travel insurance medical

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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of April 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation when unexpected issues arise. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

• Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
• HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
• Tin Leg: Best Cost
• AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
• Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
• Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

• 100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
• $750 in missed connection coverage
• $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

• Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
• Up to $1,600 for travel delays
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
• Epidemic coverage

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
• $500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

• 100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
• $500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
• Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
• $100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
• Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage
• $100,000 in emergency medical coverage

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
• Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
• $150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost 
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
• Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
• Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

• 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
• $2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
• $1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
• $250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
• $500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
• Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong June 2024 trip to Spain for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express . 

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or Travelex, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

• TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
• InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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Travel Medical Insurance: What to Know

Travel medical insurance provides financial protection while traveling, since many u.s. health insurance policies, including medicare and medicaid, don’t typically cover your medical expenses outside of the country..

Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Licensed auto and home insurance agent

3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Featured in

Updated October 12, 2023

Reading time: 4 minutes

Table of contents

• Travel medical insurance
• What’s covered

Primary coverage

Secondary coverage.

• Medical evacuation
• Comprehensive coverage

Trip cancellation

• Insurance limitations

Though you never plan to have an accident or get sick during a trip, unexpected emergencies happen. Your U.S. health insurance likely won’t cover any visits to the hospital or emergency care in a foreign country. [1] To ensure you have coverage while traveling, you can purchase a stand-alone policy for travel medical insurance.

What is travel medical insurance?

Travel medical insurance can help fill in coverage gaps if you require emergency or routine medical services while traveling overseas. Even if you have international health insurance that includes care when traveling abroad, it won’t always cover the cost of medical treatments such as X-rays, lab tests, or ambulance services in a foreign country.

Travel medical coverage primarily protects you in the event of an emergency, so long-term travelers should look into purchasing a more comprehensive plan. To prevent extensive financial losses while abroad, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if you and your family members have adequate coverage before you travel.

Before selecting medical insurance coverage, you should compare travel health plans among multiple companies. Some of the best insurers to consider include Blue Shield, Allianz Travel Insurance, American International Group (AIG), HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance, GeoBlue, Generali Global Assistance (GGA), and more.

Does your health insurance plan cover you internationally?

Many health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, are only valid within the U.S. or your home state. While some employer U.S. health plans or private plans provide international travel insurance, it’s important you read the fine print so you know exactly what your policy covers in case of a medical emergency.

Many health insurance plans with international coverage only pay for emergencies that require immediate medical attention while overseas. For example, your insurance may cover a broken bone or a hospital visit if you’re experiencing chest pains. It likely wouldn’t cover any routine medical care.

What travel medical insurance covers

Travel medical insurance covers the cost of unexpected medical expenses while abroad. If you encounter an unexpected injury or illness, your travel medical insurance will reimburse you up to your plan limit.

You can choose from different types of medical travel insurance plans and add-ons when buying coverage. The best travel insurance for you will depend on factors such as where you intend to travel, for how long, and what you plan to do.

Here are five different types of coverage you may encounter while shopping for travel medical insurance.

The difference between primary and secondary coverage has to do with payment priority. With primary medical travel insurance, the insurance plan will pay your medical costs directly, even if you have another health insurance policy. You’ll file any medical claims directly with the company you bought travel medical insurance from, which can help speed up the payment process. [2]

With secondary medical travel insurance, you’ll need to file a claim with your primary healthcare insurance provider first — even if you don’t think the insurer will provide coverage. If the insurer denies your claim or doesn’t fully cover it, you can then file it with the medical travel insurance company.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

An emergency evacuation can be very expensive — especially if it’s in a remote area. Medical evacuation insurance can help cover the costs associated with emergency transportation to an adequate treatment facility. It can also cover the costs associated with transporting you back to the U.S.

Comprehensive travel insurance plan

Some comprehensive policies include medical travel insurance and trip-cancellation coverage if you have to cancel your trip due to something such as severe weather or a natural disaster. Many comprehensive plans also cover trip interruption, medical evacuation, travel delay benefits, and baggage delay.

With medical travel insurance, you can often include trip cancellation insurance as an add-on for an additional cost. Trip cancellation insurance covers trip costs, including your flight, cruise, or train tickets, if you can’t go on your trip. It doesn’t cover any medical care you need while traveling. [3]

Limitations of travel medical insurance

Before confirming your travel plans, check with your insurance company to see if the plan has any limitations or exclusions. Travel medical insurance policies often don’t cover medical bills related to the following three situations.

Pre-existing conditions

A pre-existing condition is a medical condition or illness you’ve had for a certain period before purchasing insurance. It’s possible to purchase insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage. The policies are often time-sensitive and only provide coverage if purchased within a certain number of days of the trip deposit — often 14 days.

High-risk activities

If you’re planning to engage in risky activities or extreme sports, such as skydiving or bungee jumping, check if your travel insurance policy excludes the activities. Many insurance plans won’t cover these risky activities. However, you may be able to purchase extreme sports insurance for additional benefits coverage.

Geographic exclusions

Some insurers won’t provide coverage if you travel to a country that the U.S. Department of State has assigned a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory to. [4] Before traveling to a country with a travel advisory, check with your insurance company to see if your coverage applies.

Travel medical insurance FAQs

Before you take off on your next overseas adventure, you should look into buying a travel medical insurance plan, as well as how you can use it if you need it and how it differs from health insurance coverage.

Who should buy travel medical insurance?

Anyone traveling to a country where their health insurance provider doesn’t provide coverage should consider purchasing travel medical insurance. Certain destinations may require you to purchase it when applying for a visa or staying for a certain amount of time, too.

For example, Schengen Area countries in the European Union require people to have travel medical insurance if they apply for a travel visa, which you’ll need if you’re staying for more than 90 days. [5]

How do you use your travel health insurance?

If you have a medical emergency when traveling and need to use your travel health insurance plan, contact your insurance company immediately. Most travel insurance companies have 24/7 customer service hotlines you can contact for help and information. Your insurer can give you step-by-step instructions on what to do depending on your specific situation.

What is travel insurance vs. medical insurance?

The main difference between travel insurance and regular medical plans is travel insurance only covers you during travel. It’s only valid during your trip to protect you against medical emergencies while you’re away from your home country.

What does medical travel insurance cover?

Travel medical insurance can provide coverage if you have an unexpected illness, injury, or other medical emergency during a trip abroad. U.S. health insurance policies don’t usually cover overseas incidents.

Related articles

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• Does Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

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• What Is Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance?
• Cheapest Travel Insurance
• Do You Need Group Travel Insurance?

What Does Cruise Insurance Cover?

• U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs . " Insurance Providers for Overseas Coverage ."
• Allianz Travel . " Primary Insurance Coverage ."
• Insurance Information Institute . " Should you buy travel insurance? ."
• U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs . " Travel Advisories ."
• U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs . " U.S. Travelers in Europe ."

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Travel health insurance will cover the costs of getting medical attention in case of an emergency abroad. Plans also include medical evacuation, repatriation, trip interruption, and more. This type of coverage is necessary when you’re going outside your country for periods of up to a year or more. Even if you have a domestic medical plan, there is no guarantee that it will be accepted abroad.

Learn more about travel medical policies in this article and get to know which plans for traveling abroad fit your needs.

What is International Travel Health Insurance?

When traveling outside your home country, buying medical insurance as part of your international travel plan is vital to protect yourself against accidents or illnesses. Even if you have private medical insurance issued in your home country, it will most likely not cover you on your trip abroad. And even if it does, there is a chance that the coverage will be insufficient to provide the care you might need during your trip.

What Does Travelers' Medical Insurance Cover?

Depending on the plan you choose, your travel insurance policy can offer:

• Freedom to seek treatment with a hospital or doctor of your choice
• Maximum limits from $50,000 to up to $8,000,000
• 24/7 access to an emergency assistance medical hotline to speak with medical experts
• Deductible options from $0 to up to $25,000
• Renewable for up to 36 months
• Other benefits like travel delay/cancellation, baggage loss/delay
• Universal Rx pharmacy discount savings
• Repatriation and emergency evacuation

Is Travel Health Insurance Worth It?

The best travel medical insurance plans combine the benefits of travel insurance plans with additional health and medical coverage. Whenever you travel to another country, it is a necessity to have the right international plan that will cover you in case the unexpected happens.

Recommended Medical Travel Insurance Plans

We offer great options to cover you and your family during travel abroad. The Atlas plan is an affordable policy for travelers from most countries. GeoBlue's Voyager plan is a comprehensive plan tailored to US citizens. The Trawick Safe Travels plan includes comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, and post-departure travel coverage, among other benefits. Trawick's Safe Travel USA is designed specifically for foreigners visiting the USA .

Pro Tip: Visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find which type of plan is best for your situation.

Recommended Plan for US Citizens Traveling Abroad

GeoBlue's Voyager Travel Insurance plan is designed specifically for US citizens traveling abroad. The benefits are excellent while remaining a very affordable option. Most importantly, the customer service is outstanding, which is essential when you need to reach someone in a medical emergency.

GeoBlue Voyager Plan

• For U.S. citizens up to age 95
• Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
• 24/7/365 service and assistance

Option for All International Travelers

Trawick offers a great plan for all other nationalities traveling abroad to any country in the world. Coverage options are global, benefits are comprehensive, and they have a range of coverage levels to meet all budgets.

Safe Travels International

• Desinged for non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country (excluding the U.S.)
• Coverage for an unexpected recurrence of a Pre-Existing Condition
• Coverage from 5 days to 364 days - extensions are available

Recommended Plan for International Visitors to the US

Safe Travels USA from Trawick is the best plan option for international citizens visiting the United States. In addition to those listed above, benefits include limited coverage for wellness visits and "acute onset of pre-existing conditions".

Trawick Safe Travels USA

• Desinged for non-U.S. citizens traveling to the U.S. and addiitonal countries
• Includes comprehensive medical, evacuation, & repatriation coverage

Affordable Plans with Great Coverage and Benefits

Our suggested plan based on affordability, benefits, and service is the Atlas Travel Insurance Plan. Don't be fooled by the price - the benefits are very comparable to those offered by more expensive insurers.

• Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
• Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
• Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
• 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance

Or See for Yourself: Compare Travel Medical Insurance Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does travel health insurance cost.

You can see in the table below that plans can cost from as low as $0.80 per day to as high as $5 a day , sometimes more. Monthly rates, ranging from $40 to $60, are also available, sometimes providing better value. How much an international travel health insurance plan costs will depend on the length of the trip, your age, medical limits, complications, and the deductible you choose by the time you purchase the plan.

Emergency medical plans for travelers are surprisingly affordable. The average cost of an international travel medical insurance plan is $2 per day. It is very affordable compared to the high cost of medical care should something go wrong on your trip.

