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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of March 2024

O ur team vetted 15 companies and narrowed our top picks to nine insurers, including Seven Corners, Generali Global Assistance and World Nomads. To do so, we read the fine print on travel insurance plans and compared coverage options and prices. That helped us determine which company stood out by offering services that may appeal to particular groups.

Money’s Main Takeaways

  • Travel insurance can reimburse you for lost luggage, missed flights, trip cancellations or interruptions, and emergency medical expenses.
  • Purchase travel insurance right after booking the trip to ensure the best coverage.
  • You can compare multiple policies in one place through a marketplace such as TravelInsured.com.

Why Trust Us?

Our editors and writers evaluate insurance companies independently, ensuring our content is precise and guided by editorial integrity. Read the full methodology to learn more.

  • Based on 15+ data points
  • Reviewed 13 insurers
  • 1,000+ hours of research

Travel insurance is an essential investment for any traveler, especially when traveling abroad. Whether you’re going on a trip you’ve planned for years or an impromptu adventure to one of the best places to travel , comprehensive travel insurance can give you peace of mind.

Here are the nine best travel insurance companies of 2024 so you can protect yourself, your finances and your belongings while abroad.

Our Top Picks for the Best Travel Insurance

  • Seven Corners – Best for Large Groups
  • Generali Global Assistance – Best for Emergency Support Services
  • World Nomads – Best for Adventure Sports Coverage
  • Nationwide – Best Cruise Travel Insurance
  • Travelex – Best for Families with Children
  • Allianz Travel – Best for Business Travel
  • AIG Travel Guard – Best for Add-Ons
  • HTH Travel Insurance – Best for Long-Term Insurance for International Travel
  • TravelInsurance.com – Best for Comparing Travel Insurance Quotes

Best Travel Insurance Reviews

  • Coverage from five up to 364 days
  • Allows coverage extensions
  • Website includes sample scenarios to illustrate how the coverage works
  • Hazardous activities not included in coverage (add-on only)
  • Different plan options for WA, NY, PA, and MO residents

Why we chose it : We chose Seven Corners as the best travel insurance for large groups because it insures parties of 10 or more travelers through comprehensive policies that cover medical expenses and evacuations.

Seven Corners’ simple and budget-friendly Trip Protection Choice plan covers trip cancellation, interruption or delays for specific reasons, including COVID-19 for groups of 10 or more. Its emergency medical protection goes up to $500,000 and offers up to $1,000,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.

In addition to its group trip travel insurance plans, Seven Corners has three travel medical plan tiers with comprehensive medical coverage for emergency room visits, hospital room and board, and onset of pre-existing medical conditions, among others.

These plans include 24/7 multilingual customer service to help with emergency travel arrangements, medical evacuations and locating the nearest embassy or consulate.

Read Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Seven Corners’s Secure Website >>

  • Offers 24-hour emergency assistance services
  • Up to $1K upfront payment for acute medical treatment
  • Car rental damage add-on available
  • Pre-existing condition coverage only available in the Premium plan
  • High premium costs
  • "Cancel for any reason" only available for Premium plan

Why we chose it : Generali Global Assistance is our choice for the best travel insurance for emergency support services because its policies include telemedicine, concierge services and identity theft resolution assistance.

All of Generali’s policies include 24-hour Travel Support, which can provide immediate assistance for problems that might arise during a trip:

  • Medical emergencies
  • Identity theft resolution
  • Emergency cash transfer
  • Replacing lost or stolen medication
  • Locating lost or stolen items

Travelers can choose between three plans — Standard, Preferred and Premium — that cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay, and baggage damage, loss or theft. Each plan also covers medical and dental emergencies up to specific payout limits:

  • Standard: up to $50,000 per person
  • Preferred: up to $150,000 per person
  • Premium: up to $250,000 per person

Both its Preferred and Premium plans include trip cancellation benefits or trip interruption in the event that a travel supplier — say, a cruise company, hotel or rental car company — becomes insolvent and can no longer offer its services.

Another highlight of Generali Insurance is its online claims process, which lets you file a claim and monitor its status while it’s being resolved.

Read Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Generali Global Assistance’s Secure Website

  • Emergency medical $100,000 (accident and sickness)
  • Buy more while traveling
  • 24/7 emergency support (Generali Global Assistance)
  • Does not cover pre-existing conditions
  • No CFAR option offered
  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption coverage low compared to other providers ($2.5K-$10K)

Why we chose it : World Nomads is our top pick as the best travel insurance for travelers who enjoy adventure sports because, unlike most other insurance companies, its policies include coverage for over 150+ sports and adventure activities.

While most travel insurance companies shy away from covering adventure sports and other off-the-beaten-path activities, WorldNomads offers policies specifically tailored to more adventurous travelers.

Its Standard and Explorer plans cover scuba diving, skiing, surfing and 150+ other sports and activities. Both plans include $100,000 in coverage for accidents and illnesses and 24/7 emergency support to help you find local physicians or medical facilities.

  • Standard: Covers accidents and illnesses, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, accidental death and lost luggage or theft
  • Explorer: Increases the coverage limits of each benefit and adds $35K in rental car damage coverage

Most travel insurance companies don’t let you purchase or extend coverage during the trip, but World Nomads offers a rare alternative; individuals who didn’t purchase coverage before their trip can enroll in the company’s “Buy While Traveling” plan. Those who already purchased a policy can also extend their coverage to keep exploring.

Read World Nomads Travel Insurance Review

See rates on World Nomads’s Secure Website

  • Offers a pre-existing condition waiver
  • 24-hour assistance
  • Multi-trip plans
  • Must wait 12 hours before bag delay coverage
  • Cancel for any reason is only available in premium plan
  • Few options for additional coverage.

Why we chose it : We picked Nationwide as the best travel insurance for cruises because it offers travel insurance plans geared explicitly toward cruise travel.

Nationwide has three cruise insurance tiers (Universal, Choice and Luxury) that fit any budget and insurance needs.

Nationwide’s emergency medical coverage starts at $75,000, and all three of its plan tiers include “cancel for work reasons” coverage, $500 for return-home-early benefit, $200 for shipboard service disruption, and $25,000 for non-medical evacuations.

Covered reasons for cancellation and interruption include inclement weather, natural disasters and work-related emergencies.

Nationwide also has two single-trip plans: Essential and Prime. In addition to industry-standard trip protection basics, these plans offer above-average medical coverage starting at $75,000 and a “cancel for any reason” add-on that reimburses 75% of non-refundable trip costs.

Travelers can add a pre-existing conditions waiver and coverage in the case of a travel supplier’s financial default (as an upgrade to Essential and included in Prime).

Read Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Nationwide’s Secure Website

  • Flight insurance plans available
  • Pre-existing conditions waiver
  • Several upgrades available
  • Upgrades not available for the Basic plan
  • Customer service has limited operating hours

Why we chose it : Travelex is our choice as the best travel insurance for families with children because it offers two plans that cover family members under 17 at no additional cost.

Travelex Insurance Service features two main plans for international trips, Travel Basic and Travel Select — plus a Travel America plan for trips in the USA. Both plans include children 17 and under at no additional cost.

The Travel Basic is an affordable plan perfect for students, backpackers, small groups or those on a budget. These plans cover trip cancellation and interruption at 100% of the trip cost and offer up to $2,000 for trip delays or missed connections.

Read Travelex Insurance Services Review

See rates on Travelex’s Secure Website

  • Epidemic coverage endorsement
  • Allianz TravelSmart App
  • Annual plan geared to business travelers
  • 24-hour multilingual assistance hotline
  • Low medical coverage
  • No "cancel for any reason" benefit

Why we chose it : Allianz Travel is our choice for the best travel insurance for business trips because its comprehensive annual plan is ideal for frequent flyers, whether they are traveling for business or pleasure. It also covers business equipment against theft, loss, damage and delay.

Allianz sells 10 distinct travel insurance plans offering a wide range of options, from basic cancellation benefits to multi-trip protection. These plans include a 24-hour multilingual assistance hotline and the TravelSmart App, which gives quick access to travel advisories, local medical facilities, mobile claims filing and much more.

Allianz’s AllTrips Executive plan is tailored for frequent travelers, aiming to streamline business trips and enhance convenience. This comprehensive plan covers:

  • Trip cancellation
  • Trip interruption
  • Emergency medical and transportation
  • Rental car damage and theft
  • Business equipment coverage (for lost, stolen, damaged or delayed equipment)

Another one of Allianz’s highlights is its lack of age restrictions (most other insurers limit coverage by age). Some of its plans also cover kids 17 and under traveling with a parent or grandparent.

Read Allianz Travel Insurance Review

See rates on Allianz Travel’s Secure Website

  • Lodging expense benefit
  • Trip saver and exchange specialized coverage included
  • A child 17 and under is covered per insured
  • Covers trips to Cuba if the traveler provides additional documentation
  • High cost of premiums
  • Most add-ons are not available for the basic plan

Why we chose it : We chose AIG Travel Guard as the best travel insurance for add-ons because it offers travelers a wide variety of coverage options with which to customize their plans.

AIG Travel Guard has over 30 years of experience providing comprehensive travel insurance to millions of travelers. These customers have had access to unique services such as MedEvac and Bag Trak®.

AIG Travel Guard’s most popular plan, the Preferred offers:

  • Up to $500,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Trip cancellation and interruption
  • Reimbursement of up to 50% of your trip cost if you were to change your trip dates

Travelers can also add unique options such as a pet bundle, a wedding bundle (for canceled weddings) and an inconvenience bundle in the event any attractions you absolutely had to see are closed.

Another of AIG’s specialized insurance products is lodging expense coverage. This benefit is for travelers who test positive for COVID-19 and must remain abroad until they present a negative test result.

For last-minute trips, AIG Travel Guard has the Pack N’ GO Plan that includes post-departure coverage and an exclusive 24-hour emergency travel assistance service.

Read AIG Travel Insurance Review

See rates on AIG Travel Guard’s Secure Website

  • Travel medical insurance for groups of 5 or more
  • International expatriate comprehensive coverage
  • App mPassport to find doctors, pharmacies, and translations of drug names
  • Pet medical expense coverage
  • 12-hour wait for bag delay coverage (24 hours under the economy plan)
  • "Cancel for any reason" option only offered in the Preferred plan
  • Participants must be enrolled in a primary health insurance plan to be eligible for the multi-trip plan

Why we chose it : HTH Travel Insurance stands out as the best travel insurance for long-term international travel because it offers specialty coverage for expats and students.

HTH Travel Insurance’s Xplorer Plan offers comprehensive medical insurance for individuals and families traveling outside their home country for at least three months out of the year. This plan features:

  • No deductible for office visits
  • No waiting periods for preventive care services
  • No pre-existing condition waiting period, provided the insured has proof of prior creditable coverage

HTH Travel Insurance also offers international health insurance for students with flexible trip duration options. This plan has unlimited annual and lifetime medical care maximums and includes contraceptive services, supplies and prescriptions. In addition to unlimited telemedicine services, the plan covers medically necessary COVID-19 testing and treatment.

Other global health and safety services available through HTH Travel Insurance include 24/7 call assistance, access to elite international doctors and hospitals, and translated medical terms.

Read HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Review

See rates on HTH Travel Insurance’s Secure Website

  • Shows results from the top-rated insurers
  • Offers helpful tips and articles
  • Site only shows all add-ons available at checkout
  • You may prefer a company that isn't on the marketplace

Why we chose it : We picked TravelInsurance.com as the best travel insurance for comparing quotes because it allows users to quickly and easily view plan details and prices from some of the top travel insurance providers in the industry.

TravelInsurance.com is a travel insurance comparison platform that simplifies the process of choosing an insurance provider by connecting users with top-rated carriers and breaking down coverage options in an easy-to-understand way.

This marketplace makes it simple for travelers to enter their trip information and receive quotes tailored to the trip cost, duration, and age of travelers. The results page presents the basic information on the coverage, reviews, ratings and a link to each provider’s COVID-19 policy FAQs.

TravelInsurance.com also allows users to compare the policies in a streamlined table.

Read TravelInsurance.com Review

See rates on TravelInsurance.com’s Secure Website

Other travel insurance companies we considered

In this section, we feature popular travel insurance companies that didn’t make our top picks. While some provide limited add-on benefits, others offer lower medical expense coverage than their competitors.

The table below highlights the highest coverage available for each type of benefit. Check out the full reviews to learn more about each provider:

  • Tin Leg Travel Insurance Review
  • TravelSafe Insurance Review
  • AXA Travel Insurance Review
  • Faye Travel Insurance Review
  • Trawick International insurance review
  • John Hancock travel insurance review
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Travel Insurance Guide

Travel insurance reimburses you if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip early. It can also pay for stolen or lost baggage and medical expenses if you get sick or have an accident during the trip. You can purchase a single policy for a short trip, or purchase long-term travel insurance for frequent trips or long stays abroad.

Read on for more information on coverage benefits, how to get travel insurance and tips on how to select the right type of coverage.

What does travel insurance cover?

What does travel insurance not cover, how much is travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, how much travel insurance do i need, credit card travel insurance, are there location restrictions when it comes to travel insurance.

  • Travel insurance companies that cover COVID-19

Comprehensive travel insurance covers many common travel issues and mishaps, from accidents to baggage delays.

The following are standard travel insurance coverage options and add-ons.

  • Trip cancellation insurance: Refunds up to 100% of prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if you cancel an upcoming trip for eligible reasons.
  • Trip interruption: Reimburses you for the unused portion of the trip as well as expenses you may incur to get back home. Insurers typically cap reimbursement at 150% of the cost of the interrupted trip.
  • Travel delays: Reimburses you (up to your policy limits) if you must incur extra expenses such as meals or lodgings during a flight delay. Insurers may also cover airport delays and any flight change fees necessary to catch up on your travel plans.
  • Emergency medical coverage: Travel medical insurance reimburses you for medical expenses incurred during your trip, under certain circumstances. Benefits for medical expenses can range from $15,000 to $50,000. Coverage may apply even if you’re pregnant while traveling .
  • Emergency medical evacuation: Reimburses you if you need to be evacuated to the nearest medical facility or to a facility in your country of origin. Maximum benefits usually range between $100,000 to $500,000 but can be as high as $1 million.
  • Baggage and personal effects: Refunds you the cost of replacement items if your luggage is lost or delayed during your trip, typically up to $2,500. You must wait a predetermined number of hours before filing a claim and submit purchase receipts or a list of items in your luggage. Coverage may be subject to a deductible.
  • Worldwide assistance: Most providers offer 24/7 customer service should you need assistance while traveling. This includes 24/7 multilingual medical hotlines that can provide medical advice and refer you to local healthcare services, if necessary.

Popular travel insurance add-ons

Here we explain a variety of add-ons or riders that allow you to increase benefit limits and cover activities that may be excluded from standard policies.

  • Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage: CFAR riders allow you to cancel your travel plans for any reason (you must cancel with the carrier at least 2-3 days before your trip), and get reimbursed for 50% to 75% of pre-paid, non-refundable travel costs. This option must be purchased within 14 to 21 days after booking the trip and may increase the cost of your trip insurance policy by about 50%.
  • Pre-existing medical condition waiver : To qualify for this waiver, travelers must purchase coverage within a certain number of days after making their initial trip deposit. The company may also evaluate the travelers’ medical records to ensure their condition hasn’t changed or worsened in the last 60 to 180 days.
  • Rental car insurance : This optional policy covers theft of or damages to a rental car due to causes beyond your control (think collisions, vandalism and weather events). Coverage limits vary by state, and the coverage itself may not be available in every international location. You must also verify whether the rental car company accepts this coverage.
  • Adventure sports coverage: This rider covers injuries or losses caused by participating in adventure sports such as skydiving or bungee jumping. Claims that arise from these activities are typically excluded from standard policies. An exception is World Nomads, the best travel insurance for adventure sports .
  • Identity theft protection: This optional coverage assists you in notifying creditors, canceling your cards, and getting a replacement for your lost passport, credit card or other important documents.

The most common travel insurance exclusions are:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions
  • Injuries caused by extreme sports
  • Theft/loss of personal items such as electronic devices and jewelry
  • Pregnancy-related conditions
  • Injuries that happen while you’re intoxicated with drugs or alcohol, even if the intoxicating substance is legal to use at the destination
  • Missed flights, where the traveler is at fault

What is a pre-existing condition for travel insurance?

Pre-existing conditions are illnesses or injuries diagnosed by a medical professional 60 to 180 days before you purchased the policy.

Travel insurance providers may define pre-existing conditions differently, so ask your insurer about this, even if you qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver . Misunderstanding the terms and conditions of your policy could lead to your claim being denied.

The cost of travel insurance can range from 4% to 12% of the total cost of your trip and depend on:

  • Your travel destination
  • The length of your trip
  • The types of travel insurance benefits and policy limits you select

We used an online marketplace to get travel insurance quotes for a family of four taking a trip from New York City to London. Let’s say that the family spent $2,200 on four tickets. Insuring all four travelers could cost between $90 to over $300.

To illustrate the potential cost of trip insurance, we calculated 6% of the cost of various trips.

You can buy travel insurance after booking a flight . However, it’s advisable not to delay obtaining a policy. The longer you wait between your initial trip payment and purchasing trip insurance, the greater the chance you’ll miss out on valuable travel insurance add-ons like coverage for pre-existing conditions and CFAR upgrades.

The best time to purchase travel insurance is right after you’ve booked your trip’s costliest non-refundable expense, i.e., flight tickets and lodging.

The best time to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan is right after you’ve booked your trip’s costliest non-refundable expense, i.e., flight tickets and lodging.

1. Define your travel insurance needs

Consider your reasons for traveling and how long you’ll be away, taking into account who is traveling with you as well as your planned activities.

Business travel insurance is suitable for those who travel frequently for work and need coverage for items like work laptops and phones. Vacationers who booked a cruise may need a specialized policy such as Nationwide’s cruise insurance plans , while students in overseas programs should look into a plan like Trawick International Insurance for students .

2. Review the policy limits

Each travel insurance benefit has a specific payout limit, which may or may not be enough for your particular situation. For example, individuals traveling with expensive personal belongings such as cameras or jewelry may want a higher payout limit for personal effects or riders for high-value items.

3. Check the policy’s fine print

Make sure the trip insurance policy you’re interested in covers the activities you have planned, especially if there are recreational sports involved.

Travelers with pre-existing medical conditions should also confirm whether those are covered under their policy. If not, they may need supplemental medical coverage or a different provider.

Take a moment to check if emergency assistance services are available 24/7 and what kind of assistance you can expect should you have a medical emergency or your belongings be stolen.

4. Compare travel insurance quotes

We recommend you get travel insurance quotes through comparison sites and marketplaces such as InsureMyTrip.com or SquareMouth Travel Insurance . If you’re traveling on a tight budget, you can still find cheap travel insurance that will cover the essentials, such as medical expenses and personal effects.

Consider the following when comparing quotes:

  • Affordability
  • Maximum payout limits for baggage loss or theft
  • Available add-ons such as “Cancel for Any Reason”
  • Policy terms regarding pre-existing medical conditions
  • Minimum wait time before you can file a claim for baggage loss and trip delays
  • Maximum payout limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation

Before buying travel insurance , take stock of what losses you would incur if unforeseen events forced you to cancel the trip, or if you suffered an unexpected medical emergency.

  • Non-refundable travel expenses: This includes flight tickets, lodging reservations, pet care accommodations, travel activities like guided tours and transportation expenses booked in advance.
  • Potential medical emergencies: Travelers may need medical care abroad due to food poisoning, cardiovascular emergencies, endemic illnesses and injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash. Some travel insurers recommend you get a minimum of $50,000 in emergency medical coverage for international trips and $100,000 for cruises and trips to remote locations.
  • Additional coverage needs: Travelers who engage in adventure sports may need a rider to ensure medical coverage if they get injured. These sports are usually excluded from most trip insurance policies.

Many credit cards offer flight insurance and travel protection for lodging and luggage if you use the card to pay for these trip expenses. That being said, if you compare credit card travel coverage with travel insurance , you’ll see that most credit cards lack benefits such as medical expenses and emergency evacuation coverage.

