best travel medical and evacuation insurance

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The Best Travel Medical Insurance of 2024

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Seven Corners »

GeoBlue »

WorldTrips »

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 Medical Insurance Plans.

Table of Contents

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners

Buying travel insurance is a smart move for any type of trip, but you may not need a policy that covers everything under the sun. If you don't need coverage for trip cancellations or delays because you're relying on your travel credit card to offer these protections, for example, you may find you only need emergency medical coverage that works away from home.

Still, travel medical coverage varies widely based on included benefits, policy limits and more. If you're comparing travel insurance plans and hoping to find the best option for unexpected medical expenses, read on to learn which policies we recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term travel insurance usually describes a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes coverage for medical expenses as well as trip cancellations and interruptions, trip delays, lost baggage, and more. Meanwhile, travel medical insurance is coverage that focuses on paying for emergency medical expenses and other related care.

Travelers need international health insurance if they're visiting a place where their own health coverage will not apply. This typically includes all international trips away from home since U.S. health plans limit coverage to care required in the United States.

Note that if you don't have travel health insurance and you become sick or injured abroad, you'll be responsible for paying back any health care costs you incur.

Many travel insurance policies cover emergency medical expenses you incur during a covered trip. However, the included benefits of each policy can vary widely, and so can the policy limits that apply.

If you're looking for a travel insurance policy that offers sufficient protection for unexpected medical expenses, you'll typically want to choose a plan with at least $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical care and at least that much in protection for emergency medical evacuation and transportation.

However, higher limits can provide even more protection from overseas medical bills, which can become pricey depending on the type of care you need. As just one example, Allianz says the average cost of emergency medical evacuation can easily reach up to $200,000 or more depending on where you’re traveling.

Your U.S. health insurance policy almost never covers medical expenses incurred abroad. The same is true for most people on Medicare and especially Medicaid. If you want to ensure you have travel medical coverage that applies overseas, you should purchase a travel insurance plan with adequate limits for every trip. Read the U.S. News article on this topic for more information.

The cost of travel medical insurance can vary depending on the age of the travelers, the type of coverage purchased, the length of the trip and other factors. You can use a comparison site like TravelInsurance.com to explore different travel medical insurance plans and their cost.

• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Overall
• Seven Corners: Best for Families
• GeoBlue: Best for Expats
• WorldTrips: Best Cost

Coverage for preexisting conditions is available as an add-on

Easy to purchase as needed for individual trips

Relatively low limits for medical expenses

No coverage for trip cancellations or trip interruption

• Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Up to $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage loss and damage
• Up to $600 in baggage delay insurance
• Up to $1,000 for travel delays
• Up to $10,000 in travel accident insurance
• 24-hour hotline assistance
• Concierge services

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Purchase comprehensive medical coverage worth up to $5 million

Coverage for families with up to 10 people

Low coverage amounts for trip interruption

Medical coverage options vary by age

• Up to $5 million in comprehensive medical coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency evacuation coverage
• Up to $10,000 in coverage for incidental trips to home country
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for terrorist activity
• Up to $500 in accidental dental emergency coverage
• Up to $100 per occurrence in coverage for emergency eye exams
• $50,000 in coverage for local burial or cremation
• 24/7 travel assistance
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment per traveler
• Up to $500 for loss of checked baggage
• Up to $5,000 for trip interruptions
• Up to $100 per day for trip delays
• Up to $50,000 for personal liability

Qualify for international health insurance with no annual or lifetime caps

Use coverage within the U.S. with select providers

Deductible from $500 to $10,000 can apply

Doesn't come with any nonmedical travel insurance benefits

• Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $25,000 for repatriation of mortal remains
• $50,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment

High limits for medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation

Covers multiple trips over a period of up to 364 days

Deductible of $250 required for each covered trip

Copays required for medical care received in the U.S.

• Up to $1,000,000 of maximum coverage
• Up to $1,000,000 for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $10,000 for trip interruptions
• Up to $1,000 for lost checked luggage
• Up to $100 per day for travel delays
• Up to $25,000 in personal liability coverage
• Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19
• Ability to add coverage for your spouse and/or child(ren)
• Repatriation of remains coverage up to overall limit
• Up to $5,000 for local burial or cremation 
• $10,000 to $50,000 for common carrier accidental death

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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Protect Yourself Abroad: Best Medical Evacuation Insurance [2024]

Jessica Merritt

Editor & Content Contributor

100 Published Articles 523 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 4 U.S. States Visited: 23

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

37 Published Articles 3323 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

The 5 best medical evacuation travel insurance plans, what is medical evacuation travel insurance, is medical evacuation travel insurance worth it, what medical evacuation travel insurance costs, what medical evacuation travel insurance covers, types of medical evacuation travel insurance, what to look for in a medical evacuation travel insurance policy, how to get medical evacuation travel insurance, final thoughts.

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Leaving your destination in a medevac helicopter probably isn’t in your travel plans. But if you need emergency medical evacuation, it will be costly and may be difficult to coordinate without help. A medical evacuation travel insurance plan can cover some or all of the costs of emergency medical evacuation and help you get the medical care you need when it matters most.

If you’re considering a medical evacuation travel insurance policy, read this guide to learn how this type of travel insurance coverage can help you, when it’s worth it, what it costs, and how to choose the best plan for your needs.

Many travel insurance policies offer emergency medical evacuation benefits, so you have many options to compare. We considered travel insurance plans with at least $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation benefits and coverage for emergency medical care, trip cancellation, and trip interruption.

Consider these medical evacuation travel insurance plans with a good value for the coverage provided:

Best Medical Evacuation Travel Insurance for Europe: IMG

With IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel SE , your medical evacuation benefits are up to $500,000 if a local attending physician and IMG’s travel assistance services provider determine your condition is acute, severe, or life-threatening and medically necessary treatment isn’t available where you are. IMG will pay to return you to your point of origin, your primary residence, or a hospital or medical facility closest to your home. 

If applicable, costs covered include air and land transportation, including an air ambulance and medical escort. IMG pays covered expenses directly to the service provider if payment is required upfront — so you don’t have to think about paying a huge bill before getting home safely. 

In addition to medical evacuation coverage, you’ll get trip cancellation and interruption insurance. The $250,000 medical benefits offer primary coverage, so you don’t have to go through regular insurance first. For this plan, we got a $53.49 quote for a 35-year-old visiting Switzerland .

Best Medical Evacuation Travel Insurance for Antarctica: Aegis

The Aegis Go Ready Choice plan offers medical evacuation coverage even when traveling to far-flung Antarctica with limited services. This plan offers evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility if you experience a medical emergency during your trip. 

It covers medically appropriate transportation and medical care en route to the nearest suitable hospital if the on-site attending physician certifies that you’re medically able to travel and there is no suitable local care available. Aegis will also fly 1 person of your choice — subject to a maximum of $3,000 — to your place of hospitalization and provide lodging and meals up to $300 per day for 15 days.

On top of medical evacuation coverage, this plan covers 100% of your costs for trip cancellation and 150% for trip interruption. Emergency medical coverage is for up to $500,000, though it’s secondary coverage, so you’ll have to exhaust other available insurance options first. This plan was quoted to us for $100.57 for a 35-year-old visiting Antarctica.

Best Medical Evacuation Travel Insurance for Costa Rica: WorldTrips

Using the WorldTrips Atlas Journey Economy plan, you’ll get up to $500,000 in medical evacuation benefits if you need a physician-ordered medical evacuation. That includes medically appropriate transportation and necessary medical care en route to the nearest suitable hospital. 

The coverage applies if you’re critically ill or injured and no suitable local care is available. It also covers non-emergency repatriation to get you to your home or hospital in the U.S. for proper care, plus transportation, hotel, meals, phone calls, and local transportation for 1 person of your choice if you’re hospitalized for 24 hours or more. 

While the medical evacuation coverage is comprehensive, emergency medical coverage is limited to only $10,000 of secondary coverage. But you also will be covered for up to 100% of your total cost with trip cancellation and interruption benefits. Our quote for a 35-year-old visiting Costa Rica came to $114.

Best Medical Evacuation Travel Insurance for $1 Million Coverage: TravelSafe 

If you need up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage, you can get it from TravelSafe’s Classic plan. You can use this benefit to get to the nearest suitable medical facility if your condition is acute, severe, or life-threatening, and adequate medically necessary treatment isn’t available in your immediate area. It also covers medical evacuation expenses to return you to your point of origin or a medical facility closest to your primary residence.

This plan also includes up to $25,000 for non-medical evacuation, which applies if you need transportation due to natural disasters or civil or political unrest. And emergency medical coverage offers up to $100,000 per person. 

Trip cancellation covers up to 100% of your trip cost and trip interruption up to 150%. For a 35-year-old visiting Costa Rica, this plan came out to $122.

Read our Travelsafe insurance review for more information on all of their plans.

Best Medical Evacuation Travel Insurance for Cruises: Seven Corners

On a Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice plan, you’ll get up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. It applies if you have a severe, acute, or life-threatening condition and can’t get medically necessary treatment in your immediate area. It can include a medical escort who can provide medical care during transportation. You can also get transportation back to your point of origin, primary residence, or a hospital or medical facility closest to your primary residence.

If you’re traveling alone and will be hospitalized for more than 7 consecutive days or unable to travel after your evacuation, Seven Corners will pay airfare for a person of your choice to support you. Or, you can get reimbursed for a traveling companion’s expenses if you’re hospitalized for at least 3 days.

Emergency medical coverage offers up to $500,000 in primary coverage benefits with no medical deductible. Trip cancellation benefits cover up to 100% of your trip cost, and trip interruption covers up to 150%. Our quote for this plan came to $139 for a 35-year-old cruising Mexico.

Medical evacuation travel insurance is a type of travel insurance that can cover the costs of medically necessary emergency evacuation . It applies if you become seriously injured or ill on your trip and there are no appropriate medical facilities where you are. 

With medical evacuation coverage, your insurance generally pays for transportation costs to get to a medical facility with adequate care, which may include land and air ambulance . It also covers the price of a medical escort and may provide coverage for a companion to help you during a hospitalization. Medical evacuation policies frequently offer repatriation benefits, which can get you home after emergency medical treatment.

Medical evacuation travel insurance is crucial if you plan to visit a remote destination or an area with limited medical facilities. With this coverage, you can travel confidently, knowing you can be transported to appropriate medical care without overwhelming costs. 

Medical evacuation travel insurance could save your life, and that’s priceless. Prompt medical care from a capable medical facility could be a matter of life and death, particularly if you’ve experienced trauma and need critical care as soon as possible .

Getting medical evacuation travel insurance is often worth it compared to the out-of-pocket cost of medical evacuation. Sure, you might travel your entire life and never need an emergency medical evacuation. But if you do need medical evacuation, the costs can be catastrophic. 

Don’t overlook the value of the support offered by an insurance company’s assistance hotline. If you’re seriously injured or ill, you may struggle to coordinate care and may face language barriers or unfamiliarity with local and regional medical care. An assistance hotline to coordinate care could be crucial in getting the lifesaving medical care you need.

How much medical evacuation travel insurance is worth to you depends on your health conditions, where you plan to travel, and what you plan to do when you travel. If you travel domestically or to locations with robust healthcare facilities, medical evacuation travel insurance might not be beneficial to you. 

On the other hand, if you plan to visit remote locations or destinations with limited access to medical care, medical evacuation travel insurance is probably worth getting. It’s also a good idea if you plan to engage in activities with a high risk of accidents or injuries, such as backcountry skiing or mountaineering.

Consider these factors as you determine whether medical evacuation travel insurance is worth it for you:

• Your destination and its medical infrastructure
• Planned travel activities
• Preexisting health conditions
• Your financial ability to pay for evacuation expenses
• How far you’re traveling from home

Medical Evacuation Is Costly

If you need medical evacuation, you should expect it to cost at least $20,000 just for transportation , according to Allianz Travel Insurance . That number can increase exponentially to $200,000 or more if evacuation is complicated, such as needing a medevac from a remote mountain. 

Emergency transportation can also cover the cost of getting you home once you’re stable. That might be more complicated than you’d think. You may need to ride home on a stretcher with a medical escort who can monitor your condition and administer care. This type of flight generally costs about $25,000 to $30,000, and an air ambulance may cost up to $50,000.

These costs are only for transporting you to and from the hospital , as evacuation is just part of the cost of emergency medical treatment. It’s also best to get medical evacuation coverage as part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan with emergency medical coverage. 

Don’t count on Medicare to cover medical evacuation on a cruise ship or while traveling abroad. Medicare medical evacuation coverage is limited to particular circumstances. For example, Medicare may pay when you have a medical emergency in the U.S., and a foreign hospital that can treat you is closer than any hospital in the U.S.

Credit Card Travel Insurance May Limit Medical Evacuation Coverage

Credit cards with travel insurance coverage may provide medical evacuation benefits, but not all do. Check the limits on your medical evacuation benefit and understand that actual medical evacuation costs could exceed your benefits. 

For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve ® covers up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation and transportation costs . That might be enough if you’re not too far from adequate medical care, but it’s probably not enough coverage to get you out of a remote area with a severe injury.

Some credit cards offer medical evacuation coverage with no limit. The Platinum Card ® from American Express is one of the best travel cards and offers emergency evacuation with no specified limit under its Premium Global Assistance coverage. 

If your credit card’s emergency medical evacuation coverage isn’t adequate for your needs, travel insurance with medical evacuation benefits may be worth it.

Medical evacuation travel insurance is often part of a comprehensive travel insurance policy. All of the quotes we got were about $50 to $140. You should expect comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage costs of about 5% to 10% of your trip. 

Your cost of medical evacuation travel insurance may vary depending on factors including:

• Age: Your age is a significant factor in medical evacuation travel insurance costs, as older travelers are considered more at high risk for travel insurance coverage.
• Health Conditions: You may pay more for your policy if you need coverage for preexisting conditions.
• Destination: Traveling to a location with limited medical facilities, high health care costs, or travel advisories may require paying a higher premium for medical evacuation travel insurance.
• Travel Duration: The longer you plan to travel, the greater the risk, so you’ll pay more to insure an extended travel period.
• Activities: The activities you plan on your trip, such as adventure sports, can increase the cost of your medical evacuation travel insurance premium.
• Policy Details: Your policy’s coverage limits, deductibles, copayments, and features, such as emergency assistance services, will influence how much you pay to carry a medical evacuation travel insurance policy.

Adventure travel insurance policies may cost more but deliver the coverage you need if risky activities are in your travel plans.

Your coverage with a medical evacuation travel insurance policy depends on the travel insurance company, plan, coverage selections, and other policy details. Still, you can generally expect a medical evacuation travel insurance policy to at least cover emergency medical evacuation along with medical treatment, monitoring, and coordination.

Let’s look at some of the coverages common among medical evacuation travel insurance policies:

• Emergency Medical Evacuation: This coverage covers the cost of transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility, which could require air, land, or sea emergency transportation with ambulance services.
• Medical Escort: Medical escort coverage provides medical care and monitoring while you’re en route to a medical facility. For example, you may be escorted and treated by doctors and nurses on a medevac helicopter to a hospital.
• Care Coordination: Travel insurance companies generally offer an emergency assistance line and coordination that can help you find and coordinate with local healthcare providers, monitor your situation, and communicate between you, the medical staff, and your family. They may facilitate admission to hospitals with financial guarantees.
• Support Travel: Whether you’re traveling alone and need a support person to meet you or you have a traveling companion who needs to come with you, medical evacuation travel insurance may pay for transportation and other costs for a support person so you don’t have to be hospitalized without a trusted friend or family member.
• Repatriation: Emergency medical evacuation travel insurance may pay to get you home or to a medical facility near your home after you’re stable.

Comprehensive travel insurance plans are the most common type with emergency medical evacuation coverage. However, you may have access to specialized plans that focus mainly on emergency medical treatment and evacuation. These plans may offer higher coverage limits and more specialized services.

You can also look for specialized travel insurance policies. For example, you’d want adventure travel insurance with medical evacuation if you plan to climb a remote mountain or cruise travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage if you’re concerned you may need medical evacuation from a cruise ship. 

It’s also worth considering an annual travel insurance policy or multi-trip coverage, which can cover all your travel within a year.

Read our travel insurance introductory guide to learn more about travel insurance options, which frequently include emergency medical evacuation coverage.

As you compare emergency medical evacuation travel insurance policies, consider these factors:

• Cost: While the price of a medical evacuation travel insurance policy may pale compared to actual evacuation costs, you still want to be mindful of how much you pay for coverage. Consider adjusting coverage levels, deductibles, and copays to get the right coverage at a reasonable price.
• Coverage Limits: Compare how much coverage you get from one policy to another. A policy may be more expensive but offer greater coverage. You should also look at the emergency medical coverage limits of each policy.
• Covered Benefits: The features of medical evacuation travel insurance policies vary between companies and plans. Confirm that the plans you’re considering offer the benefits you want, such as transportation for a support person to join you in the hospital.
• Policy Limitations: Make sure your policy doesn’t place limitations that would restrict key coverage, such as not covering the region or country you’re visiting, your trip exceeding the allowed duration, or your age or preexisting conditions excluding you from receiving full benefits.
• Additional Coverage: Medical evacuation coverage may be a major consideration, but consider the complete package when choosing a travel insurance policy. Trip interruption and cancellation, emergency hotlines, and other coverage can be valuable features for protecting your trip.
• Customer Service and Claims: Read customer reviews to learn about the claims process, how well the company delivers on claims and services, and what you can expect if you buy a policy.

You can usually get medical evacuation travel insurance as part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan . Start by getting quotes from travel insurance companies directly, or use a travel insurance comparison website such as Squaremouth to get quotes for multiple policies simultaneously. 

