travel medical insurance canada blue cross

Canadians are optimistic about travel in 2024: Blue Cross Travel Study

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#1 in Travel Insurance

Out-of-province emergency medical expenses are not generally covered by your provincial medical plan and these expenses can be financially overwhelming.

For millions of Canadians, comprehensive emergency travel coverage offered by Blue Cross has become an essential part of their holiday plans.

As a recognized symbol of health care globally, being trusted, professional and familiar is what you need in your coverage provider when travelling out of province.

Travel Worry Free

Let Blue Cross travel coverage take care of any unexpected medical emergency costs so you can make the most of your trip.

Whether you travel frequently during the year, take regular sun destination trips or do only occasional short trips, there is a plan that’s right for you.

Blue Cross is a member of a trusted global network, including the American Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association and the International Federation of Health Funds.

Canadians are optimistic about travel in 2024

The cost of travel is on the rise, but that isn’t stopping most Canadians from planning a vacation.

A ccording to a new study from Blue Cross , Canadians spent an average of $4,200 on their last vacation, and 94 per cent feel the cost of travelling is increasing .

H owever , the 2024 Blue Cross Travel Study also reveals that more Canadians are feeling optimistic about travel and are planning more trips this year.   

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We understand making the right choice for your benefits and coverage is important.

We’re here to help!

Please click below to be redirected to your local Blue Cross for more specifics, including local contact information.

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Choose your region

Deluxe travel health plan with coronavirus coverage

When you need emergency medical care away from home, the costs can quickly add up, and Manitoba Health does not fully cover you when you are out of the province. Protect yourself with Manitoba Blue Cross coverage.

This comprehensive plan covers you in case of a medical emergency anywhere outside Manitoba, including coverage for coronavirus for those who are not vaccinated or in the event of a COVID-related non-essential travel advisory.*

Prefer to purchase a travel plan in person or have questions about them?

Effective February 28, 2022, the Government of Canada has lifted the global travel advisory to avoid all non-essential travel due to COVID-19. All travel advisories are once again specific to each country.

If you are fully vaccinated or not yet eligible for a vaccine due to age: Our regular deluxe travel health plan covers you for emergency coronavirus-related health claims provided there is no COVID-related travel advisory for the specific destination.

If you are not vaccinated or travelling to a destination that has a COVID-related travel advisory or want more inclusive coronavirus coverage: This travel health plan with coronavirus coverage will cover you for emergency coronavirus-related health claims, including coverages of quarantine, taxi to a test site and return to Manitoba in the event of a travel advisory related to COVID while away.

Want to better understand travel health coverage during the pandemic? Find answers to some frequently asked questions here .

Eligibility

Already purchased a travel plan, find the right plan for you.

Travel Health Benefits are covered to a maximum of $5,000,000 per person, per claim to a lifetime maximum of $5,000,000 per person.

The following Travel Health Benefits are applicable to sudden, unexpected or unforeseen emergency treatment only:

• Hospital in-patient and out-patient coverage.
• Medical and surgical coverage.
• Ambulance coverage.
• Coronavirus pandemic quarantine.
• Coronavirus testing and taxi to and from testing centre. (These benefits are only valid for emergency or unforeseen testing. A mandatory coronavirus test to return to Canada is not a medical emergency, therefore the transportation to a testing centre and cost for the test are not covered in this situation.)
• Coronavirus pandemic trip interruption.
• Coverage for emergency evacuation from a mountain, body of water or other remote location, by a commercial operator licensed to convey passengers when a regular ambulance service cannot be used, to a maximum of $5,000 per person.
• Economy air transportation home by stretcher.
• Dental care to natural teeth when necessitated by a direct accidental blow to the mouth. Maximum coverage $3,000 per accident.
• Emergency relief of dental pain to a maximum of $300.
• Up to $7,500 towards the cost of transporting the deceased home, or up to $5,000 for cremation or burial at place of death.
• Private duty nursing.
• Additional board and lodging expenses incurred beyond the original duration of your trip by an immediate family member or friend covered by a Manitoba Blue Cross Travel Health Plan remaining with you during your hospitalization.
• Coverage for transportation to your bedside, while you are confined to hospital for at least three days outside of Manitoba. Transportation coverage also allowed for a family member to identify the deceased prior to release of the body, if required by law. Coverage includes round-trip economy airfare on a commercial flight via the most direct cost-effective route from Canada to the place where the illness or accident occurred.
• Coverage for commercial accommodations and meals for a person travelling to the bedside or travelling to identify a deceased family member to a combined maximum of $200 per day to a maximum benefit payment of $2,500.
• Physiotherapy provided in a hospital.
• Chiropractic and/or podiatrist services.
• Prescription drugs.
• Repair or replacement of prescription eyeglasses or contact lens or lenses due to accident or injury to a maximum of $100.
• An allowance of $40 per day for each day you are hospitalized. Maximum coverage $1,000.
• Return of your vehicle if you become totally disabled and are unable to drive, to a maximum of $4,000.
• Medical evacuation to a hospital in Canada. Prior approval must be obtained from Manitoba Blue Cross.
• Additional cost, of the most direct return economy flight to Manitoba from the place where you were hospitalized, including the cost of return economy flight for a nurse if nursing care is required during your flight home. This benefit is also available to your family (applicant, spouse and dependent children) or one friend who is also covered by a Manitoba Blue Cross travel health policy travelling with you at the time of injury or onset of illness.
• Additional cost of return economy airfare for an escort to accompany your children (up to 18 years) to Manitoba in the event you have been air evacuated to Canada for medical reasons.
• Coverage up to a combined maximum of up to $500 per pet for:
• ~Commercial kennel or cost of returning an accompanying pet to your home city in Manitoba in the event you are hospitalized for a minimum of three days as an in-patient.
• ~Emergency veterinary care due to an unexpected injury of accompanying pet.
• International Travel Assistance: the provision of 24 hour worldwide assistance for medical situations arising out of emergency illness or accident requiring hospitalization or medical treatment.