Read our guide to the best travel credit cards for more information on how your credit card can help you travel smarter.

Most U.S. insurance providers will not issue international travel insurance for destinations that are currently under a State Department travel advisory or where there is political unrest. Among the countries usually excluded by providers are Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar and Cuba.

The U.S. State Department created the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so travelers can stay apprised of relevant security updates from the nearest U.S. Consulate. The program is free to use and travelers can register each upcoming trip as needed. STEP is a useful tool for all travelers, no matter their destination, as it facilitates contact between them and the U.S. Embassy in case of natural disaster, civil unrest or a family emergency.

Travel insurance that covers COVID-19

All of the insurers on our list cover COVID-19 if you become sick and need medical attention abroad. Trip protection is also available if you need to cancel the trip due to a COVID-19 infection.

Does insurance cover COVID-19 testing for travel?

Travel insurance policies don’t cover the cost of COVID-19 tests prior to your trip. Insurance may cover COVID-19 tests during your trip if you get sick and a doctor requires a COVID-19 test to diagnose you.

Alternatively, low or no-cost COVID testing may be available at a health center near you if you need to get tested before departing.

What you can do to protect yourself

Travel insurance will cover COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses should you fall ill. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from getting sick in the first place.

  • Wear a well-fitting respirator such as a N95, KF94 or KN95. Gather in open and well-ventilated spaces.
  • Stay up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 booster shots.
  • Monitor community transmission using the CDC’s COVID-19 wastewater surveillance map.

Latest News on Travel Insurance

  • Southwest now offers a rare (and valuable) welcome bonus if you sign up for the airline’s credit card: a free second ticket (minus taxes and fees) for one travel companion once you purchase a Southwest ticket. To unlock this bonus, you must spend $4,000 within the first three months after you open a Southwest credit card account.
  • Travel search engine Kayak unveiled a calculator that can help you budget for vacations . The Vacay Valuator is a free tool that tallies how much you’d save if you cut certain expenses for a specific length of time and matches you with flights within that price range.

Now that the holiday season has passed, it’s time to start planning this year’s adventures. Check out the following travel guides to plan your next trip in 2024:

  • Best Places to Travel in Spring
  • Best Places to Travel in the Summer
  • Best Places to Travel in Fall
  • Best Places to Travel in Winter

Travel Insurance FAQs

Do i need travel insurance.

Travel insurance can be worth it , especially if you're traveling internationally and have covered non-refundable expenses upfront. It serves as a financial safety net, covering unforeseen events before or during your trip. It includes flight insurance and covers medical expenses and/or reservation costs if you get sick or need to cancel or interrupt your trip.

Having said that, this coverage isn't necessary if you can already get reimbursed for a canceled trip. This can happen, for example, if you reserve your trip with a credit card that offers travel insurance as a perk.

How does travel insurance work?

Travel insurance reimburses you for expenses or losses incurred before or during your trip, provided they are covered under your policy. Travel insurance is more commonly associated with medical emergencies, but it also covers prepaid expenses like airfare, accommodations, tours and more.

If you suffer a covered loss, you'll need to file a claim and provide evidence of the loss. The insurance provider will then analyze your claim and reimburse you if it's covered under the policy. If the claim is denied, you can always appeal the decision.

Which travel insurance is best?

Can i cancel a flight and get a refund.

You can cancel a flight and get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of purchasing the tickets, according to the Department of Transportation. (This applies to airline tickets purchased at least seven days before departure.)

Once 24 hours have passed, all airlines allow you to cancel a flight and many offer a refund, credit or voucher. What you get will depend on the airline's policies and what type of flight you purchased.

To ensure you obtain a refund for your flight you should buy travel insurance that includes a cancel for any reason rider.

How much is trailer travel insurance?

How we chose the best travel insurance companies.

As part of our methodology, we gathered travel insurance quotes from online comparison site Travelinsurance.com using the following profile:

  • Family of four traveling from New York City to London
  • $2,200 on flight tickets for all four travelers

We then reviewed the available plans and looked at following factors to evaluate and compare each company:

  • Plans and coverage: We looked for insurers with a variety of plans and the ability to customize the policy with upgrades. We focused on companies offering unique add-ons, such as coverage for extreme sports and lost gear or equipment.
  • Ease of use: We considered how easily you could get a quote and understand the policy information. Most of these companies either offer just a few plans to keep things simple or provide a comparison page where you can quickly spot the differences in each plan.
  • Customer service and support: Factors like a 24/7 hotline and an established network of global resources to help in an emergency indicate a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. We gave extra points to companies with mobile apps, multiple ways of accessing customer support and added perks like concierge and translation services.
  • Reputation : To gauge each company’s reputation, we evaluated factors such as customer feedback and ratings, years in business and financial stability as evidenced by AM Best financial strength ratings.

Summary of Money’s 9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of March 2024

Best Travel Insurance Companies

© Copyright 2024 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

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Travel Insurance

Best travel insurance companies of March 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 5:12 a.m. UTC March 1, 2024

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WorldTrips is the best travel insurance company of 2024, based on our analysis of cost and coverage options. Use this rating to compare top travel insurance plans and find the best match for your next trip.

Best travel insurance companies of 2024

  • WorldTrips: Best travel insurance .
  • Travel Insured: Best for emergency evacuation .
  • TravelSafe: Best for missed connections .
  • Aegis: Best for traveling with a pet .
  • Travelex: Best for traveling with kids .
  • AIG: Best for add-on coverage options .
  • Nationwide: Best for cruise itinerary changes .

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our travel insurance experts evaluate hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. 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.

Travel insurance quotes comparison

Top-rated travel insurance companies , best travel insurance.

WorldTrips

Top-scoring plans

Medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, what you should know.

Two WorldTrips plans top our rating of the best travel insurance: Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier.

The Preferred plan is more affordable and provides $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage, with an optional upgrade to primary coverage. Atlas Journey Preferred is also the best travel insurance for cruises .

For a little extra, you can buy the Premier plan, which 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 the 5-star travel insurance plans.
  • Atlas Journey Premier has $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
  • Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
  • Each plan includes travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
  • 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
  • No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Best for emergency evacuation

Travel insured.

Travel Insured

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector travel insurance offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits. If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, consider the Worldwide Trip Protector plan.

  • Only plan in our rating that offers $150,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
  • $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 for missed connections

TravelSafe

If you’re worried that missed connections could disrupt your trip, it’s worth considering TravelSafe. Some travel insurance companies only provide missed connection coverage for cruises and tours, but TravelSafe doesn’t impose that restriction.

  • 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 top-scoring travel insurance plans.
  • No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
  • Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Best for traveling with a pet

Aegis

Go Ready Choice by Aegis has the most affordable travel insurance of the top-scoring companies in our rating. It offers basic coverage limits with optional add-ons, such as a Pet Bundle that includes pet medical, pet kennel and pet return benefits.

  • Cheapest of the top-scoring travel insurance plans.
  • Optional pet bundle adds pet medical expense and pet return benefits.
  • Low emergency medical and evacuation limits.
  • Low missed connection benefit of $500 per person for cruises and tours only.
  • Low baggage and personal items loss benefit of $500 per person.

Best for traveling with kids

Travelex

If you’re traveling with children age 17 or younger, you’ll appreciate not having to pay extra for their coverage when you buy a Travel Select plan from Travelex Insurance Services.

  • Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
  • Robust travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
  • Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
  • Low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 per person.
  • Non-medical evacuation is not included.
  • Low baggage delay coverage of $200 requires a 12-hour delay.

Best for add-on coverage options

AIG

Travel Guard Preferred from AIG allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades. These 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. This is a good option if you’re looking for foreign travel health insurance.

  • Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your 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 for cruise itinerary changes

Nationwide

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan 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, when you’re taking a cruise or tour. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.

  • Benefits for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
  • Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
  • Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.
  • 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” upgrade available.

Compare the best travel insurance companies of 2024

Methodology

Our travel insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance of 2024. For companies with more than one travel insurance plan, we shared information about the highest-scoring plan.

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.

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance covers your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs — as well as extra money you may need to spend due to unforeseen circumstances and emergencies — both before and during your trip.

Travel insurance coverage varies by plan, but in general travel insurance covers costs associated with these problems: 

  • Bankruptcy of a travel company, such as your airline or tour operator. 
  • Dangerous weather conditions .
  • Delayed and lost luggage.
  • Illness or death in your family that requires you to stay home or cut your trip short.
  • Illness that needs medical attention.
  • Injury requiring medical evacuation.
  • Jury duty. 
  • Travel delays and missed connections.
  • Theft of your personal belongings while traveling.
  • Unexpected job loss. 

A comprehensive travel insurance plan bundles several types of travel insurance coverage, each with its own limits. To ensure you have adequate financial protection for your trip, your travel insurance policy should include the following travel insurance coverages.

Trip cancellation insurance 

As soon as you buy a travel insurance plan that includes trip cancellation insurance , you’re covered if you need to call off your trip because of a reason listed in your policy. These reasons generally include unexpected illness, injury or death of you, a family member or a travel companion, severe weather, jury duty and your travel supplier going out of business. 

If you cancel your trip for a covered reason, you can expect to be reimbursed for 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses. 

For even greater flexibility, some travel insurance plans offer a “ cancel for any reason ” (CFAR) upgrade. This optional coverage allows you to pull the plug on your trip for any reason at all, as long as you do so at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure. 

Adding CFAR coverage will increase the cost of your plan and it’s important to note that this coverage typically only reimburses 50% or 75% of your expenses, depending on the policy. 

Travel delay insurance

Once your trip is underway, inconvenient delays can be expensive. Travel delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses you incur after a certain waiting period, such as five hours. If your travel is delayed longer than that time because of a reason in your policy, such as severe weather, your benefits can cover needs like airport meals, transportation and even overnight accommodation. 

This coverage usually has daily limits as well as a maximum limit. For example, a travel insurance plan may provide trip delay coverage of up to $150 per day with a $2,000 maximum.

Trip interruption insurance

If you need to end your trip early — again, for a reason listed in your policy — trip interruption insurance comes into play. 

Say a close family member back home is involved in an accident and you need to rush back to be by their side. Trip interruption benefits can reimburse you for any prepaid, nonrefundable payments you’ll lose by leaving early. It can also pay for a last-minute one-way ticket home. 

Travel medical insurance

Emergency medical benefits are especially important if you need international health insurance for travel outside of the country. Your domestic health insurance may provide limited coverage once you leave the U.S. 

The best senior travel insurance provides ample travel medical coverage because Medicare does not cover health care outside of the U.S., except in very limited circumstances. 

The best travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, doctor visits, hospital stays, X-rays, lab work and prescription medication you may require while traveling. 

Many travel insurance plans cover medical treatment for COVID-19, but not all do. The best COVID travel insurance has generous emergency medical and emergency medical evacuation benefits. 

When comparing plans to find the best medical travel insurance for international trips, check to see if the coverage is primary. If the travel medical insurance coverage is secondary, you will need to file a claim with your health insurance before you can file a travel insurance claim.

Emergency medical evacuation

If you’re traveling to a remote area, or planning excursions such as boating to an island, emergency medical evacuation coverage is a good idea. This coverage pays to transport you to the nearest adequate medical facility if you are injured or sick while traveling. 

Depending on your location and medical condition, emergency transportation could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Our top-scoring travel insurance plans all offer coverage of $1 million. 

Baggage delay coverage

If you arrive safely at your destination but your bags do not, this coverage can help. After a certain waiting period, such as six or 12 hours, this coverage will reimburse you for necessities you may need while waiting for your bags to arrive. Be sure to save your receipts and look at your coverage limit, as some caps are low, like $200. 

Baggage loss and personal effects coverage

Baggage insurance can reimburse you if your bag never arrives, or if your personal belongings are stolen during your travels. Coverage limits apply here, as well as exclusions for certain items such as electronics. If you’ll be traveling with your laptop or other valuables, read your policy carefully to make sure they’re covered. 

What travel insurance doesn't cover

Travel insurance policies often exclude or limit “foreseeable” losses. Typical travel insurance exclusions include:

  • Accidents or injuries caused by drinking or drug use.
  • Canceling your trip because you changed your mind.
  • Ending your trip early because you changed your mind.
  • Losses caused by intentional self harm, including suicide.
  • Losses due to war, civil disorder or riots.
  • Medical tourism.
  • Medical treatment for pre-existing conditions.
  • Mental health care.
  • Natural disasters that begin before you buy travel insurance.
  • Non-medical evacuation.
  • Normal pregnancy. 
  • Medical treatment related to high-risk activities.
  • Routine medical care, such as physicals or dental care.
  • Search and rescue.

Most travel insurance companies offer a free look period when you buy a policy. Take this time — which might be anywhere from 10 to 21 days — to carefully review the plan’s coverages and exclusions, and request a full refund if it doesn’t meet your needs.

“For trip cancellation coverage, travel insurance plans will only cover you for very specific covered reasons listed in a plan’s description of coverage,” said Stan Sandberg, co-founder and CEO of TravelInsurance.com. “If an event is not listed as a covered reason, it won’t be covered unless the consumer opts for a ‘cancel for any reason’ policy.”

“Cancel for any reason travel insurance” upgrade

For the greatest flexibility to cancel, consider adding “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage to your travel insurance plan. This will increase the cost of your policy, but will typically reimburse you for 75% of your trip expenses if you decide to cancel your trip. 

A CFAR upgrade also usually has a number of requirements, such as buying it within seven to 14 days of making your first trip payment and insuring the full amount of your travel costs. But, it will give you the freedom to cancel your trip for any reason, as long as you do so at least two days before your scheduled departure. 

Adding CFAR coverage typically increases the cost of your travel insurance plan by 50%.

Make sure you’re covered: Best COVID travel insurance  

How much travel insurance should I buy?

Travel insurance companies typically offer several plans with varying maximum limits. The higher the coverage limits, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. 

Squaremouth recommends the following coverage limits for international travel: 

  • Emergency medical coverage: At least $50,000. 
  • Medical evacuation coverage: At least $100,000. 

If you’re going on a cruise, or to a remote location, Squaremouth recommends: 

  • Emergency medical coverage: At least $100,000. 
  • Medical evacuation coverage: At least $250,000.

When evaluating travel insurance plans, our team of insurance analysts considered the best medical travel insurance to be policies with at least $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

What is the best travel insurance? 

The best travel insurance for international travel is sold by WorldTrips , according to our analysis. Two WorldTrips plans — Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier — top our rating of the best travel insurance. But the best travel insurance for you depends on the trip you are planning and the coverage areas that are most important to you. 

Make sure you’re covered: WorldTrips travel insurance review

Best travel insurance for cruises

The best cruise travel insurance is WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred. This plan offers solid travel insurance for cruises for a low rate.

Best travel insurance for COVID

The best COVID travel insurance is the Trip Protection Basic plan sold by Seven Corners . It is a relatively low cost travel insurance plan with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses. 

Best travel insurance for “cancel for any reason” 

The best “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance is Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic. Adding CFAR coverage to a RoundTrip Basic plan only increases the cost by about 40%, which is lower than other plans we analyzed. For the extra cost, you get coverage of 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure. 

Best travel insurance for seniors

The best senior travel insurance is the Gold plan sold by Tin Leg . It is an affordable plan with travel medical primary coverage of $500,000 and a pre-existing conditions waiver if you insure the full amount of your trip within 14 days of your first trip deposit.

How much is travel insurance?

The average travel insurance cost is 5% to 6% of your trip costs.

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on how expensive your trip is, how many benefits the insurance provides and the age of the covered travelers.

Here are average costs per trip by travel insurance plan, based on our analysis of rates.

Travel insurance cost examples

Average travel insurance costs are based on rates for seven trips with a variety of traveler ages, trip costs and destinations. Travel insurance plans have different levels of included benefits, which can account for price differences.

What affects travel insurance costs?

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on:

  • The cost of your trip.
  • Your destination.
  • The length of your trip. 
  • The ages of travelers being insured.
  • Your state of residence.
  • The travel insurance policy you choose.
  • The total coverage amounts in your policy.
  • Any travel insurance add-ons you select.

How travel insurance works

“Typically, travelers are expected to pay their expenses out of pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement,” said Clark. “However, there are medical situations in which a provider may be required to pre-authorize payment to make sure the policyholder receives the treatment they need.”

According to Clark, “Providers can pre-authorize payment for medical care and emergency evacuations. With that said, every circumstance is unique, and providers will handle each situation on a case-by-case basis.”

How to get travel insurance

To buy travel insurance, you’ll need to submit an online application with information about yourself and your trip, such as your name, age, permanent address, destination, travel dates and total trip cost per person. Since the application is simple, you can easily get quotes from multiple companies on your own. 

Even easier, you can get multiple quotes by submitting a single application online through a travel insurance comparison site like Squaremouth.

How to choose which travel insurance is best for you

When shopping for travel insurance, consider the coverages that are most important to you. For example:

  • Travel medical insurance. If you need travel health insurance for international travel, you’ll want a high limit for medical expenses, such as doctor and hospital bills, ambulance, X-rays and medicine. The best travel insurance for seniors includes ample travel medical insurance because Medicare generally does not pay for health care outside of the U.S.
  • Emergency medical evacuation. If you’re planning a trip to a remote destination, make sure your travel insurance plan has high limits for emergency evacuation. Squaremouth suggests $50,000 to $100,000 of medical evacuation coverage for most trips but recommends $250,000 for travel to remote locations.

You’ll also want to consider common exclusions , such as:

  • Adventure sports. Many travel insurance plans exclude coverage for risky activities such as skiing and scuba diving. Read the fine print of a policy to see what is excluded, or look for a travel insurance company that specializes in covering adventure sports trips, such as World Nomads.
  • Named storms. If a hurricane is named before you buy travel insurance, it’s too late to buy coverage and cancel your trip because of the storm.
  • Normal pregnancy. Normal pregnancy typically isn’t covered by travel insurance. If you get pregnant after you buy travel insurance, you may be covered for pregnancy-related reasons, but you’ll need to provide medical proof that pregnancy started after your purchased travel insurance. 
  • Pre-existing medical conditions. If you have dealt with a health issue — even allergies or asthma — look closely at this common exclusion. Travel insurance plans typically have look-back periods, which could be 60, 90 or 180 days before you bought the policy. If you had symptoms during that time, your claim could be denied if your condition flares up while you’re traveling. If you’re shopping for the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, look for plans that offer a pre-existing medical condition waiver. You’ll be eligible for this waiver if you meet specific terms, such as buying travel insurance within days of making your first trip deposit and insuring the full value of your trip.

When to buy travel insurance

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after making your first nonrefundable travel payment, whether it’s for a plane ticket, hotel stay, cruise or excursion. Like other types of insurance, your policy needs to be in place before something goes wrong. It won’t cost you any extra to buy travel insurance far in advance of your trip, and it will cover a longer period of time.

“Purchasing a travel insurance policy at the time of making an initial trip payment offers travelers the most peace of mind,” said James Clark, spokesperson for Squaremouth.

“Knowing they are protected if unforeseen events such as medical emergencies, inclement weather, natural disasters and other trip disruptions occur allows travelers to approach their trip with less worry and more confidence.”

You’d have a hard time buying travel insurance before booking anything because you’d have nothing to insure, Clark said. “With that said, travelers are able to purchase a policy and make modifications, such as updating travel dates or adding expenses to the insurance policy, as they continue to make their travel arrangements.” 

You can buy travel insurance up to the day before you leave on your trip, but waiting may cost you the opportunity to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver or to buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade.

Where to buy travel insurance

You can buy a travel insurance plan:

  • Online. Visit a travel insurance company’s website to buy a policy directly or use a comparison website like Squaremouth to see your options and compare plans. You may also be able to purchase travel insurance online through an airline, cruise, hotel, rental car company or other provider you book a ticket with.
  • In person. A travel agent or insurance agent may be able to assist you in buying travel insurance.

Using a travel insurance marketplace that will give you quotes for multiple policies is a great way to compare coverage options and pricing to find the best policy for your trip. Buying a policy directly from a travel provider is convenient and might be fine, but it might not meet your needs. 

