility or home in the event of death or if medically required.

Trip Cancellation: Up to 100% Insured Trip Cost. Reimburses nonrefundable, Unused payments or deposits if you must cancel your Trip due to an illness, Injury, or death of you, a Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner, or for other covered reasons. Maximum of $150,000.

Trip Interruption: Up to 150% Insured Trip Cost: Reimburses nonrefundable, Unused payments or deposits if you must interrupt your Trip due to an illness, Injury, or death of you, a Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner, or for other covered reasons. Maximum of $225,000

Trip Interruption – Return Transportation Only: Up to $1,000. Reimburses the additional Transportation expenses incurred by you to reach the Return Destination if your Trip is interrupted by one of the Unforeseen events shown in the Policy Trip Interruption section.

Trip Delay: Up to $1,000. Reimburses up to $200 per day for Reasonable Additional Expenses until travel becomes possible if your Trip is delayed for more than 5 hours due to covered reasons.

Baggage Coverage: Up to $2,500. Reimburses you if your luggage is lost, damaged, or stolen while on your Trip. Coverage is primary.

Trip Saver: Up to $5,000. Reimburses up to $5,000 for meals, Hotels and additional Transportation if the Insured must begin their Trip sooner than the originally scheduled Departure Date due to Inclement Weather or Common Carrier changes.

Baggage Delay: Up to $500. Reimburses you for the purchase of necessary personal effects if your bags are delayed for more than 12 hours.

Missed Connection: Up to $1,000. Reimburses you if Inclement Weather or Common Carrier causes cancellation or a delay to your point of departure of regularly scheduled airline flights for three or more hours. Does not apply if you do not leave adequate time between connecting flights.

Security Evacuation: Up to $100,000. Coverage for security evacuation, Flight Guard® and Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption due to a riot or civil disorder.

Cancel for Any Reason Bundle. Reimburses up to the Maximum Limit shown on the Schedule of Benefits if you cancel your Trip for any reason, not otherwise covered under the Policy, up to 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.

Adventure Sports Bundle. Removes the exclusions for adventure and extreme activities from all benefits on the Policy.

Pet Bundle. Daily benefit for boarding, and a medical expense coverage for illness or Injury of dog or cat while traveling. Includes coverage for Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption if your Pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days prior to the Departure Date.

Wedding Bundle. Trip Cancellation due to wedding cancellation. Coverage does not apply if you are the bride or groom in the wedding.

The  Travel Guard Deluxe plan  is the best plan on the market for those who need both the highest medical and trip coverage.

It offers a trip cancellation/interruption coverage up to $150,000 / $225,000, a medical coverage up to $100,000 and emergency evacuation up to $1,000,000.

We recommend Travel Guard for:

• Expensive trips, like adventure cruises
• People needing high medical coverage

Travel Guard  offers competitive packages with some of the highest medical expense coverage available in the market.

Americans Going on Adventure Cruises​

Nationalities:  All nationalities are covered, as long as they are US residents. 

Seniors Over 65:  Senior travel insurance package is offered to seniors over 65.

Trip Duration:  Travel Select and Travel Basic plans cover trips up to 364 days. Travel America plan covers trips up to 14 days. 

Groups:  Individual and family plans available. 

Destinations covered:  Covers worldwide, except Ukraine, Syria, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Belarus, and Russian Federation.

The price is competitive.

Pre–existing conditions accepted.

Covers worldwide, except Ukraine, Syria, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Belarus, and Russian Federation.

Only available to US residents.

They receive mixed reviews online.

Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense: Up to $50,000. It comes with a dental coverage sublimit of $500

Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. It comes with an escort coverage limit of $25,000.

Trip Cancellation: 100% of insured trip cost. It comes with a limit of $50,000.

Trip Interruption: 150% of insured trip cost. It comes with a limit of $75,000.

Trip Delay: Up to $2,000. The policy comes with a daily sublimit of $200 and a minimum delay of 5 hours

Baggage & Personal Effects: Up to $1,000. Items sublimits apply.

Additional Medical Coverage. Increase your medical expenses coverage by $50,000 and up your medical evacuation coverage by $500,000.

Adventure Sports. Get protection for participating in professional athletic events, ziplining, skydiving, mountain climbing, and traveling on any air-supported devices.

Cancel for Any Reason. Protect yourself against the unexpected – whatever it maybe – and cancel your trip for any reason up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure date.

The  Travelex Select Plan  is a good option for American residents going on adventure cruises (or other adventure trips that cost over $10k) and don’t need more than $50k of medical coverage.

We recommend Travelex for:

• Expensive trips.
• People NOT needing high medical coverage

Travelex  is particularly appealing   for high-ticket adventure trips , such as adventure cruises, where medical coverage is often included, and the priority is safeguarding your trip investment against potential cancellations.

Affordable + Good Medical Coverage + Some Baggage Coverage​

World Nomads

Nationalities:  Most nationalities can purchase insurance from World Nomads, including residents of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, or New Zealand. However, as of the current writing, most European residents are unable to buy a World Nomads policy.

Pre-existing conditions:  Not covered.

Seniors Over 65:  Travelers aged 70 and over are not covered.

Trip Duration:  All plans cover trips up to 365 days.

Prices and coverage vary greatly by the country of residence.

Some European nationalities are not covered.

Pre-existing medical conditions not covered

Max age is 70 years old.

Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense: Up to $100,000. Coverage is for medical expenses for emergency treatment of an accidental injury that occurs during the trip. Emergency treatment must be medically necessary and performed during the trip. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.

Emergency dental treatment: Up to $750. Coverage is for emergency dental treatment for accidental injury to sound, natural teeth. The injury and treatment must occur during the trip.

Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage is for an accidental injury or sickness occurring during the trip that results in your necessary emergency evacuation. An emergency evacuation must be ordered by a physician who certifies that the severity of your accidental injury or sickness warrants your emergency evacuation. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.

Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable cancellation charges if you must cancel your trip (after the effective date) due to covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.

Trip Interruption: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable, unused expenses if you must interrupt your trip (after departure) due to a covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike, or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.

Trip Delay: Up to $3,000. Coverage is for unused portion of pre-paid accommodation or additional expenses, on a one-time basis, if you are delayed en route to or from the trip for 6 or more hours due to a defined hazard as explained in the certificate / policy.

Baggage & Personal Effects: Up to $3,000. Reimbursement is for loss, theft or damage during the trip to baggage and personal effects (including sporting equipment) owned by you, provided you have taken all reasonable measures to protect, save and recover the property. Per article limit of $500.

Activities covered based on 4 groups. You pay more for higher group. The Explorer plan includes more activities than the Standard Plan. Extreme activities not covered (cave diving, free soloing, etc)

The  World Nomads Explorer Plan  is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable travel insurance with good medical coverage and some equipment coverage (up to $3,000) under the same policy.

We recommend World Nomads for:

• Budget travelers
• Hiking trips

World Nomads  offers affordable packages that covers a good amount of adventure activities, along with solid medical expense coverage. However, the coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions is relatively small.  They are one of the  most budget-friendly companies  we’ve reviewed and receive relatively positive reviews online.

Dive Accident Insurance​

Divers Alert Network

Nationalities:  Most nationalities are covered. You will need to purchase your membership & insurance with the corresponding DAN office that serves your area (see Limitations section above). 

Pre-existing conditions:  Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

Seniors Over 65:  Includes coverage for divers age 70 and over in the U.S. and Canada

Trip Duration:  Both the DAN membership and dive accident insurance are only offered as annual. Travel insurance is offered for single trips or annual.

Groups:  Both membership and insurances are available as individual and family plans. 

Available for divers age 70 and over in the U.S. and Canada.

Plans recognized worldwide

You need to join DAN first, then add your insurance

Only annual coverage available. You cannot buy a week or month coverage.

Accidental Medical Expense Coverage. Coverage for hyperbaric chamber treatment, physician and hospital charges and emergency transportation by ground, air or marine ambulance.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment. Coverage for loss of life or limb resulting from a covered diving accident or named water sport accident while on a trip.

Permanent & Total Disability Coverage if permanently unable to return to work due to a covered diving accident or named water sports accident while on a trip.

Search & Rescue Coverage. Coverage to support the Coast Guard, local police or the efforts of other international services to locate you at sea due to a covered diving accident.

Extra Transportation & Accommodation.  Coverage for airfare, hotels, meals and incidentals if your return travel is delayed due to treatment prescribed by a doctor after a covered diving accident.

Lost Diving Equipment. Coverage for equipment such as a regulator, BCD, dive computer or fins that are unintentionally lost or damaged as a result of a covered diving accident.

DAN dive accident insurance  is an affordable way for divers to obtain insurance against the costs of dive injuries that are often left uncovered by most  travel insurances. You need to be DAN member to be able to purchase the insurance.

We recommend DAN for:

• Dive accident insurance

DAN  is the most popular insurance for divers traveling internationally. Their membership, combined with dive accident insurance, provides comprehensive coverage that every diver should have when traveling.

Scuba Diving Liveaboard Trips​

Nationalities:  Most nationalities are covered. 

Seniors Over 65:  Includes coverage for divers age 74 and under.

Trip Duration:  The maximum trip length for single-trip programs is 180 days, while the maximum trip length for multi-trip program is 42 consecutive days (per trip).

Unlike DAN, short term plans are available.

Liveaboard rider protects your trip investment in almost any situation.

Available for divers age 74 and under.

You need to purchase a membership first, then add your insurance.

Emergency Medical Expenses – Diving Related: Up to $1,000,000.

Emergency Medical Evacuation – Diving Related: Up to $1,000,000.

Emergency and Accidental Medical Treatment and Evacuation – Non-Diving Related: Up to $50,000.

Cancellation and Interruption- Comprehensive Coverage: Up to $15,000.

Lost Diving Days due to Weather: Up to $200/1000 (day/total). Travel Delay: Up to $1,000.

Dive Assure  stands as one of the popular insurance choices for international travelers who are avid divers. Their membership, coupled with dive accident insurance, travel insurance, and the liveaboard rider, offers a comprehensive protection package for every diver. It’s the best option for travelers wanting to insure their liveaboard trip.

We recommend Dive Assure for:

• Diving liveaboard trips

Dive Assure  stands as one of the popular insurance choices for international travelers who are avid divers. Their membership, coupled with dive accident insurance, travel insurance, and the liveaboard rider, offers a comprehensive protection package for every diver.

It’s the  best option for travelers wanting to insure their liveaboard trip .

Comparison Table

Generic travel insurance vs adventure travel insurance​.

An adventure travel insurance policy differs from a generic travel insurance policy by providing specialized coverage for high-risk and adventurous activities. 

While a generic travel insurance policy typically covers standard travel components such as trip cancellations, medical expenses, and lost baggage, an adventure travel insurance policy extends its coverage to include specific adventure activities like mountaineering, bungee jumping, or scuba diving.