At no extra cost, Travel Health and Travel Accident benefits will be extended for up to 72 hours after the scheduled return date in the following circumstances:

• If due to a medical emergency you are hospitalized as an in-patient on your last day of coverage, (as determined by the dates indicated on your Travel Plans application) your benefits will remain in force throughout the period of hospitalization. The 72 hours begins following your discharge from hospital.
• If your return is delayed due to the fault of the carrier in which you are a fare-paying passenger, the automatic extension applies.
• Note: A claim under this benefit must be supported by a letter from the transportation authority confirming the period of delay.

‍ Failure to contact the Travel Assistance service prior to receiving any treatment may invalidate coverage.

Medical Emergency While TravelIing

Contact the international travel assistance service immediately for benefits verification and procedures.

• In Canada and United States, call toll free 1.866.601.2583

• In all other countries, or if you are having difficulties with the toll free number, call collect 204.775.2583 (country code may be required)

• If unable to call collect, place the call and submit your detailed receipt for the long distance charges with your claim.

For general inquiries, call Manitoba Blue Cross at 204.775.0151 or 1.888.596.1032 (toll-free).

To be eligible for travel health coverage you must be covered by Manitoba Health for the entire duration of the period of coverage.

Deluxe Coverage must be purchased prior to departure from Manitoba and/or Canada and for the entire duration of the trip, which originates and terminates in Manitoba and/or Canada.

A participant will not be eligible for coverage under a Manitoba Blue Cross policy if they:

• are travelling outside Manitoba with the intent to seek medical advice, surgery, treatment or a second opinion, even if the trip is on the recommendation of a physician or other medical professional.
• have been advised by their physician or other medical professional not to travel.
• have had two or more major strokes. (Strokes that have resulted in symptoms that lasted for more than 24 hours).
• require home oxygen.
• are receiving kidney dialysis.
• have received a terminal prognosis.
• have been diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Please Note:

• A pre-existing stability period will apply.
• Coverage for trips in excess of 32 days cannot be purchased more than 30 days in advance.
• A complete refund is available if your entire trip is cancelled and Manitoba Blue Cross or an authorized agent is notified prior to your date of departure .
• A partial refund will be calculated based on categories of time from the date notification is received by Manitoba Blue Cross or an authorized agent.
• No refund is available if a claim was incurred during your orginal term of coverage or if your policy has been extended.

Automatic Extensions

At no extra cost, the coverage for Travel Health benefits will be extended in the following circumstances:

• If due to a medical emergency you are hospitalized as an in-patient on your last day of coverage, (as determined by the dates indicated on your Travel Plans application), your benefits will remain in force throughout the period of hospitalization. The 72 hours begins following your discharge from hospital.
• If you have been advised by a medical professional to quarantine/self-isolate beyond your return date as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Manitoba Blue Cross will extend your coverage for the duration of your coronavirus quarantine and up to 72 hours after your quarantine/self-isolation period.
• If your return is delayed due to the fault of the carrier in which you are a fare-paying passenger, your benefits will remain in force up to 72 hours after the scheduled return date.

Is the original term of your policy no longer sufficient?

You may extend the duration of your original policy if:

• Medical attention has not been received during initial term.
• A claim has not been incurred during the initial term.
• You request the extension prior to the expiry date of your policy.
• The extension is for all benefits purchased on the original policy.

Your original policy plus the extension cannot exceed:

• Under Age 55 - 183 days
• Age 55 to 74 (Gold) - 183 days

The information on this page is for reference only. For complete coverage details, please refer to the Annual and Deluxe Coronavirus Pandemic Terms and Provisions . In the event of any difference between the terms here and those of the Terms and Provisions, the terms of the provisions shall prevail.

For Members

Find a plan, advice center, common questions, travel medical insurance.

Emergency Medical coverage for British Columbians travelling outside BC.

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The Government of Canada has issued an official global advisory to avoid non-essential travel (Level 3) outside of the country to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). As a result, coverage related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) will be affected:

Travel Medical Insurance For trips that depart on or after March 13, 2020, Coronavirus (COVID-19) related illness will not be covered unless you are fully vaccinated. You can learn more about how Government travel advisories impact coverage in our Travel Insurance FAQs .

Trip Protection Insurance (Cancellations/Interruptions) Effective March 12, 2020, we are considering Coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a known event for individually purchased Trip Protection. Travel insurance is intended to cover losses arising from sudden and unforeseeable circumstances. Any claims resulting from events known to a policyholder at time purchasing the trip are not covered.

These conditions will remain in effect until the advisory is lifted or otherwise stated by Pacific Blue Cross.

We want you to enjoy your trip...

You're going to relax, have a good time, unwind… but before you leave do the one thing that could save you thousands or millions of dollars. Buy travel insurance.

It would be nice if you could guarantee good health and a safe trip, but in our world today, we know life, and certainly travel, are not predictable. When we travel in an unknown environment, we face risk from all angles. Don't stop exploring; just protect yourself from the unexpected — our travel plans can help you do that.

Who do we cover?

You're eligible for travel coverage if:

• You are a resident of Canada
• You have coverage with the government health plan of your province or territory
• You are applying for coverage prior to departing

We provide travel coverage to people of any age. However, persons 61 and older may be required to complete a Health Declaration form as part of their application.

