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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

special medical 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

special medical 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

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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 Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

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

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

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

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.

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

Travel Medical Insurance: What to Know

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

Jessica Martel

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

Read Editorial Guidelines

Katie Powers

Licensed auto and home insurance agent

3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

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

Featured in

Updated October 12, 2023

Reading time: 4 minutes

special medical travel insurance

Table of contents

  • Travel medical insurance
  • What’s covered

Primary coverage

Secondary coverage.

  • Medical evacuation
  • Comprehensive coverage

Trip cancellation

  • Insurance limitations

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

What is travel medical insurance?

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

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

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

Does your health insurance plan cover you internationally?

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

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

What travel medical insurance covers

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

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

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

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

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

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

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

Comprehensive travel insurance plan

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

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

Limitations of travel medical insurance

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

Pre-existing conditions

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

High-risk activities

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

Geographic exclusions

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

Travel medical insurance FAQs

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

Who should buy travel medical insurance?

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

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

How do you use your travel health insurance?

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

What is travel insurance vs. medical insurance?

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

What does medical travel insurance cover?

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

Related articles

  • Airbnb Travel Insurance: What Guests Should Know
  • Does Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

Visitor Insurance for Parents: What to Know

What does cruise insurance cover.

  • Do You Need Group Travel Insurance?
  • What Is Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance?
  • Cheapest Travel Insurance
  • U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs . " Insurance Providers for Overseas Coverage ." Accessed September 25, 2023
  • Allianz Travel . " Primary Insurance Coverage ." Accessed September 25, 2023
  • Insurance Information Institute . " Should you buy travel insurance? ." Accessed September 25, 2023
  • U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs . " Travel Advisories ." Accessed September 25, 2023
  • U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs . " U.S. Travelers in Europe ." Accessed September 25, 2023

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Is Travel Health Insurance Necessary?

Travel health insurance can come in handy if you need care overseas

Travel health insurance is a special policy designed to cover medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip abroad. A common question from those that do not travel often is if travel insurance is necessary. 

This article will explain how travel insurance works, how it might benefit you, and whether you need to purchase it if you're going to be away from home for a period of time.

Travel health insurance is usually purchased for foreign trips, and although it's designed to be used for a limited period of time, there are travel medical policies for ex-pats that can be purchased for trips that last multiple years.

Whether you need travel health insurance depends on how likely you think it is that you might need medical care during your trip (this can be hard to predict, and medical needs can arise out of the blue), how well your existing health insurance policy covers you when you travel abroad, and on your ability to pay for medical care if the need arises—keeping in mind that this might require a long-distance medical evacuation.

For most people—and particularly for people who are older or are traveling to a less-developed area—the answer is probably yes. Here's why:

Expenses of Foreign Medical Care

Before you plunge into a travel insurance policy, check your existing health insurance. Some companies will pay what they refer to as " reasonable and customary " medical costs if you need care in a foreign country, which means you don't have to duplicate that kind of coverage in a travel policy.

But it's also common for American health insurance policies to not cover care received outside the United States. Most U.S. policies are required to cover emergency care anywhere in the U.S. (even if it's outside the plan's network). But there is no requirement that they cover emergencies outside the country, and many plans do not.

Even if your plan does cover some emergency care outside the country, pay close attention to what's not covered in your policy. Most domestic insurers will not pay to have you evacuated out of a foreign country for a medical emergency. The U.S. State Department says an evacuation can easily cost more than $50,000.

If that's not a cost you are capable of paying—or are willing to pay—for the consequences of something as simple and unpredictable as an auto accident, for example, you might want to buy extra insurance.

Many countries offer taxpayer-funded health coverage for their own citizens, but you may find that care is still expensive if you're a visitor. In the UK, for example, visitors from most other countries would be charged 150% of the regular National Health Service prices—although some services are provided free of charge to anyone, regardless of where they live.

In New Zealand, the country's Accident Compensation Scheme covers most of the cost of treatment for accidental injuries, but visitors need to have their own health coverage to pay for the treatment of illnesses.

In Japan, the public health insurance system is not available to non-residents, which means visitors need to arrange for their own medical insurance. The same is true in Canada. These are just some examples, but they illustrate some of the variations that exist from one country to another in terms of access to health care.

If you're traveling to another country, it's essential that you understand how that country's healthcare system works, how your current health plan will (or will not) cover the cost of care you might need overseas, and what options are available to you in terms of supplemental travel coverage that you can buy for the duration of your trip.