“If a traveler is heading to the Caribbean with the intention of going scuba diving, it’s unlikely that the policy offered by the airline would cover that activity,” Clark said. “Shopping around for insurance opens the door to other policy providers that may offer a policy that checks all of a traveler’s boxes.”

In addition, while flight insurance , which may be offered through a partnership with a travel insurance provider like AIG or Allianz, may cover travel delays and cancellations, it might not protect you if you get sick during your trip, Clark said. “We highly recommend travelers read the policy’s fine print before making a purchase so they know what’s covered,” he added.

Top 10 travel destinations

Americans are changing the way they travel and this includes buying travel insurance when they might have skipped it in the past.

Here are the top destinations travel insurance customers are traveling to — and how much they’re spending on these trips — according to Feb. 2024 data from Squaremouth.

Source: Squaremouth. Based on travel insurance purchased from Jan. 14 to Feb. 13, 2024.

Travel insurance trends in 2024

Here are some key travel insurance trends in 2024:

  • As spending on trips continues to rise , so will the price of travel insurance policies.
  • People are planning trips further in advance and purchasing 2024 travel insurance earlier, making them eligible for perks like cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage and a pre-existing conditions exclusion waiver.
  • Emergency evacuation, medical coverage and trip interruption remain top concerns for travelers, increasing the search for comprehensive travel insurance plans with more robust coverage — even if it costs more.

“As Americans continue to spend more on vacations, they have more to lose if they need to cancel or return home early. A travel insurance policy is an efficient and cost-effective way to protect that financial investment for trips in 2024,” said InsureMyTrip senior vice president Suzanne Morrow.

Best travel insurance FAQs

WorldTrips has the best trip insurance, according to our analysis. Two of its plans — Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier — get 5 stars in our rating. 

The best travel insurance policy for you will depend on what type of coverage you need. With so many different policies and carriers, the policy that was best for your friend’s trip to California might not be ideal for your trip to Japan. If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, you may be willing to pay more for higher coverage levels.

Your U.S. health insurance may provide little or no coverage in foreign countries. Check with your health insurance company to see if you have any global benefits and ask how they work. If your health care does extend across the border, the benefits it provides abroad may not be the same benefits it provides domestically. 

Medicare usually won’t pay for health care outside of the United States and its territories, so older travelers planning an international trip should look into the best senior travel insurance with robust medical benefits. 

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip and making a nonrefundable payment — in other words, as soon as you’re at risk of losing money. This way, you’ll know the total cost that you need to insure and you’ll have the longest window to take advantage of your policy’s benefits if something goes wrong.

You can’t wait until something goes wrong and then buy travel insurance to get reimbursed for your loss. Travel insurance only covers unexpected losses.

Travel insurance companies can decline to cover travel to certain countries. For example, you may find that some trip insurance companies don’t offer coverage to countries with a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the U.S. State Department. 

Travel insurance policies also frequently exclude certain risks that you’re more likely to encounter in Level 4 or Level 3 countries. For example, your policy may not cover losses related to declared or undeclared wars or acts of war or losses related to known or foreseeable conditions or events. 

Some credit cards , such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , offer benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement when you use your card to pay for your trip.

Ask your credit card issuer for your card’s benefits guide to see what coverage you may have. Keep in mind that it may not cover all the risks you want to protect against, such as the cost of international health care or emergency medical evacuation .

Business travel insurance makes sense if you are self-employed and paying for your own travel expenses, or if you are traveling internationally and want medical coverage abroad.

You might also consider buying travel insurance for a business trip if your company won’t cover extra expenses if your flight is delayed or you need to head home early.

Cruise travel insurance can help protect you financially if you need emergency medical care in a remote location, or if a delayed flight causes you to miss embarkation and you need to pay extra to catch up to your cruise.

Experts caution that travel insurance you buy through a cruise line may not be as comprehensive as plans you can buy directly from travel insurance companies.

Some travel insurance plans cover rental cars as an optional upgrade, for an additional cost. The 5-star rated travel insurance companies in our rating offer these optional rental car benefits:

  • Travel Insured International — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000.
  • WorldTrips — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000 with a $250 deductible. 

Travel insurance typically only covers a single trip, although your insured trip can have multiple destinations. 

If you’re looking to insure several trips in the same year, annual travel insurance may be a good option for you.

Editor’s Note: This article contains updated information from previously published stories:

  • Spirit Airlines scrubs 60% of its Wednesday flights, says cancellations will drop ‘in the days to come.’
  • ‘Just a parade of incompetency’: Spirit Airlines passengers with ‘nightmare’ stories want more than apology, $50 vouchers
  • ‘This is not our proudest moment’: Spirit Airlines CEO says more flight cancellations expected this weekend
  • Hurricane Irma: Flight cancellations top 12,500; even more expected
  • Is an annual travel insurance policy right for you?
  • How 2020 and COVID-19 changed travel forever – and what that means for you
  • COVID-19 or delta variant have you ready to scrap your trip? Here’s how to cancel like a pro
  • Sunday: Snow is over, but flight cancellations top 12,000
  • After nearly 13,000 Harvey cancellations, Irma is new threat to airline flights
  • What’s the difference between travel insurance and trip ‘protection’?
  • How to choose the right travel insurance for your next vacation
  • Travel insurance can save the day
  • Angry passengers brawl after Spirit cancels flights
  • What to do when travel insurance doesn’t work
  • How lockdowns, quarantines and COVID-19 testing will change summer travel in 2021
  • Travelers will pay and worry more on summer vacation this year. But they won’t cancel
  • How to find a hotel with COVID testing and quarantine facilities wherever you travel
  • Yearning to travel in 2022? First, figure out your budget – then pick a destination
  • Pro tips for surviving a long flight during a pandemic: Get the right mask, bring a pillow
  • Want to steer clear of contracting COVID-19 on your next vacation? Follow these guidelines
  • Post-pandemic travel: Is it OK to ask another passenger’s vaccine status or request they mask up?
  • These days, forgetting these important travel items could cost you thousands of dollars
  • International travel hacks: When to book flights and hotels, how to deal with COVID-19 rules
  • Traveling post-coronavirus: How do you book your next trip when so much remains uncertain?
  • The COVID-19 guide to holiday travel – and the case for why you shouldn’t go this year
  • Should you travel during the holidays? Americans struggle with their decision
  • ‘There’s still pent-up demand’: What you should know about fall travel
  • Planning for life after coronavirus: When will we know it’s safe to travel again?
  • ‘Busiest camping season’: Travelers choose outdoor recreation close to home amid COVID-19 pandemic
  • Considering a camping trip this summer? Tips to make sure your gear is good to go
  • RVing for the first time? 8 tips for newbies I wish I’d known during my first trip
  • Five myths about travel agents
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  • Is travel insurance stacked against you?
  • Five myths about travel insurance and terrorism
  • These eight things could get your travel insurance claims rejected
  • There’s a good chance that your credit card already gives you some kind of travel insurance coverage
  • How to avoid a hotel cancellation penalty
  • Change fees and travel insurance continue to rise

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.

Amy Fontinelle

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience helping people make informed decisions about their money, whether they’re refinancing a mortgage, buying insurance or choosing a credit card. As a freelance writer trained in journalism and specializing in personal finance, Amy digs into the details to explain the products and strategies that can help (or hurt) people seeking greater financial security and wealth. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Capital One, MassMutual, Investopedia and many other outlets.

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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  • Nationwide Travel Insurance
  • AXA Assistance USA
  • Travel Guard
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
  • Tin Leg Travel Insurance
  • WorldTrips Travel Insurance
  • Trawick International Travel Insurance
  • Travelex Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance Tips

  • Why You Should Trust Us

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Our experts answer readers' insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews ( here's how we assess insurance products ). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners ; however, our opinions are our own.

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

Best Travel Insurance Companies

  • Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best Overall
  • AXA Assistance USA : Runner-Up
  • Travel Guard : Best for Cruises
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection : Best Reputation
  • Tin Leg Travel Insurance : Best for Travelers with Preexisting Conditions
  • WorldTrips Travel Insurance : Best for Digital Nomads
  • Trawick International Travel Insurance : Best Low-Cost Option
  • Travelex Travel Insurance : Best for Road Trips

Compare the Top Travel Insurance Offers

Nationwide Nationwide Travel Insurance

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

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

  • Cancel for any reason coverage available

AXA AXA Assistance USA

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

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

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

AIG Travel Guard

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

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

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

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

Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

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

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

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

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

TinLeg Tin Leg Travel Insurance

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

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

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

WorldTrips WorldTrips Travel Insurance

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

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

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

Trawick Trawick International Travel Insurance

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

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

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

Travelex Travelex Travel Insurance

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

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

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

Best Travel Insurance Reviews

Best overall travel insurance: nationwide travel insurance.

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

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

Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance

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

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

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance: Best Travel Insurance for Cruises

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

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

AIG Travel Guard Review

Best Travel Insurance for Company Reputation: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

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

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

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance Review

Best for Travelers with Preexisting Conditions: Tin Leg Travel Insurance

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

Tin Leg Travel Insurance Review .

Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads: WorldTrips Travel Insurance

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

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

WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

Best Low-Cost Travel Insurance Option: Trawick International Travel Insurance

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

Trawick Travel Insurance Review

Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

  • Travel Basic
  • Travel Select
  • Travel America

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

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

Travelex Travel Insurance Review

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

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

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

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

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

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

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

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

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

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

Support and Assistance Services

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

Choosing Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

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

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

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

Customer Reviews and Feedback

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

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

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

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

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

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

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

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

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

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

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it.

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

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

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose The Best Travel Insurance Companies

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

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award 5 stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2022 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

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

Convenience and Flexibility

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

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

Claims Handling

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

Ease of Use and Support

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

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

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

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

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Best Travel Insurance Companies

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Read our guide to learn about the best travel insurance company for you. Travel insurance can cover flight cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, trip extension or interruptions and medical emergencies while you’re away from home. We compared different types of travel insurance plans, policies and coverage options.

  • Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
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What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance that protects individuals and families from specific financial losses that occur before, during or after a trip. The exact coverages you get from a travel insurance plan can vary greatly, as can coverage levels, limits and deductible requirements.

Still, it's possible to set up a travel insurance plan that reimburses you when a trip has to be canceled for reasons beyond your control, or to secure coverage that will pay for medical bills and emergency transportation if you become ill or injured during your vacation. Some travel insurance plans can also reimburse you for lost, damaged or delayed baggage or other expenses that occur as a result.

What are the types of travel insurance?

As you shop around for travel insurance, you will quickly notice that different types of coverage and limits are included in different plans. That's due to the fact that some travel insurance plans are more comprehensive than others and some travel insurance providers include more types of protection in their policies overall.

Trip cancellation insurance

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid travel expenses when your trip is canceled for a reason beyond your control. Examples of this include canceling due to illness of someone who planned to go on the trip or the death of an immediate family member.

Trip interruption insurance

This kind of coverage applies when your trip is interrupted after you depart but a covered situation is preventing you from moving forward. You might be able to use a trip interruption benefit if you become injured or ill after your trip begins and you need to return home or if a natural disaster prevents you from reaching your destination.

Emergency medical expense coverage

This kind of coverage pays for emergency medical (and potentially dental) expenses that occur when you're away from home and your own health insurance does not apply.

Daniel Durazo of Allianz Partners USA says this may be the most important coverage for consumers to purchase, particularly if someone on the policy ends up in a situation requiring medical care that needs immediate out-of-pocket payment. This is common overseas, where it’s common to have to pay for services before leaving the hospital.

“That’s why choosing a travel insurance policy with appropriate medical benefits is a smart move,” he advised.

Emergency evacuation and transportation coverage

According to Durazo, medical evacuation and transportation costs can easily range from $15,000 to $200,000 (or more) depending on the traveler’s health condition and where they are in the world. This is why another important type of coverage is emergency evacuation, which could be required if you become sick or injured in a remote area and need an ambulance, helicopter or plane to get you to the nearest medical facility.

Also note that emergency medical evacuation coverage may pay for transportation back to your home country if it’s deemed medically necessary.

Trip delay coverage

Trip delay coverage can pay for unexpected expenses that pop up when your trip is delayed for a specific length of time — usually six or 12 hours. This kind of coverage can reimburse you for meals, accommodations, communication and transportation costs you may pay while waiting for your trip to depart.

Insurance for lost, stolen or delayed baggage

Many travel insurance plans also cover financial losses due to baggage that is lost, stolen or delayed while in the care of a common carrier like an airline. Insurance for lost or stolen baggage can reimburse you (up to limits) for your baggage and personal effects, whereas delayed baggage insurance can reimburse you for incidental expenses that arise while you wait for your bags to show up.

What does travel insurance cover?

What travel insurance plans cover can vary from plan to plan, which is why you'll want to read over your policy details and the fine print so you know for sure. That said, it's important to remember that travel insurance is for unforeseeable events or situations beyond your control that you can’t predict.

This means you can't use travel insurance to pay for costs resulting from routine health care, or wait to buy travel insurance for a beach trip after a named hurricane is already in the area. However, there are a number of instances where it does apply.

  • Weather or worker delays: Some travel insurance policies offer reimbursement for trips interrupted by worker strikes or the weather, which are both issues beyond your control.
  • Sickness, injury or death: An illness, injury or death of a loved one might require a trip cancellation. With the right coverage, however, you can get reimbursed for prepaid travel expenses like airfare, hotels and tours.
  • Work-related interruptions: If work interferes with your ability to travel, you may be able to cancel and get your money back with the right coverage. The same is true if you become unemployed and can no longer afford to take your planned trip.

Travel insurance can make up the difference in the following situations:

  • Emergency evacuation: If you suffer from a medical emergency during a trip, your travel insurance may cover medical and ambulance (and even evacuation by plane) expenses.
  • Dental coverage: A dental emergency may not be immediately life-threatening, but it can certainly ruin a vacation. Be sure that your dental coverage protects you where you’re visiting, or consider including it in your travel insurance plan.
  • Preexisting condition coverage: A preexisting condition can act up at any time, but many travel insurance policies will not cover them. Ask about preexisting conditions, since premium policies may include this type of coverage if you add it to your plan within a few weeks of your initial trip deposit.
  • Canceled flight coverage: If your flight is canceled and it causes you to miss a connection, travel insurance can pay for a hotel stay and a new flight as soon as it's available.
  • Easy logistics: When you miss a flight, it can throw your entire itinerary out of whack, but your travel insurance company should be able to do the work to put you back on track.
  • Interruption coverage: If something happens at home and you need to cut your trip short, travel insurance can help cover the cost of the return fare and reimburse the unused portion of your trip.
  • Clothing allowance: If your luggage is lost, be sure to ask your insurer about a clothing allowance to help you get through your vacation and replace your missing items.
  • Property replacement: It’s not uncommon for people to travel with valuable items like jewelry or personal care products. Be sure to discuss them with your insurance company before traveling to ensure they're covered for replacement.
  • Luggage delays: If your luggage is permanently lost, your travel insurance would probably replace it, but if it's only delayed, you might need to deal with some interim needs. Insurance could pay for an outfit or two and for toiletries to hold you over until your luggage can be delivered.
  • Ask about policy extensions: It’s always a good idea to know ahead of time whether you can extend your travel insurance coverage if you decide on the fly to extend your trip.
  • Long-term and short-term policies: Many travel insurance policies only cover a short time frame — sometimes only a week or two. If you plan to travel more extensively, be sure to ask about long-term options.
  • Limited coverage on extensions: Some travel insurance may allow for limited extensions with little to no extra cost. They may not include all premium services, however, so it's important to find out what is and is not covered on an extension.

What is not covered by travel insurance?

Essentially, anything not listed as covered in your policy will not be eligible for reimbursement through travel insurance. However, some items not covered by travel insurance may catch consumers by surprise.

Make sure to read your policy carefully to see if preexisting medical conditions, including pregnancy, are covered.

For example, James Clark of Squaremouth, which helps consumers compare travel quotes, says that preexisting medical conditions typically are not covered unless the traveler chooses a policy that offers coverage for preexisting conditions shortly after booking their trip.

"Preexisting condition policies must be purchased within 14 to 30 days of making your initial trip deposit and don’t typically cost any additional premium," said Clark.

Clark notes that many travelers also have the misconception that travel insurance will cover regular health-related issues that may impact their trip, including hospital costs that result from pregnancy and delivery. However, most policies don't cover pregnancy-related expenses, such as prescription medication, delivery charges and postpartum visits.

Other situations typically not covered through travel insurance include:

  • Participation in high-risk activities and sports (unless explicitly included in coverage within the policy details)
  • Cancellations due to known storms
  • Government-issued travel restrictions
  • Acts of war
  • Losses caused by unlawful acts

How to choose a travel insurance plan

Before you select a travel insurance policy, you need to think over the type of trip you are planning and the risks you're taking on as a result. For example, a road trip adventure that only lasts a few days will typically require a different type of coverage than a luxury cruise or an international trip that lasts several weeks.

Adequate medical coverage is the first factor to consider when selecting a travel insurance policy.

Consider these tips to ensure you wind up with the best travel insurance plan for your needs.

  • Line up adequate medical coverage first and foremost. Because medical expenses and medical evacuation are often the most important coverages in a travel insurance plan, you'll want to make sure the limits you get are sufficient for your needs. If you have a preexisting medical condition, make sure the plan you're considering lets you get coverage for your condition right off the bat (even if an added cost is required).
  • Weigh potential risks for your specific plans. Also look at your specific trip and make sure you have coverage that makes sense. For example, a vacation with several different flights and connections should have adequate limits for trip delays and lost or delayed baggage. Meanwhile, you may want to have specialized coverage for a cruise, including coverage for travel inconveniences and missed excursions.
  • Consider coverage limits. Keep coverage levels in mind as you compare plans and policies, particularly if you're sensitive to price. As an example, some basic travel insurance plans only offer a few hundred dollars (or even less) in coverage for baggage delays and $500 or less in protection for your luggage and personal belongings.
  • Check whether you get 24/7 travel assistance. Durazo says another major benefit of travel insurance is the assistance services many providers offer, which can apply wherever you are in the world. He adds that this type of coverage can arrange medical treatment in an emergency, monitor customers’ care, provide interpreters, help replace lost passports and more.
  • Consider optional CFAR coverage. Also ask yourself about the likelihood of you being unable to travel, and if you want the chance to cancel and get some of your money back. If you feel there's a chance you won't be able to go, consider buying optional cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage that reimburses you for 50% to 80% of your prepaid travel expenses when you decide not to travel for any reason at all.

How to apply for travel insurance

Applying for travel insurance is relatively easy, and you don't have to submit nearly as much information as you do when you apply for other types of insurance coverage. The steps below can help you line up coverage for your next vacation or even multiple trips you plan to take over several months.

Travel insurance alternatives

If you’re hesitant to purchase travel insurance, consider some of these alternatives:

  • Credit card travel insurance: Some travel credit cards offer included travel insurance benefits that apply when you use the card to pay for your trip. Coverage you may be able to get with a credit card includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage, trip delay benefits, lost luggage reimbursement, emergency evacuation insurance and more.
  • Membership programs: Some membership plans can pay for emergency medical evacuation anywhere in the world, and you can secure coverage on an annual basis if you prefer. These may offer all-expenses-paid medical transport to the medical facility of your choice, language translation services, coverage for the transfer of mortal remains and more.
  • Travel protection: It's also possible to purchase travel protection directly from some travel providers at the point of sale. If you purchase a flight through Delta, for example, you can add on a policy that provides some coverage for trip cancellations and lost baggage. Just remember that travel coverage offered through airlines and cruise lines may be limited, and that coverage for medical expenses may be limited or nonexistent.

» MORE Best vacation loans of 2023

Frequently asked questions

The cost of travel insurance varies based on factors like the length of the trip, the age of travelers, included coverages and limits, and the destinations visited. However, the reported average cost typically works out to around 4% to 12% of your total trip cost, or $200 to $600 for a vacation that costs $5,000.

Many travelers tend to buy travel insurance coverage at the last minute, but this isn't a good idea, since you want to have the longest period of coverage possible. Ultimately, it's best to purchase travel insurance as soon as you make the initial trip deposit for each trip you plan to take.