Another option is looking at the coverage offered when you book travel. For example, an airline or online travel agency may allow you to add travel insurance to your booking. Read the fine print to find out if it covers medical evacuation and learn about the coverage details. It makes sense to compare policies offered at booking to the quotes you can get independently from travel insurance companies.

You may have travel protection, including medical evacuation coverage, available with your credit card. Check your benefits guide to see what’s covered, how much coverage you get, and when it applies.

Emergency medical evacuation travel insurance can be critical coverage if you experience a medical emergency while traveling. Getting a travel insurance policy with medical evacuation coverage can offer a financial safety net and the assurance of lifesaving support in case of a medical crisis. While medical evacuation insurance can add to your travel costs, the savings can be exponential if you need to use your coverage.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance cover medical evacuation.

Regular health insurance and Medicare may cover medical evacuation under limited circumstances, but in most cases, your plan won’t cover it. Comprehensive travel insurance policies commonly offer medical evacuation coverage.

How much medical evacuation insurance should I get?

You should get at least $100,000 in medical evacuation insurance. If you’re traveling to a particularly remote or dangerous location, you may opt for medical evacuation insurance of up to $1 million.

How much does it cost to be medically evacuated?

Medical evacuation costs vary depending on the complexity of your evacuation but generally range from $20,000 to $200,000 just for transportation costs.

What is the difference between medical evacuation and repatriation?

Medical evacuation gets you to the closest medical facility that can treat you effectively, while repatriation brings you home. For example, you may get a medical evacuation to a regional hospital for critical care, then repatriation to a medical facility near your home once your condition is stable enough for travel.

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About Jessica Merritt

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

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Best Medical Evacuation Insurance Plans 2024

On This Page

• Key takeaways

What is emergency medical evacuation insurance?

Medical evacuation insurance vs. travel medical insurance, our top picks for the best medical evacuation insurance plans, do i need medical evacuation insurance, what does emergency medical evacuation insurance cover, how much does a medical evacuation cost without insurance, how much emergency evacuation insurance coverage should you have, when is medical evacuation coverage recommended, tips for choosing the best medevac insurance, how to use emergency medical evacuation insurance, air ambulance insurance and other alternatives, medical evacuation insurance faq.

• Recommended articles

Related topics

• The CDC recommends buying medical evacuation insurance if you are traveling to a remote area or to somewhere that has low-quality medical care that may not be up to U.S. standards.
• Based on our research, the best emergency medical evacuation insurance plans come from: Seven Corners, Tin Leg, and IMG . (skip ahead to view these plans)
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance is built to cover the cost of transporting you to a high-quality hospital via air ambulance or other suitable arrangements and can cost as little as $2 per day.
• Many medevac plans also cover the repatriation of remains, which means if you or a travel companion pass away during a trip, you can be transported home for a proper burial.
• We recommend opting for medical evacuation limits between $250,000 - $1,000,000 because evacuation costs can easily exceed $100,000 in most parts of the world - as outlined here by the CDC .
• We recommend using a comparison tool to compare plans and prices from multiple providers at once.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance, also known as medevac insurance or air ambulance insurance, can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars in case of an emergency while traveling.

For this reason, we consider medevac insurance as one of our most basic coverages to look for when buying travel insurance .

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• What it covers
• How much it costs
• What to look for when you go to buy
• How to use it if you need it

Not all evacuation coverage is made equal, and many factors can influence whether the plan you purchase will cover you or not.

To help you make the best decision when buying medevac insurance, we have reviewed plans from some of America’s best providers and highlighted our top picks.

So without further delay, here is our selection of the best medical evacuation insurance.

Our top picks for the best medical evacuation insurance

• Seven Corners: Best Value
• Tin Leg: Best for Budget Travel
• IMG: Cancel For Work Reasons Inlcuded
• Travel Insured International: $1,000,000 Medical Evacuation
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: No Medical Deductible

Emergency medical evacuation insurance, or medevac insurance, is a type of travel insurance coverage that pays for emergency transportation home or to a suitable medical facility when you become sick or injured while traveling.

Medevac coverage is different from travel medical insurance in that it focuses on paying for the journey to a medical facility or transport home after an incident whereas travel health insurance is made to reimburse you for the costs of medical treatment you receive while traveling.

If you plan to take a trip that’s far from where you live, it’s best to have both travel evacuation insurance & travel medical coverage in place.

These insurances work in tandem to cover essential services and treatments while offering entirely separate types of benefits.

• Emergency travel medical insurance: pays for the emergency medical care you receive while you’re away – including doctor bills, lab tests, emergency surgery, etc.
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance:  pays for you to be rescued or evacuated mid-travel and will ensure you are transported to a proper medical center for treatment. Also repatriates remains in the event of your death.
• Combining both coverages:  The  best travel insurance plans  combine both of the above coverages into one comprehensive travel insurance package and can also include extras like baggage coverage.

Search for comprehensive plans with combined coverage

Seven Corners

Why we like it.

Editor's take

The Trip Protection Choice plan from Seven Corners is an excellent choice for a comprehensive plan and offers robust coverage at a great price. In fact, the Trip Protection Choice plan is our top-selling travel insurance policy thanks to its high coverage limits, customizable add-ons, excellent 24-hour customer service, and a 14-day money-back guarantee. This plan is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive, but it offers solid coverage for an affordable price.

Regarding medical coverage, Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice plan offers $500,000 for emergency medical coverage and $1m in medical evacuation and repatriation coverage per person. It also covers medical expenses related to Covid-19. The plan’s primary medical coverage also means there is no deductible, and you won’t have to pay out of pocket if any medical emergencies occur during your trip.

The Trip Protection Choice offers extensive medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. Here is what it includes at a glance:

• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Covers transportation expenses for evacuating you to the nearest suitable hospital or medical facility for necessary treatment.
• Medical Repatriation: Covers expenses for sending you back home or to a hospital or medical facility closest to your home for continued treatment.
• Medical Escort: Covers expenses for a medical professional to escort you back to the U.S. and provide medical care during the trip, if necessary.
• Repatriation of Remains: If you die while on the trip this will cover expenses for sending your body back home and can include embalming or local cremation before sending, temporary storage costs, transportation of the remains, and necessary documentation.
• Transportation of Children/Child: Covers the cost of returning your dependent children or minors left unattended due to your hospitalization for 7+ consecutive days or death during the trip. It also ensures they are accompanied and attended to until they arrive home.
• Transportation to Join You: Covers the cost of someone you know to visit your bedside if you are hospitalized for 7+ consecutive days. A daily benefit of up to $1,000 is available for bedside traveling companions.

Apart from this, the Trip Protection Choice plan can easily cover and reimburse you for things like:

• Overall trip cost
• Travel delays & stipends
• Baggage & equipment loss/damage
• Accidental death or dismemberment

You will also be covered for trip cancellations (up to 100%) and interruptions (up to 150%) including a wide range of valid reasons for claiming trip cancellation and interruption benefits. Optional add-ons include coverage for Cancel for Any Reason, Interruption for Any Reason, rental car damage, sports equipment rental, and event ticket protection.

Read our full review

• Offers coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Money-back guarantee
• Cancellation & Interruption coverage standard
• Covers action sports & equipment
• Cancel for any reason not included standard
• Must meet waiver for pre-existing conditions to be covered

Best for Budget Travel

The standard plan comes with $200,000 in medical evacuation coverage which should be enough for most trips abroad, and also covers $30,000 in medical expense coverage. Depending on how you structure the plan you can get trip interruption & cancellation reimbursement coverage relatively inexpensively. $30,000 in medical coverage should be enough for short trips, however, if you need more, you can also request.

Not only is the TinLeg brand affordable, but it also offers comprehensive coverage and boasts some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings around. There are many plans to choose from under the TinLeg brand, ranging from economy, standard, silver, gold, etc.

• Customize from budget to premium coverage
• Protection for COVID-19-related medical expenses included
• All plans come with a 10 to 15-day money-back guarantee
• Standard plan has lower policy limits for medical treatment
• Secondary medical coverage means you must pay first & be reimbursed

Cancel For Work Reasons Inlcuded

• Purchase your plan up until one day before you depart
• Generous limits for trip delays, emergency evacuation, and more
• Pre-existing condition waiver available if purchased within 20 days of initial trip deposit
• 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
• Coronavirus-related medical expenses covered
• Plan gets notably more expensive with age

$1,000,000 Medical Evacuation

Travel insured international.

• Travel delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Generous $150,000 non-medical evacuation coverage
• CFAR and IFAR coverage not included
• Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 12 hours
• No rental car coverage

No Medical Deductible

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

• $1,000,000 worth of medevac coverage
• Optional cancel for any reason coverage
• Cancel for work reasons included
• Costs higher than the industry average

The US Government’s travel.state.gov website highlights that most traditional health insurance plans will not cover repatriation costs back to the U.S. making evacuation insurance all the more useful to travelers.

Travelex travel insurance reports that medical evacuation costs can average close to $25,000 in North America, or as much as $100,000 in Europe or $250,000 on a global level.

These two factors alone are enough to warrant travel insurance that includes medevac coverage. Without emergency medical evacuation insurance, you could be forced to bear the brunt of these costs by paying out-of-pocket if you needed to be transported by a medevac helicopter, plane, or ambulance for medical treatment.

You should consider opting for medical evacuation coverage if:

• You plan to travel to a remote area where medical facilities may be far away or inadequate
• You have pre-existing health conditions that could flare up and require hospitalization
• You have special healthcare needs that certain facilities may not be able to adequately treat
• There is a higher-than-average risk of you dying or falling seriously ill while away
• You cannot afford to pay the out-of-pocket costs associated with an unexpected medical evacuation

Medical evacuation travel insurance will pay for a range of non-medical and even non-emergency services that can help you overcome an injury or illness when you travel.

The following services are typically covered with emergency medevac coverage:

Emergency transportation to a hospital of your choice

All medical evacuation plans offer coverage to the nearest suitable medical facility equipped to handle your condition. However, most plans allow you to be sent to a hospital of your choice. Transport method depends on your condition but can include a specialized medical plane equipped with a mobile ICU, commercial airplane, helicopter, or ambulance.

COVID coverage & transport care

Most emergency evacuation plans include coverage for COVID-19. If you become severely ill with coronavirus and need to be hospitalized or intubated, you can receive emergency medical transportation in a specialized mobile COVID quarantine unit that will provide adequate care throughout transport to a proper medical facility.

A medical escort for returning home

Your coverage may pay for a medical escort, such as a doctor, to accompany you home safely if you need surgery or medical care as a result of your emergency. This means you won’t be stuck traveling home alone, which can be a major blessing when you’re sick or injured and require extra assistance.

Return travel costs for your children

If you pass away or become hospitalized and require care during your trip, evacuation coverage can pay for a return ticket for your dependent children who were traveling with you. Your plan can also provide them with a travel escort if one is required.

Bedside companion’s room and board

If you are ill or injured and require hospitalization, **some emergency medical evacuation plans cover non-medical expenses** like your bedside companion’s room and board so your travel companion can accompany you as you receive proper treatment. It’s important to read over your policy and check to make sure coverage extends to travel companions and not just the patient.

Travel expenses for a family member or friend to reach you

If you are alone and become hospitalized at your travel destination for a longer period of time (usually seven nights or longer) your emergency coverage may pay for a family member to travel to visit you . This non-emergency protection can pay for a plane ticket to where you are located, as well as meals, hotel stays, and incidental travel expenses incurred by your companion.

Repatriation of remains

Finally, you should know that your evacuation plan can pay to have your body returned home if you pass away during your vacation. In addition to covering the travel expenses for your remains, medical evacuation and repatriation insurance can also cover embalming, local cremation, and a basic casket for transportation.

The costs for medical evacuations can be astronomical and can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Travel insurance guidelines from the CDC state the following :

“The total cost of medevac varies by location, ranging from $25,000 for transport within North America to ≥$250,000 for more distant and remote locations. Costs increase when the patient being evacuated is critically ill or needs complex infection control measures.”

It’s best to anticipate that when traveling abroad you could end up paying $250,000 or more for an international transfer to a U.S. facility to receive medical attention.

Ultimately, this is why many travel insurance plans with emergency medical evacuation coverage have limits of up to $500,000 or even $1 million for emergency transport.

With emergency medical evacuation protection in place, there may be zero out-of-pocket expenses associated with this care. In other cases, your costs may be limited to the travel insurance deductible amount or a few hundred dollars.

How much coverage you should have for travel evacuation insurance depends heavily on the destination and traveler profile.

For U.S. domestic travel, it’s good to have at least $25,000 in medical evacuation coverage, but we recommend opting for around $50,000 in coverage – based on information outlined by the U.S. Government and the CDC .

Generally speaking, it’s best to have protection with limits that are robust enough to cover nearly any medical emergency that pops up. That said, medical evacuation limits below $250,000 are likely not enough for international trips.

Travel insurance doesn’t have to break the bank. There are many cheap travel insurance plans that include medical evacuation coverage for extra peace of mind while traveling.

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage or annual travel plans can also be added to certain plans for additional coverage.

Medical evacuation insurance is recommended any time you travel out of your home country where your normal health insurance does not apply.

There are other scenarios where you’ll want to ensure your coverage for emergency medical evacuation is especially robust, such as if you plan to participate in high-risk adventure sports or if you’re traveling in an extremely remote area of Spain , for example. In these cases, it is definitely worth it to consider travel insurance specific to medical emergencies.

For example, if you plan to hike the French Alps and you’ll be miles from the largest city on the side of a mountain, having emergency medical evacuation coverage is crucial. The same is true if you plan to go hang gliding or deep sea diving on your trip to Bali , but also if you plan to do nothing more than relax and sightsee on your trip.

We also recommend medical evacuation coverage if you are going on a cruise since being evacuated from a ship is very costly. Check out our recommendations for cruise insurance to make sure you’re covered when setting sail.

The fact is, you never know when you may be in an automobile accident, or if you’ll come down with COVID-19 or another illness during your travels. Your health is one of your biggest assets, so it’s best to provide yourself with adequate protection just in case.

Do you need medevac insurance coverage for trips in the U.S.?

Even if you are traveling within the United States, medical evacuation insurance can come in handy.

This is especially true for the add-ons and additional coverage that medical evacuation insurance provides like repatriation services, and more.

For example, if you’re traveling full-time or part-time in remote areas of the United States, your health insurance plan may pay for your medical care but not necessarily your travel back home.

Imagine hiking in Yellowstone National Park and being injured from a fall. Your normal health insurance plan would likely cover an ambulance ride to the nearest hospital and your immediate medical care. However, your health insurance plan would not cover your plane ride home, or an escort if you need help with the journey due to your condition. This is particularly important for those who are at a higher risk of injury or illness, like senior citizens .

This is true whether you have health insurance through a private provider, or if you get insurance through a federal plan such as Medicare or Medicaid. If you aren’t covered by health insurance in the United States, then medical evacuation insurance becomes even more important.

By having adequate emergency medical insurance and medical evacuation insurance in place, you can enjoy your travels and worry less about unforeseen accidents.

As with anything, it helps to know what to look for as some plans and providers are better than others.

To help you choose, we have come up with the main things to look for when buying medical evacuation insurance.

Read over the fine print

Travel insurance is notorious for including many exceptions for coverage in the fine print. While it may be a pain, make sure to read over the fine print and all details of the policy from start to finish. Ensure the company offers adequate limits for each type of insurance you want to buy. It can also help to look for companies that offer travel assistance, such as 24-hour emergency assistance services.

Check what is excluded from the policy

If you plan to participate in high-risk adventure sports during your trip, make sure your travel insurance plan covers these activities. Each plan has different requirements relating to action sports, so check that it does not list your sport as an exclusion. Also, note that some plans exclude coverage in certain countries or regions of the world.

Opt for plans that also cover medical expenses

Make sure your policy has robust limits for medical expenses that might appear during travel, including expenses caused by accidents, illness, emergency dental treatment, and any other care you receive.

Check coverage for pre-existing conditions

Many plans will cover pre-existing conditions if you meet certain criteria – such as booking within a certain time frame. That said, pre-existing conditions are commonly excluded from travel insurance coverage or come with strings attached. Make sure you understand if you can be fully covered before buying.

Understand the dollar limits

Make sure you have a full understanding of all the limits listed in your travel insurance policy, and determine what the specific limits are on the emergency evacuation coverage for plans you’re considering. Ideally, you’ll select a high-quality policy that offers generous limits for emergency evacuation and medical expenses.

Review the hospital selection policy

Note that most emergency medical evacuation plans will pay for necessary transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility, which may not be the hospital of your choice. Others allow you to choose where you want to be sent. Be sure you know and understand your plan’s policy ahead of time, and don’t be afraid to consider alternatives if you want to choose where you receive care.

Use a comparison tool

Using a comparison tool allows you to see many plans all at once. This can also allow you to filter and sort plans based on the types of coverage you find most appealing. By using a comparison tool, you’ll be able to quickly eliminate plans that don’t meet your needs and narrow down which ones are the best options.

The first step involved in benefiting from this coverage is making sure you have it, and checking to confirm your medevac insurance has adequate limits that can protect you financially when you need it most.

Steps required to use emergency medical evacuation insurance include the following:

Call for approval immediately

Each provider offers a 24-hour hotline you or the in-house doctor or medical professional can call to expedite the process, and you’ll want to do this right away. If you become sick or injured during a trip and require emergency medical transportation, you’ll need to get approval from your travel insurance provider first before using this service.

Wait for evacuation

Your provider will proceed to assist you and manage your medical evacuation and repatriation. They will coordinate with local doctors to monitor your condition and provide adequate medical support for evacuating you home to the US. As an example, this could include an air ambulance equipped with an on-board ICU, or a business class ticket with a medical escort.