Plans are often of a sort duration, within the travel period you have indicated, so the risks are less for insurers. As a result, medical insurance costs for traveling abroad are also significantly lower. Travel health policies also do not cover trip cancellations , so their premiums are lower than usual.

Costs and Benefits of a Travel Medical Insurance Plan

The cost of your plan will cover several benefits, all under one policy. For the low price listed here, you get emergency medical coverage abroad, trip interruption benefits, repatriation, medical evacuation, 24/7 travel assistance, and coverage for lost or stolen items. Some plans include personal liability coverage, natural disasters, political evacuation, and more.

How Optional Coverage Adds to the Cost of Your Policy

Many plans offer additional optional benefits for an additional cost. For example, you can add coverage for adventure trips, mountaineering, or Accidental Death and Disability (AD&D). Each additional benefit will increase the price of your plan. In general, the increase in premiums is affordable and worth the added expense if you feel you need that additional coverage.

What Are the Different Levels of Health Insurance for Traveling Abroad?

There are various levels of international travel health insurance plans from some of today’s leading insurers. These plans can range from very basic emergency health coverage to comprehensive health care, including prescriptions, medical evacuation, and insurance for high-risk activities.

• The most basic level of travel insurance covers emergency medical needs while you’re away from home. If you fall ill or get injured while traveling, this type of policy will usually cover your treatment. Some plans let you add higher maximums for medical coverage so you can get care for significant medical expenses.
• You can add features to your policy like prescription plans, repatriation, emergency evacuation, and coverage for pre-existing conditions. Depending on the plan, some of these might already be covered. 
• You can also add riders for so-called “extreme sports,” which cover you if you want to paraglide, climb mountains, or do zipline tours in the jungle. 
• Yet another type of travel insurance is trip cancellation, which pays you back if your vacation is interrupted or called off for a set list of reasons. A more expensive version of this is called Cancel For Any Reason or CFAR, which reimburses your trip costs if you suddenly can’t go for a reason that’s not otherwise covered. These plans include medical coverage, but you should check how much and whether you need more.

Among our most popular plans for US citizens is the GeoBlue Voyager Plan , which allows travelers to customize their coverage with different medical maximums and deductibles. You can be confident that your coverage, benefits, and service will be excellent.

Atlas Travel Insurance is a comprehensive travel medical policy that includes hospitalization and doctor coverage. It also includes coverage for lost luggage. You can customize the policy to include optional coverage for extreme sports .

The Patriot Platinum Insurance provides optional coverage for extra riders, including personal belongings and and extreme sports. This is perhaps the best medical policy for traveling abroad because it provides world-class coverage and access to the best service and assistance for traveling outside your home country.

You can review the list we made of the Best Travel Insurance Companies to get a better idea of which provider to choose.

For long-term travelers, expats, or individuals moving abroad for a year or longer, an international medical insurance plan might be a better option. These plans provide more comprehensive medical benefits but lack some of the coverage offered in travel health plans, such as trip interruption.

What Is the Cheapest Travel Medical Insurance Plan?

We offer a variety of medical plans for traveling abroad, and they come at a range of different price points.

When it comes to medical coverage, the best value travel insurance plan is one that covers specific benefits you need at a price you can afford. Some inexpensive plans do not cover the most important benefits or cover them with limited value. Other low-cost policies provide considerable travelers' medical insurance coverage, but their service is not as good, so it will be frustrating to use it in emergencies.

International Citizens Insurance has filtered the best insurance providers that offer affordable plans with good coverage and excellent service. For the most affordable and reliable plans, we recommend the following options:

How Do I Purchase an International Travel Medical Policy?

Applying for a travel health plan is easy. Just answer a few questions about yourself and the planned trip to get the initial quote. From there, you can refine the plan and see how much the travelers' medical insurance will cost by selecting and deselecting different benefits and their maximum coverage amounts. You can also tweak the deductibles, optional add-on features, and other portions of the policy, if possible.

Use our Plan Picker to get started!

When you are satisfied with the quote after adjusting the cost and benefits of the plan, you can proceed with the online application and pay for the plan using your credit card. A confirmation email will be sent along with policy documentation and relevant contact details should you need emergency medical assistance on your next trip.

We have listed some of the best medical insurance for international travel. Just follow the links on each one to learn more about the plan.

Do These Plans Cover My Visa Requirements?

In most cases, they do. The short term medical insurance plans we offer are designed to meet, and even exceed, most visa requirements of most countries. We also have plans that can meet Schengen Visa Insurance requirements.

Before traveling to a country, check the visa requirements to ensure you purchase the maximum benefit and deductible amounts required. Most countries require at least $50,000 of coverage in medical benefits, along with a specific deductible amount.

Check the visa requirements for the country you are traveling to, and then when purchasing your policy, you can select the level and benefits that meet those requirements.

Read More: Insurance for Your Travel Visa

Can You Buy Just Travel Medical Insurance?

Yes, definitely.

International travel medical insurance plans are designed to cover emergency medical expenses should you get sick or injured while traveling abroad. Suppose you are in an accident and need medical care. In that case, these plans are designed to help you find a doctor, get you treated in the best facilities available, cover necessary medical prescriptions, and provide continuous care.

Note: These plans will typically not cover any pre-existing conditions you might have. Before you sign up for a policy, check the part pertaining to pre-existing conditions to clarify any questions or concerns regarding that portion.

Your policy may not cover treatment for accidents or illnesses that occur while participating in certain dangerous activities. Some plans offer adventure sports coverage as an optional add-on. If you plan to partake in hazardous activities or sports events that pose a high risk of getting injured, it is best to get this add-on on top of your base-level coverage.

Some policies, known as trip cancellation plans , also cover the cost of your trip if you have to cancel, and are typically more expensive. If you only want coverage for medical emergencies, a travel medical plan is right for you.

Not sure where to start? Use our Pick a Plan tool.

How Does International Travel Medical Insurance Compare to Trip Insurance?

With the wide variety in names and coverage of travel, trip, and medical plans, it can be confusing to select which one is the most appropriate for your needs. Different service providers offer several levels of coverage, so a travel insurance plan provided by one insurer could be completely different from those offered by competitors.

Trip insurance is a short-term solution that covers trip cancellation, protection, and limited emergency medical coverage. This type of policy is usually available only for up to 62 days.

A travel health insurance plan is more comprehensive. It provides increased medical coverage from what a regular trip or travel insurance policy does. This type of policy is best for travel periods lasting from 5 days up to a year.

If you are considering longer-term coverage or more comprehensive medical benefits, read these guides to help you see the available options:

• Expatriate Insurance or Travel Insurance: What is the Difference?
• Overseas Health Insurance Coverage

Do I Need to Buy Health Insurance for Traveling Abroad?

Travel health insurance is a short-term solution for those who are traveling outside their home country anywhere between 5 days and a year. Whether it is for business or pleasure purposes, getting adequate coverage is an essential part of ensuring safe travels.

Having a health plan at home will not guarantee you coverage when you travel to other countries. And usually, if it does provide coverage, it will be limited and will not cover the most important areas that need to be addressed.

The plans we offer can work for a broad range of traveling individuals, including international vacationers, immigrants, relatives visiting from overseas, and foreign au pairs and nannies.

The best part about global travel health insurance policies is that they are available to all nationalities traveling abroad.

Which Countries Require Travel Medical Insurance to Enter?

Most countries that were requiring medical travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage at the height of the pandemic are no longer requiring it. However, it is still highly recommended. (Read our guide for more specific details on the latest travel insurance requirements.) Double-check all requirements before booking your travel policy. Below is a list of countries that still require travel medical insurance as of December 2023.

• Saudi Arabia
• the Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• the Netherlands
• Switzerland

Recommended Travel Medical Plan Options for US Citizens

The following rate tables below show the cost per day for U.S. citizens traveling outside of the U.S.

GeoBlue Voyager Choice

IMG Patriot International

WorldTrips Atlas International

Trawick Safe Travels Outbound

Rates were last updated on March 4, 2024

Recommended Travel Medical Plan Options for All Nationalities

The following rate tables below show the cost per day for international (non-U.S.) citizens traveling abroad, including trips to the U.S.

The plans, IMG Patriot America, WorldTrips Atlas America and Seven Corners Travel Medical, provide coverage worldwide, including inside the U.S. and outside the U.S.

Trawick Safe Travels USA only provides coverage inside the U.S.

IMG Patriot America

WorldTrips Atlas America

Seven Corners Travel Medical Plus

Pro Tip: Visit our Plan Picker to find the best plan at the right price for your trip.

How Much Travel Medical Insurance Do I Need?

It depends on where you’re going, what your home coverage is like, and what you plan to get up to!

• For shorter trips, you can probably get away with less coverage. But if you’re traveling extensively, you might think about a more thorough policy. If you are taking several trips throughout the year, consider annual travel insurance so you’re always covered.
• How’s your health? If you have conditions that need regular treatment or medications, make sure your policy is up to the level of care you need while abroad. Most plans will exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, so be aware of that. 
• If you’re going somewhere with a high level of medical care easily available, you probably don’t need medical evacuation or repatriation. Consider adding it if you’re going into the wilderness, staying somewhere rural and far from care, or making an adventure trip.
• Speaking of, what are you planning to do on your vacation? You might be surprised by some things insurance companies consider “extreme sports.” If you’re planning anything outdoorsy, check if your activity requires special coverage.
• Some countries require a travel policy to get a visa. For instance, the Schengen visa requires a minimum of $50,000 in medical coverage. Check the visa rules for the place you’re traveling to.

Different Types of Health Plans for Travelers

Here at International Citizens Insurance, we provide a wide range of travel health plans from some of the leading insurers. Among our most popular plans are the Atlas and Patriot Plans, which have different levels to choose from, each designed to suit the needs of various travelers.

Atlas Travel Insurance is a comprehensive policy that includes hospitalization and doctor coverage. It can also include insurance on lost luggage. You can customize the policy to include optional coverage for extreme sports .

With Patriot Platinum Insurance , you can get coverage for extra riders and extreme sports when you add them. This is one of the best travel medical insurance plans for traveling abroad, providing world-class coverage and access to the best service and assistance for traveling outside your home country.

Annual, Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Plans for Frequent Travelers

International coverage for travel is available as a single-trip plan that covers a specific trip for a specified number of days.

But a multi-trip or annual travel insurance plan can cover all trips outside your home country during the year. This is usually valid for a year and up to a certain number of days per trip. This is a more cost-effective medical insurance for traveling abroad, especially if you are a frequent traveler.

If you are looking for one of the best travel health insurance policies we offer, consider the GeoBlue Trekker annual travel insurance plan. See the link below for more details on the policy and how you can get a quote before your purchase online.