If you're traveling outside the U.S., your own health plan generally won't apply. With that in mind, you'll want to have travel insurance coverage with adequate limits for emergency medical and dental care and emergency medical evacuation.

While the cost of travel insurance might feel like a waste, this coverage could help you recoup your prepaid trip costs if you become sick or injured away from home. That said, there may be instances where you don't need a plan, such as when you're planning a short road trip where you'll maintain possession of your luggage and belongings and your own health insurance still applies.

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Travel insurance reviews

Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz Global Assistance has a long history in the industry. They were the insurer on the Wright brothers' flight and on the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Travelex Insurance Services

Travelex Insurance Services is a leader in the travel insurance industry. They offer a variety of plans with customizable upgrades so you can find the perfect plan for your trip.

APRIL Travel Protection

APRIL International offers multiple travel insurance plans for anyone traveling internationally. Coverage includes medical, death and disability, trip cancellation, baggage and more. It has a presence across 37 countries to help cover your single-trip and annual multi-trip plans.

Tripinsurance.com

Trip Insurance is an online company that helps consumers compare, choose and buy travel insurance, trip cancellation insurance and coverage for devices lost or damaged during travel. Policy options are categorized as good, better or best values, allowing for fast comparison of policy features. Travelers can also find exclusive direct-to-consumer rates, buy insurance directly through the Trip Insurance website and take advantage of customer support 24 hours a day.

Trip Mate Insurance

As the first company to waive the pre-existing condition exclusion, Trip Mate Insurance demonstrates its commitment to making every vacation as perfect as possible.

Travel Guard

Serving millions of travelers each year, Travel Guard is one of the leading providers of travel insurance.

TravelSafe Insurance

Founded in 1971, TravelSafe offers comprehensive insurance packages to travelers from the United States and Canada.

Travel Insured

Founded in 1994, and formerly a part of the Travelers Insurance Group, Travel Insured works with more than 1,500 travel agencies to offer quality travel insurance products.

American Express Travel Insurance

As a Fortune 500 company, American Express offers a wide range of financial and insurance services.

  • Allianz Travel, " Travel Insurance 101: How Travel Insurance Works ." Accessed March 1, 2023.
  • Insurance Information Institute, " Should you buy travel insurance? " Accessed Feb. 28, 2023.

Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.

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The best travel insurance policies and providers

Katie Genter

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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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).

best consumer rated travel insurance

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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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.

best consumer rated travel 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.

best consumer rated travel 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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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.

best consumer rated travel insurance

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

best consumer rated 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?

best consumer rated 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?

best consumer rated 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?

best consumer rated travel 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

best consumer rated 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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How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

Elina Geller

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

Table of Contents

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards with travel insurance benefits.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on American Express' website

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

best consumer rated travel insurance

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

best consumer rated travel insurance

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

best consumer rated travel insurance

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

best consumer rated travel insurance

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

best consumer rated travel insurance

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance? How much is travel insurance? Is travel insurance worth it? What does travel insurance cover? Does travel insurance cover COVID?

How to maximize your rewards

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

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

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

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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

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

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

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

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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

30,000 Limited-time offer: Earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/25 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

The Ultimate Guide to Buying the Best Travel Insurance [For You]

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The Ultimate Guide to Buying the Best Travel Insurance [For You]

Situations Where Travel Insurance Can Help

Covering your major concerns, when to buy travel insurance, credit cards, employer-sponsored health insurance, club memberships, medicare supplements and advantage plans, travel insurance comparison tools/websites, world nomads — best for comprehensive coverage and adventure activities (recommended), travelex /berkshire hathaway travel insurance — family protection for children at no extra cost, geoblue — affordable annual medical travel insurance, usaa — travel insurance for military and families, allianz — affordable annual travel insurance, expedia — an impulse buy you can prepare for, other travel insurance companies, single trip policies, multiple trip or multi-destination policies, annual policies, travel insurance for seniors, special needs and travel insurance for those with disabilities, group travel insurance, pet travel insurance, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Whether you’re traveling with family or solo, on an epic adventure or a weekend getaway , travel insurance can go a long way toward providing peace of mind during your trip. And if things should go wrong, you’ll find consolation in being financially covered.

With all that’s at stake, you’ve probably given serious thought to purchasing travel insurance just like I have. There have certainly been times when I’ve needed it, including severe flight delays, a parasailing accident in Mexico, and when my luggage took a trip of its own!

Unfortunately, it’s also easy to become overwhelmed with the vast selection of travel insurance options available. We’ve created this guide to help you sort through the confusion and demystify the process.

In this article, we’ll cover all the information you need to:

  • Determine the type of coverage you need
  • Find out if you currently have any travel coverage
  • Narrow your options to just a few policies that fit
  • Select a reputable travel insurance company

Let’s get started with helping you find the best travel insurance policy for your situation.

Why You Need Travel Insurance

If you travel frequently, you’ve probably experienced an event where travel insurance would have helped.

Whether it was a severely delayed flight, illness abroad, stolen possessions, or a canceled trip due to an unforeseen event — travel insurance could have made the situation better.

Travel Insurance can cover a variety of situations. Here is just a sampling of those you can easily purchase coverage for:

  • You have an accident and need medical evacuation to a nearby hospital: According to travel insurance company Allianz, the estimated cost of medical evacuation ranges from $15,000-$20,000 in Mexico to over $200,000 in Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
  • You miss your cruise because your flight is severely delayed or canceled: Catching up with your cruise once it has departed can be costly!
  • You can’t take a planned trip due to illness: The entire cost of your trip and any pre-paid arrangements could be at risk if you become ill and unable to travel. Coverage is even available when travel companions become ill and you must forego your trip.
  • You become ill while abroad: The cost of medical attention abroad can be expensive, and it can result in increased costs to rearrange your itinerary.
  • Your baggage is lost or delayed: After your bags have been delayed a minimum amount of time, usually 12-24 hours, coverage kicks in and provides money for essentials.

Bottom Line: It’s prudent to buy travel insurance for expensive trips. You may go several years without using the coverage you’ve purchased, but one incident could cause you to incur thousands of dollars in expenses, far exceeding the cost of insuring multiple trips. 

Travel Insurance Coverages

If money is no object, you can purchase a lot of travel insurance to make sure you’re covered for nearly every situation you’ll encounter. In reality, you’ll probably want to balance cost with the coverages that are most important to you.

For some travelers, their greatest concern is the huge cost of an emergency medical evacuation. For others it can be the risk of getting ill and not being able to travel on a trip they’ve paid thousands of dollars for already.

But don’t fret: there’s a travel insurance plan for just about any travel concern that can cost you money if things go wrong.

Here are some of the plan types available:

  • Emergency Medical Evacuation: Pays to get you to the nearest hospital, even in remote areas
  • Travel Medical Insurance : Provides medical care if you get sick or injured while traveling
  • Annual Travel Insurance: Covers you for multiple trips taken throughout the year
  • Comprehensive Package Travel Insurance: Conveniently groups many travel insurance coverages together in one policy
  • Cancel for Any Reason Rider ( CFAR ): When certain conditions are met, this coverage lets you cancel your trip for any reason and receive reimbursement
  • Policies that Cover Families: Comprehensive travel policies that cover all family members/domestic partners before and during your trip.

Most travel insurance policies can be purchased up until the day of your departure. However, some policies contain pre-departure benefits, so you’ll want to buy your policy as soon as possible.

For example, you may have coverage that covers you getting ill and not being able to take your trip.

The general advice is to buy your policy when you make your first payment on the trip.

Since policies can be priced according to how much your total trip costs, you can take out the insurance based on what you’ve already paid and call the company to raise the amount of the policy once you’ve made additional payments.

Read our guide to find out more on when to buy travel insurance .

Hot Tip:  Travel insurance policies include a free-look period, where you can review your policy once you’ve received it and decide if it’s right for you. This free-look period is usually 10-15 days depending on the company and type of policy. 

You May Already Have Coverage — Here’s Where to Look

Before you purchase a travel insurance policy, you should check these 4 places where you may have some current coverage.

You may find that you have a credit card with travel insurance , with your employer-sponsored health plan, with club/organization memberships, and on Medicare gap policies.

It is helpful to know which types of coverage you currently have so you can select a comprehensive travel insurance policy without paying extra for duplicate coverage.

Rental Car View

Credit cards commonly carry travel insurance benefits, but whether they’re included and the level of coverage provided will vary depending on which card you carry.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular credit card issuers and the types of travel insurance/protection they provide.

American Express offers several travel insurance benefits on their cards.

  • Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Secondary coverage is included on various American Express cards . Primary Car Rental Protection is available to purchase for one low fee that covers the entire rental period.
  • Travel Accident Insurance: Limits of $250,000-$500,000 depending on the card.
  • Baggage Insurance: Provides coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged checked or carry on baggage. Included on various American Express cards. 
  • The Global Assist Hotline: Included on various American Express cards . Premium cards such as the Platinum Card ® from American Express and Business Platinum Card ®  from American Express  include premium versions of the Global Assist Hotline that provide support before, during, and after your trip.
  • Roadside Assistance: While Amex has removed roadside assistance from many of its cards, there are still several Amex cards with the coverage. Coverage includes assistance with jump starts, gas, towing, and lockout.

Chase is another major card issuer that includes various travel insurance coverages on their credit cards.

Citi credit cards have recently had several travel benefits removed,  similar to other credit card issuers. Your exact coverage benefits will depend on which Citi card you have. To learn the details of Citi’s credit card travel protections, you can access Citi’s credit card guide to benefits  here .

Hot Tip: To receive coverage from any credit card, you must meet the purchase requirements. Some credit cards require you to charge the entire purchase, while some grant coverage if you pay for just a portion of the purchase with your card. You may also be able to receive coverage by using points for your purchase.

Requirements vary, but you can call the number on the back of your credit card for questions on coverage specific to the card you’re using.

See our article for information on additional credit card travel insurance coverage .

Bottom Line: Credit cards may offer incidental travel protections and benefits, but they should not be considered a replacement for a comprehensive travel insurance policy. 

You’ll first want to check your current health insurance policy to see if it might cover you while traveling. Many do not extend health insurance benefits while traveling, but there may be ancillary travel insurance coverages included in your policy.

For example, some employer-sponsored health insurance plans contain travel insurance coverage that can be quite significant. Unum is one of the most common group insurance companies offering employers travel insurance for their employees through Assist America .

The employee is provided a 24/7 phone number that can be called for immediate assistance when traveling more than 100 miles from home.

Here is a sample of coverage provided:

  • Hospital admission assistance
  • Emergency medical evacuation
  • Prescription replacement assistance
  • Transportation for a friend or family member to join a hospitalized patient
  • Care and transport of unattended minor children
  • Referrals to Western-trained, English-speaking medical providers
  • Legal and interpreter referrals
  • Passport replacement assistance

There is no charge for any of these services when the coverage is included on an employer-sponsored healthcare plan, so you’ll want to check your current employer-sponsored health plan to see if you have this coverage.

Emergency evacuation helicopter

If you’re a member of any club or organization, you’ll want to ask about travel insurance benefits.

Here are just a few clubs where membership includes various types of travel insurance benefits.

Divers Alert Network — Membership is $35/year for singles, $55/year for families

  • DAN members receive $100,000 of emergency medical evacuation assistance coverage . Evacuation is covered for diving and non-diving medical emergencies when you are more than 50 miles from home.
  • Membership also includes TravelAssist , a 24/7 access to prescription assistance, medical monitoring, emergency messaging, and much more.

American Alpine Club — Membership is $80 per year and includes search and rescue insurance. The insurance applies to any land-based activity.

  • Up to $7,500 of Global Rescue Trailhead Rescue Services (available worldwide)
  • Up to $5,000 of Domestic Rescue Benefits (available in the U.S. only)

Gold Wing Road Riders Association  ($55/year) and the American Motorcycle Association ($49/year)

  • Members receive FREE emergency roadside assistance and 24/7 towing up to 35 miles per disablement for their motorcycle or any motorcycle they are riding, even as a passenger.
  • Gold Wing Coverage is limited to motorcycles; American Motorcycle Association members receive coverage for motorcycles, cars, trucks, trailers and RVs.

Family Motor Coach Association — Membership costs $60/year and includes discounted worldwide travel assistance insurance plus several other travel benefits.

Hot Tip: Club memberships can include travel insurance coverage at no additional cost or at a discounted price. Checking your current memberships and seeking out organizations you can join for cost-effective coverage may result in travel insurance coverage you can use.

With rare exceptions, Medicare does not extend coverage to another country outside the United States. However, some supplement and advantage insurance plans do include coverage when traveling.

These supplemental policies, called Medigap plans, pay 80% of medical emergency care outside the U.S. after a $250 deductible. The expense must not be covered by Medicare, and it must be incurred within the first 60 days of your travel. There is also a lifetime limit of $50,000.

Medigap plans C, D, F, G, H, I, J, M, and N contain this coverage. Visit Medicare.gov for a complete explanation of the coverage and information on out-of-country coverage for Medicare Advantage plans.

Remember, these are plans that you purchase in addition to your base Medicare Plans A and B. Medicare does not cover you out of the country except in rare circumstances detailed here .

Bottom Line:  It’s important to know the travel insurance coverages you have currently, as you may save money not duplicating those coverages when purchasing a travel insurance policy. You’ll also want to be able to take advantage of and use these existing coverages if you experience a covered event. 

Under water scuba diver

Where to Buy Travel Insurance

All insurance companies are rated based on their financial stability; A.M. Best is the oldest, most recognized provider of ratings in the global insurance industry. We’ll include only those companies with excellent or above ratings.

Before we discuss specific travel insurance companies, however, we’ll cover a few great travel insurance comparison sites that can help narrow your choices before selecting a specific company and travel insurance policy.

Purchasing travel insurance is a balancing act between getting the coverage you need without spending above your budget . That’s why comparison sites can ease the pain of searching hundreds of policies and dozens of companies individually.

Another benefit of using these sites is that your information is entered just once, and their search engines will quickly find the best fit for your budget and coverage requirements.

Here are 3 comparison sites to help you get started:

1. Travelinsurance.com (recommended)

  • Easy-to-use online comparison tool
  • Instant coverage
  • Best price guarantee; this means you won’t find a lower price anywhere else for a plan that’s found on TravelInsurance.com.

2. Squaremouth

  • Award-winning customer service team
  • 20 travel insurance companies and 116 different policies
  • Over 60,000 customer reviews

3. InsureMyTrip

  • Licensed agents to help you with questions and claims
  • 21 providers; both large and boutique highly-rated companies
  • Glossary and articles explaining coverage and plans

Once you’ve completed a few easy comparisons, you’ll have an idea of the type of policy you want, a range of costs, and what options are available.

You’ll find most of the major travel insurance providers on these comparison sites, but not all carriers participate.

Hot Tip:  Don’t miss our dedicated article on the Best Travel Insurance Companies For All Travelers !

Let’s take a look at some specific travel insurance providers you’ll want to consider:

Included in the top 10 travel insurance companies by  Consumer Advocate , World Nomads offers a comprehensive portfolio of travel insurance products including medical/evacuation insurance, 24-hour emergency assistance, trip delay/cancellation, and coverage for a long list of adventure activities.

There are several reasons to purchase travel insurance with World Nomads.

  • Backed by established, reputable, highly-rated companies such as AIG Insurance Company , Lloyds, and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
  • Understand world travel and the associated risks
  • Single-trip, multiple-trip, and annual policies are available
  • Good for active travelers, as most activities/sports are covered
  • Plans include standard to comprehensive coverages
  • Ability to purchase or extend coverage while traveling
  • Available for travelers through age 69

Sample Pricing

Click to get a quote with World Nomads >>

Hot Tip: If you participate in sports and adventure activities when traveling (even dangerous ones), World Nomad’s travel insurance is a perfect fit with over 150 travel activities covered.

Travel Insurance example

The family Travel Select plan covers children 17 and under for no additional cost. This comprehensive plan includes protection for trip interruption/cancellation/delay, medical and evacuation, baggage and personal effects, and travel assistance. For more information check out our Travelex review.

If you currently have health insurance that does not cover you outside of the United States, you’ll find GeoBlue an affordable option for medical coverage while you’re traveling.

Their Trekker Choice policy covers unlimited international trips up to 70 days in length for a 12-month policy period. The cost for an annual plan for a 40-year-old was $175 for the Trekker Choice policy, but even less expensive plans are available!

Active military, their families, and post-military USAA members receive exclusive rates for travel insurance that includes these coverages. Children are included on most plans at no additional cost.

  • Lost/delayed baggage
  • Trip delays
  • Trip interruption/cancellation
  • Trip interruption/cancellation due to accident or illness
  • Medical expenses
  • Interruptions due to weather
  • Emergency assistance and evacuation

Travel Insurance example

With nearly a dozen awards so far in 2018, highly-rated Allianz is a trusted company in the travel insurance arena.

I was particularly impressed with their annual travel insurance policy offerings that are surprisingly affordable. The prices listed above are for an annual policy for travelers ages 30-80, and it covers unlimited trips of 45 days or less during the 12-month period.

It’s not just a medical policy either. In the top 2 plans above you’ll find trip cancellation/interruption, change fee coverage, collision damage waiver, and even business equipment coverage.

For coverage details and a specific quote, visit their website .

Expedia is the world’s leading travel provider, so a mention of their  Expedia ® Package Protection plan seems appropriate.

Pricing varies from $49 per person for travel within the continental U.S. to $89 per person for multiple international destinations.

The trip insurance includes trip cancellation/interruption coverage even for bad weather, mechanical failure, or strike. Medical emergencies/transportation and lost/stolen baggage coverage are also included. You can review details and additional coverages here . You may only purchase the package at the time of booking.

Before purchasing the Expedia Package Protection plan, you should price and compare a policy from one of the major providers. You may be able to find more coverage for a lower cost.

The U.S. Department of State publishes a list of travel insurance companies that provide coverage overseas; you can access it here .

Hot Tip:  Some travel insurance policies require you to be outside the United States for coverage, but others will cover you as few as 50 miles from home. Since travel insurance is widely available (and in many cases affordable), it may make sense to purchase a policy for medical and other valuable coverage even if you’re traveling domestically. 

Single/Multiple Trip Policies vs. Annual Policy: Which Is Better?

  • If you take 1 major trip annually, purchasing a single trip policy is the way to go. If it’s a trip you put together yourself, utilizing one of the providers mentioned in this article to purchase an individual travel insurance policy can be a simple solution and cover your trip appropriately.
  • If your trip is a packaged tour, there’s nothing wrong with selecting insurance offered by the tour provider, but arm yourself first by doing some research. You’ll want to be sure you’re not overpaying, and that you’re purchasing travel insurance coverages that take care of  your  personal concerns, not just those of the tour provider.
  • If you’re taking 2 trips a year, you can purchase a separate policy for each trip. If you’re taking 3 or more trips, you should consider an annual policy.
  • If you’re going on an extended trip and visiting several countries (say 3 months in length), companies such as World Nomads can issue a policy that covers your entire trip.
  • Taking a year off and traveling the world or just taking frequent international trips? You may want to consider a comprehensive annual travel insurance policy that covers multiple trips.
  • Pricing can vary widely, so it’s important to compare prices and select the coverage that’s most important to you.

Hot Tip: The best way to determine if a multiple-trip or annual travel policy is better is to simply price each option, compare coverage, and review any terms/conditions. You may find that insuring 2 or 3 trips could cost as much as an annual trip insurance policy. 

Travel Insurance for Special Situations

In your late 60s, your options for purchasing travel insurance start to diminish (but they don’t disappear!). There are still several travel insurance companies where you can purchase great coverage.

  • Allianz and Berkshire Hathaway each allowed me to quote a policy up to age 99
  • GeoBlue medical travel insurance covers through age 84
  • “Silver Nomads” age 70 and above can purchase coverage with World Nomad partner TripAssure

If a person is healthy enough to travel, they’re usually able to purchase travel insurance from many providers.