Save all bills and receipts

In some cases, your travel insurance plan will pay your medical transportation bills directly. In others, you may have to pay for some of your care upfront and then wait to be reimbursed afterward. Either way, you’ll want to save all documents and receipts relating to your incident or illness, including all bills and paperwork that prove your medical expenses.

File a claim online or over the phone

Once you arrive home, you should call your travel insurance provider to find out where you’re at in the claims process. You may need to file an individual claim for the emergency medical evacuation and other services you used from your plan, or you may only need to provide the company with supporting documentation to use your coverage.

If you want comprehensive medical evacuation coverage but you’re not thrilled with the options you’re finding online, consider these alternatives.

Medjet: Medjet Assist is primarily an evacuation and air ambulance insurance. This company only covers medical evacuations and it can be purchased in addition to a traditional travel insurance plan. One of the biggest benefits of Medjet is the fact you get to select the hospital you’re transported to for medical treatment. See our full MedJet insurance review for more info.

Global Rescue: Global Rescue is another air ambulance insurance provider that offers standalone coverage for emergency evacuation, which can include ambulance transportation, commercial air travel, and more. Worldwide field rescue, 24-7 travel emergency assistance services, and advisory services are also included in this coverage based on eligibility.

Premium Travel Insurance Plans: The cost of travel insurance will vary by many factors, one of which being the level of coverage you choose. Comprehensive travel insurance plans tend to cost more, but you may get a higher level of emergency evacuation coverage with more options and benefits in exchange. These plans can be purchased for long-term travel, or on a short-term basis for individual trips.

Travel Credit Card Coverage: Finally, you may be able to get medical evacuation insurance with a credit card if you’re eligible. While a handful of travel credit cards offer this coverage, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers one of the most comprehensive plans with coverage for medical services and transportation in amounts up to $100,000.

Do I need medical evacuation and travel medical insurance?

If you are traveling to a location where you don’t have health insurance, purchasing medical evacuation coverage and insurance for medical expenses is crucial.

It’s best to have evacuation coverage and travel medical insurance if you become injured or come down with an illness and require care when you’re away from home. Having both types of coverage ensures your evacuation is handled adequately, and that you receive professional medical attention from a licensed provider or doctor in a medical facility.

Do credit cards have medical evacuation insurance included?

Some credit cards come with emergency medical evacuation coverage, but these protections usually have limitations. For example, the insurance coverage you get through a credit card typically comes with lower limits than if you were to purchase from a travel insurance provider.

Also, credit card insurance requires you to pay for your trip, including all prepaid travel expenses, with the credit card for their coverage to apply. In other words, just carrying the credit card or having it in your name isn’t enough to be covered by the card’s insurance policy.

Is Medjet Assist any good?

Medjet Assist is only an air ambulance insurance service, meaning it only offers evacuation and will not pay for other medical bills relating to treatment of illness or injury. This service is good for people with a high risk of needing evacuations and is apt for long-term trips or annual coverage. That said, a comprehensive travel insurance plan that includes medevac coverage and medical treatment coverage is usually a better fit for most travelers.

About the Author

Holly D. Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer who covers topics like insurance, investing, credit and family finance. As a leading voice in the travel and loyalty space, Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries over the last decade.

The author has also written extensively on the power of household budgeting, and she even co-authored a book on the topic. Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love was originally published in 2017, and it teaches families how to use zero-sum budgeting to reach their financial goals. She is also the co-owner and founder of the family finance and travel website, ClubThrifty.com.

Johnson’s 10+ years of writing have focused on helping families make important financial decisions at each stage of their lives. The author also applies the financial principles she teaches to her own life, and she is currently on track to retire in her late 40’s with her partner. She currently lives in Central Indiana with her husband and children, and she is a regular contributor for Bankrate, CNN, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report Travel and many other notable publications.

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11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in July 2024

Sean Cudahy is a freelance reporter specializing in coverage of airlines, travel, loyalty programs and public policy. A journalist of nine years, Sean most recently served as a general assignment reporter at The Points Guy, following an eight-year run as a local television news reporter. He lives with his wife and their French Bulldog outside Raleigh, North Carolina.

Giselle M. Cancio is an editor for the travel rewards team at NerdWallet. She has traveled to over 30 states and 20 countries, redeeming points and miles for almost a decade. She has over eight years of experience in journalism and content development across many topics.

She has juggled many roles in her career: writer, editor, social media manager, producer, on-camera host, videographer and photographer. She has been published in several media outlets and was selected to report from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

She frequents national parks and is on her way to checking all 30 Major League Baseball parks off her list. When she's not on a plane or planning her next trip, she's crafting, reading, playing board games, watching sports or trying new recipes.

She is based in Miami.

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. 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 .

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that travelers need to be prepared for the unexpected — from a pandemic to flight troubles to the crowded airport terminals so many of us have encountered.

If you don't have sufficient travel insurance coverage via your credit card , you can supplement your policies with third-party plans.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care or a policy that includes extreme sports, these are the best travel insurance providers to get you covered.

How we found the best travel insurance

We looked at quotes from various companies for a 10-day trip to Mexico in September 2024. The traveler was a 55-year-old woman from Florida who spent $3,000 total on the trip, including airfare.

On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $126.53. The costs displayed below do not include optional add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage or pre-existing medical condition coverage.

Read our full analysis about the average cost of travel insurance so you can budget better for your next trip.

However, depending on the plan, you may be able to customize at an added cost.

As we continue to evaluate more travel insurance companies and receive fresh market data, this collection of best travel insurance companies is likely to change. See our full methodology for more details.

Best insurance companies

Types of travel insurance

What does travel insurance cover, what’s not covered, how much does it cost, do i need travel insurance, how to choose the best travel insurance policy, what are the top travel destinations in 2024, more resources for travel insurance shoppers.

Top credit cards with travel insurance

Methodology

Best travel insurance overall: berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

• ExactCare Value (basic) plan is among the least expensive we surveyed.
• Speciality plans available for road trips, luxury travel, adventure activities, flights and cruises.
• Company may reimburse claimants faster than average, including possible same-day compensation.
• Multiple "Trip Delay" coverage types might make claims confusing.
• Cheapest plan only includes fixed amounts for its coverage.

Under the direction of chair and CEO Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has been around since 2014. Its plans provide numerous opportunities for travelers to customize coverage to their needs.

At $135 for our sample trip, the ExactCare Value (basic) plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers protection roughly $10 above the average price.

Want something cheaper? Air travelers looking for inexpensive, less comprehensive protections might opt for a basic AirCare plan that includes fixed amounts for its coverage .

Read our full review of Berkshire Hathaway .

What else makes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection great:

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers available at nearly all plan levels. 

Plans available for travelers going on a cruise, participating in extreme sports or taking a luxury trip.

ExactCare Value (basic) plan was among the least expensive we surveyed.

Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance

Annual or single-trip policies are available.

• Multiple types of insurance available.
• All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
• More expensive than average.
• CFAR upgrades are not available.
• Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

Allianz Global Assistance is a reputable travel insurance company offering plans for over 25 years. Customers can choose from a variety of single and annual policies to fit their needs. On top of comprehensive coverage, some travelers might opt for the more affordable OneTrip Cancellation Plus, which is geared toward domestic travelers looking for trip protections but don’t need post-departure benefits like emergency medical or baggage lost.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic coverage cost $149, about $22 above average.

What else makes Allianz Global Assistance great:

Annual and single-trip plans.

Plans are available for international and domestic trips.

Stand-alone and add-on rental car damage product available.

Read our full review of Allianz Global Assistance .

Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG

Travel Guard by AIG

• Offers last-minute coverage.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
• Plan available for business travelers.
• Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
• Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a variety of plans and coverages to fit travelers’ needs. On top of more standard trip protections like trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical coverage, the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available on certain Travel Guard plans, which allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and get 50% of your nonrefundable deposit back as long as the trip is canceled at least two days before the scheduled departure date.

At $107 for our sample trip, the Essential plan was below average, saving roughly $20.

What else makes Travel Guard by AIG great:

Three comprehensive plans and a Pack N' Go plan for last-minute travelers who don't need cancellation benefits.

Flight protection, car rental, and medical evacuation coverage, as well as annual plans available.

Pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver available on all plan levels, as long as it's purchased within 15 days.

Read our full review of Travel Guard by AIG .

Best for those who pack expensive equipment: Travel Insured International

Travel Insured International

• Higher-level plan include optional add-ons for event tickets and for electronic equipment
• Rental car protection add-on for just $8 per day, even on lower-level plan.
• Many of the customizations are only available on the higher-tier plan.
• Coverage cost comes in above average in our latest analysis.

Travel Insured International offers several customization options. For instance, those going to see a show may want to add on event ticket registration fee protection. Traveling with expensive gear?Consider adding on coverage for electronic equipment for up to $2,000 in coverage.

Be sure to check which policies are available in your state. You will need to input your destination, residence, trip dates and the number of travelers to get a quote and see coverages.

What else makes Travel Insured International great:

Comprehensive plans include medical expense reimbursement accidents, sickness, evacuation and pre-existing conditions, depending on the plan.

Flight plans include coverage for missed and canceled flights and lost or stolen baggage.

Read our full review of Travel Insured International .

Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads

World Nomads

• Travelers can extend coverage mid-trip.
• The standard plan covers up to $300,000 in emergency evacuation costs.
• Plans automatically cover 200+ adventurous activities.
• No Cancel For Any Reason upgrades are available.
• No pre-existing medical condition waivers are available.

Many travel insurance plans contain exclusions for adventure sports activities. If you plan to ski, bungee jump, windsurf or parasail, this might be a plan to consider.

Note that the Standard plan ($72 for our sample trip), while the most affordable, provides less coverage than other plans. But it can be a good choice for travelers who are satisfied with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $2,500 or less, do not need rental car damage protection, find the limits to be sufficient and do not need coverage for certain more adventurous activities.

What else makes World Nomads great:

Comprehensive international travel insurance plans.

Coverage available for adventure activities, such as trekking, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Read our full review of World Nomads .

Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services

Travelex Insurance Services

• Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.
• Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.
• Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan.
• Fewer customization opportunities on the Basic plan.
• Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, keep in mind the Travel America plan only covers domestic trips.

For starters, basic coverage from Travelex Insurance Services came in at $125, almost exactly average for our sample trip.

Travelex’s plans focus heavily on providing protections that are personalized to your travel style and trip type.

While the company does offer comprehensive plans that include medical benefits, you can also choose between cheaper plans that don’t provide cancellation coverage but do offer protections during your travels.

Read our full review of Travelex Insurance Services .

What else makes Travelex Insurance Services great:

Three comprehensive plans available, two of which cover international trips.

Offers a post-departure plan geared exclusively toward disruptions after you leave home.

Two flight insurance plans available.

Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners

Seven Corners

• Annual, medical-only and backpacker plans are available.
• Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available for the cheapest plan.
• Cheapest plan also features a much less costly Interruption for Any Reason add-on.
• Offers only one annual policy option.

Each Seven Corners plan offers several optional add-ons. Among the more unique is a Trip Interruption for Any Reason, which allows you to interrupt a trip 48 hours after the scheduled departure date (for any reason) and receive a refund of up to 75% of your unused nonrefundable deposits.

» Jump to the best cards with travel insurance

The basic coverage plan for our trip to Mexico costs $124 — right around the average.

What else makes Seven Corners great:

Comprehensive plans for U.S. residents and foreigners, including travelers visiting the U.S.

Cheap add-ons for rental car damage, sporting equipment rental or trip interruption for any reason.

Read our full review of Seven Corners .

Best for long-term travelers: IMG

• Coverage available for adventure travelers.
• Offers direct billing.
• Claim approval can be lengthy.

While some travel insurance companies offer just a handful of plans, with IMG, you’ll really have your pick. Though this requires a bit more research, it allows you to search for coverage that fits your travel needs.

However, travelers will want to be aware that IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite is expensive. Coming in at $149.85, it’s the costliest plan on our list.

Read our full review of IMG .

What else makes IMG great:

More affordable than average.

Many plans to choose from to fit your needs.

Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg

• In addition Cancel For Any Reason, some plans offer cancel for work reason coverage.
• Adventure sports-specific coverage is available.
• Plans have overlap that can be hard to distinguish.
• Only one plan includes Rental Car Damage coverage available as an add-on.

Tin Leg’s Basic plan came in at $134 for our sample trip, adding about $8 onto the average basic policy cost. Note that you’ll pay a lot more if you shop for the most comprehensive coverage, and there are eight plans to choose from for trips abroad.

The multitude of plans can help you find coverage that fits your needs, but with so many to choose from, deciding can be daunting.

The only real way to figure out your ideal plan is to compare them all, look at the plan details and decide which features and coverage suit you and your travel style best.

Read our full Tin Leg review .

Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe

• Covers up to $300 redepositing points and miles on eligible canceled award flights.
• Optional add-on protection for business equipment or sports rentals.
• Multi-trip or year-long plans aren’t available.

Selecting your travel insurance plan with TravelSafe is a fairly straightforward process. The company’s website also makes it easy to visualize how optional add-on elements influence the total cost, displaying the final price as soon as you click the coverage.

However, at $136, the Basic plan was among the more expensive for our trip to Mexico.

What else makes TravelSafe great:

Rental car damage coverage add-on is available on both plans.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage available on the TravelSafe Classic plan.

Read our full TravelSafe review .

Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance

HTH Travel Insurance

• Covers travelers up to 95 years old.
• Includes direct pay option so members can avoid having to pay up front for services.
• A 24-hour delay is required for baggage delay coverage on the TripProtector Economy plan.
• No waivers for pre-existing conditions on the lower-level plan.

HTH offers single-trip and multitrip medical insurance coverage as well as trip protection plans.

At around $125, the Trip Protector Economy policy is at the average mark for plans we reviewed.

You can choose to insure group trips for educators, crew, religious missionaries and corporate travelers.

What else makes HTH Insurance great:

Medical-only coverage and trip protection coverage.

Lots of options for group travelers.

Read our full review of HTH Insurance .

As you shop for travel insurance, you’ll find many of the same coverage categories across numerous plans.

Trip cancellation

This covers the prepaid costs you make for your trip in cases when you need to cancel for a covered reason. This coverage helps you recoup upfront costs paid for flights and nonrefundable hotel reservations.

Trip interruption

Trip interruption benefits generally involve disruptions after you depart. It helps reimburse costs incurred for flight delays, cancellations and plenty of other covered disruptions you might encounter during your travels.

This coverage can cover the costs for you to return home or reimburse unexpected expenses like an extra hotel stay, meals and ground transportation.

Trip delay coverage helps cover unexpected costs when your trip is delayed. This is another coverage that helps offset the costs of flight trouble or other travel disruptions.

Note that many policies have a total amount a traveler can claim, with caps on per diem benefits, too.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to recoup some of the upfront costs you paid for a trip even if you’re canceling for a reason not otherwise covered by your standard travel insurance policy.

Typically, adding this protection to your plan costs extra.

Baggage delay

This coverage helps cover the costs of essential items you might need when your luggage is delayed. Think toiletries, clothing and other immediate items you might need if your luggage didn’t make it on your flight.

Many travel insurance plans with baggage delay protection will specify how long (six, 12, 24 hours, etc.) your luggage must be delayed before you can make a claim.

Lost baggage

Used for travelers whose luggage is lost or stolen, this helps recoup the lost value of the items in your bag.

You’ll want to make sure you closely follow the correct procedures for your plan. Many plans include a maximum total amount you can claim under this coverage and a per-item cap.

Travel medical insurance

This covers out-of-pocket medical costs when travelers run into an emergency.

Because many travelers’ health insurance plans don’t cover medical care overseas, travel medical insurance can help offset out-of-pocket health care costs.

In addition to emergency medical coverage, many plans have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage for costs incurred when you must be taken to a hospital or return to your home country because of a medical situation.

Most travel insurance plans cover many trip protections that can help you be prepared for unexpected travel disruptions and expenses.

These coverages are generally aimed at protecting the money you put into your trip, expenses you incur because of travel trouble and costs incurred if you have a medical emergency overseas.

On top of core coverages like trip cancellation and interruption and travel medical coverage, some plans offer add-on options like waivers for pre-existing conditions, rental car collision damage waivers or adventure sports riders. These usually cost extra or must be added within a specified timeframe.

Typical travel insurance policies offer coverage for many unforeseen events, but as you research to select a plan, consider your needs. Though every plan differs, there are some commonly excluded coverages.

For instance, you typically can’t get coverage for a named storm if you bought the coverage after the storm was named. In other words, if you have a trip to the Caribbean booked for Sept. 25 and on Sept. 20 a hurricane develops and is named, you generally won’t be able to buy a travel insurance plan Sept. 21 in hopes of getting your money back.

Many plans also don’t cover activities performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any extreme sports. If the latter applies to you, you might want to consider a plan with specific coverages for adventure-seekers.

For numerous plans, a few other situations don’t qualify as an acceptable reason to cancel and make a claim, such as fear of travel, medical tourism or pregnancies (unless you booked a trip and bought insurance before you became pregnant or there are complications with the pregnancy). This is where a Cancel For Any Reason add-on to your coverage can be helpful.

You can also run into trouble if you give up on a trip too soon: a minor (or even multihour) flight delay likely isn’t sufficient to cancel your entire trip and get reimbursed through your plan. Be sure to review what requirements your specific plan has when it comes to canceling a trip, claiming trip interruption, etc.

Travel insurance costs vary widely. The final price of your plan will fluctuate based on your age, length of trip and destination.

It will also depend on how much coverage you need, whether you add on specialized policies (like Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing conditions coverage), whether you plan to participate in extreme sports and other factors.

In our examples above, for instance, the 35-year-old traveler taking a $2,000 trip to Italy would have spent an average $76 for a basic plan to get coverage for things like trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, etc. That’s a little less than 4% of the total trip cost — lower than average.