If you're a visitor to Canada and want to apply for health coverage while in BC, you may be eligible for our Visitors to Canada plan.

Pacific Blue Cross travel plans are known everywhere you want to go. Whether you're looking for $10 million travel health coverage or a comprehensive package that includes baggage and trip cancellation, single or multiple trips– we have a solution for you!

What coverage is available?

Our basic travel plan covers costs related to emergency medical care resulting from an accident or sudden illness. Additional coverage is also available for trip cancellation or interruption, air flight accident, emergency return, as well as baggage loss, delay or damage.

All of our plans include:

• 24/7 access   to a team of professionals to connect you with local resources.
• Direct Pay—We will pay any providers directly.
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions—As long as your pre-existing condition meets a minimum stability period you can receive full protection.

Plan Highlights:

Basic plan coverage.

Our base plan covers the following costs for emergency medical care to a maximum of 10 million dollars:

• Emergency medical expenses:   This includes any hospital fees (for a private or semi-private room), nursing fees, drug costs, incidental hospital expenses (television, parking etc), the cost of medical appliances (crutches, canes, wheelchairs), physician and professional fees, diagnostic services (lab tests, xrays), and emergency dental care. F r ee fo r Kids! Only Pacific Blue Cross covers kids of all families for free when you buy travel medical insurance – whether its for one parent or two.
• Repatriation costs:   In addition to paying for you to return to your province or residence to receive immediate medical attention*, we will arrange to have your vehicle returned, your pet returned and your baggage returned. Should an insured person pass away, we cover the cost of repatriating the deceased.
• Medical Follow-up in Canada:   We cover select treatment costs following repatriation.
• Ambulance and taxi fees:   We will pay for the cost to transport a sick or injured person to the nearest Hospital or accredited medical facility.
• Transportation to visit the covered person:   We will cover the cost of round trip, economy class transportation for a family member or friend to visit a sick or injured person in hospital. We also cover the expenses of this visitor while he/she is staying close by up to $300 per day to a maximum of $1,200.
• Subsistence allowance:   We will reimburse you up to $300/day to a maximum of $3000 for accommodation, meals, essential phone calls and transportation by taxi if your return is delayed due to illness or injury.

*Requires the authorization of the attending physician and CanAssistance.

Additional Coverage Options

You can add the following individual benefits to your plan or choose a package and save:

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption:   We will reimburse your travel costs if your trip is cancelled before the planned departure or interrupted after your trip has begun.
• Air Flight Accident:   We insure you if you lose your life or the use of a limb in an air flight accident.
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment:   We insure you if you lose your life or the use of a limb in a non-air flight-related accident.
• Emergency Return:   We will cover transportation expenses for you to return home and possibly back to the holiday destination in the event of an emergency.
• Baggage loss, delay or damage:   We provide payment to cover the cost of lost baggage or the cost to purchase items while baggage is delayed.

This is not a policy. Actual terms and conditions are detailed in the policy issued by Pacific Blue Cross upon approval of application. Our policy will detail plan limitations and exclusions.

Call us if an emergency strikes

Medi-Assist is our 24/7 medical travel assistance line that will help you locate medical care, provide advisory services, refer you to interpreters, assist with transportation, contact relatives and more. It means you can focus on getting healthy and leave it to us to manage your care while in an unfamiliar environment.

If you do experience an unexpected emergency while travelling, we are here to help.

During your trip, you can call our   Medi-Assist   service to determine your level of coverage and receive help:

• In Canada or the U.S., call toll-free:   1-888-699-9333
• Outside of Canada or the U.S. or where toll-free is unavailable, please call collect to   1-604-419-4487   and we will pay for the call.

Claims Process

Out-of-Province Emergency Medical Claims  — Four simple steps

Trip Cancellation / Baggage Claim Form   — Form for claiming Trip Cancellations or Lost Baggage [pdf]

Visitors to Canada Travel Plan Claim Form   — Form for claiming against a Visitors to Canada Travel Plan contract [pdf]

Choose one of our Travel Insurance plans below to get started

Travel Medical

Emergency medical coverage for British Columbians while travelling outside of BC.

Visitors to Canada

Emergency health coverage for tourists, workers, new immigrants and students visiting BC.

Trip Protection

Peace of mind coverage for travel costs related to unexpected cancellations, interruptions and delays.

• Travel Insurance
• Pacific Blue Cross Travel Insurance Review

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First , we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The payments we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market.

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While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Advisor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Pacific Blue Cross Travel Insurance Review 2024

Updated: Feb 28, 2024, 7:04am

Pacific Blue Cross has a stellar reputation in B.C. as the number one ranked health benefits provider in the province. In addition to life, health and group insurance, Pacific Blue Cross offers comprehensive travel insurance with $10 million in medical coverage and an attractive pre-existing conditions benefit. While the premiums are more affordable than other insurers, some of the benefit limits are lower. In addition, you must be a resident of B.C. or the Yukon to purchase a travel plan.

• Customizable benefit options
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Free emergency medical coverage for kids
• Medical questionnaire is optional
• Some benefit limits lower than other insurers
• No electronic submission for claims
• Must be a resident of B.C. or the Yukon

Table of Contents

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Based in Burnaby, B.C. the not-for-profit PBC Health Benefits Society (operating as Pacific Blue Cross) provides health, dental, life, disability and travel coverage for residents of B.C. and the Yukon. Pacific Blue Cross is British Columbia’s number one health benefits provider through group benefits and individual plans.