Allianz Global Assistance comes highly recommended by Wheelchair Travel.org for travelers with disabilities. Their policy for a 45-year-old traveling on a 2-week trip costing $2,200 quoted between $76-$143 depending on the coverages I selected.

When you have 10 or more travelers in a group, you might consider group travel insurance as an affordable option.

For a group of 10 traveling to Mexico for a 2-week trip that cost $2,200 per person, the lowest quote according to a search on Squaremouth.com was $838, or $83.80 per person.

Coverage per person included:

  • Trip cancellation ($2,200)
  • Trip interruption ($2,200)
  • Good medical coverage ($20,000)
  • Good medical evacuation coverage ($100,000)
  • Trip delay ($150/day $500 max)
  • Baggage delay/personal effects ($700)

If you’re a traveling pet owner, you’ve probably considered insuring your pet during your travels .

While some travel insurance policies include coverage for pets, separate policies for medical/veterinarian care for your pet can also be purchased.

Here are a couple of options for purchasing pet insurance that cover your pet while traveling.

  • PetPlan – PetPlan insurance covers your pet in the United States and Canada and costs as little $8/month for $20,000 in annual coverage.
  • Travelex Travel Max  – The policy provides $1,000 in emergency medical treatment for your pet. If you are hospitalized while traveling and cannot take care of your pet, the policy will also pay to return your pet back home (up to $10,000).

Insurance is an intangible; we can’t see it or hold it in our hands. Unless you have a claim, you’re simply buying the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re covered if things go wrong.

Travel insurance is a bit different than home or auto insurance, however — if you travel frequently, you know it’s common to experience delays, illness, lost baggage, and other travel disruptions where travel insurance could be useful.

Insurance is meant to protect you from disaster and major financial setbacks. Insuring yourself against losing money on an expensive trip or having a major medical event when traveling makes sense, especially since travel insurance is widely available and affordable.

Whether you should purchase travel insurance will depend on your risk tolerance level for what you could lose personally if things go wrong during your travels.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

Frequently Asked Questions

How does travel insurance work.

When you plan a trip, you have to pay upfront for expenses such as airfare, hotels, cruises, and other related travel expenses. Travel insurance pays you money if there is a covered event that disrupts your trip.

For example, if you paid for a packaged tour but you became sick and unable to travel, travel insurance could reimburse you the cost of the tour and other covered expenses.

Travel insurance can also cover unexpected expenses you incur when your trip is interrupted due to cancellations, weather delays, or illness.

You can purchases policies that cover a variety of events such as lost/stolen baggage, medical emergencies, trip cancellation, trip delays and medical evacuation.

Can I insure my trip if I used frequent flier miles to purchase it?

Yes, you can. Most trips have extra associated costs even if you’re using frequent flier miles. You may incur taxes, seating upgrades, change fees, non-refundable lodging, and other associated costs.

When you insure your trip, you do not include the value of the frequent flier miles you used to purchase the trip, but any other non-refundable costs can be used to value and insure the trip.

Is travel insurance worth it?

There are several situations where you may not need travel insurance. If you are traveling domestically, purchased a cheap ticket, and have health insurance that will cover you, you probably do not need travel insurance.

Additionally, if you used frequent flier miles for your flight, points for your hotel, and are traveling domestically, you may not need travel insurance.

If you’re traveling internationally and you’ve paid for a lot of non-refundable travel expenses up front, you would want to purchase travel insurance.

This is because your health insurance may not cover you abroad, and you’d want to be protected. You also have significant funds at risk should you become ill and not be able to travel.

How much does travel insurance cost?

You can purchase travel insurance for as little as $25 for just basic coverage. The more coverage you want and the longer the length of coverage, the more it will cost.

Several factors go into determining the premium you will pay: your age, where you’re traveling, where you live, how long you’ll be traveling, which coverage you select, the amount of coverage you want, and which company you purchase the policy from.

Does travel insurance cover terrorism?

Yes, terrorism is covered under trip interruption/cancellation on many travel insurance policies. There can be stipulations for coverage, including that the event must be declared terrorism by local government or by the U.S. Department of State.

Additionally, there may be requirements that there has been no terrorism in the area for a specific period of time (7-30 days prior, for example).  Basically, if there has been ongoing terrorism and you travel there, coverage may be excluded.

Does AAA sell travel insurance?

Yes, AAA sells travel insurance for trips booked through AAA. When you book a trip with their travel agency, you will be offered travel insurance to cover your trip.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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12 Best Travel Insurance Policies and Why You Need Them

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Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. We don't review or include all companies, or all available products. Moreover, the editorial content on this page was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of Condé Nast Traveler's editorial team.

You’ve purchased your flights and booked your hotel. Now, what about travel insurance? These days, it’s easy to add coverage to your trip, but what's the best travel insurance policy to buy? And is the extra cost always necessary?

When planning a trip, nobody loves imagining worst-case scenarios and everyone has a different risk tolerance. For a weekend road trip , you may be willing to cross your fingers and suck up your losses should something go awry. But what if you’re shelling out for a longer, more complex and more expensive trip? You’ll likely want peace of mind when your risk and financial investment are greater.

When do you need travel insurance?

There’s nothing like bad luck to turn you into an insurance evangelist. For travel writer Katherine Fan, the epiphany came after a thunderstorm disrupted her flight in Chicago . “My bags didn't make it to Italy for more than five days, and my travel insurance covered all the costs for replacement items as well as the alternative transportation I had to rebook because of the delay,” she says. “I'll never live without it now.”

In general, the older you are and the more remote your destination, the more crucial it is to buy travel insurance. Lou Desiderio, a communications executive from Long Island, New York, recalls the time his octogenarian father became ill during a European cruise , and doctors recommended that his parents return home immediately. His parents’ travel insurance covered the lion’s share of the $9,500 they subsequently racked up in medical costs, ground transportation, flights, hotel, and meals. “You always wonder if the cost of insurance is worth it,” says Desiderio. “In this instance, it was absolutely worth it.”

“Not all domestic health and medical insurance plans will follow you outside your home country,” says Justin Tysdal, CEO of Seven Corners , a travel insurance provider. “Something as simple as twisting your ankle in a foreign country may not be covered and could result in expensive medical bills.”

Simply having travel insurance can have side benefits, too. “One of the best hidden perks is the 24/7 global travel assistance provided by the plan,” says Stan Sandberg, CEO of TravelInsurance.com . The hotline can be helpful in dealing with a multitude of unexpected issues, from currency conversion or cash transfers to replacing passports or IDs to finding a local physician.

Where can you find a good policy?

Travel agencies, airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators often offer an optional insurance add-on, but these plans tend to have been run through the company’s legal team and contain more exclusions. Travel rewards credit cards also offer some built-in insurance benefits to their cardholders, like trip cancellation coverage, delayed baggage coverage, and trip interruption and delay coverage. But you’ll often be better served by a plan from a third-party insurer, which tend to offer more holistic plans.

The good news is that it has never been easier to buy exactly the type of travel insurance you need at a reasonable price. Most people buy comprehensive insurance for a single trip, but annual travel insurance plans that cover multiple trips in a one-year period are becoming more popular.

You can find some of the best travel insurance policies by visiting an insurance comparison site like TravelInsurance.com, InsureMyTrip.com or SquareMouth.com . Plug in your trip details and you’ll get instant quotes for multiple insurance plans that you can compare on price, coverage limitations, and other parameters. Be sure to read the policy details, as inclusions can vary from plan to plan but will end up making all the difference to your particular needs.

What’s it going to cost?

The cost of travel insurance depends on a variety of factors, including the price and length of the trip, your age, destination, and any optional add-ons. For your average domestic or international trip with flights and hotels , expect to pay anywhere from 3 to 7 percent of your trip’s cost, depending on inclusions.

So for a $2,000 trip, you might expect a typical comprehensive plan with trip cancellation, interruption, and delay, along with baggage loss and delay, and emergency medical coverage and evacuation to cost in the $100 ballpark. Some upgrades, like a “cancel for any reason” provision, will cost more.

When should you buy travel insurance?

Don’t procrastinate. “Some benefits and coverages are available only if you’ve purchased your policy within a short window, typically seven to 21 days from when you make the first payment towards your trip,” says Sandberg. Buy early and you may qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver or a ‘cancel for any reason’ upgrade.

It’s especially important not to delay buying travel insurance if you’re traveling to, say, the Caribbean during hurricane season. Once a major storm has been named, the window of opportunity slams shut, and you can no longer buy insurance for that hurricane. “If you purchase a policy after a storm is named, trip cancellation and trip interruption are excluded from coverage,” says Sandberg.

What’s not covered?

“Some people believe that a travel insurance plan is designed to give you the flexibility to cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever,” says Sandberg. “But the standard plan is not going to provide cancellation coverage for a change of heart or a relationship break-up or an outbreak of Zika in your destination.” If you need that flexibility, opt for the ‘cancel for any reason’ upgrade.

“As far as medical coverage, people often believe a travel insurance plan will cover preventative services such as immunizations and annual check-ups,” says Tysdal. “But travel insurance is intended to cover illnesses and injuries that originate during a trip, and that’s why it’s relatively inexpensive.” Be careful about overindulging, too. “If you injure yourself as a result of being intoxicated beyond a legal limit, your travel insurance policy will not likely cover you,” says Sandberg. Ditto for drug use.

How easy is it to file a claim?

“Documentation is key,” says Meghan Walch, product manager for InsureMyTrip. If luggage is lost or items are stolen, file a report with the airline or police. You may need to provide original receipts for the stolen items in order to receive reimbursement up to the policy limits.“ Also, be aware that baggage coverage only offers coverage up to a set amount,” says Walch. “So, if you are carrying, say, a fancy $3,000 Nikon or Canon camera , you’ll likely need to buy additional insurance elsewhere or cover it under a homeowner's policy.” Note, also, that many plans specifically exclude computers and electronics.

What about car rental insurance?

It’s often possible to add car rental insurance, also known as the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), to a comprehensive travel insurance plan, which can save you from a serious headache should you get into an accident while driving. “But the biggest mistake people make when renting a car is to waste money on duplicate coverage,” says Jonathan Weinberg, CEO of AutoSlash , the car rental deal-finding site. “The reality is that if you own your own vehicle and have car insurance, you are likely already covered when renting in the U.S.”

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And if you don’t own a car? “Your credit card may also cover you when renting,” says Weinberg. “It's always important to check to be sure, but why pay again for coverage you already have?” Indeed, paying for your rental with the right travel rewards credit card might cover your collision insurance, with some policies covering damage up to the value of the car. Travel outside the U.S. and Canada , though, and it’s a different story. “Most personal auto insurance policies will not cover a claim for damage to a rental outside the U.S. or Canada,” says Weinberg. “Likewise, different credit cards have different exclusions when it comes to covering damage to a rental car in a foreign country.”

Types of travel insurance

Most travelers opt for a comprehensive plan, but you should know what each type of coverage does, so you’ll know if a package truly fits your needs. Here’s a brief rundown of the main types of coverage.

Trip protection

Often known simply as “travel insurance,” this type of comprehensive package is the most common purchase.

Commonly covers: Reimbursement for money spent on your trip due to cancellations, interruptions, and delays; medical expenses if you become sick or injured and, if necessary, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation; and coverage for your belongings if lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed.

How to get it: Compare plans at Square Mouth , Seven Corners , InsureMyTrip.com , and TravelInsurance.com

Trip cancellation

This benefit can reimburse 100 percent of your trip cost—flights, hotels, cruises, and pre-paid activities—if you need to cancel for a covered reason.

Commonly covers: Unforeseen illness or injury; the death of you, a family member, or a traveling companion; terrorism; inclement weather; natural disasters.

Fine print: Some policies also include other covered reasons, such as jury duty or an employment layoff.

Trip interruption

You’ll be reimbursed for your costs if your trip is interrupted for a covered reason. The payout may exceed the total trip cost if you need to incur additional expenses to return home, but some policies limit coverage to a return flight home.

How to get it: Signing up for travel rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve can automatically give you this coverage for all trips booked on the card.

Learn more about signing up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve here .

Cancel for any reason

This upgrade provides reimbursement for 50 to 75 percent of prepaid and non-refundable trip payments if you cancel a trip for any reason not otherwise covered by your policy.

Watch out: You’ll be required to insure your trip’s entire cost, which will typically increase your premium by roughly 40 percent.

Fine print: Typically available for purchase up to seven to 21 days from the date you make your initial trip deposit. You must cancel the entire trip at least two to three days before your departure date.

Travel delay

If your trip is unexpectedly delayed by a designated amount of time (typically three to 12 hours, depending on the policy), this benefit provides a per-diem dollar amount (typically $150 to $200) that can be used for meals, hotels, and other necessary expenses during the delay.

Commonly covers: Inclement weather and mechanical breakdowns of “common carriers,” meaning public transportation such as planes, trains, or buses.

How to get it: Signing up for travel rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve can automatically give you this coverage for all trips booked on the card that meet the requirements.

Missed connection

You’ll be reimbursed for additional costs for you to catch up to your trip if you miss your departure due to a common carrier delay of a specified amount of time. It's usually an added feature of larger insurance packages.

Commonly covers: Inclement weather and mechanical breakdowns of common carriers.

Watch out: Some policies only reimburse if you need to catch up to a cruise or tour. Since the wording typically specifies public transportation delays, you would be out of luck if you’re driving and miss your connection because you got caught in traffic.

Baggage and personal items loss

You’ll be covered for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage. Expect limits in both overall coverage and per-item coverage. It's included with many travel rewards credit card benefits.

Watch out: While most policies cover your personal belongings throughout the entire trip, some will only cover luggage while it is checked with an airline or transportation carrier.

Baggage delay

If your luggage is delayed for a specified period of time—typically 12 or 24 hours—this coverage will reimburse you for any clothing, toiletries, and other essential items you need to purchase. Expect a maximum coverage amount per person, as well as a daily limit. It's also included as a cardholder benefit with many travel credit cards.

Emergency medical coverage

This covers the costs to treat a medical emergency, including treatment, hospitalization, and medication. This type of coverage is highly recommended for international trips and cruises.

Watch out: You would pay for medical care out-of-pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement when you return home. In certain situations, an insurer might pre-authorize payment of medical bills, but it is not guaranteed.

How to get it: Browse medical coverage plans at Seven Corners .

Emergency evacuation coverage

This coverage is for transportation to the nearest medical facility in the event of a medical emergency during your trip. It's usually an add-on to larger medical coverage.

Commonly covers: If the treating physician recommends that you should return home for further medical attention, this benefit can also cover those transportation expenses. In the case of a death, repatriation can transport a traveler’s remains back home. It's usually an add-on to a larger travel insurance policy.

Pre-existing medical conditions waiver

Most policies have built-in exclusions for pre-existing conditions. So if you’ve been seriously ill in the past or need ongoing treatment, consider looking for a plan that offers a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.

Fine print: You’ll need to purchase the plan within a few weeks from the date you make your initial trip payment.

Hazardous/adventure sports coverage

Are you an adrenaline junkie? Adventure activities such as heli-skiing, off-trail snowboarding, bungee jumping, wakeboarding, Jet Skiing, spelunking, rock climbing, and scuba diving are almost always excluded from coverage in most travel insurance plans.

Fine print: You can buy coverage as an optional upgrade, which is an especially smart bet if you’re planning an adventure trip outside the United States.

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The Best Travel Medical Insurance of 2024

best consumer rated travel insurance

Allianz Travel Insurance »

best consumer rated travel insurance

Seven Corners »

best consumer rated travel insurance

GeoBlue »

best consumer rated travel insurance

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

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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The Best Travel Insurance Plans

The 13 best travel insurance plans.

  • Squaremouth
  • Insure My Trip
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travelex Insurance Services
  • Insured Nomads
  • Allianz Travel
  • Quote Wright
  • Travel Guard
  • Seven Corners
  • World Nomads
  • Travel Insurance Center
  • Axa Travel Insurance

Who Offers the Best Travel Insurance?

With daily news stories of delayed and canceled flights, lost baggage, and travelers stranded overseas in the middle of a natural disaster, it's easy to see why travel insurance is so important. Like most types of insurance, travel insurance is bought in the hopes that you'll never need it. But, for most travelers, it's worth the price for the protection it provides.

Have you ever thought that this coverage was just an unnecessary, added expense? That's fairly common: most people assume that they've got protection through their credit card company, their regular health insurance, even their homeowners' policy. In some situations, that may be accurate - but unless you know the details of those types of coverage, you're more likely to be left paying out-of-pocket expenses you thought were taken care of... but aren't included.

Tuesday, March 5th

2024 Travel Insurance Plan Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

  • One-stop shopping for policies from more than 30 providers
  • All insurers quoted through SquareMouth have to comply with "Zero Complaint Guarantee" and have a high A.M. Best rating
  • Four policy types available: standard single trip, annual/multi-trip, cruise, adventure/sports

SquareMouth has helped more than two million customers to find the right travel insurance. This service brings you quotes from more than 30 top names in the industry and makes it easy to compare their coverage and benefits. Over the last year alone, SquareMouth sold nearly $100 million in travel insurance policies.

Best selection of insurers and policies here

To make a fair comparison across travel insurance websites, we used the profile of two 35-year old travelers taking a $3,000 trip to Mexico in six months, paid in full on the date we requested the quote. Naturally, because SquareMouth is a referral service, we got many more options than with platforms that only offer policies from a single insurer: 56 that best matched our search criteria, out of a total of 102. The top five policies ranged in price from $106 to $208 and included plans from Trawick International, Seven Corners, Tin Leg, Generali Global Assistance, and IMG.

Information at a glance

What we really like about using SquareMouth is how easy it is to see at a glance what each policy has to offer. On our list, we noticed right away that one insurer was a Forbes 5-Star Travel Insurance Provider in the previous calendar year, another was featured by Forbes for offering superior coverage during the pandemic, and a third got kudos from Forbes for its travel delay benefits. All policies had a preview of the coverage for COVID-related cancellations or medical, trip cancellation and interruption, medical evacuation and general medical benefits. It was also very easy to click the "Compare Policy" checkboxes and see any travel insurance that we wanted to see side-by-side.

Easy to compare

Another thing we liked about SquareMouth is how easy it is to compare all the policies they match you with. You can sort the results by least expensive to most expensive, and use their side-by-side comparison tool to evaluate the details of each policy.

Take advantage of thousands of customer ratings

Another big benefit of using a referral platform like SquareMouth is being able to see hundreds - or thousands - of reviews from other travelers. Every quote tells you how many policies that company has sold via SquareMouth and since what year, plus ratings from clients. You can click on the "Full Policy Detail" and read what clients have said, while getting the complete information about any travel insurance coverage you're considering.

Best Travel Insurance Plans

No upselling here

We also appreciate that this travel insurance service aims to "downsell" you: in other words, they'll recommend the lowest-priced policy that still matches the coverage you need. SquareMouth doesn't base its sales on commissions, so there's no reason for them to push policies that are more costly.

Terrific variety of travel insurance types

A final reason to consider getting your travel insurance through SquareMouth is the variety of coverage types available here. Our quote was for a traditional single-trip policy, but what if you're an avid traveler who wants to cover multiple trips in a year? Or you're taking a cruise? Maybe you're an adventurer participating in skydiving, an athlete competing in amateur sports competitions, or bringing expensive gear for skiing or scuba? When you get an insurance quote from a single insurer, the answer may be "no" , but through SquareMouth you can find policies from companies that will say "absolutely!" .

Disappointing drop in the BBB rating

All of these positives are why we were shocked to see that since our last review, SquareMouth's listing with the Better Business Bureau had dropped to a "D-" for failing to respond to 13 customer complaints. That's not a huge number, but we were puzzled to see that most of those were in the most recent one-year period. We wonder what SquareMouth's excuse would be for not addressing such a small number of client concerns.

Digging deeper

However, this disappointment should not be a huge factor in whether you use SquareMouth. Why? If you look at the BBB complaints, you'll see that they're all related to failures on the end of the insurer - not SquareMouth. So, they logged their complaints with SquareMouth, when really their complaints were with an entirely different company. Of course, ultimately your satisfaction with your travel insurance will depend on that insurance company.