If there were multiple members in a traveling party or if they were going on, say, a rock-climbing or bungee-jumping excursion, the costs would go up.

On average, travel insurance comes to about 5% to 10% of the trip cost. However, considering many of the plans reimburse up to 100% of the trip cost (or more) for disruptions like trip cancellation or interruption, it can be a worthwhile expense if something goes wrong.

It depends. Consider the following factors that might affect your decision: You’re young and healthy, all your bookings are refundable or cancelable without a penalty, your flights are nonstop, you’re not checking bags and a credit card you carry offers some travel protections . In that case, travel insurance might not be necessary.

On the other hand, if you prepaid a large chunk of money for a nonrefundable African safari, you’re going on a Caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane season or you’re going somewhere where the cost of health care is high, it’s not a bad idea to buy a travel insurance plan. Here’s how to find the best travel insurance coverage for you.

If you’re thinking of booking a trip and not planning to buy travel insurance, you may want to consider at least booking refundable airfare and not prepaying for hotel, rental car and activity reservations. That way, if something goes wrong, you can cancel without losing any money.

Selecting the best travel insurance policy comes down to your needs, concerns, preferences and budget.

As you book, take a few minutes to consider what most concerns you. Is it getting stranded because of flight trouble? Having the ability to cancel for any reason you see fit without losing money? Getting sick or injured right before departure and needing to postpone the trip? Injuring yourself or falling ill while overseas?

Ultimately, you want a plan that protects you, your money and the large investment in your trip — but doesn’t cost too much, either.

Medical coverage. If your priority is having adequate medical coverage abroad, you might want to look for plans with high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation.

Complex travel itinerary. If your itinerary has lots of flight connections, prepaid hotels and deposits for activities you can’t get back, prioritizing a plan with the best coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions may land at the top of your list.

Travel uncertainty. If you’re on the fence about a trip and have nonrefundable reservations, you may want to select a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason coverage option, which can help you recoup about 50% to 75% of the costs. This helps provide peace of mind, placing the decision on whether to travel entirely in your hands.

Car rentals. If you’re renting a car, a collision damage waiver is often worth looking into.

The following destinations are the top insured destinations in 2024, according to Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner).

The Bahamas.

Costa Rica.

Antarctica.

In 2022, travelers spent about 25.53% more on trips than they did before the pandemic.

As of December, NerdWallet analysis determined travel prices are 10% higher than pre-pandemic. Each statistic makes a strong case for protecting your travel investment as you plan your next trip.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for travel insurance.

What is travel insurance?

CFAR explained.

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance.

We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight:

Breadth of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered plus the range of their standard plans. 

Depth of coverage: We considered two data points to get a sense of how much each company pays out for common travel issues — the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: By looking at the costs for basic coverage across multiple companies, we determined an average cost for shoppers to benchmark plan prices against.

Customizability: While standard plans can cover a lot of ground, sometimes you need something a little more personal.

Customer satisfaction. Using data from Squaremouth when available, and Google Reviews as a backup, we can give kudos to companies with better track records from their clients.

No, it doesn’t necessarily get more expensive the longer you wait to purchase. However, as you put off buying insurance, you may lose access to potential plans and coverage options.

In general, buying travel insurance within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

But, generally, many plans do allow you to buy coverage quite close to your departure date.

To get the most out of your travel insurance plan, buy it soon after making your initial prepayment or deposit to ensure you have access to the biggest menu of plans possible.

Select a plan that’s comprehensive enough to cover the travel scenarios you’re most concerned about or likely to encounter but not too expensive or laden with protections you’d never likely need.

Whatever your coverage, thoroughly review the plan so you understand what’s covered and what’s not, plus how to adhere to the plan’s rules for making a claim.

Travelers frequently use phrases like “trip insurance” and “travel insurance,” as well as “trip protection,” interchangeably, but they do mean different things, according to Stan Sandberg, founder of insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com.

Trip insurance, or trip protection, generally refers to predeparture (or preevent) coverage if you need to cancel. You may see these plans sold by airlines, online travel agencies or even ticketed event sellers.

“You could refer to it as the portion that protects the investment in the trip,” Sandberg says.

A travel insurance plan typically includes that — plus more comprehensive benefits to protect you during your trip, from medical coverage to trip delay and lost baggage protections, and many more elements, depending on the plan.

Though travel insurance is typically not required for international trips, your personal circumstances will play a key role in whether it’s a good investment.

For instance, young, healthy travelers with few prepaid trip expenses embarking on a relatively risk-free trip may not see a need to buy a plan.

Older travelers with complicated itineraries who are visiting destinations where they could potentially fall ill or get injured — or who could encounter bad weather or some other disrupting factor along the way — may want to buy coverage.

Consider a few key questions:

How well would your health insurance plan cover you if you needed to visit a hospital overseas?

How much did you prepay for a hotel or rental car?

How much money would you be out if weather or some other flight issue derailed your itinerary?

Could you afford an unexpected night in a city where you have a connecting flight?

Do you already have a credit card that provides some travel protections?

Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether you need travel insurance for your international trip.

In general, buying travel insurance

within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit

for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

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 a similar note...

The best travel insurance policies and providers

It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.

Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.

Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.

Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.

So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.

The best travel insurance providers

To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .

When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.

Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Preexisting conditions

Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
• You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Standout features

• The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
• You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
• Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.

See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.

Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:

• You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
• You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
• You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
• On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
• Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
• Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
• For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).

Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.

The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.

Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:

• You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
• You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
• Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
• Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
• American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.

Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.

The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.

In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.

Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.

Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.

• GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
• GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.

You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.

See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.

For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.

• Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
• iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.

See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.

Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
• All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
• The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
• Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
• Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
• For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.

Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.

See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
• You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
• You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
• Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
• You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
• Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.

World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.

• World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
• World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.

You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.

However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.

However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.

Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:

• Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
• Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
• Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
• Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
• Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
• Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
• Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.

Should I buy travel health insurance?

If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.

If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.

The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.

When and how to get travel insurance

For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.

However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.

You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.

Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.

Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.

For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.

If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

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• ©2024 Global Rescue LLC. TotalCare and the TotalCare logo are service marks of Global Rescue LLC. All Rights Reserved. Global Rescue LLC provides technical and administrative services to Elite Medical Group, P.C. (“Elite Medical”), a professional corporation owned by licensed physicians that employs or contracts with physicians licensed to practice medicine where medical services are provided. It is not guaranteed that a prescription will be written, nor will any DEA controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs and certain other drugs which may be harmful because of their potential for abuse, as a result of a TotalCare consultation. Elite Medical physicians reserve the right to deny care for potential or actual misuse of services. The Global Rescue Mobile App is designed for operation on the current versions of Android and iOS operating systems. Availability of services is subject to your equipment compatibility, connectivity and signal in your location. There is no guarantee that all features and functionality will be available in your location. Use and availability of the Mobile App is subject to your service provider’s plan and may be subject to additional fees from your provider.

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Travel Medical Insurance Emergency Healthcare Coverage

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Travel health insurance can be a worthwhile purchase if you’re concerned about a medical emergency abroad, as it offers financial protection and peace of mind if you need treatment or a medical evacuation. Based on our comprehensive review of travel medical insurance providers, we’ve chosen Faye as our top pick for coverage.

Key Takeaways:

• Based on quotes gathered by our research team, the average cost of a travel medical insurance policy is $204, or between 5% and 6% of your total trip.
• Travel medical insurance might be worth considering for your next trip if you have a domestic health insurance policy that won’t cover you internationally.
• While travel medical insurance can provide you with peace of mind in the event of an emergency, it will add to your established trip expenses, which travelers on a budget may not find ideal.

What Is Travel Medical Insurance?

International travel medical insurance is a type of insurance that can help cover the cost of medical care abroad. If you’re on vacation and suffer a sudden injury or illness, you may need to receive care from a local facility, which your domestic health insurance might not cover. Depending on your location, you might even require transportation to a more advanced facility via Helivac or other specialized medical transport.

Without travel medical insurance, coverage is up to the discretion of your health insurance provider. If not covered, you could accrue thousands of dollars in medical bills by the time you return home, especially if you need emergency medical evacuation services. If you have a travel insurance plan with medical coverage, your insurance provider will cover certain expenses up to your coverage maximum.

Like other types of travel insurance, travel medical coverage typically works on a reimbursement-based model, meaning you will have to pay the initial bill upfront. So if you purchase a plan, it’s important to keep documentation of all medical expenses you incur while on your trip so you can file a claim.

Is Travel Medical Insurance Worth It?

Travel medical coverage is worth considering if your domestic health insurance does not extend to injuries and illnesses sustained abroad. For example, a private health insurance plan might provide coverage overseas, but Medicaid usually will not .

It’s also worth considering if you’re concerned about a medical emergency abroad or plan on visiting an area with fewer healthcare resources. Travel medical insurance can offer worthwhile protection for medical emergencies and evacuations and can provide valuable peace of mind. Many providers also offer pre-existing health condition waivers and policies that cover extreme or adventure sports, allowing different types of travelers to purchase a plan that fits their needs.

In our 2024 travel insurance survey of 1,000 participants, 97% of respondents felt that travel insurance is worth it, with 19% citing medical coverage as the main reason why.

What Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover?

To help you better understand what a travel insurance policy with medical coverage offers, we’ve provided example scenarios in which a traveler may or may not qualify for reimbursement.

*To qualify for medical evacuation coverage, you must have documentation from medical facilities ordering the service.

**Not all travel insurance policies cover injuries resulting from hazardous activities. However, some providers will offer coverage as an add-on.

What To Know About Coverage Maximums, Exclusions and Deductibles

Understanding coverage maximums, exclusions, and deductibles is important when purchasing a travel medical insurance plan. This can help ensure there are no surprises when filing a claim for medical expenses accrued during your travels.

• Coverage maximums: This is the maximum amount of money an insurer will pay out for benefits such as emergency medical expenses or emergency medical transportation services. 
• Coverage exclusions: Situations and procedures not covered under your travel medical policy are considered exclusions. Common exclusions include elective treatments, preventative care, pregnancy and childbirth, and more.
• Deductibles: If your plan includes a deductible, it should work like a domestic health insurance plan — you need to pay the deductible amount out-of-pocket before your insurance plan takes effect.

Travel Health Insurance vs. Travel Insurance

A medical-only travel insurance policy provides a limited range of benefits that can help cover the costs of emergency medical bills incurred while traveling.

Medical-only policies are typically more affordable than full travel insurance but will not provide trip delay and interruption benefits. For example, if you get sick on vacation and must go home, medical-only insurance will not compensate you for nonrefundable flights or hotel costs.

The table below summarizes the types of coverage you can expect from travel medical insurance policies versus a complete travel insurance plan.

The coronavirus pandemic shifted how most people travel worldwide, and travel insurance companies now typically include COVID-19 coverage within plans . Most reputable travel medical insurance companies list COVID-19 as a covered reason for medical coverage. If you are worried about the virus while traveling, we recommend reading your provider’s sample policy to ensure COVID-19 coverage is eligible for reimbursement.

Sixty percent of the 1,000 survey respondents in our 2024 travel insurance survey would recommend a comprehensive travel policy with medical coverage, cancellation, baggage and more to a friend.

How Much Does Travel Medical Insurance Cost?

When purchasing travel insurance with medical benefits, you can expect to pay between 5% and 6% of your total trip cost. Based on quotes gathered by our team from two dozen travel insurers, the average cost of travel insurance ranges from $95 to $316. Travel insurance is not a “one price fits all” sort of coverage. Getting a quote is the best way to see how much a travel medical policy will cost you.

The table below breaks down the average plan cost from each travel insurance provider in this review. It also includes our recommendation for the best plan from each provider and the highest medical expense maximum offered.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Travel Medical Insurance

Understanding what travel medical insurance companies evaluate when pricing policies can help you get the most out of your coverage. The following are the biggest factors that influence travel insurance prices :

• Trip duration
• Destination
• Coverage level

Who Needs Travel Medical Insurance?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), travel medical insurance policies may benefit travelers with pre-existing health conditions, participants in extreme or adventure sports — such as scuba diving , rock climbing, bungee jumping and windsurfing — and those studying abroad for a prolonged period.

Other travelers who could benefit from a travel medical insurance policy include jet-setters with a credit card that only offers coverage for travel delays or trip interruptions, as there’s no need to purchase a full trip insurance policy in this case. Travel medical insurance may also benefit those strictly concerned about covering potential health expenses abroad, not trip expenses.

While Americans may have medical coverage through their primary insurer while traveling domestically, benefits do not extend to citizens of other countries. If you’re a traveler visiting the U.S. , we highly recommend purchasing a travel medical policy to avoid paying out-of-pocket for emergency medical bills. According to GoodRx , the average cost of an emergency room visit without insurance in the U.S. ranges from $2,400 to $2,600. 

Who Doesn’t Need Travel Medical Coverage?

You may not need travel medical insurance coverage if your primary health insurance plan provides coverage in other countries. However, this is likely only the case with private insurance plans. In addition, you could forego a travel medical plan if your credit card offers travel medical benefits.

If you have a credit card with travel benefits, check if you have travel medical coverage. Some cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, offer travel insurance coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions but not for medical emergencies.

When Is Travel Health Insurance Required?

While some countries or visa requirements may mandate travel medical insurance, purchasing a policy is optional in many cases. To verify whether travel health insurance is required where you’re traveling, research your destination using the U.S. Department of State website , which maintains a list of entry requirements for U.S. passport holders and permanent residents. 

Many countries, particularly those in the Schengen Area of Europe , require travelers to have sufficient travel insurance before issuing a visa. Even if travel medical insurance is not required, you may still choose to invest in some level of coverage. We recommend shopping for coverage at least one month before your trip to ensure the documentation arrives before your departure.

Use the dropdown menu below to find out more about specific travel insurance requirements in your destination country.

How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect International Health Insurance

Some travelers have pre-existing health conditions that could impact their travels. Life-long conditions such as asthma and diabetes or even a more recent diagnosis, such as high blood pressure, can affect your eligibility for international health insurance coverage.

A few providers will not offer travel medical insurance to people with pre-existing conditions to avoid responsibility for travelers with a greater risk of medical needs overseas. Most other companies ask you to sign a waiver before agreeing to cover potential medical bills related to recent or ongoing health issues. This waiver typically requires proof that you’re medically able to travel, so expect to provide a letter from your physician stating so.

We encourage you to read through your policy’s fine print to fully understand any requirements for travel coverage with pre-existing conditions. This way, you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.

review your medical insurance before you go. What does it cover? Does it cover overseas emergencies? If not then you are advised to purchase travel insurance that includes medical coverage.

Take a copy of your prescription [medication] with you and pack your meds in your hand luggage. Customs may want to talk to you about them, plus if your luggage gets delayed you have your meds with you. Bring enough for the duration of your stay and a few days extra in case of emergency delays.”

Learn more about this expert

please consult your physician before traveling abroad. You may need to bring extra prescription drugs or devices essential for maintaining health that are not easily accessible at your destination.

If you are traveling to a country with inadequate medical facilities, you may consider purchasing emergency medical evacuation insurance.”

Types of Travel Medical Insurance Plans

When searching for travel health insurance plans, you may encounter primary, secondary, single-trip, and multi-trip insurance policies. In the sections below, we will explore each of these and detail which policies are best for specific travelers.

Primary vs. Secondary Health Insurance

Some travel medical insurance providers offer both primary and secondary health insurance plans. Primary plans pay for medical expenses before any other coverage you might have. This is especially useful for travelers whose primary plans only cover medical care domestically.

However, if you already have health insurance that extends abroad, consider a secondary travel medical insurance plan. This plan requires your existing health policy to pay first. Once you’ve hit your limits through your primary insurer, a secondary plan should cover the rest.

Do I Need U.S. Health Insurance To Qualify for International Travel Health Insurance?

You do not need U.S.-based health insurance to obtain certain international travel health insurance policies, such as most single-trip plans. However, note that domestic health insurance typically does not cover medical expenses abroad . However, some providers, such as HTH Worldwide , have separate policies available to travelers with and without a primary health plan.

If you do not have U.S. health insurance, we recommend purchasing a primary travel medical insurance plan. We also recommend considering primary travel medical insurance if your standard health insurance lacks international coverage.

Single-Trip vs. Annual Travel Medical Insurance

If you’re a frequent traveler and plan on taking multiple trips per year, you might consider annual travel medical insurance over a single-trip plan. Single-trip coverage only covers you for one trip, with coverage ending once you return home. Annual travel insurance , also known as a multi-trip policy, typically covers policyholders planning to take several trips back-to-back, with coverage usually lasting up to a year. 

If you travel often, annual travel medical coverage offers a cheaper and more convenient alternative to purchasing multiple single-trip policies . Note that rates and coverage will vary based on your travel needs. We recommend comparing quotes from various providers and deciding what’s most important to you in a travel medical insurance plan. 

See the table below for a comparison of single-trip and annual travel medical insurance plans.

Long-Term Travel Health Insurance for Expats

If you plan to live and work abroad for more than a year, you may consider health insurance for expats over a standard travel insurance plan. These plans can provide long-term travel insurance coverage for individuals and family members living overseas, and you can renew coverage annually for as long as you’re abroad.

However, travel medical insurance policies can provide additional protection not typically found through a standard international health insurance plan, such as emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. If you’re an expat who plans to travel between countries often, you may find a long-term travel insurance plan that covers trip interruption or baggage loss along with medical emergencies more ideal.

How To Purchase International Travel Health Insurance

Purchasing a travel health insurance plan is fairly straightforward across most providers, based on our experience. If you already know what you’re most concerned about regarding coverage, you can purchase a plan quickly by following the steps below, which we’ve outlined using IMG’s quote process.