These policies account for the increased risks associated with these activities and offer additional benefits such as emergency evacuation, search and rescue costs, and coverage for equipment or gear used during the adventures. 

Adventure travel insurance policies are designed to cater to the unique needs of adventure travelers, ensuring that they have adequate protection and peace of mind while engaging in thrilling pursuits.

What's Covered & What's Not

Many standard travel insurance policies typically cover a range of adventure and outdoor activities. However, if you plan to do more extreme and adventurous activities, you will need to purchase an adventure add-on or a completely different policy.

It’s important to note that the coverage provided by each travel insurance policy can differ significantly. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the policy wording and contact the insurance provider to understand exactly what activities are covered and if any additional coverage is required.

The following table shows what’s normally expected from a travel insurance policy and what activities require a specific adventure add-on.

Things to Be Aware​​

When shopping for travel insurance, there are several important points to consider to make sure you select a policy that best suits your needs and provides peace of mind during your trips.

Every insurance has its own small print which sometimes might be confusing. So we’ve compiled the key things you need to check before purchasing any policy for travel.

Coverage Types & Limitations

Understand the different types of coverage offered, such as medical expenses, trip cancellation/interruption, emergency evacuation, lost baggage, and travel delays. Check how much are you cover for each and if there are any limitations. 

Typical limits include a trip cancellation of 100% but with a limit of certain amount (i.e. Up to $10,000). So it’s not really 100% if your trip cost you over $10,000. 

Luggage protection is a tricky one as well. They will offer you a total amount (i.e. $3,000) but they will have certain limits per item (i.e. $300 per item). So if your $2,000 camera is lost, you will only receive $300 compensation.  

Trip Duration and Frequency

Consider the duration and frequency of your trips. Some insurance policies may have restrictions on trip length or provide coverage only for a specific number of days. Ensure the policy aligns with your travel plans.

Destination Coverage

Verify that the policy covers the destinations you plan to visit. Some countries may have specific requirements, or might not covered at all. So make sure your destination is included in the policy you purchase.   

Medical Coverage

Review the medical coverage limits and inclusions. Ensure the policy covers emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, medical evacuation, and repatriation.

Check if pre-existing conditions are covered or require additional riders. If covered, you normally have to purchase it within 15 days of the initial trip payment

Deductibles and Limits

Understand the deductibles and limits associated with various coverage areas. Deductibles are the amount you must pay before the insurance coverage kicks in, and limits are the maximum amount the insurer will pay for a particular category of expenses.

Policy Exclusions

Carefully read the policy exclusions to understand what is not covered. Common exclusions may include pre-existing conditions, adventure sports, high-risk activities, or acts of terrorism. Be aware of any limitations that may impact your coverage.

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage

Evaluate the terms and conditions for trip cancellation or interruption coverage. Understand the covered reasons for cancellation, the reimbursement limits, and any required documentation.

Some insurance companies provide a Cancel for Any Reason rider, which needs to be purchased separately. 

Travel Assistance Services

Check if the insurance provider offers 24/7 travel assistance services. These can include emergency hotlines, medical advice, translation services, or help with lost documents. Having reliable support during your travels can be invaluable.

Claims and Assistance

Filing a claim.

In the unfortunate event that a traveler needs to  file a claim , the process is usually straightforward. The traveler should contact their insurance provider as soon as possible and provide all relevant information. This may include documentation of the incident, such as police reports or medical bills.

It is important to note that different insurance providers may have different requirements for filing a claim. Some may require the traveler to fill out a claim form, while others may allow the traveler to file a claim online. It is important to read the policy details carefully and follow the instructions provided by the insurance provider.

Emergency Assistance Services

In addition to providing coverage for medical expenses and trip cancellations, many adventure travel insurance policies also offer emergency assistance services. These services can be invaluable in the event of an emergency, such as a medical evacuation or a natural disaster.

Emergency assistance services may include access to a 24-hour hotline, which can provide immediate assistance and advice in the event of an emergency. They may also include assistance with finding medical care or arranging for transportation back to the traveler’s home country.

It is important to note that emergency assistance services may not be available in all locations. Travelers should check their policy details carefully to understand what services are included and how to access them in the event of an emergency.

Tips for Travelers

Pre-trip preparations.

Before embarking on an adventure trip, it’s important to take necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. One of the most important things to do is to purchase travel insurance that  covers adventure sports . This will provide coverage for any unforeseen circumstances that may arise during the trip.

When selecting a travel insurance plan, travelers should carefully read the policy and understand what is covered and what is not. Some policies may not cover certain activities, such as bungee jumping or skydiving, so it’s important to choose a plan that covers all the activities planned during the trip.

Staying Safe Abroad

While  traveling abroad , it’s important to stay alert and aware of the surroundings. Travelers should avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive items and keep important documents, such as passports and visas, in a safe place. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy of these documents in case they are lost or stolen.

In addition, travelers should research the local customs and laws of the country they are visiting to avoid any misunderstandings or legal issues. It’s also important to stay up to date on any travel advisories or warnings issued by the government.

By taking these precautions and purchasing the right travel insurance plan, adventure travelers can enjoy their trips with peace of mind, knowing they are prepared for any unexpected situations that may arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors should i consider when choosing travel insurance for high-risk activities.

When  choosing travel insurance  for high-risk activities, there are a few factors to consider. First, make sure the policy covers the specific activities you plan to participate in. Some policies may exclude certain activities, such as bungee jumping or skydiving. Second, consider the level of coverage you need. If you’re participating in an activity with a higher risk of injury, you may want a policy with higher medical coverage limits. Finally, consider the deductible and other policy limits, as well as any exclusions or restrictions.

How much does adventure travel insurance typically cost?

The  cost of adventure travel insurance  can vary depending on a number of factors, including the level of coverage, the activities you plan to participate in, and the length of your trip. On average, however, adventure travel insurance can cost anywhere from 4% to 10% of the total trip cost.

What’s the best company for travel insurance that covers extreme sports?

There are several companies that offer travel insurance for  extreme sports and adventure activities . Some popular options include Global Rescue , Faye and World Nomads . It’s important to compare policies from different companies to find the one that best meets your needs.

How do I determine the right amount of coverage for my adventure trip?

When determining the right amount of coverage for your adventure trip, consider the potential risks and costs associated with your planned activities. Look for policies with high medical coverage limits, as well as coverage for  emergency medical evacuation  and trip cancellation/interruption . It’s also a good idea to consider the deductible and any exclusions or restrictions.

Are there any adventure activities that travel insurance won’t cover?

Yes, there are some adventure activities that travel insurance may not cover . These can vary depending on the policy and the insurance company, but common exclusions include activities such as base jumping,  mountaineering , and professional sports. It’s important to carefully review the policy details to ensure that your planned activities are covered.

What’s the claims process like for adventure travel insurance?

The claims process for adventure travel insurance is similar to that of other travel insurance policies. In the event of a covered loss, you’ll need to file a claim with the insurance company and provide documentation to support your claim. This may include medical bills, police reports, or other evidence of the loss. The insurance company will then review your claim and determine whether it’s covered under the policy.

Insurance for Adventure Travel Online

When doing your research, you might want to read what other publications have to say about the best insurance for adventure trips.

Here are some of the most popular articles I found interesting. 

Best Adventure Sports Travel Insurance – NerdWallet.com

7 Best Travel Insurance for Extreme Sports and Adventure Activities – Outofyourcomfortzone.net

About the Author

Antonio was born and raised in Southern Spain, and quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight. Their passion for adventure took them to visit 150+ countries.

They cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions.  Today, they’re still traveling,  currently around the USA with an RV.

Traveling to so many places, remote destinations and by different means taught them a lot about travel insurance, which policies to hold depending on the area and the type of adventure they were doing. Antonio now publishes regular content to help other travelers choose the best travel insurance for adventure trips.

Together, they also run the travel community Summit , the RV site Hitched Up , the boutique accommodation blog  Unique Places  and the popular newsletter Adventure Fix , where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.

Antonio Cala

Co-Founder of Adventure Fix

Privacy Overview

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Adventure & Sports Travel Insurance

Best travel insurance for extreme sports.

Some single trip policies can cover adventurous activities that are often excluded, such as skydiving, bungee jumping, and mountain climbing. Typically, these policies also have coverage for more common activities like hiking and snorkeling.

Select policies provide benefits for sports equipment and fees, including coverage for lost or damaged equipment , and for the cost of renting new equipment if yours is delayed . The Sports Fees benefit can reimburse sports-related trip payments.

The cost of treating injuries while competing in amateur sports can be covered by some travel insurance policies. This can include coverage for injuries sustained during competitive, organized, collegiate, or scholastic sports and activities.

Water Sports

Snorkeling, fishing, and other popular activities can be covered.

Many travel insurance policies have coverage specifically for active travelers who plan to participate in water sports . These policies can include coverage for many popular cruise excursions and water activities, such as jet skiing, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, and tubing, among others. Some travel insurance policies can also cover travelers who participate in more adventurous water activities, including scuba diving, windsurfing, water skiing, and speed sailing.

Snow and Winter Sports

Coverage from snowshoeing to heli skiing.

Winter sports are often covered by travel insurance policies, including snowboarding, skiing, tubing, and snowmobiling. More adventurous sports, such as heli skiing or heli boarding, luging, and ice windsurfing, can also be covered by some policies. Certain policies are built specifically to cover travelers who want to participate in these types of extreme sports.

Air Activities

Coverage for extreme air sports, like skydiving, may be available.

Hang gliding, zip lining, or bungee jumping can be covered by some travel insurance policies. The policies that can cover these air activities may also have more comprehensive coverage for other high-flying activities. These policies can include coverage for skydiving, parachuting, piloting an aircraft, and hot air ballooning, among others.

Travel Insurance for Adventure and Sports

Land-based Activities

Mountaineering and trekking are among the covered land activities.

Travel insurance can cover many adventurous land-based activities . Mountain climbing, cave diving and riding motorcycles are among the most hazardous land-based activities that can be covered under travel insurance policies. More common land-based activities, such as hiking, cycling, go-karting, and trekking, are also covered by many policies.

Amateur Sports & Competitions

Some policies cover recreational and organized sports.

Travel insurance can cover an injury that occurs while participating in a sport. Many policies cover recreational sports and activities, and some can cover organized sports at the scholastic, collegiate, or other amateur levels. Select policies can cover professional sports.

Travel insurance coverage for sports can include popular contact sports, such as football, rugby, and hockey, as well as other sports like basketball, baseball, and golf. This also includes participating in sports or activities in a camp setting.

Have Questions?

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Search for sports and activities you will be participating in during your trip, then select "Continue to Trip Information" to complete your quote.