Annual Plan for any Nationality

Seven Corners Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip

• Buy annually and travel as often as you want.
• Choose from 30-, 45-, and 60-day trip lengths.
• Emergency medical evacuation benefit of $1,000,000.

GeoBlue Trekker Plan for US citizens

Trekker MultiTrip Travel Insurance

• Up to $500,000 for sickness and accidents
• $500,000 medical evacuation benefit
• Unlimited Trips Outside the U.S. for trips up to 70 days

Buy One of Our Recommended Travel Medical Plans

Atlas Travel Insurance: Learn More | Free Quote / Apply (Best for All Nationalities Traveling Abroad)

GeoBlue Travel Insurance: Learn More | Free Quote / Apply (Best for US Citizens Abroad)

A message from the Center for Disease Control : Severe illness or injury abroad may result in a financial burden on you and your family. Although planning for every possible contingency is impossible, travelers can reduce the cost of a medical emergency by considering the purchase of 3 types of insurance for their trip: trip insurance, travel health insurance, and medical evacuation insurance. These insurance policies can be purchased before a trip to provide coverage in the event of an illness or injury and may be of particular importance to individuals with chronic medical conditions. Basic accident or travel insurance may even be required for travelers to certain destinations.

Author: Joe Cronin , Founder and President of International Citizens Insurance . Mr. Cronin, a former expat, is an authority in the areas of international travel, and global health, life, and travel insurance, with expertise in advising individuals and groups on benefits for today's global workforce. Follow him on LinkedIn or Twitter .

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What type of coverage do you need?

Vacation / holiday, visitor / immigrant, student / scholar, employer / business traveler, expat / global citizen, mission / social good, marine captain / crew.

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Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary coverage for accidents, sicknesses, & emergency evacuations when visiting or traveling outside of your home country.

Popular Plans

International health insurance.

Annually renewable international private medical insurance coverage for expats and global citizens living or working internationally.

Travel Insurance

Coverage designed to protect you from financial losses should your trip be delayed, interrupted, or cancelled.

Enterprise Services

Meet your duty of care obligations with confidence, knowing your travelers are safe, healthy, and connected wherever they may be in the world.

What type of organization do you represent?

• Corporations
• Insurance Companies
• Educational Institutions
• Mission Organizations
• Maritime Industries
• Government Agencies
• Non-Profit Organizations

Medical & Travel Assistance

Your travelers can access 24/7 global support should they need medical attention, travel assistance, or medical transport services.

Global Workers' Compensation Case Management

Rest assured knowing you have an experienced team who is committed to reducing your costs, moving your files forward, and serving as an international resource for all your work injury claims.

Security Assistance Services

Keep your travelers safe, no matter where they are, with real-time alerts and intelligence on safety, health, political, and other global risks.

Insurance Administrative Services

You’ll have experts to guide you through all things related to your health care plan needs, from enrollment to claim reimbursement.

See Prices & Compare Our Travel Medical Plans

T ravel Medical Insurance protects you in the event of an illness or injury when traveling outside of your country of residence. It provides key medical benefits in case of an emergency.

Traveling abroad is an exciting experience, but unpredictable illnesses and accidents can happen. Even worse, the resulting medical bills can be overwhelming. The level of international medical coverage provided by your domestic insurance provider can vary greatly depending on your plan, so you may have very limited coverage or no coverage at all. A travel medical insurance plan can provide the coverage you need. For more information, check out our blog: " How to Choose the Best Travel Medical Insurance Plan ."

Travel medical coverage is ideal for:

• International vacationers
• Relatives visiting from overseas
• People going on cruises, safaris or guided tours
• International business travelers
• Students studying abroad

International Medical Group ®  (IMG ® ) also offers travel insurance  that protects your health as well as your trip costs and travel expenses. And if you need long-term medical coverage, check out our  international health insurance . IMG plans include a wide range of medical benefits, protection, and support should a problem arise.

Popular Travel Medical Plans Ideal for Traveling Outside of Your Home Country

Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary first-class health insurance for individuals, families, and groups

• COVID-19 coverage for travelers to the U.S.
• Coverages for inside and outside the U.S. ( Patriot America Platinum / Patriot International Platinum )
• Short-term travel medical coverage
• Coverage for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Higher Limits & More Coverage than Patriot Lite Travel or Patriot Plus
• Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice

Summary of Benefits

iTravelInsured Travel SE

• Family-friendly plan for domestic and international destinations
• Trip cancellation maximum benefit up to 100% of trip cost
• Trip interruption maximum benefit up to 150% of trip cost
• Up to $125 per day per person to a maximum benefit of $2,000 for trip delay
• $500,000 maximum benefit for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains

Plan Benefits

The iTravelInsured Travel SE program is our most popular plan for domestic and international destinations. Travel Insurance benefits are available whether traveling on a cruise, tour or vacation abroad.

Patriot America Plus

Temporary health insurance for non-U.S. residents traveling to the USA

• Coverage for inside the U.S.
• Made for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Coverage for Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions*

Additional Travel Medical Insurance Plans

Patriot Lite Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary health insurance for individuals, families, and groups when traveling outside of your home country.

Visitors Care

Temporary fixed coverage health insurance for non-U.S. residents when traveling outside of your home country.

Student & Scholar Insurance

Student health insurance plans tailored to fit the needs of international students involved in educational or cultural exchange.

GlobeHopper Senior

Temporary health insurance for travelers age 65+ when traveling outside of your home country.

Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical Insurance

Annual multi-trip travel medical insurance for individuals, families and groups.

Outreach Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary health insurance for missionaries and mission groups when traveling outside of your home country.

Need Extra Protection and Coverage?

Explore our travel insurance options.

Why Do I Need Travel Medical Insurance?

D epending on where you travel, you may encounter language and currency barriers that prevent you from accessing high-quality medical care. Check out IMG’s Why You Need Travel Medical Insurance Now More Than Ever to learn more about some of these challenges.

Traveling unprotected can leave you vulnerable to paying high out-of-pocket medical expenses, and navigating a foreign health care system without the assistance you need.

However, with a travel medical insurance plan, you can worry less and experience more knowing you have medical coverage and a trusted health advisor who can support you in your time of need.

Get even more information by checking out our article,  “Do I Need Travel Medical Insurance?”

How Much Does Travel Medical Insurance Cost? Less than $3 per day for an average plan.

Like other travelers, you may be wondering if the coverage is worth the cost. It may surprise you to learn that IMG’s travel medical plans can cost less than $3 per day (based on an average plan) and can provide coverage worth well beyond your initial cost. Pick a plan and get protected.

Factors that Determine Cost The cost of a plan varies based on many factors including:

Age of traveler.

Age is one of the primary factors that determines insurance rates. Each IMG plan has a complete breakdown of insurance rates based on ages that can be found in the plan brochure.

Destination

Medical expenses vary around the world. To provide the best balance of coverage and cost, plan coverage rates may be different for a traveler visiting the United States than they are for a traveler in a destination where healthcare is less expensive.

Duration of Trip

A breakdown of daily rates and monthly rates can be found in IMG plan brochures. If you need long-term coverage (1 year or more), view our international health insurance plans .

Deductible, Maximum Limit, & Additional Optional Coverage

Customize your plan by choosing the deductible amount, maximum limit, and any optional rider that is best for you.

When Is Travel Health Insurance required? Some countries may require you to purchase travel health insurance to gain entry.

Traveling to schengen countries.

Schengen countries require visa applicants to prove they have travel medical insurance to cover expenses for repatriation, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment and more. Read our blog about  Countries that Require Travel Medical Insurance for Entry to learn more.

Other Situations

You may also be required to purchase travel health insurance depending on the purpose of your trip. The U.S., for example, requires those traveling on a J1 or J2 visa to maintain a certain level of medical coverage for the duration of their stay. However, if you're visiting the U.S. on a B2 visa, a travel medical insurance plan is only recommended. Find out How to Choose the Best Visitor Insurance Plan for You .

Travelers embarking on other trips — such as organized tours, working holiday schemes, mission trips, and cruises — may also be required to purchase coverage.

These are just a few reasons when you would be required to purchase Travel Medical Insurance. See the full list for 6 Times You Need to Purchase Travel Medical Insurance.

Recent Blog Articles

Where can you travel internationally right now.

There are many international destinations that you can currently visit, but here are eight popular spots to consider for your next leisure getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're planning a trip with multiple destinations, such as a vacation to Europe, you'll want to select the country that you plan on spending the most time in. Your travel medical insurance will cover you for the entirety of your trip and in countries outside of your own.

Yes, the insured does not have to be the one that fills out the application. You can purchase a travel medical plan for your parents, friends, or relatives as long as you have the necessary information.

As non-resident aliens, international students on F, J, M and Q visas (and certain family members of students) are not subject to the individual mandate for their first 5 years in the U.S. All other J categories (teacher, trainee, work and travel, au pair, high school, etc.) are not subject to the individual mandate for 2 years (out of the past six).

Since international students are not subject to the mandate, they are not required to purchase a plan that meets PPACA requirements and can purchase an appropriate IMG plan.

International Students – Exempt as Non-Resident Aliens

Under the IRS international student exemption , anyone “temporarily in the United States on an “F”, “J”, “M”, or “Q” visa for the primary purpose of studying at an accredited academic institution or vocational school (and certain family members of students), and who substantially complies with the requirements of that visa,” is exempt from being treated as a resident alien, and is therefore exempt from the individual mandate as a non-resident alien.

That exemption applies for 5 years. After 5 years, a student is no longer exempt, and the substantial presence test must be applied. See examples here .

Even after 5 years in the U.S., an international student may continue to be a non-resident alien for tax purposes under the “Closer Connection” exception if they can prove that they still have a closer connection to their home country than to the U.S.

The Individual Mandate and Alien / Non-Alien Status

The IRS provides a questions and answers page on the individual mandate. Question 11 asks whether all individuals living in the U.S. are subject to the mandate. The answer is that U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents are subject to the mandate, as are “foreign nationals who are in the U.S. long enough during a calendar year to qualify as resident aliens for tax purposes.” Thus, non-resident aliens are not subject to the individual mandate, even if they have to file a tax return.

Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien?

The IRS states that you are a non-resident alien unless you meet either the green card test or the substantial presence test.

Under IRS Publication 519 , Tax Guide for Aliens (the green card test), green card holders are resident aliens for tax purposes. The substantial presence test uses a formula to count the number of days present in the U.S. over the past 3 years. Generally, you a resident alien after six months of presence in the U.S. – unless you are exempt.

IMG’s international travel medical products are not a substitute for minimum essential coverage that you may need to have under PPACA. However, since most PPACA plans do not provide the types of international benefits and assistance that travelers need, you should strongly consider purchasing an international travel medical plan such as IMG’s Patriot Lite Travel Medical Insurance for coverage while you travel outside of the U.S.