Find Travel Medical Insurance Offerings

Most providers make it easy for you to navigate available plan options. IMG breaks down its coverage online by type of insurance, with its travel medical insurance front and center on its drop-down menu.

Choose a Plan

IMG lists its most popular travel medical plans first, with additional plans located toward the bottom of the webpage. Each plan either has a description of travelers it would suit best or plan highlights. You can also download plan brochures and browse through plan details to help make your decision easier.

Provide your Trip Information

Travel medical insurance companies need your trip information to provide you with a quote. Companies will ask questions about your travel dates, destinations, total trip cost, number of travelers and more.

Compare The Medication Coverage

We recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers for similar levels of coverage before deciding on a travel medical policy. Some providers, such as IMG, also allow you to compare plans against each other, which can be helpful in the decision-making process.

Complete Your Purchase

Once you’ve decided on a plan, you may have to fill in some additional information to buy a policy, such as your home address, first trip payment date and more. Companies may also ask whether you’d like to purchase additional add-ons with your policy. You’ll then provide a form of payment and complete your purchase.

While this guide details IMG’s purchasing process, most travel medical insurance providers follow a similar process. Be sure to have your trip and traveler information on hand before beginning the buying process.

The Best Travel Medical Insurance Plans for 2024

We chose our top picks for the best travel medical insurance based on the emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation, pre-existing condition and COVID-19 coverage offered by each provider. We encourage you to consider what medical coverages are most important to you and fit your needs when shopping for a travel medical policy.

Why Trust Us?

While Faye only offers one general travel insurance plan, it includes well-rounded travel medical coverage and trip benefits, making it our top pick. Faye provides $250,000 in medical coverage, with the option to add adventure and extreme sports protection. It also offers pre-existing condition coverage as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your initial deposit and are medically able to travel.

We recommend a policy from Faye for travelers looking for both robust medical coverage limits and well-rounded standard trip benefits, such as trip cancellation and delay protection.

• Pre-existing conditions coverage : Yes
• Medical deductible : Not applicable
• COVID-19 coverage : Yes

International Medical Group

We named International Medical Group (IMG) our runner-up for medical coverage. The company offers a wide variety of travel medical plans that cater to international travelers, students studying abroad, senior travelers and more. Certain policies even provide up to $8 million in medical coverage limits — more than any other provider on our list. However, it’s worth noting that IMG’s plans with high medical limits will likely cost more than other providers.

We recommend IMG travel insurance policies for older travelers with health concerns or those seeking higher-than-average medical coverage limits.

• Pre-existing condition coverage : Covers emergency care if a pre-existing condition becomes life-threatening or requires immediate treatment
• Medical deductible : $0–$25,000 (depending on the plan)

GeoBlue, administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), offers travel medical policies with limited trip coverage, leading us to name it our pick for medical-only policies. We found it the most budget-friendly option out of our top picks, and its average costs run about the same for single-trip and multi-trip plans. However, since this provider’s plans focus on travel medical coverage, you won’t find cancellation or delay coverage. Note that some plans require a domestic health insurance policy to purchase.

We recommend GeoBlue for travelers looking to forgo trip protection for cancellations and delays, and those solely seeking travel medical coverage.

• Pre-existing condition coverage : Yes, if you have domestic health insurance
• Medical deductible : $0–$500 (depending on the plan)

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard is our pick for travel medical insurance for families, as it includes coverage for one child under 17 years old when you purchase a plan for an adult. Its standard travel insurance plans offer generous monetary limits for medical expenses and evacuation coverage, also including trip benefits such as travel interruption, cancellation and baggage coverage. It also provides a unique Medevac plan, which offers up to $5 million in medical evacuation coverage.

We recommend AIG Travel Guard for families with children under 18 and travelers visiting remote destinations with less robust medical infrastructures.

• Pre-existing conditions coverage : Available with a waiver if you meet certain criteria

Allianz Global Assistance

We named Allianz our pick for concierge services, as it provides 24/7 travel assistance through a multilingual team. Not only can this service help you with any travel or coverage issues while abroad, but it can also help arrange medical care in an emergency. In addition, Allianz offers an optional hazardous sports rider to accompany its broad range of travel insurance policies for more adventurous travelers seeking protection.

We recommend Allianz to travelers looking for customer service, concierge services and various add-ons to accompany their travel medical insurance.

Our Ratings

Seven corners travel insurance.

Seven Corners provides a variety of plan options that are highly customizable in addition to several unique add-ons, making it our choice for international travelers. We appreciate how it offers both travel medical single-trip plans in addition to a travel medical annual multi-trip plan. It even offers travel medical plans for visitors to the U.S. However, it’s worth noting that medical maximums available through each plan are dependent on your age.

We recommend Seven Corners for international travelers of all kinds looking for customizable plan options and for those looking for a travel medical multi-trip plan.

• Pre-existing conditions coverage : Available with some plans

How To Use Travel Medical Insurance

Knowing how to use your travel medical policy before your trip can eliminate additional stress if you need emergency medical care for an accident or illness abroad. Each travel insurance provider has its own process for claims and reimbursement of medical expenses, but our research has shown that most methods are similar. Learn what to expect when you file a claim and receive reimbursement in the following sections.

How To File a Claim With a Travel Medical Policy

You’ll likely file a travel medical insurance claim in one of two ways — through your provider’s claims portal on its website or mobile app if available. Not every provider covered in this review has a mobile app, but we’ve found that Allianz, Seven Corners, GeoBlue and Faye do. We recommend filing your claim in the way that makes you most comfortable submitting documentation related to your medical care.

Once you file your claim, you’ll wait to hear whether it’s been approved or denied. Depending on the provider, this could take several days or even a week. If necessary, your insurer may ask for additional information before approval. Once your claim is approved, your travel medical insurance provider will reimburse you for covered expenses.

Of the 37 respondents in our 2024 travel insurance survey who filed a travel insurance claim for a medical need, only one was denied due to pre-existing conditions. Most of those respondents were reimbursed $2,001 to $5,000.

How Does Travel Medical Insurance Reimbursement Work?

While it’s common practice within the U.S. for medical facilities to bill your insurance provider directly, travel insurance plans typically require that you pay for medical services abroad at the time of service. Then, your travel medical plan will reimburse the covered amount post-treatment. Based on our research, you can choose between receiving a check in the mail or a direct deposit.

Again, circumstances and procedures will vary by the travel insurance company, so reading the fine print of your policy documents is important. This will ensure you are fully informed about how reimbursement works with your chosen travel medical provider.

Expert Insights and Tips

We asked three experts to share their insights about traveling abroad and medical emergencies. 

and base coverage on the types of medical conditions you have, where you are going and what you will be doing. For example, adventure sports require additional coverage.

When traveling keep your passport, insurance information, prescriptions and a credit card with you. You may also want to make copies and keep them in a separate place from the originals.”

make yourself aware of local risks, the most serious of which may be health-related. The CDC provides information about health considerations for travelers through its ‘Travelers’ Health’ website .

Also, be aware of your own health challenges and how those might be addressed in the locations you travel. Your [insurance] coverage should address the most serious of these risks.  “

with common infectious diseases, please check the CDC website which has helpful guidelines on whether and what vaccinations or prophylactic measures are highly recommended or required in the destination countries. “

Proin id dui odio. Sed vehicula eget sem vel dapibus. Nam a semper eros, vitae eleifend metus. Sed eget lorem vestibulum, consectetur sem id, molestie erat. Vivamus a purus lacinia, fringilla nibh eu, tincidunt tellus. In sodales, sem non finibus sodales, dolor nisi viverra nulla, ut tempus magna nisi sit amet lacus. Integer hendrerit tristique metus. Sed posuere blandit augue, non commodo nunc laoreet vitae. Fusce et hendrerit purus, eget mattis ante. “

Frequently Asked Questions Travel Medical Insurance

What is a security evacuation limit.

A security coverage limit is the amount a travel medical insurance plan will cover should you need to evacuate your destination due to political unrest, threats toward your well-being, war or natural disasters. Covered expenses include lodging, meals and transportation.

Does travel medical insurance cover visits to multiple countries?

Yes, travel medical insurance plans cover visits to multiple countries, so long as you specify which countries you will visit during the sign-up process.

Is there a cancellation fee with travel medical insurance plans?

Many travel medical insurance providers include a 10 to 15-day “free look period” where you can review a plan’s terms and conditions. If you are unsatisfied with the specified terms, you can cancel for a full refund within that period. However, the company may charge a cancellation fee if you cancel outside the set timeframe.

Do credit cards offer travel medical insurance?

Some credit cards offer travel medical insurance as an included benefit, but this will depend on the card and company. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers travel coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions but no medical coverage. However, Chase’s Sapphire Reserve card provides limited coverage for emergency medical care.

Methodology: Our System for Ranking Travel Medical Insurance Companies

To rank the travel medical insurance companies featured in this article, we considered specific features and factors related to medical coverage. We first researched the emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation, pre-existing condition and COVID-19 coverage that each provider offers through standard travel insurance policies. We also took into account the standalone travel medical plans offered by each company, as some travel medical insurance plans do not include standard trip benefits. Finally, we considered data from our 2024 travel insurance survey of 1,000 participants with travel insurance.

While our rankings focus on the medical benefits and associated coverage limits that each company offers, we also considered our ratings for each provider based on our comprehensive travel insurance methodology . This includes factors such as cost, plan availability, company service and reviews and more.  

How We Rate Travel Insurance Companies

Our team created a scoring system to assess travel insurance providers based on cost, coverage, quality and service. We also collect sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the internet, to simulate an authentic customer experience.

Here are the factors we take into consideration when reviewing providers, which we use as a scoring basis to then determine a five-star rating:

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Coverage Details (15%) : We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust travel protection earns full points, including coverage for baggage delay and loss, COVID-19, emergency evacuation and medical expenses, trip delays and cancellations, and more. Companies also receive points for featuring various add-ons such as accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items and more.
• Claim Eligibility and Time Constraints (12%) : Travel insurance providers enforce time constraints that outline when you can file a claim after a covered event. We give companies more points in this category for having shorter time limits for baggage and weather delays.
• Cancellation and Interruption Coverage (12%) : Our team reads through each company’s coverage details and assigns points based on the coverage amount assigned to trip cancellations and interruptions. To earn full points in this category, a company must offer 100% or more coverage.
• Customer Service and Reviews (12%) : We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews and third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage (10%) : Companies earn points in this category for offering CFAR coverage, which allows you to cancel a trip for reasons outside your policy. In addition to offering coverage, companies received higher scores for meeting or exceeding the standard offering of 75% reimbursement.
• Delay Coverage Amount (10%) : We also consider what a company offers for travel delays and baggage delays or loss, all of which can upend a trip. A company can earn 10% total between its travel and baggage delay coverage amounts.
• Credit Rating (5%) : Since credit ratings can help customers assess a company’s ability to meet financial obligations, our team considers AM Best ratings when scoring providers.
• Coverage Extras (4%) : In addition to standard coverage, we also research how many add-ons a company offers, which can help customers customize their plan. Companies can earn full points in this category for offering eight common travel insurance add-ons.

For more information about how we rate and review providers, read our full travel insurance methodology.

AM Best Disclaimer

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at  editors@marketwatchguides. com .

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65 or Older? Here Are The Best Travel Insurance Plans for Seniors

The top-rated plans all have at least $100,000 in travel medical coverage and at least $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage., erica lamberg, erica lamberg's most recent stories.

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With more than a year of travel adventures lost, it’s time to consider how you’ll explore the world again. Whether you’re going across the country or around the world, travel insurance for seniors can provide a valuable safety net if a trip goes wrong. Here are the best senior travel insurance plans based on our ratings of two dozen travel insurance policies.

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All the winning travel insurance plans below include coverage for Covid in trip cancellation and travel medical benefits

Nationwide Cruise Choice Plan

Why we picked it: Nationwide Cruise Choice Plan offers superior benefits at excellent prices for senior travelers.

This plan provides $100,000 per person for emergency medical expenses and $500,000 per person for emergency medical evacuation . You will also get non-medical evacuation coverage of $25,000 per person, which covers transportation if you have to move to a safe location due to a natural disaster or civil/political unrest.

Nationwide’s Cruise Choice Plan has top-notch baggage loss coverage of $2,500 per person. Other highlights include missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person after only a three hour wait and the option to add “cancel for any reason” coverage.

If you are looking for an upgrade, it’s worth taking a look at Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan.

Potential drawbacks: Travel delay coverage of $750 per person is low compared to top competitors.

Trawick International Safe Travels First Class Plan

Why we picked it: Trawick’s International Safe Travels First Class plan has excellent prices for seniors and a wide range of solid benefits.

The plan comes with $150,000 per person in emergency medical expenses and $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage. You’ll also get $2,000 per person in baggage loss coverage and $1,000 per person for missed connections (cruises and tours only).

The plan has good travel delay coverage of $1,000 per person but only after a 12-hour delay. And if you’re the type of traveler who wants the ultimate flexibility, you can add “cancel for any reason” coverage to your policy.

Potential drawbacks: Baggage delays and travel delays are only reimbursed after a 12-hour delay. That’s a long time compared to some top competitors that require only six hours (or less).

Related: Best Senior Travel Insurance Plans Of 2021

AXA Assistance USA Gold Plan

Why we picked it: Great prices for senior travelers make AXA’s Gold plan an attractive option.

The plan comes with $100,000 per person in emergency medical expenses and $500,000 per person for emergency medical evacuation. You’ll also get non-medical evacuation coverage of $50,000 per person in case you need to move to safety because of a natural disaster or civil/political unrest.

AXA’s Gold plan has good baggage loss coverage of $1,500 per person. It has generous missed connection coverage of $1,000 per person if you miss your cruise or tour. The plan also includes concierge services.

Potential drawbacks: AXA’s Gold plan does not offer optional “cancel for any reason” coverage.

Cat 70 Travel Plan

Why we picked it: Superior coverage for medical expenses at very competitive prices for seniors makes the Cat 70 plan a solid choice for senior travelers.

Cat 70’s Travel plan pairs a whopping $500,000 per person in emergency medical expenses with $500,000 per person in emergency medical evacuation coverage. Travelers seeking trip cancellation flexibility can add “cancel for any reason” coverage.

Potential drawbacks: Compared to some top competitors, reimbursement is on the lower end for travel delay ($500 per person), lost baggage ($500 per person) and baggage delay ($200 per person after 24 hours).

HTH Worldwide TripProtector Classic Plan

Why we picked it: Excellent prices for seniors make the TripProtector Classic plan worthy of consideration.

TripProtector Classic comes with $250,000 per person in emergency medical expenses and $1 million per person in emergency medical evacuation coverage. The plan includes good travel delay benefits at $1,000 per person after a six-hour delay.

Senior travelers looking for even better benefits (at a higher cost) may want to upgrade to the Worldwide TripProtector Preferred plan.

Potential drawbacks: Baggage delay benefits might be insufficient at $200 per person after a 12-hour delay and you won’t have the option of adding “cancel for any reason” coverage.

Tin Leg Gold Plan

Why we picked it: Tin Leg’s Gold plan offers ample medical benefits at competitive prices for seniors.

With $500,000 per person for emergency medical expenses and $500,000 per person for emergency medical evacuation coverage, Tin Leg’s Gold plan has some of the highest medical benefits among top competitors.

You will also have the option to add “cancel for any reason” coverage.

Potential drawbacks: Reimbursement is low compared to top competitors for travel delay ($500 per person), baggage delay ($200 per person after a 24-hour delay) and baggage loss ($500 per person).

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services Ruby Plan

Why we picked it: USI Affinity’s Ruby plan has solid medical benefits and very competitive prices for seniors who are traveling.

The plan comes with $250,000 per person in emergency medical expenses and $500,000 per person for emergency medical evacuation. If you want the flexibility to cancel your trip, you’ll have the option to add “cancel for any reason” coverage.

Potential drawbacks: Baggage delay ($300 per person) and baggage and personal items loss ($1,000 per person) are lower than top competitors and might be insufficient for senior travelers looking for higher coverage amounts.

Tips for Seniors Buying Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can be essential for many types of trips, but seniors are particularly vulnerable to travel-related problems. Most notably, travelers age 65+ should consider a travel insurance policy with medical insurance and medical evacuation benefits.

Understand Insurance Needs When Traveling Abroad

With the vaccine rollout and countries relaxing border restrictions, you may be thinking about taking that river cruise to Portugal or a wine tour in France.

It’s important to know that when you travel outside the United States a domestic health insurance plan will not generally travel with you. This includes Medicare.

A key focus for seniors should be travel insurance with high limits of travel medical insurance, says Jeremy Murchland, president of travel insurance company Seven Corners. “Some plans on the market limit coverage to only $25,000 or $50,000,” he says. “Depending on the type of care needed, this may not be enough to cover the cost.”

“Most Medicare plans will not cover a person outside of the U.S. or U.S. territories,” explains Gail Manganite, lead customer advocate for InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison provider. She notes that there are some Medigap and supplemental plans that offer health coverage outside the U.S., but deductibles and copayments will still apply.

Find out if your current health insurance includes emergency medical coverage outside the country and what restrictions apply. Then you’ll know how much travel medical insurance you need to fill the gap.

If you want top-notch coverage, look for travel insurance plans that offer $500,000 in medical coverage.

Get Medical Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions

You don’t want a pre-existing condition to flare up during a trip, but in case it happens, have a travel insurance plan that covers it. You do this by getting a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver.

The availability of this important waiver is time-limited:  You’ll have to add it to a travel insurance plan within a specified number of days from the date you make your first trip payment. For example, Seven Corners’ RoundTrip Choice plan covers pre-existing conditions if you buy it within 20 days of the date of your initial trip payment.

But your plan might have a window of only 14 days to get pre-existing conditions covered.