Pacific Blue Cross is a registered trademark of the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans (CABCP) and the registered trade name of PBC Health Benefits Society, an independent licensee of CABCP. Life and Property and Casualty insurance is sold through PacBlue Life Services Ltd., a licensed insurance agency and subsidiary of Pacific Blue Cross, and underwritten by various underwriters, depending on the coverage purchased.

Here are the key types of travel insurance coverage offered in Pacific Blue Cross travel insurance plans:

• Emergency medical insurance: If you fall ill or are injured on your trip, travel medical insurance can pay for emergency medical expenses, up to the coverage limits in your plan. These expenses can include doctor and hospital bills, medication and lab work.
• Trip cancellation insurance: If you cancel a trip for a reason listed in your travel policy, such as you or your travelling companion becoming ill, weather conditions causing a massive delay or you end up losing your job, trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable costs.
• Travel interruption or delay insurance: Trip interruption insurance can pay for a last-minute flight home in an emergency and money that you lose if you have to return home earlier than expected, such as non-refundable activities and hotel stays. If your flight is delayed , your insurance can cover the cost of incidentals, such as meals or accommodations, after a specified period of time, usually six, 10 or 12 hours.
• Baggage insurance: Baggage travel insurance can compensate you up to your policy limits if your luggage is lost or stolen. It will reimburse the depreciated value of your suitcases and what you packed. If your checked bags are delayed, it can reimburse you for the cost of the necessities you’ll have to buy to tide you over.
• Travel accident insurance. This coverage offers compensation in the event of accidental death or catastrophic injury from an accident during your trip. Flight Accident Insurance covers injury while you’re on a commercial plane, during a connection or in an airport. Travel Accident Insurance covers death or dismemberment, including the loss of limbs or eyesight, while on your trip. This is also called Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit.

Pacific Blue Cross allows you to customize the amount of coverage you need. For example, you could opt for the most comprehensive travel insurance protection by selecting the Emergency Medical Care Benefit and the All Inclusive Trip Protection Plan, or you could choose the Basic Trip Protection Plan alone if you’re mostly concerned about baggage and travel accidents.

The individual benefits are as follows:

Emergency Medical Care Benefit: If you’re worried about medical emergencies while travelling, this benefit offers the following coverage:

• Hospital accommodation in a semi-private or private room
• Hospital allowance for incidental expenses, such as TV rental, parking, telephone, etc., up to $100 per hospitalization
• Physician fees
• Private duty nursing
• Paramedical services, such as care from a physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath or podiatrist, up to $300 per profession
• Tests and diagnostics, including X-rays
• Prescription medication as part of emergency treatment
• The purchase or rental cost of crutches, canes or splints, and the rental cost of a wheelchair, orthopedic corset or other medical appliances
• Emergency dental due to injury, up to $2,000 per accident
• Emergency dental due to pain or disease, up to $500 per trip
• Ground or air ambulance transportation
• Repatriation for medical treatment
• Transportation for a bedside companion, plus subsistence allowance for meals, accommodation and childcare
• Return of vehicle due to illness or accident
• Baggage return if you are repatriated due to medical reasons
• Return of your remains in the event of death
• Subsistence allowance for meals and accommodation if your return is delayed due to a medical reason

The Medical Follow-up in Canada Benefit is included if you purchase the Emergency Medical Care Benefit. If you are repatriated due to a medical emergency, the following costs will be reimbursed if incurred within 15 days of your repatriation:

• The cost of a semi-private room in a hospital, rehabilitation centre or convalescent home, maximum $1,000
• The fees for home nursing care when medically required, up to $50/day, maximum 10 days
• The costs for the rental of crutches, standard walker, canes, trusses, orthopedic corset and oxygen, maximum $150
• The cost for transportation, including ambulance and/or taxi, in order to receive medical care, maximum $250

All Inclusive Trip Protection: This package option includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage, air flight accident and accidental death and dismemberment benefits.

• Trip cancellation with interruption: This reimburses you for insured travel expenses (such as hotels or prepaid excursions) if you have to cancel, interrupt, extend or modify your trip due to a covered reason either before your trip or after you have left home. This includes transportation expenses if you have to interrupt, modify or extend your trip, as well as a subsistence allowance for hotels and meals if your return home is delayed.
• Baggage: This provides compensation if your baggage is delayed, lost, stolen or damaged during your trip.
• Air flight accident: This offers coverage for the accidental loss of life or limb while travelling as a passenger on a plane, land or water conveyance, helicopter shuttle, or while waiting at the airport. This coverage also includes losses due to exposure after a forced landing.
• Accidental death or dismemberment: This coverage option offers reimbursement in the event you die, or lose the use of one or more limbs during a travel accident. The amount paid out depends on your age and the severity of the accident.

Deluxe Trip Protection: This package option includes trip interruption (that reimburses you for prepaid expenses if your trip gets unexpectedly interrupted once it’s begun), baggage, air flight accident and accidental death and dismemberment.

Basic Trip Protection: This package option includes baggage, air flight accident and accidental death and dismemberment.

We’ve highlighted the key benefits for each coverage option available for the single trip plan when travelling outside of Canada to help you identify your travel needs:

Emergency Medical Care Benefit:

Travel benefits:, trip cancellation & interruption benefit:, baggage benefit:.

The price of a Pacific Blue Cross travel insurance plan depends on factors such as the cost of your trip, your age, your health and the amount of coverage you choose.

Here are some examples of the cost for Pacific Blue Cross single trip plans for healthy travellers based in B.C.:

In addition, when you purchase emergency travel insurance for one or two parents, each dependent child who is 21 years of age or younger will receive free emergency medical coverage up to the $10 million policy limit.