• Water scuba diving, kayaking, diving, rafting and more. Bamboo Rafting Banana Boating Black Water Rafting (Grades 1-3) Bodyboarding Breathing Observation Bubble (BOB) Canoe Trekking Canoeing - White Water (up to Grade 3) Canoeing - White Water (up to Grade 4) Canoeing - White Water (up to Grade 5) Canoeing (excluding white water) Cliff Jumping Coasteering (ad hoc) Coasteering (with a guide) Deep Sea Fishing Dinghy Sailing Diving Diving (high diving or spring board) Dragon Boating Fishing Free Diving Gorge Walking (no ropes) High Diving HobieCat Sailing (inshore) Hydrospeeding (White Water Grade 3) Hydrospeeding (White Water Grade 4) Ice Diving Ice Windsurfing Jet Boating Jet Skiing Kayaking Kayaking (excluding White Water) Kayaking (White Water - up to Grade 3) Kayaking (White Water - up to Grade 4) Kayaking (White Water - up to Grade 5) Kite Boarding Kite Surfing Kloofing Mixed Gas Scuba Diving (you must be qualified) Modern Pentathlon Octopush Parasailing Parasailing (over water) Rafting River Bugging River Tubing Rowing Sailing Sailing/Yachting Inshore (racing) Sailing/Yachting Inshore (recreational) Sailing/Yachting Offshore (Deep Ocean: beyond 30 miles from the shore) Sailing/Yachting Offshore (Racing: within 30 miles of the coastline) Sailing/Yachting Offshore (Recreational: within 30 miles of the coastline) Scuba Diving Scuba Diving - Mixed Gas (must be qualified) Scuba Diving (accompanied by a dive master) Scuba Diving (Must be PADI or equivalent qualified) Scuba diving to 100 ft (if accompanied by a dive master) Scuba Diving to 10m (if SSI, PADI or NAUI certified) Scuba Diving to 120 feet (PADI or NAUI certified with a dive master present) Scuba Diving to 130 feet (PADI or NAUI certified with a dive master present) Scuba Diving to 20m (if accompanied by a dive master) Scuba Diving to 20m (if SSI, PADI or NAUI certified) Scuba Diving to 30 ft (if accompanied by a dive master) Scuba Diving to 30m Scuba Diving to 50m (Must be PADI or equivalent qualified) Sea Kayaking Shark Diving (in cage) Shark Diving to Swim With & Feed Sharks Shark Tagging (volunteer work) Skeleton Snorkeling Speed Sailing Stand Up Paddle Boarding Surfing Swim Trekking Swimming Swimming (Long Distance) Swimming with Dolphins Swimrun (Utö Swimrun or similar) Tombstoning Triathlon Tubing Utö Swimrun Sweden Wakeboarding Water Polo Water Ski Jumping Water Skiing (Amateur) Waterskiing Whalewatching White Water Rafting White Water Rafting (up to Grade 3) White Water Rafting (up to Grade 4 - 6) Windsurfing Windsurfing/Boardsailing
• Winter dog sledding, glacier walking, skiing, snowboarding and more. Airboarding Bobsleighing Cross-Country Skiing/Langlauf Dog Sledding (Racing) Dog Sledding (Recreational) Glacier Walking Husky Dog Sledding Ice Climbing Ice Holing Ice Skating Ice Speedway Ice Windsurfing Luge Marathon (Arctic) Mountain Biking (Mega Avalanche or Similar) Skiing (Back country with a guide) Skiing (Back country without a guide) Skiing (Backcountry in resort) Skiing (Cat Skiing/Boarding) Skiing (Cross Country) Skiing (Free-Style) Skiing (Heli Skiing) Skiing (Moguls) Skiing (Mono) Skiing (Nordic) Skiing (Para) Skiing (Ski Biking) Skiing (Ski Blading) Skiing (Ski Boarding) Skiing (Ski Cross/Snowboard Cross) Skiing (Ski Dooing) Skiing (Ski Flying) Skiing (Ski Jumping) Skiing (Ski Mountaineering) Skiing (Ski Racing (ski school races etc)) Skiing (Ski Racing) Skiing (Ski Randonee) Skiing (Ski Stunting) Skiing (Ski Touring) Skiing (Slopestyle (no inverted aerials)) Skiing (Snowcat) Sledding/Tobogganing Sleigh Riding Sleigh Riding (Reindeer/Horse) Snow Biking Snow Blading Snow Bobbing Snow Go-Carting Snow Mobiling Snow Parascending Snow Scooting Snow Shoeing Snow Skiing (Recreational Downhill) Snow Tubing Snowboarding Snowboarding (Back-country without a Guide) Snowboarding (Backcountry in resort) Snowboarding (Freestyle/Terrain Park (inverted aerials)) Snowboarding (Freestyle/Terrain Park (no inverted aerials)) Snowboarding (Heli-boarding) Snowboarding (Recreational) Snowboarding (Slopestyle) Snowboarding (Snowboard Cross) Snowcat Driving Snowmobling Speed Flying/Riding Speed Skating Telemarking Tubing
• Air zip lining, hang gliding, hot air ballooning and more. Bridge Swinging Bungee Jumping Flying (as a licensed pilot) Flying (as a passenger in a licensed passenger carrying private/small aircraft) Hang Gliding Hang Gliding (Tandem) Hot Air Ballooning Hot Air Ballooning (Piloting) Micro Lighting Operating an Aircraft Parachute Jumping (Static Line) Parachuting Parachuting (Charity with Static Line) Parachuting (Free Fall/Sky Diving) Paragliding Paramotoring Parapenting/Parapointing Parasailing (over water) Power Gliding Sky Jumping Skydiving Skysurfing Speed Flying/Riding Tandem Skydive Wind Tunnel Flying Zip Line Zip Trekking
• Land hiking, camel riding, trekking, safari tours and more. Animal Sanctuary/Refuge Work Assault Courses Assault Courses including High Ropes ATV Quad Bike (Off-roading) Biathlon Big Game Hunting Blade Skating Blowcarting BMX BMX Cycling (no Freestyle) BMX Freestyle BMX Racing Bouldering Buggying Camel/Elephant Riding/Trekking Camping Canyoning Caravanning (Mobile Home/Trailer Camping) Cave Diving Cave Tubing Caving/Spelunking Climbing (Mountaineering up to 4,000m) Coasteering (ad hoc) Coasteering (with a guide) Cross Country Running Cycle Racing / Time Trials Cycle Touring Cycle Touring (multi-country expeditions) Cycling (Road/Recreational) Cyclo-cross Deer Stalking/Hunting Drag Racing Driving (any motorized vehicle) Fell Running Fell Walking Four x Four Off Road Driving Go-Karting Gorge Walking (no ropes) Gorilla Trekking Hiking Hiking (below 4,500 meters) Hill Walking (up to 2,000m) Historical/Battle Reenactment Horse Riding Ironman Jogging Karting (as part of an organized recreational event) Karting (Racing) Kilimanjaro (Trekking ascent) Kloofing Land Sailing/Sand Yachting Land Skiing Land Yachting Low Ropes Marathon (City/Street marathon) Modern Pentathlon Motor Cycling (above 125cc) Motor Cycling (up to 125cc inc hired motor cycle)) Motor Cycling Off Road over 250cc (non-competitive) Motor Cycling Off Road up to 250cc (non-competitive) Motor Paintball Motor Racing/Competitions (all types) Motor Rallies/Competitions (all types) Motorsport/Motor Racing Mountain Biking Mountain Biking (Competitive) Mountain Biking (Downhill) Mountain Biking (Freestyle) Mountain Biking (Mega Avalanche or Similar) Mountain Biking (Recreational not Downhill) Mountain Boarding Mountaineering Mountaineering above 14,000ft Mountaineering up to 4,000m Mountaineering up to 5,000m Off Road Motorcycling (over 250cc) Off Road Motorcycling (up to 250cc) Off-road Car Driving (4x4, dune buggying etc) Orienteering Overland Trips Paintballing Paintballing (Motor Paintball) Pony Trekking Rap Running/Jumping Rappelling/Abseiling Rock Climbing (under 2,000m) Rock Climbing (under 3,000m) Rock Climbing (under 4,000m) Rock Scrambling (under 4,000m) Roller Blading Roller Derby Roller Skating Safari (hunting with guns/bows) Safari (Wildlife/Tourist) Safari Trekking (where guns are carried by safari guides for safety) Sandboarding Scrambling Shooting (Clay Pigeon) Shooting (Target) Slack Lining Small Bore Target Shooting Storm Chasing Summer Tobogganing Trekking Trekking (Everest Base Camp) Trekking (Kilimanjaro Ascent) Trekking (up to 4,000m) Trekking (up to 4,500m) Trekking above 7,000m Triathlon Via Ferrata Volcano Climbing Zip Line Zip Trekking Zorbing
• Sport archery, basketball, soccer and more. Aerobics Amateur Athletic Field Event Amateur Athletic Track Events American Football American Football (No Division 1) Angling Archery Badminton Ball Hockey Ballet Baseball Basketball Billiards Bowling Bowls Boxing Boxing (Training) Cheerleading Climbing (indoor) Cricket Croquet Cross Country Running Curling Cycle Racing/Time Trials Dancing Dodgeball Endurance Tests Equestrian Eventing (Equestrian) Falconry Fell Running Fell Walking Fencing Field Hockey Fishing Fives Flag Football Frisbee Gaelic Football Golf Gymnastics Gymnastics (floor) Gymnastics (involving somersaults etc) Handball Highland Games (athletic events competing) Highland Games (heavyweight events competing) Horse Jumping (Show Jumping) Horse Riding Horse Riding (Dressage) Horse Riding (Eventing) Hunting Hurling Ice Hockey Ice Skating Ice Speedway Ironman Jiu Jitsu Jiu Jitsu (Brazilian) Jogging Judo Karate Karting (as part of an organized recreational event) Karting (Racing) Keep Fit Kendo Kick Boxing/Thai Boxing Kiting (flying kites) Korfball Krav Maga Lacrosse Marathon (Arctic) Marathon (City/Street marathon) Martial Arts Model Flying Modern Pentathlon Netball Paintballing Paintballing (Motor Paintball) Petanque Pigeon Racing Polo (Equestrian) Polocrosse Pool Power Lifting Quoits Rackets/Raquetball Rifle Range Ringos Roller Blading Roller Derby Roller Hockey Rounders Rowing Rugby Rugby League Rugby Training (Full Contact) Rugby Training (Not Full Contact) Rugby Union Running (City/Street Marathon) Running (keep fit) Shinty Show Jumping Skateboarding Skateboarding Freestyle Skateboarding/Downhill/Competitive Skeleton Snooker Soccer (Football) Softball Speed Trials/Time Trials Squash Squash/Rackets Table Tennis Tae Kwon Do (Competing) Ten Pin Bowling Tennis Time Trials (Cycling) Touch Rugby Tough Mudder Tough Mudder (World's Toughest) Track Track Days (E.G. Nurburgring) Car Or M/Bike Trampolining (involving somersaults) Trampolining (Recreational) Trans Savoie Big Alpine Enduro Triathlon Tug-of-War Ultra marathon (Marathon des Sables, Jungle Marathon, Arctic Marathon, UTMB etc) Volleyball War Games/Paintballing Weightlifting Wrestling Yoga

Please select if you will be participating in amateur or professional events or competitions:

Your quote results will show policies that include coverage for the activities you have chosen, however, we cannot guarantee adequate coverage for your particular trip.