Plan for Medical Evacuation Coverage

If you require an emergency airlift back to the United States, it could easily cost $100,000 or more for private, emergency transport. Emergency medical evacuation insurance pays to move you to a medical facility with appropriate and necessary care if the facility where you are located is unable to provide the level of care needed for your medical condition, says Murchland.

You can find travel insurance plans with up to $1 million in coverage for emergency medical evacuation.

Be Aware of “Cancel for Any Reason” Coverage

“Cancel for any reason” coverage is an add-on that you can tack on to some travel insurance plans. It will add about 40% to your travel insurance cost but gives you the widest flexibility to cancel the trip for any reason and get some reimbursement (typically 50% or 75%).

Without it, you’ll receive trip cancellation reimbursement only if you cancel for a reason listed in the base policy, such as an illness or injury that forces you to abandon travel plans. “Cancel for any reason” coverage will give you the option to cancel for reasons like a sudden fear of flying or simply changing your mind.

Consider Customer Service Options

Murchland says to pick a travel insurance company that has services that match your comfort level.

“For example, Seven Corners has found that a higher percentage of seniors wish to discuss a travel insurance plan over the phone and, in some cases, want assistance selecting a plan and executing a purchase,” he says. “In today’s world of chat bots and email, this is an important consideration for seniors who would prefer to talk with a person.”

Stay on Top of Your Insurance Timeline

Buying a travel insurance plan early and taking the time to read it can pay off later. In addition, a travel insurance agent can help you understand what the policy covers and find plans that fit your travel insurance concerns. It’s wise to:

• Buy your plan early (shortly after you make your first trip deposit) so you don’t miss out on key benefits like pre-existing conditions coverage.
• Review your plan information well before your trip . Understand what reasons are covered for trip cancellation insurance claims. If you want broader coverage, consider adding “cancel for any reason” coverage, which also needs to be added shortly after your first trip payment.
• Feel comfortable asking questions to ensure you understand your plan and how it works.
• Keep in mind that travel insurance plans offer 24/7 travel assistance help . If you run into trouble during your trip, make use of the professional help available for language translation, finding a pharmacy and much more.

Methodology

Using data provided by Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison provider, we evaluated 24 travel insurance plans that have at least $100,000 in travel medical coverage and at least $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage. Scores were based on:

• Travel insurance rates (50% of score) for a range of travelers age 65 and older, for trips in a variety of lengths, destinations and costs.
• Coverage benefits (50% of score) including travel medical expenses, cancel for any reason availability, Covid coverage, medical evacuation, baggage delay, baggage loss, missed connection, non-medical evacuation, travel delay.

Erica Lamberg is a personal finance and travel writer based in suburban Philadelphia. She is a regular contributor to USA Today, and her writing credits include NBC News, U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider, Oprah Magazine and Creditcards.com . 

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Travel insurance

Tricky travel insurance questions answered by experts

Erica Lamberg

Alyce Meserve

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

Heidi Gollub

Published 6:00 a.m. UTC July 2, 2024

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• Travel insurance is subject to the terms and conditions of your policy, so it’s vital to read your policy documents to understand the scope of coverage, policy limits and exclusions of your plan. 
• Although your credit card may offer some valuable travel insurance benefits, make sure the coverage limits are a fit with your travel plans and circumstances.
• You can buy travel insurance even if you don’t have any prepaid, nonrefundable costs to cover. 

Travel insurance can be a sound investment that protects your trip costs, health and the value of your belongings while you’re on a trip. Most comprehensive travel insurance plans provide coverage for the following issues: trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption, medical expense, emergency medical evacuation and baggage loss protection.

Your plan documents will provide an overview of the scope of coverage, including what your travel insurance covers , the limitations and what is excluded from your coverage.

It’s important to read your policy thoroughly and carefully so you can get the most value from your travel insurance plan.

Even when a policy is comprehensive, you may still have questions and concerns about the scope of what your plan will cover, how the policy works regarding reimbursement and more. We’ve asked travel insurance experts to explain the fine print and address some pressing travel insurance questions to help you be a more informed traveler and be best protected on your trip.

Do I need to buy travel insurance if my credit card covers it?

You may hold a credit card with travel insurance benefits that are provided when you use that credit card to pay for your trip. But its coverage might not be sufficient for an expensive or international trip. 

“Many credit card providers include no additional charge travel insurance coverage as part of a customer’s selection of a particular card,” said Scott Adamski, spokesperson with AIG Travel . “Based on the card type and level, benefits vary significantly, so it’s incumbent on the cardholder to review the terms and conditions in order to understand what coverages, if any, are included in the card.”

He cautions that cardholders should review limits of coverage to determine whether they are adequate for their needs. “In one review of credit card trip cancellation coverage, a particular card offers a $1,500 maximum trip cancellation benefit. If the customer were taking a trip with, for example, a $5,000 trip cost, there may be a limitation as to getting reimbursement above the benefit level through the coverage under the credit card,” said Adamski.

Another important consideration is that select credit cards may provide limited or no medical expense coverage . As most domestic health insurance isn’t accepted in foreign countries, make certain you are prepared with health coverage when traveling outside the U.S.

Travel insurance policies that you buy from a third party let you customize your coverage so you can get the benefits you need for a particular trip. These standalone policies offer a larger list of covered cancellation and interruption reasons, missed connection benefits, optional upgrades like adventure bundles, rental car coverage or increased limits on baggage, trip delay and medical and emergency evacuation protection . Plus, the only way to get “ cancel for any reason ” and “interruption for any reason” coverage is through a third-party policy. 

Although many credit cards provide baggage and trip delay insurance, getting a claim paid can take an extended period. Because airlines sometimes provide compensation for delayed flights and baggage, the credit card company may require you to prove what the airline reimbursed you before it will consider your claim.

“It is important to understand all parameters of the coverage, and you should review the details of any coverage you have through your credit cards,” Adamski said. He added, that due to the limitations described above, a third-party travel insurance program may be a great complement to the coverage offered through a credit card.

Can I insure only part of my trip?

Daniel Durazo, spokesperson for Allianz Partners US, said indeed you could purchase travel insurance to cover only part of your prepaid travel expenses. 

If, for instance, your flights are refundable and your car rental is cancellable, you may only want to buy travel insurance for the value of your prepaid accommodations. 

Travel insurance costs an average of 5% to 6% of the prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses you want to insure. Insuring a lower amount will bring down the cost of your travel insurance policy.

Can I insure a trip with a value of $0?

Adamski with AIG said, yes, you can insure a trip with a zero value. “In fact, purchasing a travel insurance plan where there are no prepaid nonrefundable costs is not uncommon, and a common scenario includes the use of airline or similar mileage to pay for travel,” he said.

So when someone is using rewards miles to purchase air tickets or other components of a travel experience, there may not be any non-refundable amount. “An insured can still purchase an AIG Travel plan at $0 trip cost and benefit from the comprehensive coverages offered in the plan, i.e., medical expense, baggage and medical evacuation,” said Adamski.

Is it worth buying annual travel insurance? 

Opting to buy an annual travel insurance plan may be a sound purchase for frequent travelers. “Typically, an annual plan may offer lower benefits and limited coverage for scenarios such as trip cancellation, trip interruption or travel delays but will, conversely, have robust coverage for medical expense and medical evacuation benefits,” explained Adamski.

Therefore, someone who’s taking a number of low-cost trips using domestic air travel may elect to buy an annual plan specifically for more catastrophic events, such as a medical evacuation, particularly if they’re not as concerned about protecting the low-cost airfares, he said.

As an example, parents who have children located throughout the U.S. and are paying for lower costs, such as domestic air tickets to travel and then staying with their children, have relatively low out-of-pocket costs. “An annual plan may be a good fit. However, if those parents decide to take a vacation and book a $25,000 cruise, an individual travel insurance plan would be a good option,” clarified Adamski.

Annual policies can vary widely in terms of how or whether they cover pre-existing conditions. Some policies may cover pre-existing conditions if you buy the plan shortly after paying the initial deposit, while others cover them only if you experience an acute flare-up. However, some don’t offer any extra protection and restrict coverage to a medical history look-back period.

To ascertain if a plan is correct for your travel circumstances, be sure to thoroughly review the terms and conditions, benefits, coverages and limits of your travel insurance policy.

When will travel insurance arrange payment for a medical emergency?

According to Durazo with Allianz, depending on your personal situation, you may need to pay up front for medical care or be able to rely on your travel insurance to handle payment.

“If you experience a minor injury, such as needing to get stitches for a cut or getting a splint for a sprained ankle, there’s a possibility you will need to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed later,” said Durazo. 

However, he said, should you experience a more serious injury that leaves you in the hospital for more than 24 hours, that’s typically when an insurance company can guarantee advance payment for medical care, up to the limit of your specific policy. 

“Experiencing a medical emergency when you’re far from home can be incredibly stressful,” said Durazo. “That’s why it’s essential to purchase emergency medical coverage from a credible travel insurance company, who you know will be there for you when you have a problem.”

Expert tip: A travel insurance company with a medical assistance team can help direct you to the local, pre-screened medical providers, provide translation services when speaking with medical professionals outside of your own country, guarantee payments to hospitals and help transfer you to a more appropriate medical facility for top care.

What if my health insurance covers me?

Relying solely on your health insurance provider in a foreign country can leave you in a vulnerable situation. Even if your domestic health insurance reimburses for medical expenses incurred outside of the country — and many don’t — it may require you to get pre-authorization, find an in-network provider and submit reimbursement claims. This could put you in a tough spot if you need to pay for medical care before you can leave the country. 

Travel medical insurance , which is included in comprehensive travel insurance plans, can provide additional guidance and advance payments to ensure your safe return home.

According to Durazo, if your health insurance is accepted abroad, it’s important to speak with your health insurance provider to determine if your policy also includes coverage for potentially expensive emergency medical evacuation and transportation. 

“Emergency medical transportation, especially by air ambulance, can cost tens of thousands of dollars and be very difficult to arrange on your own,” said Durazo. “Your travel insurance policy can arrange and pay for costly emergency medical transportation.”

Can I get reimbursed if I’m too anxious to travel?

Travel insurance recognizes numerous “covered perils,” that would allow you to cancel your trip — even last-minute — and still be covered, subject to the terms of the insurance policy, said Adamski with AIG. “However, fear of travel is not a covered reason, nor is — as a more specific example — a concern that a developing tropical cyclone could become a hurricane and hit a certain destination when a traveler is scheduled to be there,” he said.

However, many travel insurance plans offer an optional “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade that would provide coverage for circumstances like these. The decision to pay extra for CFAR coverage is closely connected to the traveler’s risk tolerance, the value of the trip and circumstances that may arise that may not be covered under the terms and conditions of the base travel insurance plan, said Adamski.

“The key benefit put plainly is that this optional coverage could provide reimbursement for prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs in circumstances where no other coverage may apply. It is of great importance that travelers carefully review the terms of any policies that offer a CFAR option to get specifics on coverage amounts, limits or exclusions,” said Adamski.

For example, if a traveler has purchased the optional CFAR coverage and needs to cancel for a non-covered reason under their AIG travel insurance plan, Adamski said they may be reimbursed up to 50% of their prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost. “Please note that, under the terms of CFAR, the traveler must cancel the trip more than 48 hours prior to their planned trip departure,” he emphasized. 

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

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

Erica Lamberg is a regular contributor to Fox News, Fox Business, Real Simple, Forbes Advisor, AAA and USA TODAY. She writes about business, travel, personal finance, health, travel insurance and work/life balance. She is based in suburban Philadelphia.

Alyce Meserve is an experienced insurance, personal finance and travel writer. Alyce is a licensed insurance professional in life, health and property and casualty, and holds an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Duke University.

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

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Your Guide To Emergency Medical Travel Insurance & Urgent Doctor Appointments Abroad

Traveling abroad can be a dream come true, but it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected. Medical emergencies can happen anywhere, and they can be especially stressful when you’re in a foreign country. That’s why it’s essential to have emergency medical travel insurance.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of emergency medical insurance for travel purposes and how to choose the right policy for your needs. We’ll also provide information on how you can make use of Air Doctor’s services to arrange urgent doctor appointments while traveling abroad.

So, whether you’re planning a trip to Europe, Asia, South America, (or literally anywhere else in the world) be sure to read this blog post before you go. We want you to have a safe and worry-free travel experience!

What is emergency medical travel insurance?

If you’re wondering, does travel insurance cover medical emergency – the short answer is yes. Emergency medical travel insurance is a specialized type of travel insurance that provides coverage for unforeseen medical emergencies that may occur while traveling abroad. Unlike regular travel insurance, which typically covers trip cancellations, lost baggage, or flight delays, emergency medical travel insurance is basically travel insurance for medical emergencies and focuses specifically on medical expenses and assistance during your journey.

Why is medical emergency travel insurance important?

Healthcare systems and costs can vary significantly from one country to another. If you experience a sudden illness, injury, or any medical emergency away from home, emergency medical travel insurance can provide you with financial protection and peace of mind.

What does it cover?

Emergency medical insurance for international travel typically covers the following:

• Medical expenses: This covers the cost of medical treatments, hospital stays, surgeries, and medications necessitated by an unexpected illness or injury during your trip.
• Emergency medical evacuation: In the event that local medical facilities are inadequate to treat your condition, emergency medical travel insurance can arrange and cover the costs of evacuating you to a more suitable medical facility or even back to your home country.
• Repatriation of remains: If the worst were to happen and you pass away while abroad, this coverage helps cover the expenses of returning your remains to your home country.
• 24/7 assistance services: Many emergency medical travel insurance plans offer round-the-clock assistance services, connecting you with multi-lingual support, medical professionals, and helping you navigate the local healthcare system.
• Trip interruption coverage: Some policies may include coverage for trip interruption due to a medical emergency, reimbursing you for non-refundable expenses such as pre-paid accommodation and excursions.

What’s not included in emergency medical travel insurance?

Even though emergency medical travel insurance covers a wide range of medical emergencies, certain situations may be excluded from coverage. Common exclusions include:

• pre-existing medical conditions (unless specifically covered),
• injuries resulting from reckless behavior or illegal activities,
• and medical expenses related to high-risk activities without additional coverage.

Always check the policy’s terms and conditions to understand what is not covered.

Primary vs. secondary emergency medical travel insurance

What’s the difference?

When it comes to emergency medical travel insurance, there are two main types of coverage: primary and secondary . The difference between the two is when they pay out in the event of a medical claim.

Primary insurance is the first line of defence. It’s the main policy that will cover medical expenses incurred during your trip, regardless of whether you have other health insurance (such as a domestic health insurance plan). With primary coverage, you don’t have to involve your regular health insurance provider initially, which can be advantageous in case your domestic insurance doesn’t cover international medical expenses or has limited coverage outside your home country.

Secondary insurance comes into play after your primary insurance has paid its share of the claim. If you have other health insurance, like a domestic policy, the secondary emergency travel medical insurance will coordinate with it to cover any remaining expenses that the primary insurance didn’t cover.

Which one is right for me?

The best emergency medical travel insurance for you will depend on your individual circumstances. If you have comprehensive domestic health insurance that covers international medical expenses, secondary insurance might be more appropriate. On the other hand, if you want a stand-alone policy that provides comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies during your travels primary insurance could be the better option.

You can even opt for travel insurance for emergency medical only. Just know that you’ll need to cover any other unforeseen expenses that fall outside of that.

Here are some things to consider when choosing between primary and secondary emergency medical travel insurance:

• Your existing insurance policies: What kind of health insurance do you have? Does it cover international medical expenses? If not, you should purchase a standalone travel insurance policy.
• Your travel plans: Where are you going? How long will you be gone? The specific needs of your trip will affect the type of insurance you need.
• Your budget: How much can you afford to spend on travel insurance?

No matter which type of emergency medical travel insurance you choose, it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what’s covered and what’s not. This will help you make an informed decision that suits your travel requirements and provides you with adequate financial protection during your journeys abroad.

How much emergency medical travel insurance do travelers need?

Wondering, but how much emergency medical travel insurance do I need ?

The answer depends on a few factors:

• Destination: If you’re traveling to a developed country with a strong healthcare system, you may be able to get by with a lower level of coverage. However, if you’re traveling to a developing country or a remote area, you’ll need to make sure you have enough coverage to cover the cost of any medical care you might need.
• Health: If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you’ll need to make sure your travel insurance covers those conditions. You may also need to purchase additional coverage, such as supplemental health insurance or travel health insurance.
• Length of trip: The longer your trip, the more emergency medical travel insurance you’ll need. This is because the longer you’re away from home, the more likely you are to need medical care.

As a general rule of thumb, you should have at least $50,000 in emergency medical coverage for international travel. If you’re traveling to a remote destination or a developing country, you may want to consider getting $100,000 or more in coverage.

Is emergency medical travel insurance required for international travel?

Emergency medical travel insurance isn’t always legally required for international travel, but it is highly recommended. Many countries have expensive healthcare systems, and medical expenses can quickly accumulate in case of an unforeseen emergency. Having adequate insurance ensures you receive necessary medical care without incurring substantial out-of-pocket costs.

Plus, some countries may even require proof of travel insurance as a condition of entry.

Do all travel insurance plans cover medical expenses?

No, not all travel insurance plans cover medical expenses. While most comprehensive travel insurance policies include some level of medical coverage, the extent and limitations vary. Some plans may have limited coverage, exclusions for pre-existing conditions, or no medical coverage at all. It’s essential to carefully review the policy details to ensure it aligns with your specific medical needs.

What’s the difference between emergency medical and medical evacuation?

Emergency medical coverage focuses on providing financial protection for medical expenses incurred while traveling abroad. On the other hand, emergency medical evacuation travel insurance specifically addresses the cost of transporting you to a suitable medical facility or back to your home country for medical treatment if the local facilities are inadequate or unavailable. Medical evacuation coverage is critical in situations where urgent specialized care is necessary and may involve costly air ambulances or repatriation services.