Emergency medical: $5 million Cancel For Any Reason: Yes, 50% to 75% Baggage insurance (maximum): $1,500

Related: CAA Travel Insurance Review

Blue Cross (Ontario)

Emergency medical: $5 million Cancel For Any Reason: No Baggage insurance (maximum): $1,500

Related: Blue Cross (Ontario) Travel Insurance Review

Manulife Financial

Emergency medical: $10 million Cancel For Any Reason: No Baggage insurance (maximum): $1,000

Related: Manulife Financial CoverMe Travel Insurance Review

Pacific Blue Cross offers an optional Pre-Existing Condition Benefit for travellers who also purchase the Emergency Medical Care Benefit. This benefit gives you up to $10 million in medical coverage following an emergency due to a pre-existing condition that would otherwise be excluded from coverage. This benefit does not cover any expenses if the medical condition showed symptoms in the seven days before your departure.

This benefit must be purchased within 15 days of buying the emergency medical benefit and before your departure date if the insurer decides a detailed medical review is required.

A medical questionnaire is an option for travellers over age 61 with pre-existing conditions. The insurer notes, “You are not obligated to complete the questionnaire, however doing so gives you a definite advantage. In 80% of cases, the questionnaires result in coverage that may not otherwise be granted.” Your doctor needs to complete the questionnaire and forward it to Pacific Blue Cross. There the medical director will review your answers and “if your pre-existing condition is stable and does not present an increased risk, it will be covered and you will be able to leave on your trip with true peace of mind.”

You are not eligible for this benefit if any of the following conditions apply:

• You have been advised by your physician not to travel.
• You have a medical condition in a terminal phase.
• You have kidney failure that is being treated by dialysis.
• You have a lung condition being treated with oxygen or cortisone therapy.
• You have cancer with metastasis.

Here are some examples of the cost of the Pre-Existing Benefit add-on:

Pacific Blue Cross offers a 10% or more discount off your travel insurance premium if you also have a Pacific Blue Cross Extended Health Care and/or Dental plan.

Yes. You can buy multi-trip annual insurance if you travel more than once a year for multiple individual trips. Pacific Blue Cross offers emergency medical coverage and trip protection coverage for 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 days per trip. If you plan a trip longer than your selected coverage, you can add extra days or top-up your coverage.

Here’s how the prices between single trip and multi-trip insurance compare using the example of the Emergency Medical Care benefit:

Medi-Assist Travel Assistance (provided through CanAssistance) is offered free of charge with all Pacific Blue Cross travel insurance products and toll-free assistance is available 24/7, 365 days of the year. Depending on the coverage provided by your insurance policy, emergency support includes:

• Referral to an appropriate clinic or hospital
• Advance of funds to the hospital, if necessary
• Confirmation of the medical insurance coverage to avoid paying a substantial deposit
• Following your medical file and communicating with your family physician
• Coordinating repatriation to your home province if medically necessary
• Coordinating the safe return of dependent children if you (the parent) are hospitalized
• Making arrangements for a bedside companion if you are hospitalized for at least seven days
• Coordinating the return of your vehicle if you are unable to return it due to a covered accident or illness
• Transmission of urgent messages to your family or business partner(s)
• Coordination of claims
• Interpreter services for emergency calls
• Referral to legal counsel in the event of a serious accident
• Settlement of formalities in the event of a death
• Assistance in the event of loss or theft of identification documents
• Information regarding embassies and consulates
• Pre-travel information regarding visas and vaccines

If you, or someone acting on your behalf, does not call Medi-Assist within 24 hours of an emergency and before seeking treatment, your claim could be denied.

When calling Medi-Assist, you’ll need your government health plan number and your Pacific Blue Cross Travel Certificate number.

In general, Pacific Blue Cross will not pay medical expenses related to any medical condition that is not stable for a set period of time, either three or six months (depending on your age, coverage choices and medical conditions), before your coverage takes effect.

Pacific Blue Cross has a number of age- and condition-specific exclusions whereby medical expenses will not be paid, including:

For policyholders under age 61 or for policyholders age 61 to 75 travelling for 30 days or less with package insurance including trip cancellation and interruption:

• Consulted a physician, other than for a regular checkup
• Was hospitalized
• Was prescribed or received a new treatment
• Was prescribed or took a new medication
• Received a change in existing medication, including dosage or usage (with some exceptions)
• Any heart condition that you’ve taken nitroglycerin more than once in a seven-day period for the relief of chest pain
• Any pulmonary condition that you’ve been treated with home oxygen or corticoid therapy

For policyholders between age 61 and 75 with individual or annual insurance, or for policyholders age 61 to 75 travelling for 30 days or less with package insurance not including trip cancellation and interruption, or policyholders age 61 to 75 covered by package insurance for 31 days or more, or policyholders age 76 and above:

• Was prescribed or took a new medication for cardiovascular conditions, chronic obstructive lung conditions, neurological conditions, insulin-dependent diabetes, kidney failure or transplantation, gastrointestinal conditions or cancer or malignant tumours

There are a number of scenarios not covered by travel insurance and it’s critical to know what not to do before you make a claim. In addition to exclusions related to pre-existing conditions, the following are some of the most common situations not covered by medical travel insurance:

• Any state or condition for which you ignored the symptoms, did not follow medical advice or the recommended investigations, treatments, tests or procedures
• Pregnancy, and complications arising from pregnancy in the last eight weeks before your expected due date
• Any accident sustained while participating in a sport for pay or a sporting event where money prizes are awarded to the winners, any kind of motor vehicle competition or speed event (with exceptions), any dangerous or violent sport including (but not limited to) off-track snow sports, show jumping obstacles, grade 4 or 5 rock or mountain climbing, parachuting, gliding or hang-gliding, bungee jumping, canyoning, and any sport or activity with a high level of stress and risk involved
• Abuse of medication, alcohol or drugs, or driving a vehicle while intoxicated
• Any trip undertaken to receive medication attention
• Suicide, attempted suicide or any self-inflicted injury
• War, invasion, enemy acts, hostility between nations, civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military power or usurped power, or confiscation, nationalization, requisition or destruction of or damages to belongings due to any government or local authority
• Perpetration or attempt to perpetrate a criminal act
• Any condition resulting from a mental, nervous, psychological or psychiatric problem unless you are hospitalized due to that reason
• Any claim while in a chronic care hospital or ward, nursing home or health spa
• Any care or treatment other than that required for stabilization of the emergency medical condition
• Custodial care (assistance with basic personal care activities, such as bathing, dressing, etc.)
• Care or treatment for cosmetic purposes
• Care or treatment not covered by your government health plan
• Care or treatment provided by a podiatrist, acupuncturist, homeopath or naturopath
• Certain products, even when obtained by a prescription, including infant formula, dietary or food supplements, antacids, digestives, laxatives, antidiarrheals, decongestants and any other cold/flu medications, and all dermatological products
• Any additional medical treatment if you continue your trip as planned after a medical emergency
• Any expenses for an infectious disease or illness for which there is a travel advisory or health warning, unless you have been fully vaccinated against the infectious disease or the condition occurs in a dependent child under the age of 18 (with exceptions)
• Any expenses incurred in a region where there is an active “avoid all travel” advisory in effect by the Government of Canada

There are additional exclusions if you purchase trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage and/or travel accident coverage.

To be eligible for insurance with Pacific Blue Cross, the following must apply:

• You are a Canadian resident.
• You are covered under the government health plan of your province or territory for the entire duration of your trip.
• You have not been advised against travel by your physician.
• You have not been diagnosed with a terminal condition.
• You are not receiving palliative care or palliative care has not been recommended.

In addition, to purchase a Pacific Blue Cross travel plan, you must be a resident of B.C. or the Yukon.

You can file a claim online 24/7 by visiting the Pacific Blue Cross website where you can download your forms for emergency medical or trip cancellation and baggage claims. The website provides step-by-step instructions on what you need to do to submit a claim.

You will need to attach original receipts for the services or items rendered. The insurer notes that if the recipes or invoices are in another language, it’s your responsibility to translate these documents.

Pacific Blue Cross may request additional documentation, including:

• A medical certificate completed by a qualified physician providing a complete diagnosis
• Documentary evidence that a non-excluded event was the cause of your claim
• Original or electronic versions of unused transportation tickets, original invoices from the travel provider and/or official receipts for return transportation
• Receipts for land arrangements
• Proof showing the duration of a trip
• Proof of delay of checked baggage from the carrier along with receipts of purchases
• Proof of carrier delay, traffic accident or mechanical failure causing delay of return
• Death certificate
• List of lost or stolen baggage items

Pacific Blue Cross notes that digital signatures are not accepted and all completed claims forms must be mailed to the PBC Out Of Country Claims office or dropped off at the office in Burnaby, B.C.

Pacific Blue Cross will reimburse you for eligible expenses within 60 days of receiving all documentation to satisfy proof of claim.

Pacific Blue Cross Travel Insurance FAQs

Does pacific blue cross pay for medical costs upfront.

According to the travel insurance policy, in the event of an emergency, Medi-Assist will “[refer you] to an appropriate clinic or hospital and advance funds to the hospital if necessary.”

Does Pacific Blue Cross offer coverage extensions?

Yes. Your coverage is automatically extended for 24 hours starting on the final day of your trip due to a transportation delay. If you are hospitalized, your coverage is extended for the period of hospitalization and the 24-hour period after discharge. If your return home is delayed due to a medical emergency that started within 24 hours before your scheduled return date and required emergency treatment, your coverage is automatically extended for up to 72 hours.

You can also request an extension if you want to stay longer on your trip, provided you apply before the expiry date of your policy, you are still eligible for insurance and your health has not changed since your departure. Your request may be denied if you have a claim in progress or the Canadian government has a new travel advisory in effect or recommends travellers return home.

Does Pacific Blue Cross require a medical questionnaire?

Pacific Blue Cross makes the distinction between a statement of health and a medical questionnaire. A medical questionnaire is optional for travellers 61 and older with pre-existing conditions that might not otherwise be covered. Your doctor can complete the questionnaire, forward it to Pacific Blue Cross and if the medical director decides your health is stable, your pre-existing condition will be covered.

The statement of health determines what will be covered, what will be excluded and your travel insurance premium, which is calculated according to the risks inherent with age, your health and the trip length.

Does Pacific Blue Cross have any age restrictions?

There are no noted age restrictions beyond the age-specific exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

When does my coverage with Pacific Blue Cross begin?

In general, if you purchase cancellation coverage, it begins the day you buy your policy and ends the day when you make a claim or leave on your trip. Your emergency medical coverage and interruption coverage, if purchased, begins when you leave home. Your delay coverage begins once an insured risk prevents you from returning home as scheduled.

Can I get a refund with Pacific Blue Cross?

You can request a cancellation and full refund of your contract before the effective date of the contract (or the date the coverage begins) or during the 10 days following the date of purchase, unless:

• You have made or intend to make a claim.
• The contract is for a period of 10 days or less.
• The contract was purchased within 11 days before the trip and includes trip cancellation or interruption coverage.