Outstanding choice

Overall, SquareMouth is an outstanding place to shop for travel insurance. We love being able to see thousands and thousands of customer ratings - and this site offers more client reviews than any other provider we evaluated. With their large insurance network, you'll get a competitive quote and be able to check out other customer reviews and comments. Once again they earn high marks in our review of travel insurance providers.

Insure My Trip Review

  • Travel insurance quotes from more than 20 insurance companies

Best Plans Guarantee

  • Anytime Advocates program to help with the claims process
  • "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
  • In business for over 20 years

Insure My Trip was one of the world's first comparison sites for travel insurance, founded in 2000. There are more than 20 insurers offered through Insure My Trip, with thousands of plans that might match your needs. You'll have a hard time finding another site that makes it easier to get the right policy.

Easy to get started

We started out the quote process with a sample traveler profile: a $3,000 trip to Mexico for two 35-year-olds, about six months in the future. Along with our residence, citizenship, and initial trip payment date, that was all we needed to do to get a matching list of policies.

Get three top recommendations right away

Right away, we noticed that Insure My Trip offers three top-recommended plans:

  • Superior (most covered reasons for cancellation and interruption, highest benefit limits for travel delay, baggage, and emergency medical)
  • Strong Value (excellent coverage at a moderate price)
  • Economy (good coverage to fit most travelers') needs

That's a fantastic way to save time trying to compare individual plans: our fictitious travelers had more than 40 policies in "their" results list. Those three recommended plans were priced from $106.96 to $144 and came from Nationwide, IMG, and Berkshire Hathaway.

Use the filters to set any preferences

Whether you look just at your three recommended plans, or opt to view all of the ones that fit your needs, you can always click the "Compare" checkbox to see any policies side by side. We noticed that none of those three recommended plans offered "Cancel For Any Reason" , but customers can get the results rearranged by going to the filter at the top of the page. It defaults to "Recommended" , but when we selected "Comprehensive" we were given checkboxes to select Cancel For Any Reason, Cancel For Work Reasons, Pre-Existing Condition Waiver, and so on. Be sure to use this feature if there are specific things you want to cover.

Read customer reviews - especially ones that filed claims

We really like being able to read through customer reviews on each of the insurers quoted by Insure My Trip. It's particularly helpful to use the "filed claim" checkbox to display only the ratings coming from clients who put each service to the test. After all, it's easy for an insurance company to score a high rating when their customers' only experience is with buying the policy in the first place; not as easy to do when it's time to pay out for a covered expense.

Best Travel Insurance Plans

That's part of Insure My Trip's Best Plans Guarantee. New plans and providers get a six-month grace period to sell policies and get reviews. Any insurer that doesn't demonstrate a good track record of meeting customer expectations loses its place on the platform.

Anytime Advocates service

While some travel insurance referral sites offer little to no help in working with the insurers when there's a claim, Insure My Trip takes the opposite approach. Their Anytime Advocates program offers claims assistance and dispute resolution, with the help of 40 on-staff licensed travel insurance reps who will intervene with the insurance companies when needed. According to the company, travelers have saved (or been reimbursed) more than $1.25 million through this advocacy program.

More than 20,000 five-star ratings

Insure My Trip earned an "A+" and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, with only eight complaints filed in the last three years. Customer reviews and comments on Insure My Trip left in other places are overwhelmingly positive, with more than 20,000 five-star ratings. They praise everything you'd anticipate: lots of insurers and policies to choose from, great support from the advocate team, and an overall smooth experience from quote to claim (when needed).

Great site for travel insurance needs

Insure My Trip has a lot going for it. They offer a wide variety of top-notch insurers, an easy-to-navigate website, and excellent advocacy when customers need to make claims. Along with a strong reputation, they continue to rise in our rankings. Insure My Trip is a great place to shop for your travel insurance needs.

Travel Insurance Review

  • Compare policies from 15 different providers
  • Easy to compare options and see feedback from other clients
  • In business for more than 10 years

Travel Insurance gives you the chance to compare policies from 15 different insurers, all with a simple quote form. You can also take advantage of their informative articles before you ever even look at a policy, covering topics like whether or not Medicare will cover you while abroad or the differences between primary and secondary travel insurance coverage.

Easy-peasy to get a quote

To make a fair comparison across travel insurance websites, we created a traveler profile: two individuals (age 35) going to Mexico for a week, about six months in the future, and paying a total of $3,000. How did Travel Insurance do? We liked that once we entered the basic profile information, we were offered a series of filters to narrow down the choices among the 22 matching plans in our initial results. Those included a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver, cancel for any reason, car rental collision coverage, and so on.

Simple process to browse and compare policies

Even without selecting any of those filters, our results were easy to understand. The lowest-priced policy in our Travel Insurance quote was Trawick's Safe Travels Explorer Plus: it was 99% recommended by previous clients on this site (purchased by nearly 50,000 people) and affordably priced at $65.72 for both of our fictitious travelers. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Travel Guard's Deluxe policy came in at $339.42, was purchased by more than 11,000 Travel Insurance clients, and was 98^% recommended. For any plans we liked, we could click the "add to compare" checkbox and see all of the benefits laid out side-by-side.

No multi-trip policies quoted here

What's missing? The only aspect that jumped out at us was that we didn't see any options for annual coverage: there was nothing in the quote form that allowed for entry of multiple trips within a 12-month period. You'll have to use a different travel insurance website if that's the kind of policy you need.

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"A+" from the BBB

Travel Insurance gets an "A+" and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, with only 6 complaints filed (and resolved) in the three years leading up to our review. Client feedback elsewhere is really positive, with 90% recommending this platform as a good place to buy a policy. But, remember that your real experience will be with the insurer of the plan you choose, and not necessarily with Travel Insurance itself.

Helpful support team

That being said, we were glad to see comments from clients who needed to make a claim and were able to get help from Travel Insurance to get a resolution. In several instances, Travel Insurance reps escalated issues or provided alternate contact information for the insurance company that moved things along more quickly.

No concerns here

Travel Insurance could be a solid starting point for buying coverage for your next trip. It would be helpful if they added multi-trip/annual coverage to their policy options, to be more competitive with some of the services we evaluated. However, we can still give Travel Insurance a big thumbs-up as a site worth using to compare policies.

Travelex Insurance Services Review

  • 3 plans to choose from: Travel Basic, Travel Select, and Travel America
  • Options for post-departure medical coverage and flight-only plans also
  • In business for 25+ years

Travelex Insurance is on a mission to provide "the best travel protection in the world while remaining true to the company's Midwestern values" . Headquartered in Nebraska and in business for over 25 years, this company is part of the Cover-More Group, a subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Group.

Just 3 plans to consider - with available upgrades

There are three main travel insurance plans to choose from here:

  • Travel Basic: this is described as "extensive protection at a budget-friendly price" . You'll get up to $15,000 in emergency medical expenses (as primary insurance and no deductibles), up to $10,000 for trip cancellation/interruption, and several other benefits. You can also customize your quote with protection for car rental collision and AD&D. For our Mexico-bound case-study travelers (two 35-year-olds going for a week, six months in the future, for a total cost of $3,000), our premium was $136.
  • Travel Select: this higher-tier policy gives you much more for your money. All children 17 and under are automatically covered when traveling with a covered adult. Your medical coverage jumps to $50,000, AD&D is included, and you can upgrade to include coverage for adventure sports, cancel for any reason, or add even more medical benefits. In the case of our sample travelers going to Mexico, the premium on this plan was $190 with no add-ons.
  • Travel America: if you're staying stateside, this plan is the one for you. You can share benefits with up to 8 travelers, including up to $50,000 in emergency medical expenses, a three-day pre-existing condition exclusion waiver, car rental collision insurance and roadside assistance. This is only valid for trips of up to 14 days, but it's a flat rate premium of just $60.

Extra plans for other situations

When you're getting your quote, you may also spot links under the Plan Options for Post-Departure and Flight. Those will take you to Travelex's insurance policies for medical coverage after you've already left home, as well as an option for just covering your flights and nothing else.

Smooth site navigation

The quote platform here runs very smoothly, with just a few required questions and an easy-to-understand display of the options that match your travel plans. It was also nice to enter our information once and get every possible insurance plan, instead of having to input it over and over (like we had to do with some of Travelex's rivals).

Best Travel Insurance Plans

Good reputation with the BBB

Travelex Insurance has a perfect score with the Better Business Bureau: "A+" and accreditation. We were pleased to see that there were only 25 complaints filed there in the last three years, which is pretty impressive for a company with a history spanning 25+ years.

Ignore the money transfer reviews

Don't get confused when you look for customer comments about this travel insurance company - because it often gets mixed up with Travelex for money transfers. They both seem to be operated by Zurich, but they're operated separately from one another. When we finally found the reviews from travel insurance policyholders, they were mostly positive. A few people had some issues with getting claims paid, but by and large they were handled well and within a reasonable amount of time.

Solid overall choice for travel protection

Travelex Insurance offers a nice range of policies that can cover just about every trip you could dream up. We feel especially enthusiastic about their Travel America option; how can you beat a flat rate of $60? While you'd obviously have more options by starting your search with a referral platform instead of going directly to the insurer, rest assured that no matter how you wind up with Travelex, you'll be in great hands for your travel insurance.

Roam Right Review

  • 6 plans to choose from, including single trip, annual/multi-trip, post-departure, auto rental, and travel medical
  • In business for 50+ years

RoamRight is the brand name of Arch Insurance Company: though the RR name has only been around since 2012, its parent company has been underwriting travel insurance policies for more than 50 years. You'll often find RoamRight policies quoted on travel insurance referral sites - like most of the comparison platforms in our review.

6 plans to choose from

There are six different travel insurance plans offered by RoamRight:

  • Pro: this is your essential protection on a budget. You'll get up to $25,000 in emergency accident/sickness coverage and up to $250,000 for emergency evacuation. Sports and Hazardous Sports are available as an add-on.
  • Pro Plus: this doubles the benefits mentioned under the Pro plan, makes your medical coverage primary, and gives you Cancel For Work Reason benefits if you get your policy within 21 days of the initial deposit. Available upgrades include Platinum (which enhances the benefit limits), Sports and Hazardous Sports.
  • On Trip Plus: if you're doing some last-minute travel and you only need post-departure coverage (no trip cancellation), you can get up to $75,000 in accident and sickness coverage (primary medical) and up to $600,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.
  • Multi-Trip Annual/Trip Cancellation: ideal for those who take more than one trip in a year, you can cover an unlimited number of trips in a plan year, for up to 30 consecutive days in each trip. (Not available in all states.)
  • Travel Medical: if all you need is medical insurance and no trip cancellation coverage, this is the right plan. You can choose benefits ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 in accident/sickness medical coverage, with up to $100,000 for emergency evacuation coverage.
  • Auto Rental Insurance Plus: protect your rental car with up to $35,000 in coverage for collision, $500 towards baggage, and no deductible. This can be used anywhere in the world, with the exceptions of Afghanistan, Costa Rica, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, and Yemen.

Higher-than-average premiums - but more benefits included

Obviously, many of those travel insurance policies wouldn't apply to the made-up scenario we used to compare the companies in our review: two 35-year-olds visiting Mexico for a week, leaving in about six months, for a total trip cost of $3,000. How did RoamRight do on that quote? We weren't super impressed: we were offered the Pro plan for $160 or the Pro Plus for $182. Of course, when you go directly to an insurer instead of using a comparison service, you're going to get more limited choices. The lowest-priced policy was still quite a bit more expensive than many rival insurers' plans, and only offered a maximum of $25,000 for medical expenses. We felt like we could get better coverage from a different travel insurance company. However, both plans included the pre-existing medical conditions waiver, which is often an extra add-on cost with other insurers; the Pro Plus plan also came with the Cancel For Work Reason at no extra charge, and that typically comes with additional fees with other companies.

BBB gives it an "A+"

How about reputation? Under the name of its parent company, Arch Insurance, RoamRight gets an "A+" and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. There were 40 complaints filed there in the most recent three years, but the "A+" means you don't have to worry about issues getting handled in a timely, professional way.

Best Travel Insurance Plans

Positive reputation overall

We found similar feedback from clients who left reviews for this insurance company (many of which you might see if you use one of the travel insurance referral platforms in our review). By and large, customers say that these plans are priced competitively, the claims process isn't too painful, and that they got the coverage they needed.

Only one minor included per paid adult

The one downside we noticed here is that their policies that offer complimentary coverage of travelers under age 18 don't include all of the minors in the traveling party. Instead, RoamRight covers one minor per paid adult - so if you've got a family of two parents and four children, only two of the kids get their travel insurance for free. That's not quite as generous as some insurers who cover any number of children in the travel party.

A trustworthy insurer

Generally speaking, RoamRight is a trustworthy option for travel insurance. You'll have to decide if their policies give you the coverage you need, and we still encourage you to try a referral platform first (to see if there's another insurer that could give you more protection at a better price). However, if your research leads you to RoamRight, you can buy your policy with confidence.

Insured Nomads Review

  • 3 travel insurance plans: World Explorer, World Explorer Multi, and World Explorer Guardian
  • Add-ons available for adventure sports, pet insurance, AD&D, car rentals
  • Options for global health insurance for long-term stays outside of the home country
  • All plans include a 12-month INC membership (even if you never file a claim)
  • "A" rated and accredited by the BBB
  • In business since 2020

Insured Nomads is the newest travel insurance company in our review, getting its start in 2020. The founders, world travelers themselves, asked what they would do differently if they could do it all again, and what resources they would have liked to have? Insured Nomads came from their answers to those questions, helping anyone who wants to leave the familiar behind and take an adventure - for days, years, or forever - with extra peace of mind and protection in their corner.

Don't miss this if you're working or traveling abroad for a long time

If you're looking to work abroad or have an extended stay outside of your home country. Insured Nomads' Global Health Insurance will likely make more sense than a traditional travel plan. Sometimes known as "International Health Insurance" or "IPMI" , it gives you coverage for emergency care as well as routine, preventative, and chronic care in the country (or countries) you designate for your plan. This coverage typically lasts a year and is renewable. Insured Nomads offers Global Health Insurance for extended trips or relocation, and you can sign up as an individual, a couple, or a family. We won't go into more depth than that, since far more people use travel insurance for one-off trips, but we invite you to visit the Insured Nomads site if this sounds like a good fit for what you're planning in the future.

Extremely affordable coverage

Let's take a look at the quote experience at Insured Nomads, through the "eyes" of our case study travelers: two 35-year-olds going to Mexico for a week, about six months in the future, for a total cost of $3,000. We entered the destination and then also had to select a coverage area (whether the US should be included or excluded). We could choose deductibles ranging from $0 to $500, and a maximum medical benefit of $250,000, $1 million or $2 million. We were also asked to check a box if we wanted coverage of adventure sports or marine activities (increased medical limits for activities like kitesurfing or scuba diving, operating or riding personal watercraft, and coverage of scuba equipment). The baseline policy for $0 deductible and $250,000 of medical coverage was a shockingly affordable $32.96 per person.

Hard to get a quote for a non-family member

It got a little trickier when we went to add our fictitious second traveler. It was no problem if they were a parent, spouse, or child of the first person on the policy. However, there was no clear way to include a sibling, friend, or other partner outside of those designated relationships.

Best Travel Insurance Plans

Read the details before starting the quote process

When we went ahead and added the second traveler as a spouse, we were only offered the World Explorer policy for $65.92. The next page asked for payment: there was never a detailed list of what our policy would include/exclude, so if you're considering an Insured Nomads plan, you'll want to read up on the site before you start the quote process. Generally speaking, the World Explorer plans cover one trip (anywhere from 1-364 days in length) away from your home country, and it can be extended up to six months longer than the initial purchase. World Explorer Multi is for those taking more than one short trip within a year and returning home in between. Finally, World Explorer Guardian gives you the benefits of the primary Explorer policy but also includes Trip Cancellation coverage. We encourage you to click on the Policy Summary for any Insured Nomads travel insurance you're interested in - because that's where we found important details like it not being available for purchase from New York or Arkansas.

Excellent benefits with free INC membership

One novel aspect of Insured Nomads' travel insurance plans is a free one-year membership to INC. This app-based feature gives you travel comforts (like airport lounge access and VPN for cyber security), travel information (such as health and safety alerts plus visa and vaccination requirements), health and wellbeing tools (like telemedicine in multiple languages), and much more. Travelers say that the INC app is a huge benefit that made a significant difference in their journeys.

Strong reputation so far

Despite being one of the newest travel insurance providers in our review, Insured Nomads has already established itself as a reliable company with an "A" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. There were no complaints filed with the BBB at the time of this evaluation. We found a small handful of reviews from Insured Nomads' clients: almost all of them gave the company a perfect five-star rating, but we didn't spot any that had actually needed to make a claim.

Best option for long-term travel and digital nomads

We still feel comfortable giving Insured Nomads our own four-star rating. With more and more people deciding to work remotely - and taking advantage of being able to work from Berlin or Bali instead of their basements - the kind of travel insurance that this company provides will undoubtedly become much more prevalent. We'd like to see more detailed policy information given upfront, making it easier for prospective customers to know what they're getting (and what they're not), but in all other aspects this appears to be a worthy addition to the travel insurance industry.

Allianz Travel Review

  • 10 plans to choose from, including single-trip, annual/multi-trip, and rental car coverage
  • In business for 100+ years

Allianz Travel is a huge name in the insurance industry. Last year alone, this company assisted more than 55 million people with protecting themselves and their belongings while roaming the globe.

Single-trip, multi-trip, and car rental insurance available here

There are ten different types of travel insurance coverage offered by Allianz, all designated according to whether you're covering a single trip (OneTrip), multiple trips within a year (AllTrips), or just rental car insurance. On the main quote page, you simply choose which of the three plan types fits your travels, enter your destination, travel dates, age of traveler, state of residence, and total trip cost, and you'll be shown all of the policies that match.

Not as much for the money

We used a sample traveler profile of two 35-year-olds going to Mexico for a week, about six months in the future, and with a total cost of $3,000. We were given the choice among all three of Allianz' OneTrip plans, ranging in price from $130 to $286 for both people. We weren't really impressed by the coverage: even at the highest level (Premier), the available medical coverage had a maximum of just $50,000 (while many rivals go up to $100,000 or even $1 million on their top-tier policies).

Some options are missing or hard to spot

It also wasn't until we were on the final payment page that we could click to see the full Plan and Pricing Details. We never found an option with Allianz that would cover Cancel For Any Reason. And, it was only in the very lengthy plan details that we spotted that our policy automatically included a pre-existing medical conditions waiver, as long as our policy was purchased within 14 days of the first payment (and several other eligibility criteria were met).

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Some nice perks

However, there are some benefits with Allianz travel insurance plans that didn't necessarily apply to our case study travelers but could be a reason for you to choose their coverage. For example, OneTrip Prime adds no-cost coverage for children 17 and under when traveling with a parent or grandparent. The AllTrips Executive plan covers your business equipment in the event of loss, theft, or airline delay: you can be reimbursed for equipment rental, replacement, and/or repair - and this policy will cover your personal travel/vacations as well.

"A+" from the BBB - despite 1,100+ complaints

You'll find the BBB's listing for Allianz Travel under their Global Assistance division: an "A+" and accreditation. There were over 1100 complaints filed with the BBB in the most recent three-year period, but an "A+" means that they were all responded to and handled professionally.

Mixed results on handling claims

Considering what travelers have said in other places, Allianz gets its fair share of complaints about slow claims processing. On the other hand, we found plenty of people praising how fast they were reimbursed for covered losses - from hotel and restaurant costs when return flights got canceled and rescheduled for another day to airfare and more, often getting payments to the customer within two weeks.

Good enough

All of this adds up to Allianz receiving the same rating that we gave them in our last review. This travel insurance provider is reliable, and they've added one more coverage type since our previous evaluation. We're not concerned that travelers will have big problems here, but there are other services that provide a wider range of options than Allianz.