Where to Get Travel Medical Insurance

Travel websites offer a way to compare prices and coverage offered by a variety of providers. One well-known and frequently used online travel insurance company is IMG Global . Another is USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel medical insurance is also available from some of the well-known insurers that offer standard health insurance in the U.S., including Cigna Global , GeoBlue , and UnitedHealthcare Global . The companies' websites offer a good overview of the types of travel insurance available and how much the various plans cost.

Travel medical plans are not regulated under the Affordable Care Act , which means they don't have the same consumer protections as regular U.S.-based major medical coverage.

So when you're comparing travel health insurance plans, pay particular attention to how the plan handles pre-existing conditions . A general rule of thumb is that travel health insurance plans will not cover pre-existing conditions, but some plans offer applicants the option to purchase a rider that will allow for at least some level of pre-existing condition coverage.

If you have a pre-existing condition, you'll want to carefully check the details of the plan you're considering, and understand exactly what would be involved if you were to need care for that condition during your trip.

It's also important to understand that travel medical policies will have limits on how much they'll pay. This is not allowed for plans regulated by the Affordable Care Act, but again, that's not applicable to travel medical insurance.

There is a lot of variation from one plan to another in terms of the maximum benefit limits, so pay close attention to that when you're comparing plans. A policy with a $50,000 limit will likely be much less expensive than a policy with a $500,000 limit, but the coverage is also a lot less robust.

Travel Health Insurance for Older People

Older people should take particular note— Medicare does not pay for hospital treatment or medical care outside of the United States, except for a few very limited circumstances. That means that you'll be on your own unless you have other coverage that does provide coverage abroad, or you buy a travel policy.

Some Medigap policies and Medicare Advantage plans provide foreign travel emergency healthcare coverage when you travel outside the U.S. And if you have employer-sponsored insurance (a retiree plan or a plan from a current employer) that supplements Medicare, it might provide some coverage overseas.

Before traveling outside of the country, check with your supplemental plan or Advantage plan regarding travel benefits. And consider adding a travel insurance plan to supplement your existing coverage.

Risks of Illness

Foreign travel can be rigorous for anyone, given the changes in elevation and climate, and the presence of unfamiliar microbes. In some parts of the world, questionable water quality and sanitation compound the hazards.

The State Department recommends that anyone with a pre-existing medical condition, ranging from a heart problem to allergies, carry a letter from their healthcare provider that describes the condition, the treatment for it, and any prescription drugs that are being used, including their generic names.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tips on the immunizations that are required for trips to foreign countries and special conditions that may exist in those countries.

If you do get sick while you are abroad, an American consulate can help you locate the medical care you need and help arrange for travel back to the U.S. You will need to pay the bills, however, so be sure to pack your regular medical policy's ID card and confirmation of your travel policy, if you decide to buy one.

Combining Health and Travel Insurance

In addition to travel health insurance, you may want to consider travel insurance plans that combine travel medical insurance with coverage to protect your travel investment. Things like lost luggage, cancellation of flights, and cruise line or hotel bankruptcy can ruin your travel plans.

Along with your health insurance, travel insurance agencies can provide you with cancellation insurance, which may cover all or some of your costs.

But don't assume that a general travel insurance policy will include travel medical coverage. Read all the fine print of any policy you're considering, and make sure you purchase coverage that's adequate for whatever situations might arise.

Don't Forget Your Medications

If you plan to travel to a foreign country, it is important that you provide for your medication needs before leaving. An illness in the middle of your trip can ruin your vacation and cost you money to get needed medications.

Prescription drugs should be carried in their original containers with their original labels.

Before you leave for your trip, see your healthcare provider to get an ample supply of all your prescription medications. Also, talk to your healthcare provider about your change in schedule and ask when to take medications if you are moving through different time zones.

Americans traveling abroad often need to purchase a travel medical insurance policy in order to have coverage for medical care during their trip, or for emergency medical evacuations. Some U.S-based health plans will provide coverage abroad, but many do not. For people who need to purchase a separate travel medical plan, there are numerous insurance companies that offer this coverage, with benefits and available coverage durations that vary by plan. Coverage can usually take effect as soon as the day after purchase, but generally does not cover pre-existing conditions.

A Word From Verywell

It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to health benefits. And that's especially true if you're going to be traveling in a foreign country. A serious medical situation is never something you expect to arise while you're traveling, but it does happen. The last thing you want is to be in need of medical care—or a medical evacuation—and struggling to afford the cost. Planning ahead with a travel medical policy can give you peace of mind during your trip. And the plans tend to be much less expensive than standard American medical insurance, so they aren't likely to add too much to the cost of your trip.

HealthCare.gov. Using Your Health Insurance Coverage; Getting Emergency Care .

U.S. Department of State. Travel.State.gov. Your health abroad; Check your health insurance—are you covered abroad?