Please either call us or review your policy certificate for coverage limitations and exclusions that may apply to your trip and activities.

Adventure Travel Insurance

Travelers who take adventure trips are a whole different breed of traveler. Adventure travel is physically demanding and often fraught with personal danger, rustic accommodations, and unfamiliar food in remote locations. Adventure travel insurance plans include coverage for activities like hang gliding, diving, skiing, and mountaineering (to name just a few). It’s important for adventure travel tourists to purchase a plan that includes coverage for their planned activities.

What are the risks of adventure travel?

Some of the unexpected things that can go wrong on an adventure tour include the following:

• On a trek to Everest’s base camp, you experience severe altitude sickness and have to be airlifted off the mountain . Emergency medical evacuations, especially those in remote locations, are highly expensive affairs. Will you have the travel insurance coverage you need or have to pay for it yourself?
• On a kayak adventure in Costa Rica, you encounter a parasite and become extremely ill . Even if qualified medical facilities are close by, you’ll still have to pay for your medical care. Will you have the funds or credit available to cover your medical bills?
• You pre-paid for a safari but when you arrive, the business is closed . If the travel supplier you have paid closes up shop and defaults, can you afford to lose that money?
• You’ve long planned a SCUBA trip in the Cayman Islands, but the week before you are schedule to leave, a hurricane wipes out your destination . When a natural disaster strikes, having trip cancellation coverage can ensure you’ll receive a refund of your pre-paid trip costs. You can reschedule your trip for another time.
• You check your bags – including your bike – with the airline, but your bags are stolen before you arrive at baggage claim . When your clothing, personal items, and sporting equipment are lost, stolen, or destroyed, can you afford to purchase everything you will need to continue your trip?
• While heli-skiing in Canada, you miss an important turn and become physically disabled . Severe injuries can happen to even the most experienced athletes. If you are injured to the point of disability, how will you pay your bills back home?
• You’re on your way to a hiking trip in New Zealand when severe weather causes a temporary shut down of all flights . When you’ve already paid for your trip, having to shell out additional (and unexpected) funds can put a crimp in your travel budget.

What coverage do you need as a adventure travel tourist?

The following is not an exhaustive list of all the coverages available with travel insurance plans . Instead, it describes those that are most useful to adventure travelers.

• Evacuation and repatriation coverage – coordination and funds for a medically necessary evacuation or to return your body home. (Review the details of evacuation and repatriation coverage .)
• Medical coverage – advance payments or reimbursement for medical and dental care received on your trip (even in a foreign country).
• Financial default coverage – reimbursement for your pre-paid non refundable trip costs when a travel supplier ceases operations. (Review the details of financial default coverage .)
• Trip cancellation coverage – reimbursement of your pre-paid non refundable trip costs when it has to be cancelled (for a covered reason). (Review the details of trip cancellation coverage .)
• AD&D coverage – a lump sum is paid to your family if you are disabled or die on your adventure trip. (Review the details of AD&D coverage .)
• Travel delay coverage – a per-day amount for lodging, meals and transportation when your travel is delayed (for a covered reason). (Review the details of travel delay coverage .)

Who should buy adventure travel insurance?

Travelers like these should purchase adventure travel insurance:

• Travelers on organized adventure tours – tour operators may require proof of travel insurance at the start of the trip.
• Individual and experienced adventure travelers – no matter how experienced you are at your preferred activity, accidents and illnesses can happen. Without travel insurance coverage for adventure activities, none of the coverages will be available to you on your trip.
• Newbies on a learning adventure – Joined a trip to learn a new skill? It’s important to have coverage for the activity. Without it, all your coverage will be invalidated.

When should you buy your travel insurance?

Purchase your policy just after making your first trip payment. In some situations, this timing is important for some benefits like:

• pre-existing medical condition waivers,
• ‘cancel for any reason’, and
• ‘cancel for work reasons’

These are only applicable if you purchase within 10-15 days from making your initial trip deposit. Plus, you’ll benefit from the longest period of cancellation coverage.

Remember that all travel insurance companies offer a free look period with a refund . If you decide the plan is not what you need, you get your money back.

Where should you buy your travel insurance?

We recommend purchasing your travel insurance directly from a third-party company for a number of reasons.

• Buying Travel Insurance from a 3rd party company vs. through a travel agent
• Buying Travel Insurance Directly from the Company vs. Using a Comparison Site

Very briefly, you’ll have more choices and options if you purchase from a third-party company using a comparison tool .

How can you be sure your travel insurance coverage is adequate?

These tips will help you determine whether you have enough coverage.

• Don’t base your purchase on price alone
• 4 Steps to 100% confidence in your travel insurance plan
• Entering $0 Trip Cost is too risky
• Is ‘Cancel for any reason’ worth it?

What are the best adventure travel insurance plans?

Our analysis found the most important coverage for adventure travelers includes:

• Adventure activities waived or included in plan
• Medical coverage – at least $50,000
• Evacuation coverage – at least $200,000
• Baggage coverage – at least $1,000
• Trip cancellation coverage at 100%
• AD&D benefits

Damian Tysdal is the founder of CoverTrip, and is a licensed agent for travel insurance (MA 1883287). He believes travel insurance should be easier to understand, and started the first travel insurance blog in 2006.

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June 1, 2020

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Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

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4 Reasons You Need Travel Insurance for an Adventure Vacation

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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• Price My Plan

Take your Detour Travel insurance for your adventure

Plan options.

Basic protection for the casual traveler on a budget

• 100% of Trip Costs up to $1,000
• $100 reasonable expenses/day
• $25,000 maximum benefit
• up to $100 dental expenses
• $250,000 maximum benefit
• not included

Pre-Paid Expenses

• $500 maximum benefit
• $100 maximum benefit per day (after 12 hours)

Health + Safety

• up to $5,000

Gear + Personal Belongings

• $1,000 maximum benefit
• $100 per article
• $250 combined maximum
• up to $250 (after 24 hours)

Expanded coverage and benefits for adventure sports including gear rental

• 100% of Trip Costs up to $2,500
• $50,000 maximum benefit
• up to $250 dental expenses
• $500,000 maximum benefit
• up to $3,000 for lost/damaged
• $2,000 maximum benefit
• $150 maximum benefit per day (after 12 hours)
• $50,000 Maximum Benefit
• $5,000 maximum benefit
• up to $25,000
• $250 per article
• $500 combined maximum
• up to $500 (after 12 hours)

Superior benefits including extreme sport or activity coverage

• 100% of Trip Costs up to $5,000
• $100,000 maximum benefit
• up to $500 dental expenses
• $1,000,000 maximum benefit
• up to $5,000 for lost/damaged
• $200 maximum benefit per day (after 12 hours)
• $10,000 maximum benefit
• up to $50,000
• $3,000 maximum benefit
• $300 per article
• up to $750 (after 12 hours)

The benefits of @the edge , plus increased trip cancellation and interruption coverage

• 100% of Trip Costs up to $10,000

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* Benefits, coverage, terms and conditions and exclusions may vary by state.

Underwritten by Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. In Washington, the plans are underwritten by Nationwide Life Insurance Company and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. Applicable to policy forms NSIGTC 2000, NSHTC 2000, SRTC 2000, or state equivalent.

Nationwide and Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

Detour with Confidence™

When travel gives you a Detour, take it. Whether you are preparing for an adventure of a lifetime or leading a life of adventure, Detour Travel Protection safeguards your health and well-being, prepaid expenses, and gear and personal belongings should things wander off course.

Detour is founded and operated by adventurers who live the lifestyle and understand the rewards and risks associated with experiential travel. 

Designed for U.S. residents traveling more than 100 miles from their homes, Detour’s versatile plans include enhanced benefits such as non-insurance and emergency travel assistance services. Detour’s coverage options range from basic protection for the casual traveler on a budget to extreme sports coverage for the hardcore adrenaline junkie. It’s your experience to define.  It’s our mission to protect you before and during your trip.

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Out of Your Comfort Zone

The art of backpacking & adventures to get out of your comfort zone – tips and advice, 7 best travel insurance for extreme sports and adventure activities.

Ahhh, nothing better than traveling to practice a sport or take on an adventure activity . Seeing a new country and getting that adrenaline rush from at the same time is just the best!

But with sports and activities, there come risks. Which means this type of trip is one you need to be prepared for. So, an international travel insurance that covers adventure is essential .

It’s worth mentioning that travel insurance is also very important for normal trips. Which means that it’s practically obligatory on a trip where you’ll do adventurous activities or sports since they only make the trip riskier. So, having travel insurance is more than just important.

If you are just looking for a normal travel insurance, I recommend my article with the 3 Best and Cheapest International Travel Insurance in 2020 !

Why do I need special travel insurance for extreme sports and adventurous activities?

Not all insurance companies cover all types of activities.

In other words, if you buy a type of travel insurance that doesn’t cover snowboarding and you get hurt snowboarding, your insurance won’t help you.

Basic travel insurance plans cover basic activities (like “safe” sports, fishing , hiking, snorkeling, etc.). But if you plan to do more extreme sports or adventurous activities such as surfing, diving, skiing, snowboarding, etc…, there’s a good chance you’ll have to add on a supplement to your plan to make sure your specific activity is covered.

What do I mean by adventurous activities and extreme sports?

These are the types of sports and activities that normal types of travel insurance (or at least the basic plans) often don’t cover. This will vary from insurance company to insurance company.

For example, skydiving is an activity that will never be covered by a basic travel insurance plan. However, canyoning may be covered by some plans, but not by others.

When I talk about the 7 best companies below, you’ll see screenshots with what activities are considered adventurous activities or sports (and thus will know what type of plan will cover you).

By the way, if you like to play sports and stay in shape during your travels, check out my article with 9 Tips to Stay Fit During Your Travels .

How to choose the best international travel insurance for extreme sports and adventure activities?

To choose the right plan for you, you’ll need to consider a few factors. From the coverage amount to the activities and sports covered.

First, it’s important that you pay attention to the requirements for your destination (in Europe, for example, you need to have coverage of 30,000 US dollars at the minimum in the Schengen area ).

And remember that the cost-benefit may be more important than the simple price of travel insurance coverage . This is because a difference in value can reflect greater coverage (for more sports/activities) and benefits which make it worth more than a cheaper plan.

Besides this, make sure to read the insurance policies and pay attention to the conditions , exclusions, and service instructions. So you can avoid unpleasant surprises when an emergency strikes, and make sure that your sport/activity will be covered.