How can assistance companies help you?

Assistance companies play a vital role in emergency situations. They provide 24/7 support and services, including multi-lingual assistance and coordination with local healthcare providers. They can help arrange medical appointments, direct you to accredited facilities, facilitate medical evacuations, and act as a bridge between you, your insurance provider, and healthcare professionals.

How can Air Doctor help you on your next trip?

Air Doctor connects travelers (like you) to over 20,000 multi-lingual doctors and specialists around the world. Through the easy-to-use Air Doctor app, you can access book a clinic, at-home, or video consultation with a doctor of your choice and get quality medical care abroad. You can also book urgent doctor’s appointments, so you can be assured you’ll receive medical assistance on the same day. The app lets you filter doctors according to your needs and preferences and if you need any help just contact our 24/7 multi-lingual support team.

Air Doctor partners with insurance providers and assistance companies around the world to ensure travelers have easy access to reliable healthcare services.

Make sure you download the Air Doctor app before your next trip.

Jenny Cohen Derfler

Air dr ceo & co-founder.

Jenny is the CEO and one of the Co-Founders at Air Doctor. She spent more than 20 years at Intel, most recently as general manager of its manufacturing facility in Israel and before that in various engineering and manufacturing roles in Silicon Valley. Air Doctor is her second startup having previously founded electric vehicle company ElectRoad.

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8 Best Health TRAVEL INSURANCE Plans for Trips in 2024

When you are thinking about travel insurance, you might be wondering, do I really need it? Is it really worth purchasing travel insurance? Well, it is not only about getting sick and requiring medical attention. Flights may be delayed or you may be forced to return home in the event of an emergency. Travel delays can cost you a fortune if you do not have travel insurance. In many cases, you lose the money you have already paid and have to pay for additional bookings.

If your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged, replacing all of its contents, including clothing, personal devices, and medications, can be very expensive. Travel insurance can help you cover some of the cost of these items.

Best TRAVEL INSURANCE Plans for 2024

Safetywing – our favorite pick.

Best for nomads, (long/short-term) tourists, and remote workers regardless of their nationality .

Travel medical insurance for short or long-term travelers.

• Great fit for digital nomads, tourists, and remote workers regardless of their nationality. Ideal for long but also short-term trips!
• COVID-19 Coverage: As of August 1st, 2020, this insurance covers COVID-19 disease and works the same as any other illness and does not fall under any other policy exclusion or limitation.
• Price vs Age: Quite affordable considering the pandemic – These prices cover 4 weeks or 28 days with up to a maximum of 364 days after which you will need to repurchase.
• 10 to 39 years old US $40.04 (If you are not traveling in or to the United States)
• 10 to 39 years old US $73.08 (If you are traveling in or to the United States)
• 40 to 49 years old US $64.68 (If you are not traveling in or to the United States)
• 40 to 49 years old US $120.40 (If you are traveling in or to the United States)
• What about outdoor activities – Am I covered?: Safetywings covers more than 94 recreational activities including surfing, biking, hiking, and snowboarding.
• Do I have to pay insurance for my young children? 1 young child (aged 14 days to 10 years old) per adult, up to 2 per family are covered for free.
• This insurance does not cover citizens from Iran, Syria, North Korea or Cuba (or have Cuba as your citizenship).

Click here to learn more about this plan.  

SafetyWi ng Travel Insurance Reviews on Trustpilot :

For long-term digital nomads, we also recommend checking their Remote Health insurance which is more pricey but covers pre-existing conditions or covers you also in your home country.

You might also be interested to check 8 digital nomad insurance plans comparison.

Heymondo Travel Insurance

Best for travelers going on single trips who don’t want to commit to a long-term contract.

Most travel insurance companies offer protection for 30 days to 6 months. Heymondo not only offers protection for long stay plans, but also for single trips when you are traveling for work or tourism and know your departure and return dates. 

• Great fit for – Single or multiple-single-trip travelers
• Heymondo covers medical assistance from USD $100.000 up to USD  $10.000.000 (conditions apply)
• Coverage limit – USD $ 250,000 or USD $ 500,000 depending on your plan
• Time of purchase: You can get it before or during your trip
• You don’t need to commit to a long-term contract

Other benefits:

Heymondo Travel Insurance Reviews from Trustpilot

Both Heymondo Top and Heymondo Premium cover:

• Medical and dental emergencies overseas
• Medical transport and repatriation
• Baggage 
• Travel disruption
• It may be a little bit expensive. For a 2-week trip from the U.S. to Europe Heymondo Premium costs USD $ 97.95, Heymondo Top costs USD $ 76.63 and Heymondo medical costs USD $ 73,56.
• Heymondo medical doesn’t cover baggage loss or travel disruption.

CoverAmerica-Gold, Travel Insurance for US by VisitorCoverage

Best for nomads, tourists, and remote workers visiting the US

CoverAmerica-Gold is a good choice for travelers visiting the U.S. who are NOT citizens or residents of that country. VisitorsCoverage offers plenty of insurance plans for needs of any kind of travel.

• Great fit for nomads, tourists, and remote workers visiting the United States
• Coverage limit? It may cover up to US1,000,000 (conditions apply).

Other benefits

• Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions
• Loss of passport or travel documents 
• Foreign excursions and cruise coverage around North America 
• Emergency dental treatment & eye exam
• Missed connection benefit available during international travel to the U.S.
• Prices by age

Source: Cover America Gold Brochure

• It’s NOT available for Americans, US Green Card Holders or long term visa holders, who stay in the USA permanently, and pay taxes in the USA.
• It does NOT cover citizens from Iran, Syria, US Virgin Islands, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. 

Click here to learn more about this plan.

Travel Insurance for Canada by VisitorCoverage

Very similar package to the one mentioned above for traveling to the United States.

This plan is ideal for US citizens traveling to Canada but also visitors from other countries around the world.

Check more info about this plan here.

TRAVELEX INSURANCE SERVICES – FOR ALL TYPES OF TRIPS

Travelex insurance has built its travel portfolio considering not only regular travelers but also digital nomads and the new remote workers. 

It has demonstrated excellent coverage on single trips, short luxury getaway weekends as well as long stays in foreign countries. 

One of the features we like the most about Travelex Insurance Services is that this company allows people to customize their coverage according to the particulars of their travel needs. Another good characteristic is that even the basic plan gets you ALL the essentials. We find it a great fit for avid travelers because it brings flight-specific protection. 

We have gathered some pros and cons so you can make an informed decision!

• 24/7 Assistance with a travel concierge! – How many times have you missed great spots or haven’t accessed to benefits just because you did not know they existed? Well, Travelex travel assistance will serve you as travel concierge even in legal matters. Nobody knows when you can mess up with unknown rules in a foreign country. 
• Similar to the previous one. In case of a medical emergency, Travelex will cover your emergency treatment and evacuation. It also includes a companion. 
• In case you, or your companion passes away, this policy also covers the cost of transporting remains home.
• 98% of insurance claims are paid.
• In case you have to cancel or interrupt your trip for any of the covered reasons, you will get a reimbursement of the money you have already spent on your trip.

Beware that some basic services may have an additional cost. 

It’s not the cheapest one. A 22-year-old remote worker can pay from $ 324 and $491 for a 90-day trip.

World Nomads

First and foremost, World Nomads travel insurance has been endorsed by National Geographic, Eurail, International Volunteer HQ, and Lonely Planet. This may give you the first sneak peek of the quality of the service you are buying. 

World Nomads insurance covers nomads, remote workers and adventure seekers from 150 countries. You can purchase short or long-term according to your travel needs. 

Let’s talk about the basics in the middle of a pandemic; this insurance offers medical evacuation and 24-hour emergency assistance. This may be related to adventure activities you are engaging in, or in case you get sick with COVID in a country that may not have the medical facilities you are used to. 

• If you want to engage in extreme sports or very adventure activities, their Explorer program will cover you at every step. 
• Extending your coverage service is at your fingertips. Once your coverage is over you can go online and easily extend it.  
• Claims are handled very quickly.
• Its Explorer Policy is unique in the market.
• It can be a bit expensive. But if you are a kind of adventure traveler, this is the right fit for you. 
• World Nomads cover people in more than 150 countries; this also means that costs and coverages can vary depending on the area you are traveling to. 
• It’s quite possible you need to have health insurance in your country of origin in order to get their add-on services.
• Scooter related accidents are mostly not covered.

World Nomads insurance gives you probably the best coverage if you like to engage in adventure activities at a fair price. The World Nomads standard plan, pretty much covers what others do. But in case you want an upgrade, this would be a great choice.

PassportCard Insurance

At PassportCard they constantly adapt and improve based on what the nomad community wants.

In a digital world, people don’t have to be limited by borders anymore. That’s why PassportCard give you access to quality healthcare. Anytime, anywhere since they are committed to provide a superior service experience.

Complete Flexibility

• You have the option of extending the duration of your plan.
• Cancel it or adjust your insurance coverage.
• Have you made any new plans? Depending on your needs, you can add additional protection.

The red card

• Use the Red Card to pay your medical bills.
• There’s no need to wait for repayment.
• Simply open the app, file a claim, and they will load money onto your card so you can pay any bills straight away.
• The app provides insurance services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Find a doctor near you, load money onto your card, view your plan’s coverage benefits, change your information, and more.
• 24-hour emergency service

 Other features

• Your policy can be acquired while you are already abroad.
• Monthly subscription – cancel or extend at any time
• Pay with the red card rather than your own money.
• International coverage starts at $59/month.

STARTER (starts at $59 / Month)

Traveling for less than six months? Enjoy emergency medical coverage as well as a variety of travel insurance advantages such as laptop and camera search and rescue, baggage loss, and extreme sports.

Up to $500,000 per policy period. Min. insurance period of 1 month.

REMOTE (Starts at 119 / Month)

Traveling for more than 6 months? Stay protected whether traveling or working outside of your native country.

Take emergency medical coverage, non-urgent elective medical treatment expert consultations, office visits, and wellness care with the Starter offer’s optional travel features.

Up to $1,000,000 per policy period. Min. insurance period of 1 month.

COMFORT (Starts at $200)

Traveling for more than 12 months?

If you are a professional globetrotter who spends years traveling, you nesaed comprehensive international health insurance.

This includes emergency medical care, non-urgent elective medical treatment, specialist consultations and office visits, hospitalization for persistent conditions, chronic and routine medical care, and an excellent wellness benefits package.

Up to $3,500,000 per policy period.

Liaison Travel Plus*

Best for tourists, and remote workers visiting the U.S

Travel insurance for visitors to the U.S. and U.S. citizens traveling abroad. 

• Great fit for nomads, tourists, and remote workers around the world.

Coverage features

• Coverage limit?  Up to 5,000,000
• Worldwide coverage including the USA
• Worldwide coverage excluding the USA
• Any pre-existing conditions? – It covers them through the benefit for acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
• Price – It depends on several factors. You can buy from 5 to 364 days. Click here for prices.

Other traveler benefits

• Loss of checked baggage – US $50 per article, US $500 per occurrence
• Trip interruption US $5,000
• Travel delay US $100 per day, 2-day limit per occurrence
• Lost or stolen travel documents US $100
• Border entry protection (for non-United State residents traveling to the United States) US $500
• Personal liability US $50,000
• Travelers must be at least 14 days old and under 75 years to be covered by this plan
• It does not cover citizens from Iran, Nigeria, Cuba, Iran, Syria, Virgin Islands, Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and North Korea.
• It does not cover trips to Antarctica, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea.

*(Administered by Seven Corners, Lloyd’s of London and Tramont Insurance Company)

AXA – Global Healthcare / Travel Insurance

Best for British citizens traveling and working overseas, ex-pats, and other EU citizens

This company provides medical care, routine checkups and lengthy hospital stays for travelers around the world.

• Great fit for British citizens traveling and working overseas, ex-pats and other U.E. citizens.
• This insurance company allows choosing between long-term and short-term stays.
• Price – Depends on the countries you are visiting or living in.
• You will not be covered for Coronavirus if you travel to a country against the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for a leisure trip.

Click here for more info about insurance plans with this company

Few More Travel Insurance Companies:

• AXA Schengen Insurance
• USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services – Ruby Policy
• TravelSafe Insurance
• Safe Travels Voyager – Great for Seniors
• Coverwise , Travel Insurance
• Allianz Global Assistance
• TravelTime Travel Insurance
• IMG Global , The BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE For Seniors
• CAT 70 – Forbes 5-Star Insurance Provider

TRAVEL INSURANCE FAQs:

Travel insurance should start on the day when your journey to your destination begins.

The price of travel insurance depends mostly on the type of coverage, age and length of the trip. It can start as low as $10 per day.

We consider SafetyWing as one of the best travel insurance companies but there are plenty of other reliable insurance travel companies that we recommend in our post.

We hope you’ve liked this comparison of health travel insurance plans! We hope you’ve found a suitable plan for your next adventure during these rough times!

Let us know in the comment below if you have any suggestions, ideas or feedback about travel insurance. We appreciate any kind of feedback.

Best travel insurance for seniors 2024

T raveling can be an exciting adventure, but it also comes with risks. As we age, unexpected health issues or accidents become more likely when away from home. Travel insurance provides seniors coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations or interruptions, lost luggage, and other travel mishaps. Having a policy can provide peace of mind and financial protection.

This guide was compiled after analyzing statistics from over 50 companies. We’ve meticulously compared the top travel insurance providers for seniors, delving into the most critical coverage options, discussing pre-existing conditions and age limits, examining costs, the claims process, COVID-19 considerations, and more. With this information, seniors can confidently find an affordable policy that aligns with their needs and embark on their travels with assurance.

Best Senior Travel Insurance Companies

When buying travel insurance for seniors, finding a reputable provider that offers comprehensive coverage options tailored to your needs is essential. Here are some top providers to consider:

Travel insurance for seniors

– Emergency Medical Coverage 

– 24/7 Emergency Assistance 

– Cancel for Any Reason 

Travel insurance for seniors provides comprehensive coverage tailored to their needs, including COVID-19 coverage, overseas emergency assistance, and medical/hospital coverage. The policy has an AA+ rating and fast online processing. The best annual travel insurance plans offer unlimited medical expense coverage, safe transportation, and 24-hour emergency assistance. With dedicated customer service, seniors can enjoy a seamless travel experience worldwide.

• Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies and trip cancellations/interruptions.
• Policies designed specifically for senior travelers, including coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• No age limit on many AARP travel insurance plans, providing options for those over 70 and 80.

Cons: 

• Limited coverage for pre-existing conditions may leave some seniors unprotected.
• Restrictions on trip duration or destinations may limit travel flexibility for seniors.
• Exclusions for certain adventurous activities or extreme sports may only suit some senior travelers’ preferences.

Additional Services:

• Emergency Evacuation
• Single Trip Travel Insurance
• Domestic Travel Insurance

Ready to safeguard your travels with reliable coverage? Explore our comprehensive travel insurance plans for seniors today for peace of mind and financial protection for your next adventure. 

– Trip Cancellation – Baggage Loss 

– Emergency Evacuation 

– Repatriation

AARP offers travel insurance specifically designed for seniors, catering to the unique requirements of older travelers. Their insurance plans include coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other unexpected events that may occur during travels. This insurance is crucial for seniors as it provides peace of mind and financial protection in case of health emergencies or unforeseen circumstances while abroad.

• Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies and trip cancellations/interruptions
• Policies tailored to the needs of senior travelers, including coverage for pre-existing conditions
• No age limit on many AARP travel insurance plans, providing options for those over 70 and 80
• AARP life insurance products, including final expense policies, may be more expensive than other providers
• AARP term and whole life insurance plans can be problematic for seniors to qualify for due to health questions and waiting periods
• Some negative customer feedback on sites like ConsumerAffairs, though AARP’s underwriter, New York Life, has average complaint ratios
• Concierge Services 
• Medical Assistance Hotline 
• Travel Planning Assistance

– Adventure Sports Coverage 

– Global Network Assistance

International Medical Group (IMG) is a reputable provider of international medical and travel insurance, serving customers for over 20 years in more than 190 countries. They offer various plans catering to various needs, including coverage for students, travelers, expats, seniors, and more. IMG stands out for providing up to $8 million in emergency care and medical evacuation coverage, significantly higher than many competitors. Their policies offer extensive coverage limits, with medical limits reaching up to $8 million, surpassing what most other providers offer. IMG also provides additional coverages like benefits for missed flights and pet kennel bills, although these may vary by plan.

• Extensive experience in the industry, serving customers for over 20 years.
• Coverage available in over 190 countries.
• Offers up to $8 million in emergency care and medical evacuation coverage.
• Provides a diverse range of plans for seniors and other needs.
• There are several bad customer reviews concerning claims processing and customer service.
• Some basic plans do not include baggage delay benefits.
• Travel Assistance Beyond Emergencies 
• Medical Referrals

– Senior-Friendly Policies 

– Trip Cancellation Benefits

Allianz Global Assistance offers a range of travel insurance products designed for seniors, catering to travelers up to 85 years old. Their policies cover various needs, including trip curtailment, delayed personal possessions, and missed departures. Allianz’s senior travel insurance is available for both inbound and outbound travel, with options for single trips and annual coverage. The company’s age limit allows seniors to travel safely and with peace of mind, covering them in Europe and the rest of the world.