Quote Wright Review

  • Guaranteed lowest price on policies from 12 different insurers
  • In business for 20+ years

QuoteWright is one of several travel insurance websites that provides policy quotes from a variety of insurers: 12 here, to be exact. Many of them can be found in a standalone review, such as RoamRight, Seven Corners, and Travelex. QuoteWright guarantees that you won't get a lower quote on any of the travel insurance plans they sell, even if you go directly to the insurers themselves. Of course, with insurance prices being regulated by the state, that's not exactly hard for them to guarantee.

Relatively easy quote process

You'll be asked the standard series of questions here to get a quote on your travel insurance coverage: state of residence, destination, trip type, departure and return date, number of travelers, whether or not any payments have already been made, and the prepaid trip cost (either per traveler or the total). When we entered the details for our case study travelers (going to Mexico in six months, total trip cost of $3,000 for two 35-year-olds), we were given seven different policies to choose from, ranging in price from $136 to $286.10. The included insurers were Generali Global Assistance, Travel Insured International, and Travelex.

Use filters to sort the way you want

The policies defaulted to a display from least to most expensive, and the short summary was set to show the Trip Cancellation benefits for each plan. If some other coverage is more important to you, such as Cancel For Any Reason or Travel Delay, you can select that instead. Finally, you can either click to view any plan's details or select two or more to compare (which is probably our favorite way to look at policies because it gives you at-a-glance info on all of the available benefits, add-ons, and coverage).

Don't be confused by low ratings

One part that may confuse you as you browse the travel insurance policies in your results list is the QuoteWright rating. A low rating doesn't mean that the insurer is bad: it's just an indication of how favorably that particular plan compares with the rest of them in your list, or how much value you'll get for your premium.

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No complaints at the BBB

We were glad to see that QuoteWright has an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. Better yet, there were no complaints filed there: an impressive feat for a company that's been around for more than two decades.

Not much user feedback

Otherwise, there isn't a ton of feedback for this travel insurance referral service. Do people get policies they love? Maybe, especially given that no one complained to the BBB about their experience, but that's not a lot to go on.

Not the best comparison site

QuoteWright isn't a terrible place to start your search for travel insurance, but there are other referral platforms that are much more comprehensive: more insurers, a wider range of policies and coverage, and more input from customers about those policies and their overall impressions when using the service. We didn't spot any red flags here, but you'll probably get more from one of our higher-ranked travel insurance companies.

Travel Guard Review

  • 3 main travel insurance policies available, with add-ons like Name Your Family bundling and coverage for Adventure Sports and Destination Weddings

Travel Guard is one of the most widely-used, travel agent-recommended insurance companies in the industry. Millions of leisure and business travelers alike use this company for emergency travel services, medical assistance, and other travel-related problems.

Policy names and inclusions have changed

If you've used Travel Guard before, things may be different now from what you remember. No longer named as Platinum, Gold, or Silver plans, the travel insurance policies here are now called Deluxe, Preferred and Essential - with slightly different coverages and new add-ons for adventure sports, destination weddings, and more.

No surprises in the quote process

Let's take a look at how those plans were offered for our sample traveler profile: a one-week trip to Mexico about six months in the future, with two 35-year-olds spending a total of $3,000. We had to start by entering our destination (though we liked that Travel Guard had quick buttons for the US, Mexico, and Caribbean as top locations), then indicating if we were taking an airplane, cruise, or neither. As we went through the standard questions - travel dates, number of travelers - we noticed the same wrinkle as our last review: to get an online quote, all travelers have to live in the same state of residence. In other words, if you're planning a family trip and your sister lives in Oregon, your brother is from Maine, and you live in Georgia, each of you will need to get a separate Travel Guard policy. However, that's an exclusion frequently found with all travel insurance sites - because prices are regulated at the state level.

Glitchy website = wasted time

However, that wasn't the only issue As we tried to enter the birthdates of the travelers in our fictitious party (not just the ages, as required by most sites), we kept getting an error asking for the date in a different format. No matter how we tried it, even using the little calendar icon and scrolling through to click on the appropriate birthdate, it wouldn't accept it. It took us nearly five minutes just to get the dates to go through (and we still have no idea what the site finally accepted, because the date looked exactly the same every time).

Keep an eye out for add-ons

We eventually got a quote of $102.50 for Essential, $197.27 for Preferred, and $339.76 for Deluxe. The biggest differences among the three plans were the coverage amounts and not the included items themselves. For example, medical expenses are covered up to $100,000, $50,000, and $15,000, respectively. We were surprised that only Preferred and Deluxe have the possibility of including Cancel For Any Reason, and you still have to pay for it as an upgrade. That optional coverage and all other options - Pet Bundle, Wedding Bundle (if your trip is for a wedding that's canceled; doesn't apply if you're the bride or the groom), Adventure Sports inclusion, and so on - will be displayed and can be included once you've chosen your base Travel Guard plan.

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BBB gives it an "A+" despite 1,200+ complaints

The Better Business Bureau gives Travel Guard an "A+" rating and accreditation. There were over 1200 complaints filed there, which isn't too surprising considering how much of a market share this travel insurance company has (with thousands upon thousands of policies issued every month). The BBB's rating means you can trust that if you have an issue, it will be addressed and resolved appropriately.

Claims are frequently denied

That being said, it's discouraging to read through complaint after complaint (on the BBB site and elsewhere) describing how often Travel Guard denies claims. It doesn't even seem to matter what the cause is - airline cancellations, lost baggage, you name it - there are too many times when either something that should be covered isn't, or the policyholder had been led to believe that they had coverage when they actually didn't.

Claims process is a chore

Plus, communication from Travel Guard during the claims process is almost nonexistent - and that squares up with our own experience; making a claim for 8 non-refundable plane tickets canceled during the early days of the pandemic, we were only reimbursed in part for a few of them (with Travel Guard incorrectly claiming that the airline had refunded the taxes and fees), and it was rare for us to get any kind of update. It was a pleasant surprise when we received any money back at all - and even that trickled in sporadically, despite making claims on all eight tickets at the same time.

Not our top choice for travel insurance

We're disappointed to have to give Travel Guard such a low rating: many travel agents still recommend this company as their bread-and-butter insurance choice, after all. However, the overall customer experience - including our own - just isn't consistent enough to rank Travel Guard any higher than "barely average" .

Seven Corners Review

  • Many different travel insurance types: domestic and international trips, travel medical, student travel, group travel, annual coverage for multiple international trips, and health insurance for visitors to the USA
  • In business for almost 30 years

Headquartered in Indiana, Seven Corners is a privately-held travel insurance and benefit management company serving the global market. You'll find a wide range of travel insurance types here, including domestic and international trips, travel medical, student travel, group travel, annual coverage for multiple international trips, and health insurance for visitors to the USA.

Not difficult to get an initial quote

It's relatively easy to use the Seven Corners site to find the right insurance for the travel you're planning. Indicate if you live in the US and if so, which state. In our case study of two 35-year-old travelers spending a week in Mexico six months out from the date of the quote, we then had to indicate that we were traveling internationally and we were given three options:

  • RoundTrip: designated as the best option for most travelers, it protects nonrefundable trip costs for delay, interruption and cancellation; baggage delay or loss; medical expenses and medical evacuation. Our quote was $116 for Basic and $208 for Choice. Cancel For Any Reason could be added for an additional premium, and only the Choice plan included a waiver for pre-existing conditions. It's also important to note that the medical coverage on Basic was secondary (only pays after your regular health insurance has paid) while the Choice plan had up to $500,000 in primary medical coverage.
  • Travel Medical: offers high levels of medical coverage for expenses and evacuation. COVID-19 coverage only included with the Plus plan add-on. This was priced at $22.40 for Medical Basic, $24 for Medical Choice, and $31 for Medical Plus. It was interesting that the highest tier, Plus, wasn't available to travelers older than 74 (but the other two covered any age). You'll definitely want to make sure this limited plan will meet your needs, especially if your trip involves flights or other non-refundable aspects.
  • Wander Frequent Traveler Plus: cover multiple trips under a single annual travel medical insurance plan. This is a super-specialized type of insurance that only covers medical expenses over multiple trips within a year. You specify the effective date and the deductible you'd like to pay per trip ($0, $250, $500). Getting a quote here didn't really fit our sample travelers, and we noticed that on this plan, it assumes a second traveler is either your spouse or your child. A premium of $1170 for two people is an average price for this type of policy.

Time-consuming to re-enter information

It was a little clunky having to go back and re-enter our travel information for each policy type. We would have preferred to enter our details just once (such as traveler ages and destination country) and have it apply across all of Seven Corners' travel insurance offerings.

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Top marks from the BBB

The Better Business Bureau gives Seven Corners its highest rating, an "A+" with accreditation. There were 84 complaints filed there in the three years leading up to this review, but the BBB's rating indicates that all of them were responded to appropriately and in a timely way.

Way too long to process claims

That's a little different from what we found elsewhere, and unfortunately not much has changed since the last time we evaluated Seven Corners: you'll get your policy quickly and the customer service team will be right on top of answering any questions you have. But if and when you actually need to make a claim, you'd better round up your patience - because the average time to process them was about 100 days at the time of this review. People are saying that filing the claim and seeing that it's been accepted for evaluation takes time, waiting for it to be accepted adds even more time, and then payouts may or may not happen.

Nice coverage options, but not quite enough service

We have to keep Seven Corners as one of our lower-ranking travel insurance companies: although we like that they offer coverage for both single trips and annual plans, that's no advantage if the claims process is a gigantic hassle. Keep Seven Corners as a last resort if you don't find the coverage you need with a more customer-friendly insurer.

World Nomads Review

  • Geared towards backpackers, long-term travelers, and other adventurers
  • Two policies to choose from: Standard and Explorer
  • All policies underwritten by Nationwide Insurance
  • Emergency assistance provided by Generali
  • In business since 2002

World Nomads has been in operation since 2002. As you might guess from their name, this travel insurance company has a strong focus on exploring the globe - and protecting adventurers with simple and flexible policies. You may appreciate their commitment to giving back to the places travelers visit through micro-donation opportunities when you purchase coverage. And, given that World Nomads gets the endorsement of Eurail, Hostelworld, TourRadar, and Intrepid, it's obvious that this service is most used by backpackers, explorers, and other adventurous sorts - and maybe not the family of six taking their first trip to Disney World.

Fewer questions than most sites

To get a quote here, you'll start by entering your country of residence. You'll indicate your travel dates and destination(s), the number and ages of the travelers. For the sample profile we used - two 35-year-olds going to Mexico for a week, approximately six months out from the date of our quote - we were offered the choice of two policies. As a side note, it was surprising not to be asked for the total trip cost, the date we made the first payment, or if we had already paid in full.

Some important options aren't available here

World Nomads' policies are underwritten by Nationwide, and there wasn't much that impressed us between the Standard Plan at $122. 85 and the Explorer Plan for $197.88. Neither one included protection for pre-existing medical conditions or the ability to cancel for any reason - and there was no opportunity to upgrade or add on those coverages. Also note that if you need emergency assistance while traveling, that will be fulfilled by Generali; both Nationwide and Generali are often quoted by other travel insurance websites, and you can be assured that they're well-respected in the industry.

Lots of included adventure sports

If you're planning on participating in activities, sports or other adventures while traveling, make sure to click on the link for the "over 200 adventure sports and activities" to see if it'll be covered under the plan you're considering. For example, scuba diving to a depth of 165 feet is covered under both the Standard and Explorer plans, but deeper than that or cave/cavern diving requires the Explorer plan. The only activities we saw that are completely excluded here are Base Jumping, Mountaineering over 22,965 feet (7,000 meters), and working as a Mountain Guide.

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Love/hate relationship with customers

How about reputation? World Nomads had received an "F" from the Better Business Bureau at the time of this review. The BBB said that rating was because the company had 23 complaints filed, and 15 of them received no response. That's never encouraging. In looking at the feedback for this travel insurance in other places, sentiment was fairly mixed. While 1,000+ clients gave World Nomads a perfect five-star rating, nearly 600 gave it the lowest possible one-star score.

Customer complaints

Some customers struggle to get covered claims paid (like trip delays due to stolen passports), while others seem to breeze right through the claims process and get reimbursed quickly. At least the complaints outside of the BBB seem to get a response from World Nomads' representatives - but there isn't often any follow-up to know if the policyholders wound up satisfied with the answers they got.

Doesn't deliver what they promise

If you want an insurance policy from Nationwide, you might as well just go directly to their site to buy it - or use one of the travel insurance comparison sites in our evaluation and see if that's really the best insurer for your travel situation. We're all for promoting world exploration and the peace of mind that comes with insurance coverage, but World Nomads just isn't doing a great job of providing that.

Travel Insurance Center Review

  • Referral service offering policies from several different insurers
  • Can get a personalized travel insurance policy recommendation from an expert, not just a computerized quote
  • In business for more than 20 years

Travel Insurance Center is one of several services in our review that offer policy quotes from various insurers. In business for more than two decades, this company wants to help you find the travel insurance that's the best fit for your journey and your budget.

Get a quote online or speak with a rep

There are two ways to get a travel insurance quote here: use the Policy Picker to get a quick recommendation, or fill out the form under "Get an Expert Recommendation" to speak with a rep and get coverage tailored to your needs. We used the Policy Picker to get a quote for the travel scenario we applied across all insurance platforms: two 35-year-olds traveling to Mexico for a week, about six months out from the date we made the request.

Unusual questions and options in the quote process

The questions that Travel Insurance Center asked surprised us. Instead of specifying the exact destination, we only had to say if it was domestic, international, or both. We were also confused that we had to choose if we were interested in protecting our trip cost or something else, like travel medical coverage or emergency evacuation; what if we wanted "all of the above" ? There was also a somewhat strange dropdown under the "Search Plans" button that offered to let us browse their most frequently-searched plans - which included mysterious options like "Defense Base Act Insurance Plans" and "War Risk/High Risk Travel" .

Difficult to get quotes or prices

And that's where we ground to a halt. Every time we tried to search for plans, we got a message saying that our session had timed out and we should try a new request. Each time we did, we got the same result. Could that be connected to the fact that the main URL of the site wasn't secured (which was an internet-wide protocol several years prior to this review)? It took a lot of back-and-forth to finally get the site to render any quotes. We were finally given seven policies to choose from: three from Trawick International, two from IMG, one from Insuractive, and one from Travel Insured. Much to our aggravation, clicking on any of those policies took us to the insurer's main page, where we had to enter our information all over again. Also, only one of the plans had a price quote ($111.73), while all of the rest simply said "See Details" .

Best Travel Insurance Plans

Hard to determine the company's background

Trying to research the background of Travel Insurance Center felt like a trip down the proverbial rabbit hole. Looking at the bottom of the page, we saw that the service belongs to a company called Senior Market Sales: an insurance marketing organization that helps agents and financial advisors make more money. Hmmm... Then we found an announcement that SMS was acquired in 2020 by Alliant Insurance Services, an insurance and employee benefits consulting firm. Alliant itself has an "A+" with the Better Business Bureau, but we're not sure that really reflects the performance of the travel insurance arm of the company.

No new ratings

Outside of the BBB, we found a surprising number of five-star reviews for Travel Insurance Center - but none of them were newer than 9 months old. Those high ratings definitely didn't reflect our experience during the quote process, and your experience will depend more on the insurer you wind up with than on TIC itself.

Don't waste your time here

While we can definitely appreciate the convenience of getting multiple travel insurance quotes with a single request, this service doesn't even come close to measuring up with similar referral platforms we evaluated. We can't think of one good reason why anyone would spend their time getting a policy quote from Travel Insurance Center instead of using a different comparison service - or just going to an insurer directly.

Axa Travel Insurance Review

  • Based in Ireland

Axa Travel Insurance has been in operation for more than 20 years. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the company handles more than 14 million assistance cases per year.

Not so impressive

Straight out of the gate, we feel we should tell you to expect a difficult experience all around if you try to use Axa for your travel insurance. We've got nothing against companies not headquartered in the US, but when you have to place an international call to get further information (or to make a claim), that's already a huge hurdle. Once you finally track down their "store" for US-based travelers, it's still hard to get impressed; at the time of this review, the site's copyright was over two years out of date.

Very few policy options

Still, we forged ahead with our sample profile (a trip six months in the future for two 35-year-old travelers visiting Mexico with a total trip cost of $3,000) and got a quote for one travel insurance policy: Silver, priced at $106. That plan included $25,000 in emergency accident and sickness medical expenses, but offered no pre-existing conditions waiver or the ability to cancel for any reason. This travel insurance policy seemed to cover the bare minimum, and we were frustrated by not getting any other options. Your search could be different, but our results here definitely didn't compete with other services we reviewed.

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BBB gives it a "C" for not responding to complaints

We weren't really excited to see that Axa Travel Insurance had a "C" rating from the Better Business Bureau at the time of our review. That lower-than-average rating was from the insurer's failure to respond to two complaints and to resolve two others, out of the 21 in total that were filed over the last three years. That's not a huge red flag, but we can't think of a good reason why Axa would choose not to address those issues.

No one seems to have a good experience here

Sadly, client feedback in other places mirrors this negative impression. Out of nearly 500 ratings, a full 91% said that their experience with Axa wasn't just average or poor but full-on bad: a one-star rating. Here's a sampling of their complaints: "over 2,000 minutes on hold over the last few weeks" , "three months ago I made a claim... with no communication since" , "awful customer service" , and "no money paid into my account even after waiting seven months to get a settlement letter" . Money only seems to go one way when you buy an Axa travel insurance policy - and that direction isn't in your favor.

Don't buy this travel insurance

Are you surprised that this is our lowest-ranked travel insurance company? Not only are you limited to their own brand of coverage, but those plans give you much less for your money than other insurers. Add the abundance of 1-star ratings for Axa and it's absolutely no wonder that this is our least favorite choice among the travel insurance options in our review. Avoid Axa Travel Insurance and go with a different service.

Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

And, even if you do have that kind of protection, travel insurance policies can amplify your benefits. For example, if you choose a plan that offers $500,000 in primary medical coverage, you might not need to touch your regular health insurance: your bills will be reimbursed up to that amount, no matter what your everyday health plan includes. Car rental insurance can go above and beyond what's paid for by your credit card company or even your own vehicle's coverage - and that can be critical if you're driving in another country and have an accident.

What type of travel insurance do you need? Naturally, that depends on your trip, your travel party, and your budget. A single-trip policy will be more affordable than multi-trip coverage - but if you're traveling internationally more than once in a year, the annual policy becomes much more economical. Do you need to be able to cancel for any reason? Is it important to you to have a waiver of the pre-existing conditions exclusion? Are there any children under 18 in your party that might be included at no extra charge, depending on the insurer you select? These are all factors that will influence your decision when picking a travel insurance plan.

Confused yet? You do have a lot of options. Here are some criteria to help you sort through them and ultimately wind up with the travel insurance coverage you need:

  • Quote process. How easy is it to get a quote that matches your insurance needs? Does the site explain the questions it asks, and does it display all of the possible plans in a way you can understand? Can you buy your policy right then and there, or do you have to click through to another site?
  • Value. What's included for your premium? From one site to another, you will probably see the same price on any given plan because the states regulate travel insurance prices. However, it's worth your time to compare premium prices and benefits among different insurers, so that you get the most for your money.
  • Reputation. It's easy for an insurance company to get high marks from customers if they never had to make a claim on the policy. What do clients who've filed claims say about the way they were treated? Were they reimbursed quickly? Did they get updates about the status of the claim? It's also good to check the Better Business Bureau's rating of any travel insurance service you're going to use.

To help you get the protection you need on your next adventure, TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked today's most popular sources of travel insurance. We're confident that this information will make it easy to protect yourself and what you've spent on your trip - and to have backup if something goes off track on your journey. Bon voyage!

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Travel Insurance Plan FAQ

What is travel insurance, what does travel insurance cover, what does travel insurance not cover, can i get travel insurance if i have a pre-existing medical condition, is travel insurance expensive, my chocolate is going someplace warm. will it melt, where can i buy travel insurance, is it safe to get travel insurance online, when should you buy travel insurance.

If you're making plans for your vacation or your family's vacation, you need to determine whether you want to purchase travel insurance. Travel insurance may be another expense, but it can be well worth it so that you're covered in case of an emergency or problem.