U.K. National Health Service. How to access NHS services in England if you're visiting from abroad .

West Coast District Health Board. Healthcare for tourists and visitors to New Zealand .

Dgi-Joho Japan. Health care services for tourists .

Government of Canada. If I get sick or have an accident while visiting Canada, will the Government of Canada pay for my medical treatment?

Medicare.gov. Your Medicare Coverage. Travel (when you need health care outside the U.S.) .

By Michael Bihari, MD Michael Bihari, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician, health educator, and medical writer, and president emeritus of the Community Health Center of Cape Cod.

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Emergency Medical Benefits

What is an emergency accident & sickness medical expense, what warrants a medical emergency.

In general, medical emergencies are defined as unexpected illnesses, injuries, or medical conditions that require immediate medical attention. Some examples of medical emergencies include: •    Accidents, such as a broken bone or a severe burn •    Illnesses, such as a heart attack, stroke, or appendicitis •    Allergic reactions or anaphylaxis

What Is Covered? 

AXA Travel Protection has your back when it comes to medical bills. If you get hurt or fall sick during your trip, we can help cover the costs  mentioned in your policy. Remember, there might be limits on specific expenses, but overall, you are in good hands. 

What Medical Expenses are included? 

 We have a checklist of medical expenses that will cover the following: 

  • Doctor Visits: If you need to see a doctor, AXA Travel Protection has you covered 
  • Hospital Stuff: From hospital rooms to fancy operating rooms, we can take care of the bills 
  • Medical Tests: Things like X-rays, lab tests and even those numbing shots can be part of the deal 
  • Ride to the Rescue: If you need an ambulance, we can  pick up the tab 
  • Medications and Healing Help: Medicine and treatments
  • Dental Care Included If you accidentally hurt your teeth and need dental work, do not worry. AXA Travel Protection has a dental coverage plan just for that. But remember, the tooth injury and the dental fix-up must happen while you are on your trip. Fair and Square Charges: AXA Travel Protection will not pay more than what is reasonable and standard for medical services. We want to keep things fair for everyone. 

Beyond the Return Date 

 Imagine getting stuck in a hospital even after your trip's supposed to end. AXA Travel Protection covers you for up to 90 extra days if your injury or sickness first happens during your trip.   

Is Emergency Medical Expense coverage necessary?

All three of  AXA’s travel plans  include Emergency Accident & Sickness Expense coverage. Maximum coverage per person is up to:

Maximum Benefit: $100,000 Dental Expenses: $5,000  

Maximum Benefit: $250,000 Dental Expenses: $5,000 File for a  free quote  to see the full range of coverage details.

In Conclusion 

With AXA Travel Protection, you can relax and enjoy your trip without stressing over unexpected medical bills. From accidents to sickness, we are here to support you. So, get out there and explore – AXA Travel Protection has your back! 

Other Travel Insurance Benefits:   Trip Cancellation ,  Emergency Evacuation ,   Baggage Loss ,  Cancel For Any Reason ,  Trip Interruption ,  Medical Travel Benefit , Trip Delay

AXA Travel Insurance

Compare Travel Insurance Plans

Get covered against Trip Delays, Medical Emergencies, Lost Baggage, and more!

Is Travel Insurance necessary?

Why choose axa travel protection.

  • Extensive knowledge of local health risks and medical facilities to respond swiftly in the event of a medical emergency
  • 24/7 global team of travel experts that offers assistance and assurance while traveling

How to get a Travel Insurance quote

Disclaimer:.

It is important to note that the specifics for Emergency Accident and Sickness Medical Expenses will depend on the policy selected, date of purchase, destination, and state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy and to contact AXA Partners with any questions or concerns they may have.

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Travel Medical Insurance: What Is It And How Can It Help?

Travel Medical Insurance: What Is It And How Can It Help?

Last Updated: March 26, 2018 December 27, 2023

Travel medical insurance can refund travelers if a medical emergency occurs during their trip. Due to the potential high cost of receiving medical treatment abroad, this is one of the main reasons many travelers buy insurance for their vacations.

Because many U.S.-based health insurance providers don’t extend coverage overseas, travel medical insurance policies can be an inexpensive way to have coverage during international travel . There are two main benefits: Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation & Repatriation.

Travel Medical Insurance: Emergency Medical Coverage

Emergency Medical coverage can reimburse the costs associated with medical treatment for an unexpected illness or injury during your trip.

The Emergency Medical benefit will either have Primary or Secondary coverage , depending on the policy. With Primary coverage, you can immediately file a claim with your travel insurance provider . With Secondary coverage, you will need to file with your health insurance provider first, even if you know the claim will be denied, and then you can file your claim with your travel insurance.