If you return early from your trip and have not submitted or intend to submit a claim, or if no Medi-Assist case has been opened, you can request a partial refund of your premium. However, a refund of premium does not apply if:

• You are covered for a trip cancellation benefit.
• You are covered for an emergency return benefit.
• You are covered under an annual insurance contract.
• You are repatriated at the insurer’s expense.
• Your refundable premium is less than $20 after application of the $25 administration fee.

Does Pacific Blue Cross offer a free look period?

The Pacific Blue Cross travel insurance policy does not explicitly reference a free look or right to examine period, except to note that a request for a refund must be received during the 10 days following the date of purchase (with some exceptions). However, under the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada’s ( THIA ) Travel Insurance Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, travellers have the right to a no obligation purchase, whereby travel insurance providers will provide a minimum 10-day free review of the policy.

Fiona Campbell is a Staff Writer for Forbes Advisor Canada. She started her career on Bay Street, but followed her love for research, writing and a good story into journalism. She is the former editor of Bankrate Canada, and has over 20 years of experience writing for various publications, including the Globe and Mail, Financial Post Business, Advisor’s Edge, Mydoh.ca and more.

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Contents: Travel insurance

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage
• Visitors to Canada
• Top-Up insurance
• Cancellations and refunds
• Compare travel coverages
• Flight Delay Service

Baggage loss coverage

Accidental death and dismemberment, optional protection: pandemic.

• Travel advisories
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• How to choose travel coverage
• Frequently asked questions
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• Travel policy

When travelling outside your home province or country, medical care can be confusing and expensive—with your Alberta Health Care plan only providing minimal coverage. Our emergency medical travel insurance keeps you protected from the financial costs of unexpected injuries and illnesses wherever you travel.

Plan highlights

Emergency Medical Care includes

• coverage for single-trip or multi-trip plans;
• coverage for up to $5 million;
• access to 24/7 emergency travel assistance;
• coverage for pre-existing conditions, when stability requirements met;
• hospital services, prescription drugs, ambulance, medical evacuation, medical follow-up in Canada and more; and
• 10 per cent off for Alberta Blue Cross ® members who have a personal or group plan.

You can receive Emergency Medical Care through Top-Up Insurance–this extends your period of coverage provided by another insurance company.

Eligibility

To buy Emergency Medical Care, travellers must be

• Canadian residents,
• covered under a provincial health plan for the duration of their trip, and
• over 30 days old on the departure date.

Additional conditions may apply for travellers over the age of 55. For more information, review our travel policy .

Enhance your plan with travel add-ons

When you purchase Emergency Medical Care, Trip Cancellation or Interruption coverage, or Top-Up Insurance, you can enhance your plan with the following add-ons.

You arrived at your destination—but your suitcases didn’t. Baggage loss coverage can help you cover the cost of your items.

The pandemic continues to affect the way we travel. When you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to a pandemic, Optional Protection: Pandemic is there to help cover unexpected costs.

Serious, life-changing accidents can happen when you least expect it. Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage can offer peace of mind and added protection.

Get a quote

Finding the right coverage you need for your trip starts with a quote. Get started online or give our travel team a call. We are here to help you.

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Travel Confidently with Saskatchewan Travel Insurance

If you’re a traveller, you know avoiding stress is the key to a great trip. That’s why Saskatchewan Blue Cross has you covered with travel insurance options tailored to your needs. Whether you’re going on a short trip or a long adventure across the seas, you can rest assured that you’re protected in case of any unforeseen events. 

Nobody wants to worry about lost luggage or unexpected hospital visits, especially when exploring a new place. With Saskatchewan Blue Cross travel insurance, you can leave those worries behind and focus on making unforgettable memories. Keep reading for some tips on how to choose the best plan for your trip and travel with confidence!

The importance of travelling

Travelling to experience new places, people and activities can enrich your life, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a month in a new country.

Learning and growing

Learning and improvement of oneself isn’t limited to the workplace or education. There’s so much to learn when travelling! It fully immerses you in cultures, environments, languages, and scenarios that may not otherwise be possible. Travelling can teach us so much about decision-making, communication, inclusivity, and diversity. 

It’s pretty amazing how much we can learn from exploring new places and meeting new people! This is one of the greatest things travel insurance helps enable. Take away the stress and the “what ifs” to instead enjoy new possibilities, meet new people, and hear otherworldly stories.

Mental wellness

It’s important to have space away from work, routine, and stress. This is something travel can easily provide (so long as emergency travel expenses are taken care of with travel insurance coverage).

Taking care of your mental health is super important for your wellbeing, happiness, and personal growth. It helps you do well at work, build healthy relationships, and feel good about yourself. And you know what’s great for your mental health? Travelling! 

It’s a fantastic opportunity to soak up some sunshine, breathe in fresh air, admire stunning scenery, listen to great music, enjoy beautiful art, and experience vibrant colours and dance. All of these things can boost your mood, and give you a sense of adventure and positivity. So, are you ready to explore and feel good?

Physical health

Travel is also a great way to remain (or become) physically active. Even a relaxing beach trip will involve walking and swimming (in the sun!). A trip to the mountains could involve hiking. A trip to the jungle has expeditions and adventures. There’s likely always something that will keep you active when travelling, with the bonus of not even knowing you’re exercising. That’s a win!

Travel insurance coverage

The perks of travel are endless. Don’t let the risks affect your trip, whether it’s as simple as a delayed flight or as serious as an injury that stops you from returning home to your family. Adventure confidently with Saskatchewan Blue Cross travel insurance.

Beyond the potential medical expenses you may face in an emergency, this safety net is beneficial to you if you:

• paid for non-refundable trip costs;
• booked an international trip;
• planned expeditions in a remote area;
• booked connecting flights with many locations;
• packed oversized luggage; or
• want coverage for trip delays or cancellations.