If you are a U.S. citizen, national or an “alien lawfully present” in the U.S., you will need to maintain minimum essential coverage unless you are exempt. Exemptions include:

• Individuals not residing in the U.S.
• Non-U.S. citizens who are “non-resident aliens” (for U.S. income tax purposes). See Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien?
• Individuals with a coverage gap of less than 3 months.
• Individuals who cannot afford coverage (i.e. required contribution exceeds 8% of
• household income).
• Individuals with a religious conscience exemption (applies only to certain faiths).
• Members of a health care sharing ministry.
• Incarcerated individuals.
• Individuals with income below the tax filing threshold; and
• Members of Indian tribes

In general, PPACA does not govern short-term limited duration insurance, like IMG’s short-term travel medical insurance programs.

However, please understand that under PPACA, as of January 1, 2014, extensions of short-term coverage will be limited to less than 12 months to meet the definition of a short-term limited duration plan.

IMG’s international travel medical products are not a substitute for minimum essential coverage that you may need to have under PPACA. If you are a U.S. citizen, national or legal resident alien in the U.S., you will need to maintain minimum essential coverage unless you are exempt. Exemptions include:

• Non-U.S. citizens who are “non-resident aliens” (for U.S. income tax purposes).  See Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien? 
• Individuals with a coverage gap of less than 3 months
• Individuals who cannot afford coverage (i.e. required contribution exceeds 8% of household income)
• Individuals with a religious conscience exemption (applies only to certain faiths)
• Members of a health care sharing ministry
• Incarcerated individuals

You will not need PPACA coverage for short-term travel to the U.S., unless you are considered an “alien lawfully present” in the U.S. See I am a Non-U.S. citizen covered under a Global Medical Insurance Plan .

In general, PPACA does not govern short-term limited duration insurance, like IMG’s short-term travel medical insurance programs .

However please understand that under PPACA, as of January 1, 2014, extensions of short-term coverage will be limited to less than 12 months to meet the definition of a short-term limited duration plan.

The "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," commonly known as PPACA, was first introduced as a measure to deal with rising healthcare costs and numbers of uninsured.

The heart of PPACA consists of three provisions: guaranteed issue (insurers must offer coverage regardless of the applicant's health status or pre-existing conditions), community rating (insurers must offer policies within a given territory at the same price regardless of health status, age, gender, or other factors), and an individual mandate. The individual mandate assures that everyone has a minimum amount of coverage: those above a certain annual income are required to purchase coverage or incur a tax penalty; those who cannot afford it will have their coverage paid for by the government.

As PPACA continues to be implemented and challenged throughout the country, understanding the issues and implications for the international insurance industry and your business becomes all the more important.

Insurance prices are regulated by the government - you won't find a better price on IMG insurance plans anywhere else.  

IMG plans provide you access to more than 17,000 providers through our International Provider Access (IPA) while you're outside of the United States. Our multilingual customer service centers, claims administrators, and 24-hour emergency care coordinators are ready if the unforeseen does happen during your mission trip. 

Visitors should plan to get insurance after they plan their trip and receive their visa, but before they arrive in the U.S. The effective dates for coverage should match their visa.

If you were to suffer an injury or get sick while visiting the United States, you might be surprised by the cost of medical care. You may also be surprised by the limited assistance your domestic insurance provider can provide while you're visiting. Visitor insurance coverage in the U.S. helps to ensure that you don't incur any unforeseen expenses, receive excellent care, and get home quickly and safely if anything were to happen during your visit. 

In addition to the medical and health coverage, healthcare provider access, and other benefits you expect from IMG plans, we offer missionary-specific insurance benefits like coverage for furlough and political evacuations. See your plan befits information for more!

Once your plan is purchased and you have your plan documents, you will have the information you'll need to complete your school's waiver. 

Check with your school to get your waiver status. 

To show proof of insurance, simply download or print a copy of the ID card and/or confirmation letter and provide it to your school's program administrator.

IMG plans include customization options and add-ons, including add-on coverage for high school sports, interscholastic, intramural, or club sports, personal liability and legal assistance. 

If you are applying for coverage under the Patriot series of plans, IMG will process your application and send your ID card and other documents within one business day. If you are applying for coverage under the Global or Group series, IMG will process your application within three to four business days following the receipt of all required information, and your materials will be forwarded the same day coverage is approved. Every attempt will be made to process your application timely. The specific time frame depends largely on the type of coverage for which you are applying. 

This is not an offer to enter into an insurance contract. This is only a summary and shall not bind the company or require the company to offer or write any insurance at any particular rate or to any particular group or individual. The information on this page does and will not affect, modify or supersede in any way the policy, certificate of insurance and governing policy documents (together the "Insurance Contract"). The actual rates and benefits are governed by the Insurance Contract and nothing else. Benefits are subject to exclusions and limitations.

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Travel Medical Insurance: Emergency Coverage While You Travel Internationally

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

What is travel health insurance?

Travel insurance vs. travel medical insurance, what does travel medical insurance cover, different types of travel medical insurance plans, how to purchase travel medical insurance, credit cards with travel medical insurance, who needs travel health insurance, how much does travel medical insurance cost, medical only travel insurance, how do i use my travel health insurance, what else you need to know, final thoughts on international medical insurance plans.

Travel medical insurance provides protection against unexpected illnesses or injuries during travel abroad.

Premium travel credit cards may offer limited coverage, making stand-alone travel medical insurance necessary.

In case of a medical emergency, contact the insurer, pay expenses and file a reimbursement claim.

Primary vs. secondary coverage: Primary allows direct claims, secondary requires filing with primary first.

If you’re looking for a policy that protects you in the event of an unexpected illness or injury while traveling abroad, then you need to learn about stand-alone travel medical insurance. This type of insurance can be provided by the benefits of certain premium travel credit cards , but the coverages can be both limiting and low in value.

Emergency medical coverage is included within some comprehensive travel insurance policies but can also be purchased on its own. Even if you have a primary U.S. insurance plan, including Medicaid or Medicare, odds are it will help very little (or often not at all) while out of the country.

Checking all the different sources of information can get confusing, and it's easy to misunderstand what type of medical insurance you have when traveling or accidentally duplicate your coverage by purchasing a policy when you already have those benefits covered from another source. Here’s everything you need to know about travel medical insurance so you can choose the best option for your trip.

Travel medical insurance provides reimbursement for emergency medical expenses, including medical evacuations, while you’re traveling. These policies do not provide coverage for routine expenses.

So, if you break your leg while you're on vacation internationally, emergency medical coverage will protect you. However, if you decide to get a teeth cleaning while you’re abroad, you will not be covered. Travel medical insurance is meant to protect you in case of emergency.

Expats, frequent business travelers or individuals who spend significant periods of time living outside the U.S. can purchase a comprehensive travel health insurance policy meant for long-term travelers (more on this below). These policies offer routine medical coverage for those living abroad (generally for one year or longer) rather than vacationers. Long-term international travel health insurance policies should not be confused with travel medical insurance.

Travel medical insurance products and comprehensive policies may also include coverage for family members who are traveling with you, or coverage for a family member to visit you if you become hospitalized. The definition of "family" can vary, but it commonly includes your spouse, children, siblings, parents, grandparents and more. So if your travel companion gets sick or injured during the trip, trip cancellation benefits may kick in. Or if you get hospitalized in a foreign country, the insurer could pay for a flight and hotel accommodations for a designated family member to visit you.

Although natural disasters that impact your plans are usually covered, travel medical insurance policies often exclude pandemics from coverage or those countries that have a ‘Level 4 Do Not Travel’ advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State . If U.S. citizens travel to those countries, travel medical insurance services may not be available. It's important to check the fine print of your policy to determine what may or may not be covered.

A comprehensive travel insurance policy will include more protections than stand-alone travel medical insurance.

Travel medical insurance plans will have protections related to emergency medical events, while comprehensive trip insurance policies cover everything from medical care to trip cancellations.

Here are how those differences generally shake out.

With travel medical insurance, there are no trip cancellation benefits, so the cost of the trip is irrelevant. This makes the policy cheaper compared to purchasing comprehensive travel insurance, where you’ll need to include the entire nonrefundable cost of your vacation when calculating your quote.

Although travel medical plans can include coverage for benefits like trip interruption, the covered amounts will usually be limited.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

You will be reimbursed for unplanned, emergency medical costs that you incur during your trip. We reviewed several travel medical insurance plans on InsureMyTrip and found that they offer the following protections:

Since we reviewed several policies in the chart above, these limits show a wide range.

» Learn more: Does travel insurance cover medical expenses? Kinda.

Both the type of trip and type of coverage determine which travel medical policy makes the most sense. You’ll need to become familiar with four terms: primary coverage, secondary coverage, single trip and multi-trip.

Primary vs. secondary coverage

Travel medical insurance plans will refer to medical coverage as primary or secondary.

Primary means that you can submit a claim to your travel medical insurance company before submitting to any other insurer.

When the policy is secondary , you will need to submit your claim to your primary insurance provider before you can submit a claim to the travel insurance provider.

For example, say you break your leg on vacation and have to go to the emergency room right away. If your travel health insurance is primary, you can pay your medical bill with your credit card and then submit a claim directly to the travel insurer.

However, if your travel medical coverage is secondary, you will first have to submit this claim to your U.S.-based medical insurer even though they may deny the claim (because the policies limit coverage abroad). You may even be required to include the refusal notice from your primary insurance along with your claim to your secondary travel health insurer.

Single-trip vs. multi-trip

Whether you’re a frequent traveler or go on vacation only once a year, you can choose a policy that is tailored to your travel needs. You can purchase either single- or multi-trip coverage, and it's important to know the difference between the two types.

Single-trip medical travel insurance: You leave home, travel internationally and return home. You can visit as many countries as you like while traveling, but when you return home, the coverage ends. These plans are purchased for each trip, whether you’re gone for four days or four weeks.

Multi-trip coverage: You can leave, travel and return home as many times as you want during the covered period. You can, for example, leave home, travel to France for a week, return home for a month, travel to Panama for three weeks and return home. The coverage continues no matter how many times you return home as long as each trip does not exceed the allowable period (usually 30 to 90 days). These plans must be purchased on an annual basis, and they require you to have health insurance in the United States.

Multi-trip coverage makes sense (and is usually more cost effective) if you travel frequently and do not want to purchase a single policy each time you go on an international trip. However, if you do not have medical insurance in the U.S., you will not be covered under multi-trip plans.

Do I need to have primary health insurance in the U.S. to be eligible for travel medical insurance?

The answer to this question is: maybe. It depends on the type of coverage you have. If your single-trip plan refers to your medical coverage as primary, you don’t need another health insurance policy. However, if the coverage provided under your single-trip plan is secondary, then you must have primary health insurance.