The 4 Best Travel Insurances for Extreme Sports and Adventure Activities

A sport/adventure travel insurance is much more specific than one for a leisurely trip and it can be very stressful to spend hours searching the ‘net to find the right insurance.

Plus, it’s much better to know that the insurance you buy won’t let you down.

With that in mind and to help you choose the best insurance for adventures and extreme activities, I made a list below comparing the 4 best travel insurances available.

At the end of the post, you’ll find a table comparing the activities and sports covered, as well as the coverage amounts from each insurance company.

TIP: As always I recommend you get a quick quote online on all the companies I list below. You will only lose a few minutes and you could end up saving a lot just with good research.

(5% discount coupon comfort5 )

World Nomads is a respected and well-known company focused on adventure travel insurance and lots of sports! It’s even the insurance recommended by the largest travel guide in the world, Lonely Planet.

Their coverage is guaranteed and provided together with Bupa, AIG, and Nationwide insurers, depending on which country you are from. It includes emergency service in many languages 24/7.

There are two possible plans offered by World Nomads: Standard and Explorer.

As you can see from the table, the coverage amounts vary greatly. But the same is not true of the price you pay. And both plans cover more than 150 activities!

There are, however, a few activities that are only covered by the Explorer plan (make sure you check for your specific sport/activity before you buy).

Since there are so many activities (even with just the Standard plan), it’s a great option for adventurous travelers who practice lots of types of sports and might need emergency medical coverage.

The price, when you consider all it covers, is really worth it. Just to help you have an idea, I got a hypothetical quote for two weeks in Switzerland, a destination known worldwide for its skiing :

You can get a quote and purchase directly from the World Nomads website.

One of its biggest attractions is the amount of coverage which can be greater than many other insurance providers depending on your country of residency. It usually goes from US$ 100,000.00 to unlimited!! 

And considering the pricey costs of sports accidents, if you practice sports (that are included on the list above), World Nomads is a safe choice.

By clicking on this link here and using the coupon code  comfort5 , you will get a 5% discount on your World Nomads travel insurance plan. 

2) SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a new travel insurance that is really similar to WorldNomads and focuses on covering travelers who practice all kinds of sports.

They are partners of HCC (that I mentioned above) and they are underwritten at LLOYD’s. In other words, it’s a pretty trustworthy company.

Plus, like the other insurances mentioned above, SafetyWing covers people from all over the world!!

One great thing about them is that they have a precise list of all the sports and extreme activities they cover on their website.

I will post this list here plus the sport activities they DON’T cover. It is important to highlight that this is a non-exhaustive list. And keep in mind that these activities are only covered if they are practiced recreationally. They are not covered for organized athletics* or professional sports:

List of Included sports covered by SafetyWing travel insurance

*You are not covered if the activity is organized athletics involving regular or scheduled practice and/or games, or the activity is performed in a professional capacity or for any wage, reward, or profit.

You must ensure the activity is adequately supervised and that appropriate safety equipment (such as protective headwear, life jackets etc.) are worn at all times.

Sports that are excluded from coverage by SafetyWing travel insurance

IMG Global is another well-known company that’s been around since 1990.

They offer several different plans, including insurance options for exchange students and insurance for expats (foreigners who live in other countries) .

The best international insurance for adventure travel from IMG Global is their Patriot Travel Medical Insurance, which you can get for trips as short as 5 days and as long as 12 months.

With this plan, the coverage limit can be up to 2 million USD. But for the specific coverage for adventure sports accidents, the limit decreases considerably.

Plus, the company still uses age to define coverage maximums:

The coverage for sports is extra. So, you’ll need to choose the “Aventure Sports Rider” when getting a quote.

IMG Global’s “Adventure Sports Rider” includes 33 adventure sports and is only available for those under 65:

Still, the plan has potential since it covers activities that aren’t covered by World Nomads’ Standard Plan, like bungee jumping and skydiving (although these are covered in World Nomads’ Explorer Plan). So IMG can be a good alternative if you plan to do these activities during your trip.

Not to mention that the prices are a bit more attractive. Getting that same hypothetical quote, two weeks in Switzerland, with the coverage of adventure sports adds up to the following:

So, although it doesn’t cover as many activities overall and the coverage is less than World Nomads, it’s worth seeing if your sport/activity is on the list I gave above.

You can get a quote directly on their website. They also have multilingual customer service either by phone or live chat on their website.

HCC Medical Insurance is an American insurance company that was purchased in 2015 by Tokyo Marine, another well-known insurance company.

One of the most interesting differences in HCC is that it offers specialized travel insurance options with coverage ranging from leisure trips to missionary trips to exchange students.

The insurance is offered in partnership with Atlas Travel, with a maximum coverage of up to 2 million USD.

The two plans HCC offers for travel insurance are Atlas International and Atlas International Premium .

The first plan has a maximum coverage of up to $1 million USD (and thus is cheaper), while the second has up to $2 million USD .

Between these two plans, there is no difference in the sports/activities covered.

The values are pretty good in that, if you consider the maximum coverage, this is the travel insurance option with the best cost-benefit among the 4 listed.

With the same hypothetical, here’s the cost of my two weeks in Switzerland with HCC:

Both plans include adventure activities without additional cost. The list of covered sports and activities are given by exclusion. In other words, all the adventure sports that are not expressly excluded in the insurance policy are covered .

For your activities to be covered by HCCMI, you must meet these standards.

And with the above precautions, the following activities are included:

These are the sport/activities which are NOT covered by the Atlas Travel plans:

All of the activities that are not on the list of excluded items are covered by the insurance.

One other useful difference is that, before you buy a plan, you can find a list of local HCCMI partners where you can be treated simply by presenting your insurance ID card. Meaning you can avoid the big headache of trying to get reimbursed by your insurance plan.

Table comparing the 4 best travel insurances for extreme sports and adventure activities

Now that you’ve seen the pros and cons for these 4 insurance companies, take a look at the comparative table to help you choose the right insurance for you:

It’s worth mentioning that all 4 insurance companies here are excellent and have a good reputation in their market. So you’re sure to be well-protected if you take out a plan with any of them.

Other options for searching travel insurance for extreme sports and adventures

If you’re still unsure which travel insurance is right for you, take a look at this list of online travel insurance search aggregators. All on this list are great-to-plan and insurance comparison tools.

When searching for the best insurance for you, do not forget to mention that you intend to carry out and physical activities during the trip, in this way, they will present them as the most suitable options for these cases.

•   Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is a travel insurance research aggregator website, that is, it works as an online comparison of different plans and companies.

This is one of the most practical ways to find the ideal travel insurance for you, as instead of going through countless websites and comparing them, you can simply add what you are looking for in an insurance policy. After that, the site will compare services, taking into account customer ratings and price range.

One of the main advantages of using Travel Insurance is that it is possible to find insurance for the most varied profiles. If you are looking to carry out radical and extreme activities during your trip, you are a digital nomad and travel the world working, you are an expatriate starting a new life in another country … There are countless possibilities.

VisitorsCoverage

VisitorsCoverage provides an extensive range of insurance policies, catering to various needs, including specialized coverage for students and business travelers.

A notable advantage of VisitorsCoverage is their exceptional customer service, which operates seven days a week. Additionally, they offer coverage to citizens from over 175 countries.

Their website allows users to apply filters to explore policy options specifically related to Covid-19. This feature proves particularly beneficial as insurance coverage for this condition can vary among different providers.

Here are the pros and cons of comparing travel insurance with VisitorsCoverage:

• Wide selection of plans available.
• Ability to apply specific filters, such as Covid-19 coverage, to streamline your search.
• Excellent customer service.

Currently, there are no identified cons associated with comparing travel insurance with VisitorsCoverage.

AARDY works similarly to Travel Insurance, it is a travel insurance aggregator and aims to help its customers choose the ideal insurance for their profile.

One of AARDY’s areas of focus is customer service, so they boast an exemplary TrustPilot score above any other travel insurer in the US.

Unlike most online insurance companies, this company bets on online self-service and on phone and email service with brokers, thus forming a hybrid system for customers to choose the way they like best.

Another feature of AARDY is the way your quotes are made, in addition to being fast, they also show the information that may interest you the most and compare in a very effective way the plans and companies most suitable for your profile.

Interesting information is that this institution converts 10% of its annual earnings into donations to institutions that help children of soldiers killed in action who need financial help.

•   InsureMyTrip

Another great insurance aggregator option that can facilitate your choice and taking out insurance is InsureMyTrip.

By entering this company’s portal, it is super easy to make budgets and comparisons between the best companies and plans for your trip.

One of the biggest advantages of using InsureMyTrip is that this portal has a super strict classification rule. If an insurer receives a bad rating, it will be automatically excluded from the site to avoid complications with future customers.

One of the disadvantages of InsureMyTrip is that they do not provide insurance for expatriates and international students. If that’s the case for you, check out my article 5 Best & Cheapest Health Insurances for International Students & Studying Abroad or 7 Cheapest International Health Insurance Plans for Immigrants & Expats . I’m sure it will be useful!

Conclusion…

Even after this very complete list comparing the four adventure insurances, it’s still important to take some time to read the policies for each of them.

This is because choosing the right travel insurance is highly subjective. Especially if you’re practicing a specific sport or activity (and need to make sure it’s covered by your policy).

The important thing is that you make sure to get travel insurance. Like I said, if travel insurance is important for normal travel, it’s essential for adventure travel.

Your trip will definitely be better if you can travel with peace of mind, knowing that if something happens, you’ll have the help of a reliable insurance company.

And remember, after purchasing your policy, don’t forget to print it out or save it to your phone, as well as the 24-hour “help” phone number.

Planning your next trip?

 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes .

 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.

Next stop….The DMZ, South Korea

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North America

Central america & caribbean, south america, north africa & middle east.

Few travellers make it to this icy continent, but the lucky ones who do get to explore a frozen Eden ruled by the elements and teeming with wildlife.

G Adventures Land

G adventures sailing & cruises, g adventures private travel.

Whether it’s a family retreat or a girls trip, you can surround yourself with a hand-picked crew and customize a tour that fits you all perfectly.

The Geluxe Collection

Our new line of premium active adventures is officially here. With perfectly paced itineraries, one-of-a-kind accommodations and elevated dining, this is adventure at its finest.

National Geographic Journeys

Go deeper into the cultures and habitats of the places we explore. More is included and you’ll enjoy greater hands-on exploration, interactions with local experts, and freedom to roam.

National Geographic Family Journeys

Are you an adventure-loving family in search of meaningful ways to discover the world together? These tours are specially designed for travellers seven and up and their inquisitive families.

Jane Goodall Collection

Step deeper into the animal kingdom while respecting all of its inhabitants. Our incredible collection of 20 wildlife-focused tours is endorsed by the world-renowned ethologist.