Not many years ago, few people purchased travel insurance. However, that's changing fast. In fact, according to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, in the last 10 years the percentage of American travelers purchasing travel insurance increased from 10 to 30 percent. Travelers purchase insurance for a few reasons including protection against unexpected events, loss of the financial investment in the trip, and peace of mind.

Like many things, travel insurance can cover a wide variety of problems and will reimburse your costs for many situations. But you should know what type of insurance you need for your specific situation.

Here are a couple of tips on when you should buy travel insurance.

  • You should consider buying travel insurance anytime the cost of the trip is more than the cost of the insurance. For example, if you're purchasing a $75 nonrefundable airline ticket, you probably don't want to invest in travel insurance that protects you from trip cancellation or interruption. However, if you've purchased a cruise vacation or all-inclusive resort stay for $3,000 - $10,000, you may want to protect that investment by purchasing travel insurance just in case you have to cancel due to illness, family emergencies, or other reasons. Travel insurance packages can also protect you in case the cruise line or resort experiences financial problems, such as going out of business between the time you pay for the trip and the time you get there. Be certain not to purchase this insurance from the cruise line or resort, as your coverage will be worthless if they go out of business.
  • You should purchase travel insurance whenever you travel outside the U.S. Whether you're traveling by cruise ship or by airplane, your health insurance may or may not cover any medical expenses you incur outside of the United States. This includes travelling on "foreign-flagged" cruise ships. If you're travelling in U.S. waters on a foreign-flagged cruise ship, your medical insurance may not cover you if you become sick or injured. Travel insurance companies that offer medical coverage can also help facilitate any medical payments needed while in a foreign country, act as your advocate, and help cover costs associated with transporting you back home for medical reasons.

There are a variety of reasons to purchase travel insurance and a variety of options to cover you and your vacation. Be sure to look for a travel insurance policy from a dependable company so that your vacation investment is protected, and you can relax and enjoy your trip!

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These are the 4 best family travel insurance plans

Find coverage that fits your family's travel plans with these four companies..

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Family vacations are a special time, and ensuring they go smoothly is essential to making memories that will last forever. Travel insurance is one way to ensure that any bumps in the road can be smoothed over, from a lost bag to an injury abroad.

CNBC Select reviews the best travel insurance plans for families based on coverage, cost and plan variety. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best family travel insurance companies.)

Best family travel insurance  

  • Best for families with young children : Allianz   
  • Best for affordability : Faye   
  • Best for CFAR coverage : Travel Insured International  
  • Best for cruises : Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  

Best for families with young children 

Allianz travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

10 travel insurance plans make it possible to customize your coverage. For families, Allianz's OneTrip Prime package covers children age 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

24/7 assistance available

  • Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable trip payments if you have to cancel your trip for one of the covered reasons stated in your plan documents. 
  • Limited coverage for risky sports

Who's this for? Allianz is great for families with young children as its OneTrip Prime travel insurance policy offers free coverage for children ages 17 or under when traveling with a parent or grandparent. Though this benefit isn't available to Pennsylvania residents, it could help families with younger children lower the cost of their travel insurance coverage.  

Standout benefits:  Allianz's cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage has an enhanced version available that can cover up to 80% of trip expenses if you have to cancel for a reason that's not covered.  

[ Jump to more details ]  

Best for affordability 

Faye travel insurance.

Faye offers travel insurance with a convenient online buying experience and an app with real-time travel alerts. It's one simple plan includes coverage for common issues, like trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses and trip delay coverage. It also offers coverage for pre-existing medical conditions when plans are purchased within 14 days of an initial trip deposit.

  • Covers Covid like any other medical condition
  • CFAR is available for up to 75% of trip costs for an additional cost.
  • Additional coverage options like vacation rental damage coverage and pet care coverage.
  • Not all benefits are available in all states.

Who's this for?  Faye travel insurance stands out for families on a budget. Its policies start at just $4.64 per day (for 14 days) for domestic trips and $5.16 per day (for 14 days) for international trips. It's also great for those who want a completely digital experience and would rather manage a policy through an app than an agent or by phone.

Standout benefits:  Faye's intuitive interface makes it easy to get travel insurance coverage on your own time, and quotes are available entirely online. On top of the standard trip delay, cancellation and interruption coverage, you can purchase CFAR coverage, coverage for adventure and sports activities and a pet care add-on, which can cover illness or injury for your pet when traveling with you, or extra kenneling costs if your trip is delayed if you leave your pet at home.  

Best for CFAR coverage 

Travel insured international travel insurance.

Travel Insured International has two simple travel insurance plans — the Worldwide Trip Protector and Worldwide Trip Protector Gold. Its plans are affordable and offer the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

  • Optional CFAR coverage and interruption for any reason coverage
  • Medical coverage can be lower than other options

Who's this for?  Travel Insured International could be a great fit for families looking for the flexibility of a CFAR addition to ensure they'll be covered for any reason they need to cancel. The company's wide variety of reasons for cancellation includes coverage for school year extensions with all plans.  

Standout benefits:  Travel Insured International's Worldwide Trip Protector can cover all children 17 and under for free when traveling with related adults.  

Best for cruises  

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has multiple plans to cover vacations from luxury travel to adventure travel. The brand's LuxuryCare offers the highest limits of travel insurance coverage offered by the company. Quotes and policies are available online.

  • Wide variety of policies available
  • Strong financial strength rating by AM Best
  • Cancel for any reason only provides reimbursement for up to 50% of non-refundable trip payments

Who's this for?  Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers cruise-specific packages for families setting sail on a cruise.  

Standout benefits:  Cruise plans include coverage for missed connections and unique challenges you could face on a cruise vacation, like cruise disablement and diversion. 

More on our top family travel insurance companies 

Allianz offers 10 different travel insurance policies for travelers and trips of all types, including single-trip and multi-trip coverage. It also offers quotes and claims online, making the experience simple.  

CFAR coverage available?  

Yes, up to 80% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs 

24/7 assistance?  

[ Return to summary ]  

While relatively new to the space, Faye's travel insurance plans combine affordability and easy access. Policies are backed by the United States Fire Insurance Company.  

Yes, up to 75% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs 

Travel Insured International 

Travel Insured International has been offering travel insurance for over 25 years. It has two tiers of coverage (available in most states) that can help you meet all your travel protection needs.  

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection 

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers several tiers of travel protection and insurance, including packages specifically designed for road trips and cruises. Its strong A++ financial strength rating also helps it stand out against the competition.  

Up to 50%, only available on LuxuryCare packages 

Does travel insurance cover family members?  

Generally, you can insure your whole family on one travel insurance plan, so you won't have to buy separate plans for every traveler. Your travel insurance plan will cover every person listed on the policy.  

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to a death in the family? 

In many cases, travel insurance can help you recoup the cost of your vacation if you have to cancel due to a death in your family. However, you'll want to carefully read your policy's definition of a family member, as not everyone in your life could be included.  

Bottom line

A family vacation can be a big investment, so it's important to protect yourself in case anything goes awry. Having a travel insurance plan that's easy to access, provides 24/7 support and fits your specific travel concerns and budget can help ensure your trip will go smoothly.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select? 

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance products. To research the best travel insurance companies, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen travel insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel insurance companies. 

Our methodology  

To determine the best travel insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of travel insurance companies and compared them based on various factors. 

While narrowing down the best travel insurance companies, we focused on the number of plans available, the availability of 24/7 assistance to access while traveling, coverage for Covid-19, the availability of cancel for any reason coverage, and financial strength (which measures a company's ability to pay on contracts) using A.M. Best ratings. We also considered family-friendly features, such as the inclusion of children on policies for free with parent's coverage, and reasons for cancellation, including school year extension as a reason for cancellation.  

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for travel insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.  

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money , and follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.  

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Protect Your Trip »

12 all-inclusive resorts with the best food.

All-inclusive properties aren't typically known for their cuisine, but these standout resorts break stereotypes.

All-Inclusive Resorts with the Best Food

best consumer rated travel insurance

Courtesy of Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa

All-inclusive resorts aren't necessarily known for their dining options or cuisine. In fact, many people have traditionally associated all-inclusive resorts with bland buffets and uninspiring meals that are meant to feed the masses.

Fortunately, more and more all-inclusive resorts are elevating their culinary offerings with diverse options, locally sourced ingredients and acclaimed chefs. Follow your taste buds to these all-inclusive resorts with the best food.

El Dorado Seaside Suites: Riviera Maya, Mexico

Tropical mexican shrimp cocktail, made with mango, onions, fresh tomatoes and lemon over a corn tostada

Getty Images

Located in Mexico's Riviera Maya, about halfway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, El Dorado Seaside Suites is part of the Karisma brand of resorts, which is known for its "gourmet inclusive" offerings. This meal plan covered by the room rate includes customized dishes from world-class chefs, as well as breakfast, lunch, dinner and specialty bites.

This all-inclusive resort is for adults only , and the on-site dining options cater to more mature tastes as a result. Visitors to the resort can choose from various cuisines around the world, including Mexican, international, Latin fusion, Asian fusion, Italian and more. The resort even boasts a beachfront barbecue spot that serves gourmet hamburgers, grilled chicken and shrimp kebabs, among other favorites. There are also several unique swim-up bars to select from, all of which serve curated cocktails throughout the day. Past guests here have raved about the food and drinks, with many saying they didn't have a bad meal or cocktail their entire trip.

Read: The Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico

Sun Palace Cancun: Cancun, Mexico

Sun Palace Cancun is another resort that features fresh and unique dining options in an all-inclusive setting. Geared toward adults and specifically couples, Sun Palace offers guests the chance to dine on a range of global options, from Thai and Latin American to Italian and Mexican-inspired cuisine. Four bars and a cafe serving coffees and sweets are available, and guests who want to dine with utmost privacy can opt for 24-hour room service instead of going out.

While foodies will be satisfied by the world-class gastronomy at this resort, guests who love a good drink will enjoy the premium, top-shelf spirits and the fully stocked minibar in their room. Other all-inclusive amenities to enjoy range from live entertainment and an oceanfront infinity pool to nonmotorized water sports equipment like paddleboards travelers can rent. Recent guests said their meals were excellent, with most of the positive remarks centered around dining at the Italian and Thai restaurants.

Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun

Royalton Bavaro, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

best consumer rated travel insurance

Courtesy of Royalton Luxury Resorts

Punta Cana 's Royalton Bavaro, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino is an all-inclusive paradise for all ages, and its room options reflect its diverse clientele. The property boasts a traditional Luxury Junior Suite that comes with or without a swim-up option, and it also offers suites with one or two bedrooms that are ideal for families.

Dining options at Royalton Bavaro cater to all sorts of tastes, and fresh meals are available 24 hours a day. In addition to round-the-clock room service, visitors can opt to dine at 11 different restaurants, including a teppanyaki eatery, a Brazilian grill and an Italian trattoria.

When it comes to kid-friendly options, a food truck serves gourmet burgers and hot dogs at the beach during the day. The Gourmet Marché international buffet also serves unique dishes and fresh bites from around the world; a special kids buffet is available as well to keep everyone in your crew happy and fed. Reviewers agree the food at the property is well above average, particularly at the on-site teppanyaki restaurant. And thanks to the resort's Marriott ties, Marriott Bonvoy rewards program members can earn points on a stay here or put points toward covering room rates.

Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Punta Cana

IBEROSTAR Rose Hall Beach: Montego Bay, Jamaica

IBEROSTAR Rose Hall Beach is a five-star resort with a convenient location about 10 miles east of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This kid-friendly property sits along a beautiful stretch of shoreline with crystal clear waters that are ideal for snorkeling or floating, and it has a huge oceanfront pool, a kids club and its own dive center.

Gastronomy options are impressive, and visitors can dine at four main restaurants during their stay. Options include Uncle Tony's buffet and rotisserie (which dishes out international and Jamaican cuisine); an expansive buffet for breakfast; an Italian restaurant; and a Japanese dining outlet with options like sushi rolls, maki, gyoza, various types of teppanyaki and more. An oceanfront snack bar also offers hamburgers, hot dogs and other quick bites throughout the day.

Reviewers say the food at the property was great, especially when it comes to the jerk chicken the island of Jamaica is known for.

Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica

Jade Mountain Resort: St. Lucia

best consumer rated travel insurance

Courtesy of Jade Mountain Resort

While Jade Mountain Resort of St. Lucia is a traditional hotel, the property offers an all-inclusive package for guests who want to bundle all their food and drinks into the nightly rate. That said, the way this resort is set up makes it unique from typical all-inclusive properties. All meals at the property are created by an expert chef and culinary team, and travelers can enjoy the tasty dishes in-suite or on the property's Celestial Terrace. The resort's main restaurant, Jade Mountain Club, also features James Beard Award-winning chef Allen Susser's "Jade Cuisine," which can be described as modern fusion cuisine with cultural influences and tropical flavors.

Resort guests can also sample fine cuisine at any of the restaurants of Anse Chastanet , which is located directly below Jade Mountain and accessible by foot or a resort shuttle. In Anse Chastanet's Treehouse Restaurant, for example, Jade Mountain guests can nosh on fresh Caribbean cuisine. In the Piti Piton Lounge, visitors are served a vegetarian and vegan menu featuring farm-to-table ingredients, which can include locally sourced turmeric, cashews, tamarind, mango, avocado and more. There are also plenty of other amenities to enjoy at the resort, from participating in yoga or fitness classes to relaxing with a spa treatment. Guests who stayed at this chic resort seem to agree the dining experience is superb overall, especially when it comes to enjoying romantic meals at the Jade Mountain Club.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya: Playa del Carmen, México

Grand Velas properties are known for their luxury amenities, as well as their superior on-property gastronomy. The Grand Velas Riviera Maya is no exception since it offers an array of gourmet cuisine options curated by expert chefs from around the world, including French-inspired dishes, Mexican cuisine, Asian fusion, Italian dining and more. There are eight signature restaurants to choose from, and this five-star resort also offers 24-hour suite service. Overall, consumers love the unique menus offered at the property, as well as the selection of premium spirits available.

Other perks at this luxury property include pool and beach concierge services; an in-suite minibar that's restocked daily; a kids club and teens club; and complimentary yoga, Pilates and zumba classes, to name a few. Every suite option at the property also includes more than 1,000 square feet of space, and some have a private plunge pool.

Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Playa del Carmen

Twin Farms: Vermont

best consumer rated travel insurance

Courtesy of Twin Farms

A must-visit destination in Vermont , Twin Farms dubs itself as "your perfect hidden getaway," which makes sense considering the property is tucked away on more than 300 pristine acres of Vermont countryside. Visitors come here to get away from it all, with options to ski the resort's private mountain in the winter or go hiking, biking and exploring during other seasons of the year.

This unique all-inclusive establishment is also known for its food and wine, and its location makes it ideal for sampling locally sourced ingredients from nearby dairies and farms. The property also grows herbs, fruits and vegetables in its own garden, just as it sources syrup from its own maple trees and honey from its own beehives. The eclectic property even has its own expert sommelier, who is charged with creating wine pairings and selecting distinctive wines for every meal.

Reviewers tend to focus on one thing when recounting their visit to this property: its amazing cuisine and the unforgettable food and wine experiences they had as a result.

Sandals Royal Curacao: Curacao

Sandals Royal Curacao is the newest luxury resort from the Sandals all-inclusive brand, and it is sure to offer the type of dining experience and food quality you expect. An adults-only resort geared toward romance, Sandals Royal Curacao offers unlimited fine dining at eight different on-site restaurants and three ocean view food trucks. Cuisines offered on the property range from Latin fusion and fresh seafood to Mediterranean and Italian, and visitors can also enjoy creative cocktails made with premium liquors at 13 unique bars, including a swim-up bar. Recent guests loved the food trucks, as well as the fresh sushi offered at the property.

Suite options here are impressive as well, with many rooms offering a private plunge pool or swim-up access. Sandals Resorts also feature unlimited use of water sports (nonmotorized and motorized) equipment like snorkeling and scuba diving gear, round-trip airport transfers, and endless other perks in your stay.

Margaritaville Beach Resort Capa Cana: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Lifestyle Resort (JPG)

Courtesy of Karisma Hotels & Resorts

Punta Cana's Margaritaville Beach Resort Cap Cana is another Karisma property that features the brand's signature "gourmet inclusive" dining options in a luxurious all-inclusive atmosphere. This Caribbean hideaway promises immersive culinary experiences, mixology classes and cocktail tastings, and features a few signature bars with top-shelf spirits and wines from around the globe. When it comes to dining, visitors will find four amazing eateries serving everything from old-world Italian cuisine and Latin and Asian fusion food to tacos and seafood. Room service is also available 24 hours a day, including cuisine delivery directly to your room's swim-up pool. Overall, guests rave about the food quality, particularly the breakfast buffet.

While this property is family-friendly, an adults-only section (called Hammock) is available for mature guests who want more privacy and access to an adults-only pool and swim-up bar.

Read: The Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts in Punta Cana

TRS Yucatan: Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Located about halfway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, Mexico, TRS Yucatan is the adults-only "resort within a resort" option at the Palladium all-inclusive resort complex. Known as one of the best all-inclusive resorts for honeymoons and other romantic getaways, this property is one of very few that offers a range of rooms and suites with their own private pools. Guests at the resort can also choose from numerous other pools, including a multitiered oceanfront infinity pool and a sea pool that is fed with ocean water.

Gastronomy is taken seriously at the TRS Yucatan, and this shows in the dining options available at the resort. Guests can choose to dine at 19 different eateries across the Grand Palladium complex, including some exclusive to TRS Yucatan guests. For example, El Gaucho specializes in Argentinian specialties, whereas Tentazione offers Italian delights and La Bohème focuses on fresh French cuisine. Past guests also loved the on-site Chic Cabaret & Restaurant, which wows visitors with a multicourse dinner served alongside a dazzling burlesque show.

Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

best consumer rated travel insurance

Puerto Vallarta's Garza Blanca Reserve Resort & Spa is another traditional resort that offers an all-inclusive dining plan for guests who want to indulge. Visitors can dine at three different gourmet restaurants on-site, including a steakhouse, an innovative Mexican restaurant and an Italian eatery. Adults in each party can also eat at three restaurants at the adjacent sister resort, Hotel Mousai , which features restaurants dishing out Italian fare, Japanese cuisine and contemporary Chinese food.

Garza Blanca Preserve serves meals with mouthwatering flavors and the freshest ingredients, and the resort frequently receives rave reviews for its innovative menu options and the cleanliness of the property. When it comes to rooms, this Puerto Vallarta resort also specializes in options for families and large groups. Guests can book suites and penthouses with up to four bedrooms, some of which come with butler service. The resort also boasts a stunning oceanfront infinity pool, activities like kayaking and hiking, and a world-class spa with many relaxing treatments to choose from.

Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Puerto Vallarta

Belle Mont Farm: St. Kitts

The Caribbean island of St. Kitts offers lush tropical beauty, stunning white sand beaches and a range of luxury resorts that cater the most discerning guests. Travelers seeking a one-of-a-kind vacation experience for foodies should consider Belle Mont Farm, a luxury boutique hotel with an unparalleled location on 400 acres of tropical, organic farmland. Not only does this resort feature organic and creative meals made from ingredients grown and nurtured in local soil, but it also focuses on sustainability and aims to keep the resort environmentally accountable.

The resort lets travelers book a cottage or villa and they can opt for an all-inclusive package that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. The resort's must-try al fresco "Farm Table" dining experience lets guests indulge in freshly made breads and family-style dishes as the sun sets, and the property's main restaurant serves freshly caught seafood, free-range proteins, and organic fruits and vegetables plucked directly from the farm's land. Traveler favorites at the resort include the homemade pastries and rolls, as well as the freshly caught fish served on a daily basis.

You might also be interested in:

  • The Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S.
  • The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico
  • The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean
  • Cruise Lines with the Best Food
  • The Best International Travel Insurance

Adults-Only All-Inclusive Mexico Resorts

best consumer rated travel insurance

Tags: Travel , All-Inclusive Vacations , Hotels and Resorts

World's Best Places To Visit

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  • # 4 Bora Bora

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COMMENTS

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  7. The Best Travel Insurance Companies Of March 2024

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  8. 10 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

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