As noted above, all multi-trip plans require that you have primary medical insurance coverage in the U.S.

» Learn more: What to do if you get sick while traveling overseas

You can search for medical travel policies on insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner), InsureMyTrip or Travel Guard . Policies differ by state, and availability may change during or after the pandemic, so verify that the state you reside in offers travel medical insurance in light of coronavirus.

You might already have some travel medical insurance from an existing credit card in your wallet. If your limits are sufficient for your risk tolerance, you might forego purchasing a separate travel medical insurance policy or plan.

Let's take a look at the Chase Sapphire Reserve® coverage, for example. It offers emergency medical coverage up to $2,500 (maximum $10,000 per trip) with a $50 deductible. This card has an annual fee of $550 .

In contrast, the policies we've discussed above, offer medical coverage from $50,000 to $2,000,000. That's significantly more coverage from the third-party option.

So if you want a higher limit — even if you have a premium travel credit card with existing medical coverage — purchasing a complementary plan may make sense.

This can be especially true if you are traveling in a country with expensive healthcare, will be traveling in remote or rural areas, or will be participating in higher-risk adventures.

Credit card travel medical insurance coverage doesn't always include pre-existing conditions. Check your terms.

If that $550 annual fee makes you cringe, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve® 's 'little sibling' card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has similar, but fewer, benefits but for a more moderate annual fee of $95 . It offers identical travel medical insurance.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

If you plan on traveling and your existing medical insurance will not cover you in the country you are traveling to, buying a travel medical insurance plan could make sense. You could either purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or one that only provides medical coverage.

Purchasing a policy strictly for travel medical insurance is a good idea for those who want emergency coverage while traveling but:

Have a premium travel card that already provides trip cancellation and trip delay coverage the individual deems sufficient.

Do not need trip cancellation, trip delay or the other benefits provided by a comprehensive policy because the traveler will remain in one location for a while and is not worried about a canceled trip.

If you do not have a travel card with trip cancellation benefits and you also want emergency medical coverage, then you’re better off with a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

The cost of the policy varies based on a number of factors including:

The country you’re going to.

The state you’re from.

Coverage provided.

NerdWallet conducted a full analysis of medical travel insurance costs and found that it’s typically 7% of your overall trip cost. For example, travel insurance will cost you an additional $140 (roughly) for a $2,000 trip.

Here's a closer look at medical benefits provided by some standalone travel insurance providers. Note that these plans typically include other non-medical only travel insurance benefits.

Travelex: Travel Select

The Travel Select plan from Travelex breaks its medical travel insurance into two separate categories:

Emergency medical expense : $50,000 (with a dental coverage sublimit of $500).

Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains : $500,000 (with an escort coverage limit of $25,000).

If you purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment, your coverage will also include a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver.

Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice

The Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice plan includes more coverage than its Basic counterpart.

Emergency accident and sickness medical expense: Up to $500,000 Primary Coverage.

Emergency dental: Up to $750.

Medical evacuation and repatriation of remains: Up to $1 million. This includes emergency medical evacuation, medical repatriation and repatriation of remains coverage.

If you encounter a medical emergency while traveling, contact your travel insurance provider about how to proceed.

You will likely need to pay for your medical expenses using your credit card and subsequently file a claim for reimbursement with the insurer.

Some coverage (e.g., emergency evacuation) may need to be arranged by your travel medical insurance provider to be eligible for reimbursement.

In all instances, it's best to contact your insurance provider before making any arrangements or paying any bills.

Terminology

Similar to your regular health insurance, travel medical coverage also comes with limits, exclusions and deductibles.

Exclusions are specific events that are excluded from coverage. For example, some plans may exclude coverage for activities (e.g., skydiving) that are deemed risky. Check the policy to make sure that the activities you plan to partake in are not excluded.

Limits are monetary caps on coverage. For example, the policy may cover emergency dental treatment but only up to $500 worth. Anything over that maximum you would be responsible for paying.

A deductible is an amount you need to pay before your policy will reimburse. For example, if you have a policy with a $250 deductible and you submit claims for eligible expenses totaling $400, the insurer will reimburse you only $150. Policies can often be customized to increase or decrease the deductible.

The lower the deductible, the more expensive the policy and vice versa.

Long-term travel medical insurance options for expats

Individuals who live or work abroad and spend a considerable portion of the year living outside the U.S. are eligible for a travel health insurance plan that provides coverage for routine medical care. These policies are different from travel medical insurance, which is meant to cover only emergencies.

Long-term international travel health insurance plans usually have higher limits than travel medical insurance policies and are available on a long-term basis only (one year or more).

The policies are only available for one year or longer and have high maximum limits of $1,000,000 to $8,000,000. The plans are customizable and allow you to receive worldwide medical treatment.

For the most part, your U.S.-based medical insurance provider will not cover your medical treatment when you’re abroad. If you want peace of mind while you’re on a trip away from your home country, a travel medical insurance plan is your best bet.

Anytime before your trip begins.

Generally, the emergency medical insurance coverage on credit cards offers fewer protections and lower limits than a stand-alone policy. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers emergency medical coverage up to $2,500 with a $50 deductible. The policies we looked at above offered medical coverage from $50,000 to $2,000,000. If you want a higher limit, you may want to purchase a travel medical insurance policy.

It depends on the type of coverage you’re looking for. Generally, if you’re only concerned with emergency medical benefits and don’t need trip cancellation, trip delay, rental car coverage or any of the other benefits provided by a comprehensive travel insurance plan, a medical plan should be enough for you. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and your particular circumstances determine which policy is most suitable.

Yes. Travelers can purchase medical-only travel insurance coverage, and on the bright side, this type of plan is often more affordable than comprehensive policies. In 2023, travelers spent an average of $96 on medical-only travel insurance, versus over $400 on average for comprehensive plans, according to Squaremouth.

Generally, the emergency medical insurance coverage on credit cards offers fewer protections and lower limits than a stand-alone policy. For example, the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

offers emergency medical coverage up to $2,500 with a $50 deductible. The policies we looked at above offered medical coverage from $50,000 to $2,000,000. If you want a higher limit, you may want to purchase a travel medical insurance policy.

Travel health insurance can protect you if you experience an unexpected medical emergency during a trip. Although this is a topic no one wants to think about, it's important to know your options.

Depending on the coverage you’re looking for, you can either pick a stand-alone medical policy or get a comprehensive travel insurance one. Deciding what policy is best depends on your situation and any additional protections you may already have through your premium travel credit card.

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

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• Best overall
• Best for cruises
• Best for reputation
• Best for preexisting conditions
• Best for digital nomads
• Best low-cost
• Best for road trips

How we reviewed travel insurance companies

Ultimate guide to choosing the best travel insurance.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Best overall: Nationwide

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Nationwide Travel Insurance is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Runner-up: AXA Assistance USA 

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AXA Assistance USA  offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review here.

Best for cruises: AIG Travel Guard

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review here.

Best for reputation: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Covers up to 100% of trip cancellation costs, a minimum of up to $750 in luggage losses, and 24/7 worldwide travel insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers up to 100% trip cancellation refund for eligible travel
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Plans are customizable with relevant add-ons
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good customer service and easy sign up according to traveler reviews
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. More affordable plans offer low caps on medical and emergency coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums are on the expensive side relative to comparable competitor plans
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Claims may take longer during peak travel seasons

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is one of the leading insurance brands on the market. It offers several plans with key add-ons for travelers.

• This provider underwrites travel insurance policies for a number of other companies in addition to offering its own plans
• Travelers can file claims directly from a smartphone by using the BHTP app

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  helps travelers make the best of bad situations by simplifying the process of filing a claim down to a simple photo snap and some basic paperwork submitted directly through a dedicated app.

Approved claims are also paid out very rapidly, making it easier to carry through with a trip when luggage has been lost or alternative travel plans need to be made on the fly.

Read our Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance review here.

Best for preexisting conditions: Tin Leg Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Thanks to coverage for preexisting medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review here.

Best for digital nomads: WorldTrips Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

• Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip protection insurance

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review here.

Best low-cost option: Trawick International

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

Trawick International Travel Insurance is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance  that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

Best for road trips: Travelex

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the US, but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the US for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about the financial aspect of receiving medical care while traveling , even in the most remote corners of the globe.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away.

Choosing Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the US Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Yes, travel insurance typically offers some coverage of canceled flights, but if this benefit is important to you, make sure you read the fine print of your policy to make sure it offers adequate reimbursement. If you think you may need to cancel your travel plans, you should consider purchasing cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance .

There isn't one best travel insurance company; there are many great providers on the travel insurance market today. Our overall winner was Nationwide for its breadth of coverage options. AIG Travel Guard, AXA, Berkshire Hathaway, Tin Leg, WorldTrips and Trawick also made the cut. The best pick for you will depend on what features you value the most, like a low premium or high coverage limits.

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 10% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with preexisting conditions , so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you. 

$100,000 should be a sufficient medical coverage limit for travel insurance. If you're planning on doing extreme sports or anything particularly risky on your trip, you may want to increase your coverage level. A high medical coverage limit is especially useful when you're purchasing cruise travel insurance, since medical evacuations are more involved at sea.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Travel Insurance vs. Travel Medical Insurance

You're planning a big trip you've been dreaming of for months or years. Whether that's a week on the beach or hiking to Everest Base Camp, having the right insurance can help protect you from unexpected expenses in case the worst happens. While travel insurance vs travel medical insurance sounds similar they offer different protections. 

Understanding how travel insurance and travel medical insurance work can help ensure you've got the protection you need. Read on to understand travel insurance vs. travel medical so you don't get them confused before your next big trip.

What is Travel Insurance?

• What Does Travel Insurance Cover? 
• What Isn't Covered? 

How Much Does It Cost?

Pros and cons, what is travel medical insurance.

• What Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover? 
• Compare the Top Travel Insurance and Medical Insurance from Benzinga's Best Providers

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

• Frequently Asked Questions 

Travel insurance is used to cover unforeseen losses or expenses incurred while traveling. Travel insurance can cover domestic or international travel or may be limited to a specific trip or destination. Travel insurance covers cancellations due to injury or sickness, lost luggage or belongings and last-minute cancellations. Sometimes called comprehensive travel insurance, this type of plan rolls many unexpected problems into one comprehensive plan.  

Travel insurance may cover medical expenses while traveling abroad that your normal health insurance doesn't cover, as well as emergency evacuation. However, since many people and even insurance providers use the two terms travel insurance and travel health insurance interchangeably, you should check if your travel insurance includes medical expenses and any limitations.  

Travel insurance can be especially useful if your luggage is lost or stolen. If the airline loses your bags, getting them to pay for the lost luggage can be difficult. While in the United States, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to compensate fliers up to $3,300 for lost baggage; for International trips, the maximum is often $1,750. To get those amounts, you must provide receipts proving the value of the bags and contents. 