Roamies by Hostelworld

The thrill of adventure. The awesomeness of hostels. Get ‘em both on these immersive small group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travellers.

Why choose us

As the leader in small group travel for 30 years, we know how to do it right: flexible itineraries, freedom to roam, safety, peace of mind, and locally based guides.

Change the world just by having the time of your life. When you travel with us, you become a force for good by acting responsibly and creating positive impact.

Together with our non-profit partner, Planeterra, we ensure local communities touched by our tours benefit from our visits in as many ways possible.

Trees for Days

Leave your destination even greener than you found it! For every day on tour, we’ll plant a tree in your honour and ensure that our forests get to live their best lives.

Travel resources

Last minute deals.

Looking to have the time of your life in the next 90 days or so? You can save big if you’re ready to book now.

Loyalty discount

Back home from a G Adventures tour? Submit a quick trip evaluation to save 5% on your next tour with us.

Student discount

Got proof that you’re pursuing higher learning? Then we’ve got a travel voucher with your name on it.

All travel deals

New ways to save pop up all the time. Here’s where you’ll find every hot deal in one easy place.

G Adventures Travel Insurance

Things can happen when you're travelling that are out of your control, so travel insurance is an important step in creating peace of mind. Considering the unpredictable nature, remote destinations, and conditions encountered on many G Adventures tours you must have travel medical insurance, and trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended. If you're going to spend your hard-earned money to enjoy your holiday, it pays to spend a bit more to safeguard it.

Upon starting your tour, the G Adventures leader or guide will ask everyone to provide a copy of their insurance details to keep on record. Failure to provide this information can, and has, resulted in travellers being unable to continue on tour, so don't leave home without it.

What insurance is required?

Travel medical insurance is mandatory. With a wide variety of company, credit card and travel policies out there, how do you know if your coverage is sufficient for our style of adventure travel? Our minimum required insurance policy coverage for medical expenses, evacuation, and repatriation benefits when combined together is 200,000 USD per traveller (or equivalent in other currency). If your pre-existing coverage does not meet these needs, you will be required to purchase travel medical insurance.

Why should I get cancellation insurance?

Adding cancellation insurance to your medical insurance is optional, but always recommended. By having 'all-inclusive' coverage you do not need to worry about emergencies that can happen any time, any where, before or during your travels. Including the cost of your airfare, as well as your tour(s), ensures that you do not have to worry about any unforeseen situations such as having to rush home to a family member or having a tour changed or cancelled because of a natural disaster.

How much does it cost?

Travel insurance costs less than you'd expect! Travel medical insurance is based on the number of days of coverage, so how long you will be away. All-inclusive insurance, which adds cancellation to your medical insurance, is based on the dollar value of the tours, airfare, hotel nights and other services being covered.

Example Typical costs, in USD, on a 10-day tour valued at $1000 with airfare coverage at $1000:

• Medical insurance only for 10 days = around $81
• All-inclusive insurance (medical + cancellation) for $2000 (tour + airfare) = around $183

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Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance of April 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 9:52 a.m. UTC April 11, 2024

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WorldTrips is the best cheap travel insurance company of 2024 based on our in-depth analysis of the cheapest travel insurance plans. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans offer affordable travel insurance with high limits for emergency medical and evacuation benefits bundled with good coverage for trip delays, travel inconvenience and missed connections.

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of travel insurance experts analyzes hundreds of insurance products and thousands of data points to help you find the best travel insurance for your next trip. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Best cheap travel insurance

Top-scoring plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, why it’s the best.

WorldTrips tops our rating of the cheapest travel insurance with two plans:

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheaper travel insurance plan of the two, with $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage and an optional upgrade to primary coverage. It’s also our pick for the best travel insurance for cruises .
• Atlas Journey Premier costs a little more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage . This is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority.

Pros and cons

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of our 5-star travel insurance plans.
• Atlas Journey Premier offers $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
• Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Each plan offers travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
• 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured offers cheap travel insurance for cruises and its Worldwide Trip Protector plan gets 4 stars in our rating of the best cruise travel insurance .

• Worldwide Trip Protector offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and a rare $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits, which means you won’t have to file medical claims with your health insurance first.
• Cheap trip insurance for cruises.
• Offers a rare $150,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person only available for cruises and tours.

Best cheap travel insurance for families

Travelex has the best cheap travel insurance for families because kids age 17 are covered by your policy for free when they’re traveling with you.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• $2,000 travel delay coverage per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Only $50,000 per person emergency medical coverage.
• Baggage delay coverage is only $200 and requires a 12-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide has the best cheap travel insurance for seniors — its Prime plan gets 4 stars in our best senior travel insurance rating. However, Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan ranks higher in our best cheap travel insurance rating.

• Cruise Choice has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion. It also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay, for cruises or tours. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.
• Coverage for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade available.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person is only for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

AIG offers the best cheap travel insurance for add-on options because the Travel Guard Preferred plan allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades.

• Travel Guard Preferred upgrades include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings. There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million.
• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your affordable travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe has the best cheap travel insurance for missed connections because coverage is not limited to cruises and tours, as it is with many policies.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of the best cheap travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

The cheapest travel insurance in our rating is $334. This is for a WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred travel insurance plan, based on the average of seven quotes for travelers of various ages to international destinations with a range of trip values.  

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

There are several factors that determine the cost of travel insurance, including:

• Age and number of travelers being insured.
• Trip length.
• Total trip cost.
• The travel insurance plan you choose.
• The travel insurance company.
• Any add-ons, features or upgraded benefits you include in the travel insurance plan.

Expert tip: “In general, travelers can expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 10% of their total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs,” said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip.

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

Choosing cheaper travel insurance without paying attention to what a plan covers and excludes could leave you underinsured for your trip. Comparing travel insurance plans side-by-side can help ensure you get enough coverage to protect yourself financially in an emergency for the best price. 

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

• Travel Basic is cheaper but it only provides up to $15,000 for emergency medical expense coverage. You’ll also have to pay extra for coverage for children.
• Travel Select will cost you a bit more but it covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and includes coverage for kids aged 17 and younger traveling with you. It also offers upgrades such additional medical coverage, “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage and an adventure sports rider that may be a good fit for your trip.

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

Make sure you understand what you’re giving up if you buy the cheapest travel insurance. Here are a few reasons you may consider paying a little extra for better coverage. 

• Emergency medical. The best travel medical insurance offers primary coverage for emergency medical benefits. Travel insurance with primary coverage can cost more than secondary coverage but will save you from having to file a claim with your health insurance company before filing a travel insurance claim.
• Emergency evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote location or planning a boat excursion on your trip, look at travel insurance with a high medical evacuation insurance limit. If you are injured while traveling, transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility could cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands. It may make sense to pay more for travel insurance with robust emergency evacuation coverage. 
• Flexibility. To maximize your trip flexibility, you might consider upgrading your travel insurance to “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . This will increase the cost of your travel insurance but allow you to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy. The catch is that you’ll need to cancel at least 48 hours before your trip and will only be reimbursed 50% or 75% of your trip expenses, depending on the plan. 
• Upgrades. Many travel insurance plans have optional extras like car rental collision and adventure sports (which may otherwise be excluded from coverage). These will cost you extra but may give you the coverage you need. 

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

The best way to find the cheapest travel insurance is to determine what you’re looking for in a travel insurance policy and compare plans that meet your needs.

 “Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different, and every traveler has different needs, wants and concerns. This is why comparison is key,” said Morrow.

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

• How often you’re traveling. A single-trip policy may be the most cost-effective if you’re only going on a single trip this year. But a multi-trip travel insurance plan may be cheaper if you’re going on multiple international trips throughout the year. Annual travel insurance policies cover you for a whole year as long as each trip doesn’t exceed a certain number of days, usually 30 to 90 days. 
• Credit card has travel insurance benefits. The best credit cards offer perks and benefits, and many offer travel insurance-specific benefits. The coverage types and benefit limits can vary, and you must put the entire trip cost on the credit card to use the coverage. If your trip costs more than the coverage limit on your card, you can supplement the rest with a cheaper travel insurance plan.
• The coverage you need. When looking for the best travel insurance option at the most affordable price, only buy extras and upgrades you really need. A basic plan may only provide up to $500 in baggage insurance, but if you only plan to take $300 worth of clothes and accessories, you don’t need to pay more for higher coverage limits.

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

Cheap travel insurance can be worth it, as long as you understand the plan limitations and exclusions. Taking the time to read your policy, especially the fine print, well before your trip can ensure there won’t be any surprises about what’s covered once your journey begins.

“If a traveler is looking for coverage for travel delays, cancellations, interruptions, medical and baggage — a comprehensive travel insurance policy will provide the most bang for their buck,” said Morrow. But if you’re on a tight budget and are only worried about emergency medical care and evacuation coverage while traveling abroad, stand-alone options are cheaper.

Before buying travel insurance, you should also consider what your health insurance will cover. 

“Most domestic health insurance plans, including Medicare, will not cover medical bills abroad,” said Morrow. Even if you’re staying stateside, you may find value in an affordable travel insurance plan with medical coverage if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). 

A cheap travel insurance plan is better than none at all if you end up in a situation that would have covered some or all of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance . From those top-scoring travel insurance plans, we chose the most affordable for our rating of the cheapest travel insurance.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

When buying travel insurance, cheapest is not always the best. The most affordable travel insurance plans typically offer fewer coverages with lower policy limits and few or no optional upgrades. Add up your total nonrefundable trip costs and compare travel insurance plans and available features that cover your travel expenses. This strategy can help you find the cheapest travel insurance policy that best protects you from financial loss if an unforeseen circumstance arises.

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

According to our analysis, WorldTrips , Travel Insured International and Travelex offer the best cheap travel insurance. Policy coverage types and limits can vary by each travel insurance provider, so the best way to get the cheapest travel insurance plan is to compare several policies and companies to find the right fit for your budget.

A good rate for travel insurance depends on your budget and coverage needs. The most comprehensive travel insurance plan is usually not the cheapest. But cheap trip insurance may not have enough coverage or the types of coverage you want. Comparing different levels of coverage and how much they cost can help you find the best cheap insurance for travel. 

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% to 6% of your total travel expenses for one trip, according to our analysis of rates. However, you may find cheaper travel insurance if you opt for a plan with fewer benefits or lower coverage limits. How much you pay for travel insurance will also depend on the number of travelers covered, their ages, the length of the trip and any upgrades you add to your plan.

Travel insurance covers nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs — up to the policy coverage limits — when your trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason outlined in your plan documents. Even the cheapest travel insurance policies usually provide coverage for:

• Medical emergencies.
• Trip delays.
• Trip interruption.
• Trip cancellation.
• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage.

However, if you’re looking to save on travel insurance, you can shop for a policy that only has travel medical insurance and does not include benefits for trip cancellation .

Even when you buy cheap travel insurance, you can often use upgrade options to customize your policy to meet your specific needs. 