Travel insurance coverage overview

There are six customizable travel coverage options at Saskatchewan Blue Cross for different types of travellers. A cross-country RV traveller isn’t going to benefit from the same insurance plan as a frequent overseas traveller, for example.

Available plans include:

• Annual Plan: Perfect for frequent travellers and snowbirds who want to travel where they want, when they want, worry-free.
• Individual Plan: Great for single-trip coverage on family vacations or quick getaways.
• Package Plus: Choose from pre-selected combinations of some of our most popular coverage options.
• Canada Package: Designed for travel within Canada, choose from packages that combine our most popular coverage options.
• VIP Travel: An optional benefit exclusively available to Personal Health Plan members, VIP Travel is a great option for frequent travellers.
• Visitors to Canada: Offers Emergency Medical Care to cover most types of visitors during their stay in Canada.

Explore more information about our travel insurance plans here . You can choose the coverage that works best for your trip, including baggage, trip cancellation insurance, or accidental death or dismemberment. You can also add a deductible to cover your trip without cutting into your travel budget. 

Here are some of the benefits to expect from most of our travel insurance plans*:

• Up to $5 million for Emergency Medical Care per trip. This includes hospitalization fees and professional fees for medical practitioners.
• Up to $2,000 for any dental treatments resulting from an accident.
• Transportation and out-of-pocket expenses to have a relative with you if you’ve been hospitalized for more than seven days.
• Up to $3,000 with an Annual or Individual plan or up to $1,500 with a VIP Travel plan for accommodation and meals if your return is delayed due to a medical emergency. 
• Access to 24/7 Travel Assistance

In addition to the above benefits, Flight Delay Service is included at no extra cost. If your flight is delayed by three hours or more, Flight Delay Service offers complimentary access to an airport lounge or even a hotel room, depending on the length of the delay. Learn more here. Once you’ve registered for this service, our system tracks your flight in real time so we can step in as soon as you need our assistance. We’ll text or email with next steps!

*Different benefits are available under the Visitors to Canada travel plan. 

Emergency travel expenses covered

Travel confidently with Saskatchewan Blue Cross travel insurance to avoid the frustrating circumstances all too common with travel (damaged or lost baggage, trip delays, and cancellations). We’ve all been there! But it doesn’t have to be this way. Pick the travel insurance package that suits you here and travel with more peace of mind.

Coverage that goes where you go: Travel worry-free with Blue Cross Blue Shield

Planning to hit the road this travel season?   You’ve got a lot to do!   You’ll have to book your travel, lodging and activities, pack and be sure your home is looked after while you’re gone.   That’s a lot to think about, and the list goes on. With so much to do, it’s easy to overlook one item that might prove crucial: ensuring that you will be covered if you need medical care while traveling.

Most Blue Cross Blue Shield members can rest easy since Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage opens doors in all 50 states and is accepted by over 90 percent of doctors and specialists.   And if your extended travel plans take you abroad, you can ensure you have access to quality care through GeoBlue .

BCBS Coverage Travels with You

If you aren’t sure what’s covered, it’s a good idea to call your Blue Cross Blue Shield company to find out what your benefits are if something goes awry while on vacation. When traveling within the United States, most Blue Cross Blue Shield members will be covered under the BlueCard program, which connects all 36 individual Blue Cross Blue Shield companies so that members can enjoy access to the savings the local Blue Cross Blue Shield plan has negotiated with its doctors and hospitals.

For example, if a member of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, whose Plan includes the BlueCard program, falls and breaks his arm while hiking in Yellowstone, he will be charged the rate Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming has negotiated with the local hospital rather than paying the steep fees he would otherwise encounter.   Likewise, a BCBS Wyoming member who falls ill in Dallas would be charged the rate BCBS Texas has negotiated with its local providers.   It’s one of the many benefits of belonging to the nation’s oldest and largest health insurance system.

If your plans include international travel, GeoBlue   has an extensive network of options to meet your needs when living or working abroad for an extended period of time.   Though many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans cover international care in emergency situations, GeoBlu e  plans offer the most complete set of benefits and access to services like emergency medical evacuation, which might not be covered by your regular plan.

Insurance Tips for Travelers

Here are a few steps you can take to take charge of your health while traveling:

Traveling Within the United States

• Call your BCBS company to find out what your benefits cover while traveling.
• Always carry your current BCBS ID Card .
• To find nearby doctors and hospitals, call BlueCard Access at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) or visit the Blue National Doctor & Hospital Provider Finder .
• Call your Blue Plan for precertification or prior authorization if necessary. Refer to the phone number located on your Blue ID card.

Traveling Abroad

• Verify your international benefits with your Blue Plan before leaving the United States, or purchase a GeoBlue  plan.
• Always carry your Blue ID card.
• If you need to locate a doctor or hospital, or need medical assistance services, hotlines are available 24/7. You can reach the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center at 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) or call collect at 1-804-673-1177. If you’re a GeoBlue member, call collect at 1-610-254-8771, or 1-800-257-4823 from inside the U.S.

To learn more, visit BCBS.com or the GeoBlue website.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.

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Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance of April 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

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

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

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

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

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

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

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

Best cheap travel insurance

Top-scoring plans

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

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

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

Pros and cons

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

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

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

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

Best cheap travel insurance for families

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

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

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Evacuation limit per person

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

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

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

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

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

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

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

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

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

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

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

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

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

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

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

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

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

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

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

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

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

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

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

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

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

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

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

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

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

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

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

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

Methodology

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

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

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

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

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

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

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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