Travel insurance can help cover the cost of the bags and contents. In addition, travel insurance may cover valuables like a high-quality camera, computer or other equipment you bring on your trip. 

While nobody wants to cancel a tip at the last minute, travel insurance can help you recoup your costs if you can't go. For example, most resorts or cruise lines won’t give you a full refund in the event of a cancellation, and some won't offer any refund at all. 

Most resorts will charge a cancellation fee, and many cruise lines might only give you a small refund or partial credit for another cruise. Unforeseen circumstances happen, and they rarely happen months beforehand. If you're forced to forfeit the vacation, you should be able to get the money back with the help of travel insurance. 

Even if you have a credit card that provides limited travel insurance coverage for cancellations or interruptions, travel insurance can offer an additional backup, including travel medical insurance. You can start researching options with the best cheap travel insurance or the best credit cards with travel insurance included. 

What Does Travel Insurance Cover? 

While coverage may vary by insurance company, travel insurance usually covers:

• Lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed baggage
• Emergency medical expenses, such as the cost of treatment away from home
• Emergency medical evacuation or repatriation  
• Costs of canceling or delaying your trip
• Lost or stolen passports, travel documents or money
• Travel or accommodation cancellations
• Delayed flights
• Missed departures 
• Cutting your trip short for reasons outside your control
• Disruptions to travel or accommodation, such as delays and cancellations
• Legal costs, in case you’re sued for damaging property or causing injury
• Personal liability if you cause an accident or injure someone 
• Equipment like cameras and computers or high-risk activities for additional cost 

What Isn’t Covered? 

While policies vary, most travel insurance policies won't cover:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• High-risk sports and adventure activities without an additional rider
• Travel to certain high-risk destinations 
• Changing your mind about traveling
• Incidents arising from alcohol or drug use

The costs of travel insurance vary by the coverage amount, deductibles and additional riders. Most policies cost between 4% and 10% of the trip’s prepaid, non-refundable expenses. 

For example, if you've prepaid hotel accommodations and flights that total $1,800, you can expect to pay $72 to $180 for travel insurance. However, adding a high-risk activity rider, traveling to certain destinations or the age and health of the travelers may also affect the final costs. 

Suppose Kate and Sam are a healthy couple planning a European vacation in the summer of 2025. They book tickets and hotels for a total of $4,400. The hotels will refund up to 50% of the $2,200 cost as long as they cancel at least a month in advance. But the airline tickets are non-refundable. Kate and Sam decide they don't want to risk that major dream vacation expense. They purchase travel insurance for $220 with a 100% refund policy if forced to cancel their trip. 

There are various pros and cons to travel insurance. The pros can include:

• Peace of mind around trip planning
• Financial protection in case of delays, cancellations or other unforeseen events beyond your control 
• The cost of a hotel in case of an overnight delayed flight
• Lost baggage protection policies better than most airline policies 

Before buying travel insurance, consider the possible cons:

• 4% to 10% of your total non-refundable trip cost can add up. If you have a few trips a year, you could spend $500 to $1,000-plus in travel insurance.
• Travel insurance doesn't cover every scenario, leaving you unprotected in certain cases, even with travel insurance. 
• Most travel insurance doesn't cover voluntary cancellation if you change your mind. 

Travel medical insurance covers the cost of medical care while you travel. In most cases, you'll only need travel medical insurance if you travel internationally. However, if your primary medical insurance is limited to your state or certain local providers, getting travel medical insurance could be necessary for domestic travel. 

Travel medical insurance is designed to reimburse you for medical bills arising from illness or injury while traveling. It usually has a start and end date around a specific trip. Coverage depends on your policy and provider and may include a deductible or other limitations. Travel medical insurance also typically covers the cost of repatriation or medical airlift but may not cover certain high-risk activities without a specialized rider. 

Travel medical insurance covers the cost of medical care during travel, from an ear infection to an X-ray for a possible broken ankle to more serious treatments or surgeries. If your appendix ruptures on vacation, you don't want to have to worry about how you'll pay the hospital bill — travel medical insurance should cover it. 

What Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover? 

The possible coverage for standard travel medical insurance includes:

• Emergency medical care
• Medications due to new conditions while traveling such as antibiotics
• Medical transportation or airlift
• Necessary treatments and standard diagnosis processes, including x-rays, MRIs or other medically necessary tests 
• Repatriation to your home country in case of an accident or death

Standard travel medical insurance doesn't cover pre-existing conditions or regular prescription medicines. Travel medical insurance also may not cover:

• Injury or illness due to high-risk sports and adventure activities, including skiing or hiking above certain altitudes without an additional rider
• Travel to certain high-risk destinations
• Regular prescriptions or medical care for pre-existing medical conditions, although this varies by provider

The costs of travel medical insurance are affected by your age, health, destination and length of the trip, as well as coverage limit and deductibles. It could cost as little as $0.50 a day or anywhere from $4 to $100 for a week-long trip. 

For travel medical insurance, age and overall health play a major role in costs. A healthy 30-year-old could get travel health insurance for under $20, while a person who is 70-plus might have to pay $100 to $150 for the same coverage. 

Many plans let you choose coverage amounts from $100,000 to $1 million or more. You can also choose a deductible from $100 to $1,000 or more. Choosing lower total coverage or a higher deductible can help reduce total costs. However, if you need to add high-risk sport riders or high-risk destination coverage, your total costs could increase significantly. 

For travel medical insurance, the pros significantly outweigh the cons. Pros include:

• Peace of mind knowing you can get the medical care you need at your destination.
• It can cover medical care for minor illnesses or injuries to major medical treatments.
• Offers a plan or coverage amount relative to your destination and individual needs.
• Get transportation, airlift or other expensive medical treatments covered with travel health insurance. 

Here are the cons of travel health insurance:

• The extra costs can add to the total trip costs.
• If you're young and healthy, the probability of needing travel health insurance is low, but costs still add up.
• Your primary medical insurance may already offer travel health insurance, making it redundant.
• Medical care is often so inexpensive in certain destinations (such as Southeast Asia or Latin America) that you might not need insurance to cover costs for healthcare. 

While these cons basically say, "it costs something, and you might not need it," that is the definition of insurance. You hope you never need it, but when you do, that extra layer of protection means you can focus on healing. For that reason, there aren't cons to medical travel insurance. The relatively small cost to ensure your health is protected is worth it. 

Compare the Top Travel Insurance and Medical Insurance from Benzinga’s Best Providers

Find the top travel insurance or medical travel insurance here, from trusted providers. Be sure to compare coverage limits, deductibles and other factors before choosing the best policy for you. 

This provides a broad overview of your policy provisions and does not revise or amend the policy. Insurance coverages are underwritten by Arch Insurance Company, NAIC #11150, under policy series LTP 2013 and amendments thereto. Plans are offered and disseminated by registered travel retailers on behalf of Arch Insurance Solutions Inc., a licensed travel insurance producer* (CA License #0I18111, TX License #1787195). Both the travel insurance producer and the underwriter referenced above may be reached at 1-844-872-4163. Your policy is the contract that specifically and fully describes your coverage. Certain terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply and coverages may vary in certain states. Please refer to your policy for detailed terms and conditions. Consumer Disclosures can be found at: https://www.roamright.com/disclosures/. Privacy policy can be found at: https://www.roamright.com/roamright-website-privacy-policy/ *Plans are solicited by licensed producers in NY and HI. 

If you're taking a weekend road trip two hours away, you might not need travel insurance. But if the trip is costly, with one or more non-refundable bookings, travel insurance can give you peace of mind. And any time you travel beyond the coverage area of your primary health insurance, medical insurance can give you not only peace of mind but ensure you get healthcare when you need it. 

Fortunately, there are many options to choose from. You can check out some of the best travel insurance companies to get the best travel health insuranc e or specialized policies. Find the best travel insurance for seniors . If you're traveling abroad, you can also find the best international travel insurance . 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do i need both travel insurance and travel medical insurance for my trip.

Whether you need travel insurance and travel medical insurance will depend on the type of policy. Some policies offer comprehensive coverage that includes both travel insurance and travel health insurance, while others are limited, so you may need separate policies.

Can I purchase travel medical insurance separately from travel insurance?

Yes, you can usually purchase travel medical insurance separately from travel insurance.

Are pre-existing conditions covered by travel medical insurance?

Normally, travel medical insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, you could sometimes obtain a pre-existing condition exclusion add-on to coverage.

About Alison Plaut

Alison Kimberly is a freelance content writer with a Sustainable MBA, uniquely qualified to help individuals and businesses achieve the triple bottom line of environmental, social, and financial profitability. She has been writing for various non-profit organizations for 15+ years. When not writing, you will find her promoting education and meditation in the developing world, or hiking and enjoying nature.

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Entry Requirements & COVID-19 Travel Resources 

Confused about entry requirements for your destination? Our  interactive map shows current travel rules and restrictions for each destination, including info on COVID-19 testing, necessary travel documents and quarantine periods.

Find out how our  Epidemic Coverage Endorsement can protect your next trip from certain losses related to COVID-19.

Why do I need travel insurance?

Because sometimes..., you have to cancel a trip last-minute..

Travel insurance can reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs — including vacation rentals, car rentals, hotels and flights — if you have to cancel for a covered reason.

Travel delays leave you stranded.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for eligible meals, accommodation and transportation expenses during a covered delay.

You get sick or hurt when you're far from home.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling. We can even arrange and pay for a medical evacuation if needed.

Fender-benders are unavoidable.

Renting a car means taking on a big financial risk; even a tiny scrape can cost you hundreds. Low-priced rental car insurance lets you drive worry-free.

You need help in a hurry.

Whether you're planning a week-long road trip or a weekend getaway, you never know what might happen. Travel insurance gives you access to our 24-Hour Assistance hotline for expert, personalized support in a crisis.

Why go with Allianz Travel Insurance?

As a world leader in travel protection, we help more than 70 million people answer the call of adventure with confidence every year.

We're Protecting You

From protection for trip cancellation to medical bills abroad, our benefits are designed to help you explore reassured.

We're There For You

We've got your back with award-winning 24/7 assistance and a worldwide network of prescreened hospitals to help you get the right care.

We're Built For You

From our Allyz ® TravelSmart app to proactive SmartBenefits, we innovate for the way you travel today - and tomorrow.

TRAVEL RESOURCES

How Travel Insurance Works

How the Cancel Anytime Upgrade Works

What Does Rental Car Insurance Cover?

Is It Too Late to Buy Travel Insurance?

The Comprehensive Guide to Annual Travel Insurance

5 Ways the Allyz ®  TravelSmart App Can Help During Winter Travels

Travel Insurance with Emergency Medical Benefits

Destination Guide: Croatia

Travel Insurance & COVID-19: The Epidemic Coverage Endorsement Explained

More Travel Resources »

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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.