Some common travel insurance add-ons you may want to consider include:

• Rental car damage coverage. 
• Medical bundle.
• Security bundle.
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Adventure sports bundle.
• Pet bundle.
• Wedding bundle.
• “Cancel for work reasons” coverage.
• “Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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WeTravel to host webinar dedicated to the complexities of Adventure Travel Insurance

WeTravel–the all-in-one business management platform supporting booking and payments for thousands of multi-day travel businesses–launched free registration for Adventures Insured: Travel Insurance Tips for Adventure Tour Operators to equip adventure travel businesses with the knowledge they need to insure their travellers. 

The adventure travel segment is experiencing a surge with the market expecting to grow from US$366-billion (in 2022) to a staggering US$4.6-trillion by 2032. Despite the growing demand, lawyers and insurance brokers report that many travellers aren’t aware of the limitations of travel insurance, and tour operators can play an important role in selling the right insurance to travellers. In today’s evolving landscape, there is an emphasis for adventure travel businesses to prioritize educating themselves on the best practices of travel insurance.

“Adventure travel is all about embracing the unknown, but that doesn’t mean leaving everything to chance,” said Ted Clements, WeTravel’s CEO. “Having an understanding of travel insurance to be able to make informed decisions adds a layer of certainty in an uncertain world, ensuring that both travellers and tour operators can pursue these experiences with peace of mind. Through this webinar, we want to inform tour operators and destination management companies on how they can better understand and, therefore, better sell travel insurance to their intrepid travellers.”

• Featuring insurance experts from Pattern and Travelex, this one-hour panel discussion will explore:
• Examining the significant role of travel insurance in adventure tourism and its advantages for your business.
• Providing guidance on the optimal methods for incorporating travel insurance into your offerings, whether as mandatory or optional coverage.
• Offering insights into the claim filing process for accidents and cancellations, supplemented with real-life examples for practical understanding.
• All registrants will be provided with a recording after the webinar concludes and the opportunity to ask the panelists live questions.

“Travel insurance may seem complex, but it’s crucial to prioritize safeguarding our adventures. Beyond mere policies and procedures, it offers travellers peace of mind, empowering them to delve into their journeys with confidence, while also serving as a protective shield for travel businesses,” said Clements.

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More From Forbes

Planning a vacation here’s your 2024 summer travel insurance guide.

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The joy of a summer vacation. But do you have protection for your trip?

Planning a vacation this summer? Yeah, you and just about everyone else.

More than 9 out of 10 Americans say they'll travel more this year, according to a recent Nationwide Travel Insurance survey . Most of those trips will happen in June, July and August.

Not just that, but 40 percent of the respondents say they'll spend more this year than last year. So how do you protect your vacation investment?

Travel insurance is the standard answer, but what kind of insurance — and how do you find it? That's the question many Americans are wrestling with as they make their travel plans.

Protecting your vacation is a serious concern this summer, experts say.

“Travelers are beefing up their trip protection with security advisory and extraction protection," notes Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies .

It's not just that they're spending more. It's that there's more to lose. The ongoing war in Ukraine, the Hamas attacks on Israel, and other violent conflicts have made travel insurance a key part of trip planning.

This summer may break travel records, experts say.

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Apple confirms innovative iphone 16 pro upgrade, wwe smackdown results winners and grades after wrestlemania 40, it's going to be a busy summer for travel.

Overall policy sales for the 2024 summer travel season are up this year, but there's a spike in sales for policies in August, which is typically the busiest time of the summer. "Sales are up more than 25% over last year," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of travel insurance site TravelInsurance.com .

Western Europe continues to be the most popular summer destination for Americans, with some notable hotspots. Travel insurance sales for Greece are up over 60% this year compared with 2023, followed by Norway and Portugal, which are up 57% and 52%, respectively, according to Sandberg.

Everyone's travel insurance needs are different, according to the pros.

What should you insure when you travel this summer?

Laura Heidt, the insurance desk manager for Brownell Travel in Birmingham, Ala., says there are some things every travel insurance policy should cover this summer.

"I always recommend people insure for the unexpected, such as flight delays, missed connections and medical coverage while out of the country," she says. "If you are willing to forgo the cancellation and delay coverages, which are typically the most expensive parts of a policy, you should still, absolutely, cover yourself with at least the medical component."

Heidt says she's seen a 10% boost in travel insurance sales for this summer compared with the same time last year, and many people are opting for the pricier "cancel for any reason" policies, which allow you to cancel your trip and receive a partial refund of your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.

Travel insurance companies are seeing a similar trend.

"A majority of travelers choose a comprehensive travel insurance plan which includes coverage for trip cancellation, emergency medical, lost or delayed baggage and delay," explains Tim Dodge, vice president of marketing at Arch RoamRight .

He says this year, travelers are purchasing travel insurance on average within 11 days of their trip deposit to receive the additional benefit of the waiver exclusion for pre-existing conditions.

If you're traveling with kids, you'll need extra travel insurance protection.

Get a policy that's tailored to your needs

Travel insurance comes in all shapes and sizes. So you'll want to try a few on for size before you buy. You can actually do that, since most policies have a "free look" period that makes them fully refundable for the first week or two (depending on the policy).

"It's important to consider your specific travel plans and any potential disruptions in order to protect your investment," says Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association (USTIA).

He says traditional plans offer coverage for unexpected cancellations, interruptions, delays, emergency medical expenses and lost or delayed baggage. For international travel, USTIA advises opting for a plan with emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage.

It also depends on who you're traveling with. For example, if you're traveling with your children, you'll want to consider a family-friendly priced travel insurance plan. But your destination also matters, says Carol Mueller, vice president at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP).

"For young families, I typically recommend the ExactCare plan due to its pricing of two children at no additional cost for every one adult on the policy," she says. "However, for families venturing abroad, I’d suggest considering a plan like BHTP's LuxuryCare, which is designed to meet the distinctive needs of a high-investment vacation.”

You have choices when it comes to family coverage. For example, Allianz’s OneTrip Prime plan also includes coverage for kids 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

Medical evacuations can be expensive.

Look beyond travel insurance for extra protection

Mike Hallman, CEO of the air medical transport and travel security program Medjet , says MedjetHorizon memberships are selling briskly. They offer 24/7 security and crisis response, as well as transportation to a hospital at home if you're injured. Travelers are skittish even if they aren't going bungee-jumping.

"With geopolitical tensions still growing — all the riots in France, Italy, Ecuador and other tourist destinations over the last year — and crime causing the threat level to be raised for the Bahamas and Jamaica, it’s no wonder," he adds.

He makes a good point. Travel insurance can cover many of the events you're likely to encounter, such as a missed connection, lost luggage or a medical emergency. But it's also important to know what isn't covered — and to make plans accordingly.

Beware of travel insurance "overconfidence"

The summer travel season is still a few months away, but insurance experts are worried. Yes, they've seen a general uptick in insurance sales, but some travelers remain unprotected.

"We've started to see early signs that travelers are exercising less caution and are slightly less likely to sign up for travel insurance," says Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance .

By comparison, travelers purchased plenty of medical insurance in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. Cronin believes travelers were terrified of getting stuck with COVID-19 in a foreign country without insurance.

"To those who are thinking about traveling internationally without travel insurance, my recommendation is to spend a few minutes looking deeper before deciding," he adds.

Some types of insurance, such as a standalone medical policy, cost just a few dollars a day. A medical evacuation membership is also affordable. And even full-featured travel insurance policies can be cost-effective when you consider the benefits.

"Don’t put your summer travel memories, or your investment, at risk by forgoing the right vacation coverage," says Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Partners USA . "With international travel peaking during the summer season, an unprotected trip can leave travelers on the hook for costs resulting from an unexpected trip delay or medical emergency abroad."

Bottom line: Seriously consider travel insurance to protect your trip — and don't be overconfident. You never know what might happen this summer.

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Allianz Travel Insurance Review 2024

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While traveling can be a fun escape, it's an inherently risky activity with many variables to consider. So many worries can remove you from the joy of travel, which is where travel insurance can help.

Allianz Travel Insurance Global Assistance is a prominent leader in the travel insurance space that has been around in some form since 1890. Allianz offers a variety of travel insurance plans that can suit your individual needs. Read on to learn more about Allianz.

Allianz Travel Insurance Review

Allianz is one of the leaders in the travel insurance industry, included in our guide on the best international travel insurance . With 10 plans split between single trip, annual, and rental car insurance, Allianz has its bases covered. It also provides specific insurance for particular needs, such as annual policies for business travelers and sports equipment coverage for athletes. 

While Allianz is one of the best international travel insurance providers, it also has great CFAR coverage for its Prime and Premier single trip plans, covering 80% of nonrefundable travel expenses when most policies usually offer 75%. It's also great for families, with coverage for kids 17 and under in its One

Allianz is well reviewed among customers, receiving an average of 4.3 stars out of five across nearly 70,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Its Better Business Bureau page fares a little worse, receiving 3.64 stars out of five across 1,600 reviews. Positive reviews mentioned an easy and quick claims process with a responsive customer service team. However, negative reviews often mentioned difficulty specifically with claims for ticketed events.

Allianz also has a highly rated mobile app called Allyz TravelSmart through which you can contact customer service, view your plan, and file a claim. It received an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars on the Google Play store across over 2,600 reviews and 4.8 out of five stars from over 22,000 reviews on the Apple app store. 

Coverage Options Offered by Allianz

Allianz travel insurance offers different policies, grouped under two types: single trips and annual multi-trip insurance .

The company's travel insurance policies can include the following coverage types:

• Trip interruption coverage , which can help recoup costs if you leave a trip early.
• Travel delay , which can cover some costs if you need additional accommodations due to a delay in travel.
• Emergency medical transportation , which covers transportation to a hospital for eligible illnesses and injuries.
• Emergency medical expenses in case of a dental or medical emergency.
• Baggage delay , which can cover some costs if you need to purchase required items due to your bags being delayed by a certain period of time. Must have receipts for this.
• Baggage loss or damage , which can help recoup some costs if your bag is lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Epidemic coverage endorsement, which can help recoup costs if you must cancel a nonrefundable trip due to an epidemic. It's important to note that there may be limitations and this isn't an option everywhere.
• Travel accident coverage , which can cover costs related to an injury that results in loss of vision, your hands or feet, as well as loss of life.
• Support via a 24-hour hotline

Single-Trip Plans

The general budget option is OneTrip Basic, which can offer various protections should something happen, if you file a claim for a qualified reason.

One step up is the OneTrip Prime policy, one of the most popular plans Allianz offers. It has higher coverage limits than the Basic plan, along with some additional perks.

A more complete option is OneTrip Premier, which includes more comprehensive protections should you need them. This policy is for more extensive, longer trips and includes extras like SmartBenefits—which up to $100 per day for a covered travel or baggage delay with no receipts necessary, only proof of delay—and sports equipment loss coverage.