• Offers a range of products, including single trip and annual coverage.
• Provides coverage for trip curtailment, delayed personal possessions, and missed departures.
• Available for both inbound and outbound travel.
• Covers Europe and the rest of the world.
• Some policies may have strict age restrictions, limiting coverage for older seniors.
• The cost of premiums may be higher for older travelers.
• The availability of certain policies may be limited due to travel restrictions.
• Trip Interruption Coverage 
• Concierge Services

Seven Corners

– Flexible Coverage Options

Seven Corners is a well-known travel insurance provider offering a variety of plans tailored for seniors. These plans provide comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost belongings. Their plans are popular among senior travelers due to their competitive prices and generous coverage limits, including pre-existing conditions and medical evacuation options. Seven Corners stands out for its efficient claims process and excellent customer service, making it a reliable choice for older travelers. 

• Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost belongings.
• Competitive prices and generous coverage limits.
• Options for pre-existing conditions and medical evacuation.
• Efficient claims process and excellent customer service.
• There are age restrictions or limited coverage for certain conditions in some policies.
• Higher premiums for older travelers.
• Seniors need to review plan details carefully to ensure coverage meets their needs.
• Legal Assistance
• Medical Translation Services

– Enhanced Medical Coverage

Tin Leg offers a variety of travel insurance plans tailored for seniors, providing comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost belongings. Their policies are known for high coverage limits, particularly in medical and medical evacuation coverage. Tin Leg’s customer service operates 24/7, offering assistance for various issues beyond medical emergencies. Additionally, they offer a range of deductible options, allowing seniors to customize their coverage to fit their budget.

• High coverage limits, especially for medical and medical evacuation.
• Competitive premiums and budget-friendly plans.
• Comprehensive coverage at a lower cost compared to other providers.
• 24/7 customer service for various travel-related issues.
• Limited customizability in plans.
• Limited rental car coverage.
• Trip Delay Benefits
• Emergency Reunion

Trawick International

– Customizable Plans 

– Comprehensive Benefits

Trawick International offers senior travel insurance plans with higher benefits than other senior travel insurance options, making it an excellent choice for non-U.S. travelers over 70. Their policies provide comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost belongings, catering to the unique needs of older travelers. Trawick International stands out for its competitive prices and generous coverage limits, including pre-existing conditions and medical evacuation options.

Pros of Trawick International Travel Insurance for Seniors:

• Higher benefits than other senior travel insurance plans.
• Limited availability to insureds up to age 65.
• Some policies may have restricted coverage for certain conditions.
• Seniors must review plan details carefully to ensure coverage meets their needs.
• Medical Evacuation
• Medical Monitoring Services

What Does Travel Insurance For Seniors Cover?

Travel insurance for senior citizens usually covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations or interruptions, and baggage loss or delay.

Regarding medical coverage, international travel insurance for seniors often includes travel medical insurance, which covers emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, and emergency medical evacuation. Seniors need to prioritize the medical coverage aspect of their travel insurance policy.

Travel insurance for seniors also covers trip cancellations or interruptions due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, injury, or death of a family member. This coverage can reimburse non-refundable expenses like prepaid flights, accommodation, and tour fees.

Moreover, seniors can expect baggage loss or delay coverage, which provides compensation for replacing essential items and covers the cost of purchasing necessary clothing and toiletries while waiting for delayed baggage.

It’s essential for seniors to carefully review travel insurance policies to ensure that their specific needs and requirements are adequately covered during their trips.

Please note that the coverage and specific terms of travel insurance policies for seniors may vary depending on the insurance provider and policy chosen. It is recommended to thoroughly read and understand the policy details before purchasing.

How Much Does Senior Travel Insurance Cost?

Senior travel insurance costs approximately $416 to $434 per trip. However, the cost may vary depending on age, destination, trip duration, coverage limits, and any pre-existing medical conditions. To get an accurate cost estimate, it is recommended that you obtain quotes from various insurance providers, considering your specific travel needs and circumstances.

It’s worth mentioning that different insurance companies may offer other coverage options and pricing structures for cheap travel insurance for seniors, so it’s advisable to compare multiple options before deciding.

How To Choose Senior Travel Insurance?

To choose the best seniors travel insurance, consider the following factors:

• Coverage for Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Look for policies that offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, as this is crucial for seniors. Ensure the policy includes comprehensive medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation.
• Age Limits and Eligibility: Check the age limits for coverage and eligibility for seniors. Some policies may have age restrictions, so it’s important to find an insurer that caters specifically to seniors.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage: Evaluate if the policy offers adequate coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions, including reimbursement for pre-paid and non-refundable trip expenses due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Emergency Assistance Services: Ensure the policy provides 24/7 emergency assistance services and access to a global network of healthcare providers.
• Benefit Limits and Deductibles: Assess the benefit limits and deductibles to ensure they align with your travel needs and provide sufficient coverage.
• Policy Flexibility and Customization: Look for policies that allow customization based on the specific requirements of the trip and the individual’s health needs.
• Review Customer Reviews and Ratings: Research customer reviews and ratings of different insurance companies to gauge satisfaction and reliability.
• Compare Multiple Quotes: Obtain quotes from different insurance providers and compare the cost, coverage, and additional benefits offered.

Considering these factors, seniors can make informed decisions when choosing the best travel insurance.

It’s important to note that the best travel insurance for seniors over 70 may vary based on individual circumstances, so it’s advisable to carefully review policy details and consult with the insurance provider if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do seniors need travel insurance.

Yes, travel insurance is highly recommended for seniors. It provides coverage for a range of unexpected events such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and more.

What age is considered senior for travel insurance?

The age at which someone is considered a senior may vary among insurance providers, but it is typically around 65 years and older.

Is it expensive for seniors to purchase travel insurance abroad?

Travel insurance premiums for seniors may be slightly higher due to factors such as age and potential health risks. However, it is recommended that you compare quotes from different insurance providers to find the best coverage at a competitive price.

What insurance coverage is the most important for senior travelers?

The most important insurance coverage for senior travelers is medical coverage, specifically travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. These coverages provide financial protection and peace of mind in case of unexpected health emergencies while traveling.

Does senior travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Travel insurance for seniors typically excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions, but some policies offer the option to obtain coverage for pre-existing conditions through a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver. This waiver can provide coverage for pre-existing conditions under certain conditions and restrictions.

The post Best travel insurance for seniors 2024 appeared first on Party Plexx .

Everyone obsesses over credit card points, but in 10 months of travel I uncovered 6 other money-saving benefits

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate products and services to help you make smart decisions with your money.

• I traveled Latin America and Antarctica for nearly a year, and I was glad to have my credit cards with me.
• Benefits like hotel status, travel insurance, and airport lounge access made my trip cheaper and easier.
• No credit card benefits (or points) are worth it if you can't pay your balance in full.

Although a lot of the media around credit card benefits focuses primarily on using points, there are many other perks that aren't as well-known and can save users thousands of dollars. From loyalty perks to insurance coverage to rental car benefits, there are so many additional reasons to use credit cards — if you do so responsibly. 

I recently returned from traveling around Latin America and Antarctica for 10 months and was more grateful than ever to have my credit card perks and protections with me.

Please note that I don't recommend using credit cards this way if you don't pay off the full balance each month.

Below are some of my favorite, lesser-known perks.

1. Hotel status

Several of my cards — including the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card and IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card — both come with automatic loyalty status. The status isn't the highest tier for either chain, but it still comes with a multitude of benefits.

Both my gold-level Marriott and platinum-level IHG statuses have led to a series of free treats from brownies to fruit baskets. At a Marriott property in India, the company offered lunch to myself and my three companions when our room wasn't ready upon arrival, and an IHG property in the same country offered me a free foot massage. 

Read our Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card review and our IHG One Rewards Premier credit card review .

2. Insurance 

Many credit cards offer insurance policies. One of the most common is an increase in the purchase protection warranty on items you buy with your card. For instance, Chase purchase protection applies to many of the best Chase credit cards .

There are also several travel-related insurance options. A number of cards will offer money if your bag is delayed or damaged — when it isn't reimbursed by the airline — as well as pay for essentials that you may need to buy while you wait for the bag to arrive. Though I've never had to deal with this myself, I know a number of people who have lost bags and were unaware that this coverage existed. 

Finally, many of the best credit cards with travel insurance also come with accident and emergency insurance, which can protect you should something happen during your travels. Just like travel insurance covers evacuation insurance, your card will, too — which can help in a sudden medical emergency. 

3. Rental car damage waiver 

Another popular coverage is the rental car damage waiver you'll find on many of the best travel credit cards , which allows you to decline the (often costly) waivers that the rental car companies offer themselves. This is one of the most common benefits and it is included with nearly every card.

All you have to do is pay for the rental car with your card, decline their damage waiver, and submit paperwork to your bank after the incident happens. (Note that you do often have to pay the rental car company first and the bank reimburses you.)

4. Lounge access

Credit cards offer a variety of lounge access options. American Express has Amex Centurion Lounges , Chase has the new Chase Sapphire Lounges , and Capital One has its own lounge chain. In addition, there are specific airline lounges and networks like Priority Pass and Plaza Premium.

You'll typically find credit cards with airport lounge access to be mid and higher-tier cards, usually with an annual fee of $150 or more. This is one of my favorite perks because it allows me to get food without having to worry about the extreme airport prices. Some lounges also offer services like beauty services, massages, and places to work. 

5. Discounts

Most major companies offer discounts through credit card linked offers , and they're often on items you're already using or buying. Over the past few months, I've received Paramount+ for free, $30 off of a Turo, and $10 off at a restaurant I was already planning on going to — and more. These often have to be activated on your banking website or app first, or you're required to shop through the bank's online shopping portal .

6. Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit

The best credit cards with Global Entry and TSA Precheck allow you to pay for the service using your card and then credit you for the full cost. TSA Precheck allows users to go through security screening without taking off their shoes and or taking certain items out of their bags, as well as to use a separate line. Global Entry allows for an expedited customs process when returning to the U.S.

While using credit cards to accumulate points and miles can be a great way to help you travel for less, there are other benefits that could end up saving you even more.

Watch: Why flying is so terrible even though airlines spend billions

• Main content

Ukraine war latest: Zelenskyy appears to admit concern over what US election means for war

A NATO summit is getting under way in Washington, with support for Ukraine top of the agenda after a children's hospital was hit by a Russian missile.

Wednesday 10 July 2024 07:16, UK

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• NATO allies commit to sending air defence systems to Ukraine
• 'Putin trying to humiliate US' - Zelenskyy urges countries not to wait until November to repel Russia
• Missile that struck hospital was Russian, Sky News finds
• Doctor recalls 'hell' of attack on children's hospital
• Listen: Is new support for Ukraine a game-changer?
• Ivor Bennett analysis: Modi's comments during visit prove awkward for Putin
• Deborah Haynes analysis: Russia sending a message to NATO
• Your questions answered: Has the West been honest about Ukraine's failures? | Is Kyiv next?

Two people have been killed in a Russian missile attack in a southern Ukrainian city, the local governor has said.

The strike on Odesa has also damaged a civilian ship, port infrastructure, warehouses and trucks, Oleh Kiper said on Telegram. 

He did not identify the two people killed, but confirmed one was a security guard and the other was a truck driver.

"Another man, a watchman, was injured. Currently, the victim is receiving all the necessary help in the hospital," he added. 

It comes after the Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched five missiles and 20 drones overnight, with Odesa port as one of the targets. 

A total of 14 drones were shot down by Ukrainian forces, it said. 

Sir Keir Starmer will meet the US president and other NATO leaders at summit celebrating the military alliance's 75th birthday today. 

The prime minister has been pressing for European nations to increase defence spending. 

However, he has refused to guarantee that he will meet his flagship commitment on defence spending within his first term in office, despite a "cast iron" promise to get there.

Speaking to reporters, Sir Keir was repeatedly pressed on whether the goal of spending 2.5% of GDP would be reached.

He said: "We are committed to the 2.5%, as I have said before the election and I say again after the election. That is obviously subject to our fiscal rules, but the commitment is there.

"The strategic review will take place, that will happen next week, and we will set out the details of that.

Later this afternoon, he will hold talks with Joe Biden in the White House. 

It comes as Mr Bidden facing domestic pressures over his age and ability to run the US for a second term. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern that the US election may prevent the West from providing Ukraine with the support it needs to repel and push back Russia over the coming months.

He used the opening of a NATO summit to urge world leaders to accelerate assistance - perhaps mindful that the willingness of the US to provide aid could change if Donald Trump is elected in November. 

The Ukrainian president said Vladimir Putin believes that "war might pay" and is "trying to humiliate America" by breaking free nations. 

Delivering a pivotal address during a NATO summit last night, he said: "It's time to step out of the shadows to make strong decisions to act and not wait for November or any other months to descend. 

"We must be strong and uncompromising all together." 

He added that the US must be "uncompromising in defending democracy, uncompromising against Putin and his coterie". 

"How much longer can Putin last? The answer to this question is right here in Washington. Your leadership, your actions, your choice. The choice to act now," he said. 

Mr Zelenskyy's visit to Washington was the latest in a series of trips where he has called for more military assistance to defend his country against Russia.

It comes as he continues to push for Ukraine to become a NATO member - a demand that current members are not in a hurry to meet. 

As the NATO summit continues, he'll be trying to navigate a tumultuous American political landscape as Joe Biden attempts to show his strength on the world stage amid concerns about his ability to lead. 

Welcome back to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine, as NATO leaders meet in Washington in the wake of devastating Russian strikes.

We'll bring you updates and analysis throughout the day - but first, here's a recap of the key developments over the course of the last 24 hours.

• US President Joe Biden opened NATO's summit in Washington by promising further air defence support to Ukraine;
• Mr Biden said Kyiv would go "to the front of the line" when it came to delivering tactical air defence systems;
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked the world leaders who have condemned Russia's attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv;
• Russia has pledged to begin discharging Indian nationals who had been "misled" into joining its military;
• A state-owned arms manufacturer from Ukraine has opened its first foreign office in Washington;
• A court in Moscow's issued an arrest warrant for the widow of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, Yulia Navalnaya, after accusing her of being part of an "extremist" group. 

We are ending our live coverage for today. 

Scroll back to find out all the day's latest developments. 

Jen Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, was awarded the presidential medal of freedom by President Joe Biden during the ceremony in Washington tonight. 

But what exactly is the honour?

In short, the medal of freedom is the highest civilian honour in the US.

It is presented to individuals who have made "exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavours," the White House website states.

Other recipients of the medal of freedom from this year include former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. 

Presenting Mr Stoltenberg with the medal earlier tonight, Mr Biden said: "NATO's alliance of nations is also made up of leaders. 

"And one person in particular has done an extraordinary job of leading NATO for the last decade.

"So much of the progress made by the alliance is thanks to the secretary. He is a man of integrity, intellectual rigour and a diplomat who works with leaders across the political spectrum."

Speaking directly to Mr Stoltenberg, Mr Biden said: "Secretary, you have guided this alliance through one of its most consequential periods in its history... 

"Today NATO is stronger, and more energised than when you began."

Mr Stoltenberg is due to stay on as secretary general until October after the 31 NATO states decided to keep him on rather than opting for a replacement.

President Joe Biden's speech commemorating the 75th anniversary of NATO was a "passionate reaffirmation of the power of the alliance," our US correspondent Mark Stone says. 

Stone says surrounded by pomp and ceremony, Mr Biden defended the importance of NATO, which he said has only been strengthened since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. 

"What is clear is that behind all of what we have watched is it is a significant challenge," Stone says.

"On its 75th birthday, NATO faces the greatest challenge it has ever faced, and it is clear to is that Vladimir Putin believes has the upper hand. 

"What we did not hear from President Biden is any talk of Ukraine joining NATO immediately, but that will be a focus of discussions over the next few days."

The "elephant in the room" during the speech was Mr Biden's performance, Stone goes on to say.

The US president has been under intense pressure over the last few days to prove he is capable to remain in the Oval Office following a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump. 

But, according to Stone, the US leader "appeared to be pretty word-perfect" speaking with the help of an autocue. 

"I am sure his team will be pretty pleased in what was a very important moment for him," says Stone.

President Joe Biden has just finished speaking at a NATO summit in Washington.

During his speech, he announced that the US and other NATO allies will send Ukraine dozens of air defence systems in the coming months - including at least four of the powerful Patriot systems that Kyiv has been desperately seeking.

According to the statement, the US, Germany and Romania will send Ukraine additional Patriot batteries, while the Netherlands and others will provide Patriot components to make up one more battery. 

While Italy will provide a SAMP-T air defence system. 

Other nations, including Canada, Norway, Spain and the UK, will provide a number of other systems that will help Ukraine expand its coverage.

Earlier today, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post that air defence is still his country's key request, adding he is "confident we will succeed" in being given them.

US President Joe Biden is now speaking at a NATO summit in Washington.

Mr Biden begins his speech by speaking about how NATO was formed following the Second World War in a bid to "answer threats at once" and to "prevent future wars and protect democracy".

Speaking about the growth of NATO, he says that "Finland and Sweden joined the alliance not just because their leaders thought it, but because their citizens called for it, in overwhelming number".

Mr Biden adds that Russian President Vladimir Putin "wants nothing less than Ukraine's total subjection".

"Make no mistake, Russia is losing this war," he says.

He tells the room that "Putin won't stop at Ukraine" but that NATO's full support can help Ukraine stop Putin's aggression.

Moving on to support for Ukraine, the US president says the country will go "to the front of the line" when it comes to receiving air defence intercept systems from the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Italy.

Mr Biden says the US will help provide a "historic donation of air defence equipment", with "dozens" of additional tactical air defence systems.

Mr Biden then quotes former US president Ronald Reagan: "If our fellow democracies are not secure, we cannot be secure."

He then presents Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's secretary general, with the presidential medal of freedom. 

We're still waiting for US President Joe Biden to take to the stage at the NATO summit in Washington.

Currently, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's secretary general, is speaking.

He says that NATO - celebrating its 75th year - is the "safest, most strong and longest lasting alliance in history".

You can follow along by watching the live stream above.

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