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Best Cheap Travel Insurance of April 2024

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In an ever-evolving world, emergency medical and evacuation travel insurance coverage is essential, especially if you're traveling internationally. However, sports equipment coverage, pet protection, and cancel for any reason coverage are among the increasingly popular coverage options that are changing the way we travel. We've gathered the best cheap travel insurance plans to help you protect your trip while on a budget.

Our top picks for the best cheap travel insurance

• Best overall: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• Best for trip cancellation: GoReady travel insurance
• Best value: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for reputation: Trawick International Travel Insurance

How we rate the best cheap travel insurance »

Best overall: HTH Worldwide

The HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Economy plan offers the most comprehensive coverage across major categories of all the providers in this guide.

You'll have some peace of mind with up to $75,000 of financial protection for eligible medical emergencies, and up to $500,000 per person for medical evacuation costs. For more everyday expenses, you can also relax with baggage loss and delay, trip interruption, cancellation and delay coverage that will help you recoup many, if not all, of your costs.

However, this plan falls short on missed connection benefits and accidental death coverage, both of which are not available under most circumstances (missed connection coverage only applies to cruises, and will only cover up to $500 per person after a three-hour delay).

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best for trip cancellation: GoReady

The GoReady travel insurance Trip Cancellation Plan is exactly that: a cost-effective plan that offers protection in the event that your trip is canceled for a covered reason. The plan we priced out for our hypothetical trip cost just 1.16% of our total travel expenses — a very small amount of money to pay for the guarantee of our money back in the right circumstances.

The benefit is that this plan can supplement other coverage you already have, or give you a little bit of protection for a trip where you might not otherwise have opted for insurance altogether. On the downside, you won't get any protection for medical emergencies, trip interruption or delays or lost bags from this plan.

Read our GoReady Travel Insurance review here.

Best value: Nationwide

Nationwide Travel Insurance  is a well-rounded alternative to HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Economy. This plan offers solid protection for both travel-related snafus as well as situations that might call for emergency medical and evacuation, making it a good choice for trips where you have cause to worry about potential interruptions or delays. However, it does not offer protection for missed connections or accidental death.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here

Best for reputation: Trawick

The Trawick International Travel Insurance Safe Travels Explorer plan has been purchased by more than 36,000 travelers since 2020, and it has great reviews to boot. And no wonder: Trawick offers generous trip delay coverage of up to $2,000 per person, although hopefully you won't need to reach that reimbursement amount because the daily limit is $150.

You'll also be able to rely on a $200 reimbursement per person for lost baggage - one of the higher amounts amongst these affordable plans, although this amount pales in comparison to the baggage loss coverage offered through the best travel credit cards .

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

Types of Affordable Travel Insurance

Comprehensive coverage.

This type of insurance offers extensive protection, covering everything from medical issues to trip cancellations. While it's more expensive up front, it can save you a lot in the long run.

Medical-Only Coverage

As the name suggests, this policy focuses solely on medical emergencies, making it a cost-effective option for travelers who are primarily concerned about health-related expenses.

Evacuation and Repatriation

In extreme cases where you need to be evacuated due to a medical emergency or a natural disaster, this coverage ensures that you can return home safely without incurring huge costs.

Benefits of Opting for Cheap Travel Insurance

Cost savings.

Cheap travel insurance can significantly reduce your travel expenses, ensuring that you're not overpaying for coverage you might not need.

Adequate Coverage for Less

Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's lacking. Many affordable policies offer substantial coverage, giving you peace of mind without breaking the bank.

How to Pick The Best Cheap Travel Insurance Plan for You

No single travel insurance plan will meet the needs of every single traveler. By nature, we are diverse and evolving meaning travel insurance should be equally so. Travel insurance for a week-long trip to a big city shouldn't be the same as the coverage for a backpacking expedition in the mountains. A splurge to purchase comprehensive insurance coverage may also be worth it for international ventures or other large expenditures.

In most cases, the cost difference between a basic and comprehensive travel insurance plan isn't as significant as you might think. Regardless, it's generally a good idea to choose a trusted travel insurance provider known for exceptional customer service and coverage. (For this roundup, we looked at traveler reviews shared through the travel agency SquareMouth.)

• Assessing Your Travel Needs: Consider the nature of your trip, the destination, and your own personal needs when choosing a policy. This ensures that you're not over-insured or underinsured.
• Comparing Different Policies: Don't settle for the first policy you find. Compare different options, looking at their coverage and prices, to find the best fit for your budget and needs.
• Reading the Fine Print: Always read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what's covered, what's not, and the process for making a claim.

How we reviewed cheap travel insurance

To determine the best insurance plan for travelers on a budget, we evaluated dozens of products using a hypothetical trip to Australia for a single traveler, age 26, with a total cost of $2,500 for flight, hotel and other incidentals. We then compiled the plans that covered the essentials at the lowest costs.

Of note: All of these plans include COVID-related medical coverage and 24-hour assistance, and pay at least 100% of your trip cost for eligible trip cancellations. None include rental car coverage.

The seven winning plans cost between $29 to $74 — significantly below the typical cost of comprehensive travel insurance, which can range between 4%-8% of total travel expenses, according to the US Travel Insurance Association.

But these affordable plans also come with comparably low ceilings for various aspects of coverage such as emergency medical, trip cancellation, or delay — and do not include rental car or "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) protection. So if you think you might need these benefits, it may well be worth upgrading to a comprehensive travel insurance plan for a few more dollars, just for the peace of mind.

Convenience and Flexibility

Each of the plans in this list include 24-hour assistance worldwide from reputable insurance providers. And despite being on the lower end of insurance plans, each of these options includes refunds for up to 100% of your total trip cost for eligible reasons. Each of these plans also includes medical coverage for COVID-related issues that may arise during your travels, which may come in handy as the pandemic continues to evolve worldwide.

Sufficient Coverage in Essential Categories

The cheapest travel insurance plan will rarely cover every scenario that could go awry on your trip. However, each of these plans can at least help you get your money back in the event that your travel is canceled for an eligible reason, and most of them include financial protection if you incur emergency medical bills while traveling. We also factor in what travelers are most concerned about now. 

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance here.

What company offers the cheapest travel insurance?

If you just want trip cancellation protection, go with the GoReady Trip Cancellation Plan. For more robust coverage that won't break the bank, consider HTH Worldwide's TripProtector Economy, Trawick's Safe Travels Explorer, or Nationwide's Essentials plan.

Can cheap travel insurance provide enough coverage for international trips?

Yes, many affordable policies offer comprehensive coverage suitable for international travel. It's crucial to compare policies and understand your needs.

Why is travelers insurance so cheap?

Travelers insurance is relatively cheap because it only covers you for a set period of time, and depending on your plan, the level of coverage you get may not be particularly high. However, even with high coverage limits and extras like cancel for any reason coverage , travel insurance is relatively affordable. 

How much should travel insurance cost?

The average cost of travel insurance is 4%-8% of your trip's cost. This usually translates into a premium between $89 to $399.

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WAS Discovery Travel Insurance Review: Features, Pros and Cons

Updated: Apr 17, 2024, 9:08am

Reviewed By

The Discovery Plan from WAS Travel Insurance could be a good choice for Aussies looking for a no-frills travel insurance policy. However, it only offers a number of standard features of comprehensive policies as optional add-ons and that can make the policy much more expensive than first meets the eye. Regardless, its unlimited medical cover, high age limit of 99 years, and positive customer reviews makes it a viable option for those in the market for a medically focused, no-frills travel insurance policy.

Related: Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers for Australian

• Unlimited medical
• Generous dental of $2,000
• High age limit
• Luggage and cancellation cover not automatic
• Children not included
• More expensive than competitors

Table of Contents

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About WAS Travel Insurance

What does was travel insurance cover, does was travel insurance cover me for covid, was pricing comparison, was customer service, the bottom line.

Featured Partners

Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Wise And Silent Travel Insurance, known as WAS, is a Brisbane-based travel insurance company that offers “tailored coverage” to its customers. This tailoring differs from the standard comprehensive travel insurance policies on the market, which usually have a set minimum for standard inclusions for policies, such as lost luggage cover and cancellations.

WAS Travel Insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, an Australian insurance company based in Newcastle. While WAS isn’t listed on ProductReview, it has scored a 4.7 star review on TrustPilot from an albeit small number of 39 customer reviews.

Customers highlighted WAS’ staff communication, the ease of applying for coverage, and a “smooth and efficient” claims process.

WAS offers two types of plans, Covid Essentials and Discovery Plan. For the purpose of this review, we analysed the comprehensive option, the Discovery Plan.

As stated, WAS Travel Insurance works a little differently to most travel insurers. Its comprehensive policy is known as the ‘Discovery Plan’, which is available to those aged up to 99 years old and includes unlimited medical in its base cover.

For families travelling together, it’s important to note that children can be added to the policy at a lower rate, but they are not included within a parent/guardians policy as is the industry norm.

Once you start to add to the base cover, WAS Travel Insurance becomes even more complex, with only a handful of medical outcomes covered as standard and far more classified as optional.

For example, credit card fraud is not covered as a standard inclusion; instead, unauthorised use of credit cards can be covered as part of luggage and personal effects, should the policyholder choose to take out this optional extra. Personal liability is not covered automatically, but needs to be selected for coverage up to $2.5 million.

Any trip cancellations are only covered up to the amount chosen by the customer (ranging from $1,000 to $40,000 per customer) and travel delays are covered as optional extras, up to $2,000 per customer. Delays are reimbursed at a rate of $50 per six hours, which is below the industry standard of $200 for every six hours, however no excess applies to these claims. (For missed flight connections, these are only covered should the policyholder choose to add travel interruption cover to their plan.

Rental vehicle excess is also an optional add-on, with the maximum cover of $6,000 for those looking to hire a car during their holiday. In many policies this is covered as standard and does not require the traveller to add it as an optional extra.

Lost Luggage

When it comes to lost luggage, those with WAS Discovery Travel Insurance will need to choose it as an add-on as they are not automatically covered. The lowest option is $1000, while the highest is $10,000 (per traveller).

WAS will only cover an individual item to a limit of $1,000.

WAS Travel Insurance include unlimited medical cover within its comprehensive policy, which extends to additional expenses such as transportation to a medical facility or, in the necessary event, back to Australia.

There is also cover for a medical companion to stay with you during treatment and/or necessary medical-related travel, even if they themselves are not listed on your policy.

Certain pre-existing conditions are also covered if they meet the necessary criteria. The 44 automatically covered conditions include anxiety and depression, diabetes, sleep apnoea and many more.

Other conditions outside of the pre-existing conditions list will not be covered by WAS Travel Insurance.