The coverage limits available vary by plan. Here's an overview of what each policy covers:

Other OneTrip Premier benefits not mentioned in the table above include:

• Sports Traveler, reimbursement up to $1,000 in the event of a missed sports event for a qualified reason
• Sports Equipment Loss, reimbursement up to $1,000 to cover damaged or lost sports equipment
• Sports Equipment Rental, reimbursement up to $1,000 for the cost to rent sports equipment if your equipment is damaged or lost
• Vehicle return, up to $750 reimbursement to return your vehicle to your home if you can't drive it for a qualified reason
• Adventure and sports exclusions changes, which allows you to waive some losses in the event you participate in high-risk activities like free diving at 30 ft, scuba diving at 100 ft, caving, and more

There are two additional single-trip plans from Allianz that offer more specialized coverage: One Trip Emergency and OneTrip Cancellation Plus.

OneTrip Emergency Medical

OneTrip Emergency Medical is a budget option that exclusively offers post-departure benefits to cover you while you're on your trip. As such, the plan doesn't include pre-departure benefits such as trip cancellation or interruption.

• Travel delay, up to $200 per day per person for a maximum of $1000 for delays of six hours and beyond
• Travel accident coverage, up to $10,000
• Emergency medical transportation, up to $250,000
• Emergency medical expenses, up to $50,000 though dental emergencies have a maximum of $750
• Baggage delay, up to $750 with a delay of 12 hours or more
• Baggage loss or damage, up to $2000
• Epidemic coverage endorsement
• Concierge services included

OneTrip Cancellation Plus

The OneTrip Cancellation Plus policy by Allianz is its economical back-to-basics option that can recoup costs in the event of a travel delay, interruption, or cancellation for a qualified reason. This policy includes:

• Travel interruption coverage, up to $5,000
• Trip cancellation coverage, up to $5,000
• Travel delay, up to $150 with delays of six hours and beyond

Multi-Trip Plans

The aforementioned policies are for single trips, but with Allianz travel insurance it's possible to get an annual/multi-trip policy.

The starter annual plan is the AllTrips Basic policy which includes the most basic coverage, and it excludes both trip interruption and trip cancellation coverage.

The AllTrips Prime policy is geared toward travelers who take a minimum of three trips each year and comes with additional coverage compared to the basic plan.

Another annual plan is the AllTrips Premier policy, which is geared toward frequent travelers and includes higher coverage limits and choices.

AllTrips Executive

Additionally, there's the AllTrips Executive policy, which may be a good fit if you're a frequent business traveler. Under this plan, personal travel is also covered. This policy includes:

• Trip interruption coverage, up to $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000
• Trip cancellation coverage, up to $5,000, $7,500 or $10,000
• Travel delay, with a daily limit of $200 up to $1,600 for delays of six hours and beyond
• Travel accident coverage, up to $50,000
• Baggage delay, up to $1,000 with a delay of 12 hours or more
• Baggage loss or damage, up to $1,000
• Rental car damage and theft coverage, up to $45,000
• Business equipment coverage, up to $1,000 in the event your business equipment gets lost or damaged
• Business equipment rental coverage, up to $1,000 in the event you need to rent business equipment due to loss, damage, or theft
• Change fee coverage, up to $500 to recoup costs of changing a ticket for a qualified reason
• Loyalty program redeposit fee coverage, up to $500 to recover fees lost due to getting loyalty points back after a canceled trip
• Pre-existing condition coverage available when purchased within 15 days of first trip deposit

Additional Coverage Offered by Allianz

Aside from the travel insurance policies from Allianz listed above that help travelers prepare for interruptions and cancellations, there are additional add-ons that can cover more.

OneTrip Rental Car Protector

If you're looking for rental car coverage, Allianz offers the OneTrip Rental Car Protector policy for $11 per day. This policy includes:

• Trip interruption coverage, up to $1,000
• Collision damage waiver, up to $50,000 which helps cover costs in the event your rental car is damaged in an accident or stolen

On top of the rental car coverage plan, with the OneTrip Prime plan, there's an optional upgrade to get Required to Work coverage. If there is a work-related emergency and you need to cancel for a qualified reason, this coverage can help recover expenses.

Cancel For Any Reason

An optional upgrade for OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier, Allianz cancel for any reason policy covers 80% of nonrefundable costs when canceling a trip for any reason. Allianz stands out compared to the best CFAR travel insurance as most policies only offer 75% coverage. 

What's Not Included with Allianz Travel Insurance?

Allianz travel insurance covers the basics and more and has some high-risk activity exclusions in the OneTrip Premier plan. Aside from that, Allianz travel insurance excludes the following:

• Acts of violence, such as war, terrorism, and civil unrest
• Risky adventure sports
• Unexpected natural disasters (OneTrip Premier allows cancellation due to hurricane warnings)
• Any travel alerts or government regulations and more

If you're interested in coverage for activities like scuba diving, skiing, and more, consider World Nomads, which covers more than 200 activities.

Allianz Travel Insurance Cost

Allianz single trip travel insurance estimates.

How much travel insurance costs with Allianz will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of policy you purchase. To get a quote with Allianz, you'll need to provide the following:

• Your destination
• Travel dates
• The state you live in
• The total cost of the trip

As of April 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following Allianz travel insurance quotes:

• $102 for OneTrip Basic
• $151 for OneTrip Prime
• $184 for OneTrip Premier

A 30-year-old traveler from California is heading to Japan for two weeks, costing $4,000. The Allianz travel insurance quotes are:

• $153 for OneTrip Basic
• $195 for OneTrip Prime
• $270 for OneTrip Premier

A couple of 65-years of age looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following Allianz travel insurance quotes:

• $298 for OneTrip Basic (total for two travelers)
• $400 for OneTrip Prime (total for two travelers)
• $540 for OneTrip Premier (total for two travelers)

Allianz travel insurance premiums generally stack up favorably against the average cost of travel insurance  which is $248 per trip, but again, the specifics of your trip will largely determine how much you'll pay to insure it.

Allianz Annual Multi-Trip Estimates

To receive a quote on Allianz annual plans, you don't need nearly as much information. You just need the following:

• Insurance start date
• Your state of residence

A 30-year-old New York resident looking for travel insurance will pay the following prices for annual travel insurance with Allianz:

• Allianz Basic: $125
• Allianz Premier: $249
• Allianz Executive: $459

A 60-year-old couple from Texas will pay the following: 

• Allianz Basic: $63 per traveler, $126 total
• Allianz Premier: $217.50 per traveler, $435 total
• Allianz Executive: $485 per traveler, $970 total

Filing A Claim with Allianz Travel Insurance

If you purchase a travel insurance policy through Allianz and experience a qualifying event, you can file a claim on the company's website or via its TravelSmart app.

To file a claim with Allianz, you'll need to submit information on their website or app about the type of claim and provide supporting documentation, as well as payment information to get reimbursed. You'll need to select the plan and include your email or policy number as well as your departure date.

If you need assistance when filing a claim with Allianz, you can reach the company at 1-866-884-3556. To reach out to Allianz online, you can submit your request via its contact form.

The Allianz mailing address is:

Allianz Global Assistance

P.O. Box 71533

Richmond, VA 23255-1533

Compare Allianz Travel Insurance

See how Allianz stacks up against the competition. 

Allianz Travel Insurance vs. AXA Travel Insurance

Competitor AXA travel insurance covers 75% of your nonrefundable costs if you choose to cancel, for any reason (as the name suggests) if you choose that as an upgrade and buy it two weeks before your first trip deposit. Allianz's CFAR policy covers 80% of nonrefundable costs.

That said, if we look at the travel insurance quotes based on a 30-year-old traveler from California going to Japan in the first two weeks of October paying a total of $4,000 for the trip, AXA travel insurance is more affordable. It's $97 for its Silver plan, which covers 100% trip cancellation and interruption. Compare this to $153 for the OneTrip Basic Plan through Allianz.

Read our AXA travel insurance review here.

Allianz Travel Insurance  vs. HTH Travel Insurance

Allianz is a good travel insurance option if you're looking for a variety of customized choices. Another competitor, HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance , has three trip protection options.

TripProtector Economy is HTH's budget option and may be a good fit if you're looking for higher medical coverage limits. This policy covers up to $75,000 in accident and sick benefits and $500 in dental benefits.

Plus, the policy covers up to $500,000 for an emergency evacuation. The OneTrip Basic policy from Allianz covers the same dental benefits but offers just $10,000 in medical expenses.

Read our HTH travel insurance review here.

Allianz vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

A travel insurance policy can offer robust protections, but if you're looking for something basic for trip interruption or cancellation and rental car coverage, check your travel rewards credit card. If you experience illness, weather, or cancellations that affect your trip, you may be able to recoup costs.

Credit card travel insurance coverage may be a good fit for short trips where you don't have a ton of upfront prepaid costs. However, if you're going to be away for a while, have many prepaid expenses, and are concerned about medical coverage, traditional travel insurance may be your best bet.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

How We Reviewed Allianz Travel Insurance

As part of this Allianz travel insurance review, we looked at the top travel insurance providers in the space. We reviewed the variety of options offered, coverage limits, benefits, add-ons, flexibility, protocols, claims process, and affordability.

Allianz succeeds in offering many different policies aimed at everyday travelers, business travelers, and athletes. To find the best travel insurance option for you, check out several companies, review the benefits, and compare quotes.

Read more about our travel insurance methodology here.

Allianz Travel Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Is allianz a good travel insurance company.

Allianz is a reputable and well-established travel insurance provider. The company offers various travel insurance policies for individual trips as well as annual plans. Coverage options may include trip interruption, trip cancellation, trip delay, emergency medical, and more. The company has mixed reviews from consumers but has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

How does Allianz cover COVID?

Nearly all travel insurance policies offered by Allianz cover COVID-19, aside from the OneTrip Rental Car Protector Plan. Through the Allianz Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, policyholders receive additional protections if they need to cancel a trip due to COVID. Unfortunately, while it's available in most plans it's not available in all jurisdictions, so be sure to read the fine print.

Which Allianz plan is best?

While the best plan is one best suited to your needs, Allianz's OneTrip Premier is the most robust policy, with high cancellation and interruption coverage. Additionally, kids 17 and under are included in coverage. This policy also includes unique benefits for athletes and adventurers thanks to sports equipment coverage.

Does Allianz require proof of incident?

If you need to file a claim, Allianz may require proof of incident in order to receive benefits. In cases of medical issues, you may need to provide a medical receipt or document. In other cases, you may need to provide other documentation for trip cancellation or trip interruption such as a death certificate, police report, or employment letter.

Does Allianz cover missed flights?

Allianz doesn't cover missed flights exactly but can help cover costs due to trip delays depending on your policy. So if you missed a connecting flight, you may be able to receive funds to recoup costs related to accommodations and transportation.

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