Covid-19 is included in the unlimited medical cover, which is explained in further depth below.

Is Dental Cover Included?

Dental cover is included in the WAS Travel Insurance Discovery Plan, but not under the unlimited medical expenses. Instead, there is up to $2,000 covered for emergency dental treatment, which is more generous than most insurance policies, which generally top put at $1,000.

Yes, WAS Travel Insurance includes Covid-19 medical expenses within its unlimited medical coverage. It also includes cancellations related to Covid-19, however, that is dependent on how much cancellation cover the policyholder requests.

Related: Travel Insurance And Covid: Are You Covered?

What About Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is covered by WAS Travel Insurance there are unexpected serious complications of pregnancy occuring:

• Up to the 24th week of pregnancy if you’re pregnant with a single child; or
• Up to the 19th week of pregnancy if you’re pregnant with twins or multiple children.

The exclusions include childbirth; the healthcare of a newborn child; pregnancies with existing complications; or pregnancies in which the person has previously had complications with previous pregnancies.

What About Sports and Activities?

WAS covers a range of sports and activities, however, rather than specifying what is covered, it provides a list of the excluded activities being:

• Snow sports;
• Motorcycle or moped riding;
• Racing (except on foot);
• Polo playing;
• Mountain climbing requiring the use of equipment such as pick-axes, anchors, bolts, crampons, carabiners, lead or top-rope anchoring or other specialist equipment;
• Motor sport or motor racing (including training or practice);
• Running with the bulls;
• Professional sports (including training or practice);
• Parachuting, hang-gliding or paragliding; or
• Scuba diving, unless you hold an open water diving certificate or diving with a qualified diving instructor

However, policyholders can choose to add additional adventure packs—snow, motor and cruise—which will then cover them for those sports.

WAS Travel Insurance prides itself on offering budget-friendly insurance policies to Australians; however, the cost of a policy with WAS isn’t as clear cut as many others—largely due to the many different inclusions that one needs to opt-in to.

Forbes Advisor Australia has run quotes against two of our top picks of travel insurance providers for Australians— Travel Insurance Direct and Allianz Travel Insurance —to compare the prices of WAS Travel Insurance when opting-in for a level of cover similar to what these two competitors offer automatically.

As Bali is a top destination for many Aussies, the data below is based on a 28-year-old Australian travelling to Indonesia for a week.

Related: A Guide To Travel Insurance For Bali

This analysis does not include other additional costs that would need to be considered, including sports cover, children travelling, pre-existing medical conditions and so on.

As you can see from the table above, opting in for the same level of cover that is offered as standard by competitors makes the WAS Travel Insurance policy the most expensive of the three.

It’s important to note that policy prices for travel insurance will change for a range of factors, including age, destination, length of trip and any specific needs required by the traveller. The above data is to be used as a guide only.

From the limited reviews online, WAS’ customer service staff members have been hailed as being “very patient and helpful”, with their knowledge “making the experience [of submitting a claim] much less stressful”.

WAS can be contacted by phone or email, with different email addresses and phone numbers unique to the service required (emergency assistance, claims, or general enquiries). The full list can be found online here .

Customers can also submit a form online to be emailed back, and are able to submit claims online or over the phone.

WAS may be a risky choice for some customers who choose to opt-out of the optional extra cover for the sake of saving money and end up being under-insured. Some travellers may not realise the importance of personal liability insurance and fail to select it, which could land them in hot water if an accident was to occur overseas. As a comparison, most other insurers include personal liability insurance as standard in their comprehensive policy: Travel Insurance Direct offers $2.5 million in personal liability, while Allianz offers $5 million—with caveats around snow and adventure packs.

Nevertheless, WAS may be attractive to budget travellers who are happy with a no-frills policy, but want to ensure they’re covered for the basics of medical and dental.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is was travel insurance good.

WAS Travel Insurance did not make Forbes Advisor Australia’s top picks for comprehensive travel insurance , but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good option for Aussies looking for international cover. The comprehensive policy offered by WAS is a build-your-own type of plan, meaning it is tailored to the customer individually in terms of cancellation cover, luggage cover, rental car excess and more.

It may be suitable for budget-conscious travellers looking for a no-frills policy that is focused on medical and dental. However, it’s worth noting that when compared to other insurers on the market, WAS ended up being more expensive once the add-ons were included in the quote.

From 38 customer reviews on TrustPilot, WAS received a rating of 4.7 stars.

What policies does WAS Travel Insurance offer?

WAS Travel Insurance offers two policies: Covid Essentials and Discovery. The Discovery Plan is what would be considered its ‘comprehensive’ offering, considering it allows customers to tailor the plan to suit their needs.

How much does WAS Travel Insurance cost?

The cost of WAS Travel Insurance—like any travel insurance provider—is dependent on many factors: your age, your destination, the length of your trip, and any personal requirements such as higher lost luggage cover for specific equipment or items, whether or not you need cover for certain sports and activities, any pre-existing conditions you need covered, and more.

From a quote Forbes Advisor Australia ran of a 28-year-old going to Bali for one week, paying an excess of $250 and opting in to $2000 of cancellation cover, $10,000 of lost luggage cover, and rental car excess, the total WAS quote came to $141.80, which was higher than competitors.

Related: How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany site, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally. Sophie grew up on the Gold Coast and now lives in Melbourne.

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Don't cheap out on travel medical, experts say, after family runs into resistance from insurance firm

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The experience of a woman seriously injured in a scooter crash in Thailand is a reminder to travellers to do their research before purchasing travel medical insurance, say travel experts.

Danielle Kliaman broke all the bones in her foot when she was hit by a truck while riding a scooter on the island of Ko Samui, Thailand, last week.

After her foot became infected, her family paid $30,000 for an air ambulance to fly her to a hospital in Bangkok.

But the family has had difficulty getting her travel medical insurance company to pay for her transport and medical care. Kliaman’s mother, Annette, had to pledge that she would cover her daughter’s hospital bill in case the insurance company did not pay.

Kliaman had purchased her insurance, with a $250,000 US limit, from a U.S.-based company. The family has requested that the name of the company be withheld due to ongoing discussions over reimbursement for bills already incurred and future expenses.

The Times Colonist attempted to contact the company, but had not received a response by publication deadline.

Travel experts say it’s important to check the maximum amount of coverage for medical expenses before you buy travel medical insurance.

Most people in the travel industry contacted by the Times Colonist were surprised to hear of the $250,000 US limit on Kliaman’s policy, which they consider too low. They said Canadian travel-insurance policies typically come with $5 million to 10 million in medical coverage.

“Medical costs can easily reach $10,000 a day,” said Will McAleer, executive director of Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada, an umbrella group that represents 90 per cent of the industry in Canada.

“If you have a code-blue event in a U.S. hospital, it can be as high as $10,000 an hour.”

He said travellers choosing between different insurance policies should look for ones tailor-made for Canadians.

“Plans underwritten by travel agents and insurance brokers in Canada take into account Canadian needs and expectations when it comes to medical care. They have the knowledge and experience to properly explain policies to clients so that they understand the differences between different plans,” said McAleer, who is based in Toronto.

Insurance premiums are based on the length of the trip, the age of the traveller, where they are travelling and pre-existing medical conditions.

Most plans originating in Canada take into account the traveller’s provincial medical plan. While the B.C. Medical Services Plan provides some coverage — $75 a day — for emergency hospital care for travel outside Canada, it’s clearly not enough to cover physician and hospital care, prescriptions, ambulance services, and travel back home.

Cathy Scott, CEO of Departures Travel, the oldest independent travel agency in Victoria, said travel insurance sounds expensive — until you need it. “It’s not worth going cheap,” she said. “Travel is supposed to be joyful.”

She said that in the case of a medical emergency, the company she uses — Manulife — has Canadian doctors taking telephone calls, guidance on next steps and payment up-front for medical expenses.

Companies will typically pay first and investigate later, experts said.

Scott said she has seen a “huge” uptick in people purchasing travel insurance, which includes trip-interruption insurance, since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The people who didn’t get insurance, got nothing. Those who purchased insurance at least got something back,” she said.

When an emergency does happen, insurance companies have in-house personnel or contracted companies that provide assistance services, liaising with doctors and hospitals, the policy holder and the insurance company.

They look over doctors’ reports, police reports and other documents, advise insurance companies of the steps necessary to get aid to the individual and ensure payment of local providers.

On Thursday, Kliaman’s family learned her insurance company will cover the cost of surgery to her foot, but won’t reimburse the family for the air ambulance trip.

McAleer said determining whether a medical evacuation is necessary rests with medical personnel — if the doctor in charge decided the patient did not need immediate air evacuation — or that an alternate mode of transport was available — the company is within its rights to deny that portion of the claim.

McAleer suggests the family keep lines of communication open as well as retaining all records.

David Rose, general manager of Mile 0 Tours, said he is sympathetic to the family’s plight. He said during a medical emergency, “everything seems to take longer than it should.”

All the experts agree that consumers should read the fine print when comparing policies and ask for help picking the best policy for their needs.

“No one [in the travel insurance industry] wants to see what this family is going through. It’s inconsistent with the standards we have set for the industry,” said McAleer.

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IRDAI scraps age limit on health insurance purchase

New Delhi: The insurance regulator IRDAI has removed the age limit of 65 years for individuals buying health insurance policies to widen the market and foster adequate protection from healthcare expenses. This marks a significant departure from the conventional constraints that limited individuals in securing comprehensive coverage.

By abolishing the maximum age restriction on purchasing health insurance plans, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) aims to foster a more inclusive and accessible healthcare ecosystem, ensuring adequate protection against unforeseen medical expenses.

As per the earlier guidelines, individuals were allowed to purchase a new insurance policy only till the age of 65. However, with the recent amendment, which has been effective from April 1, anyone, regardless of age, is eligible to buy a new health insurance policy.

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In a recent gazette notification, IRDAI said, "insurers shall ensure that they offer health insurance products to cater to all age groups. Insurers may design products specifically for senior citizens, students, children, maternity, and any other group as specified by the Competent Authority."

Besides, insurers have been mandated to offer health policies to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions of any kind. Consequently, insurers are prohibited from refusing to issue policies to individuals with severe medical conditions like cancer, heart or renal failure, and AIDS.

According to the notification, insurers are allowed to offer premium payment in instalments for the convenience of policyholders. Travel policies can only be offered by general and health insurers, it said.

There is no limit on AYUSH treatment coverage. Treatments under systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy will receive coverage up to the sum insured without any cap, it said.

Policyholders with benefit-based policies can file multiple claims with various insurers, enhancing flexibility and options, it said. The proposed regulation seeks to handle the complaints and claims of senior citizens via a specialised channel, ensuring a more tailored and responsive approach to their requirements, it added. 

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