Squaremouth recommends $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage for international trips, and $100,000 for cruises or trips to remote destinations.

Travel Medical Insurance: Medical Evacuation Coverage

Medical Evacuation coverage can arrange your transportation to the nearest hospital in the event of a medical emergency. This benefit can also cover the cost to be transported home if the treating physician deems it necessary.

Squaremouth recommends $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage for international trips, and $250,000 for cruises or trips to remote destinations.

Comprehensive Policies with Travel Medical Insurance

Most travel insurance policies have a predetermined package of benefits that can’t be changed. Coverage limits can vary widely from one policy to the next, so it’s important to determine the minimum amount of protection you’d like before you begin comparing policies.

A policy’s premium depends on five primary factors: total trip cost, age of travelers, length of travel, the policy type, and total coverage amounts. If you would like a fully comprehensive single trip travel insurance policy , which includes coverage for medical emergencies, cancellations, delays, and luggage, you can choose to insure your trip cost. You can expect these policies to cost between 5% and 10% of the trip cost you insure. However, if you are only looking for travel medical insurance, you can save money by choosing not to insure your trip costs.

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The Best Travel Insurance Companies for All Travelers [2024]

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Christine Krzyszton

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The Best Travel Insurance Companies for All Travelers [2024]

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Purchase from a real insurance company, purchase your policy early, world nomads, berkshire hathaway travel protection, military and military families, travelers with disabilities, travelers with pets, the best travel insurance comparison sites and tools, credit cards with insurance, employer-sponsored health plans, club memberships, medicare advantage and medicare supplement plans, final thoughts.

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If you travel frequently, chances are you’ve encountered an event that could have been less stressful and less expensive if you’d purchased travel insurance.

Perhaps it was that cruise you booked but couldn’t take due to your broken ankle. Or maybe your flight had a weather delay and were forced to pay for an expensive hotel night, meals, and transportation.

Maybe you made it to your destination without incident — but your luggage never arrived.

Whether you’re escaping for the weekend or planning an around-the-world adventure, travel insurance is worth considering if you would experience financial loss should things go wrong .

But how do you select the right travel insurance company and the appropriate policy for your specific situation?

The vast number of choices can be daunting, but we can help you narrow the options.

In this article we’ll discuss:

  • What travel insurance covers
  • Where and when you should purchase travel insurance
  • The best travel insurance companies for your travel situation
  • Where you should look for current coverage

Let’s explore some of the best travel insurance companies and what to look for when selecting one to purchase your policy with.

Travel insurance is protection you purchase to cover you for the specific types of losses you could experience while traveling.

Types of coverage you can purchase in a travel insurance policy include:

  • Emergency medical care while traveling
  • Evacuation to a hospital should you become injured
  • Costs associated with trip interruption, delay, or cancellation
  • Lost/stolen/damaged luggage
  • You become ill and cannot take a planned trip
  • You need to cancel your trip for any reason

You can purchase a policy that covers an individual trip, multiple trips, or a family policy.  Another choice is an annual policy that covers all of the trips you would take in a 12-month period.

Where & When to Purchase Travel Insurance

You’ll of course want to purchase your travel insurance from a reputable company. Fortunately, all insurance companies are state regulated and rated financially , so it’s easy to select a trusted provider. Here are some tips:

  • Look for ratings on the company’s website — Look for ratings such as A+ on a company’s website, or access their financial rating on sites such as A.M. Best, Moody’s, or Standard and Poors.
  • See if they’re accredited by the Better Business Bureau — BBB accreditation is a real plus, and companies who have it will flaunt it.
  • Look for the word “Insurance” — Travel “protection,” “assurance,” or simply “travel policy” don’t mean the same thing. If the company is not an insurance company, it may not be regulated — and you may not be protected if the company dissolves or decides not to pay your legitimate claim.

Hot Tip: Due to “free look period” regulations that apply to insurance companies, you’ll also have the opportunity to review your policy and reject it if you are not satisfied.

In most cases you can purchase travel insurance up until the day of your departure. However, there are benefits to purchasing a policy earlier:

  • Protection if you get sick and cannot go on your prepaid trip
  • Travel planning and concierge services
  • Coverage for weather cancellations (such as for hurricanes)
  • Default of the travel company

The best plan of action is to purchase your travel insurance as soon as you’ve made your first trip deposit .

Bottom Line: Buy from a regulated insurance company that has a high financial rating and BBB accreditation. Additionally, purchase your policy at least 21 days in advance of your trip to take advantage of pre-departure coverages and benefits.

Air land sea activities

Best Travel Insurance Company for the Family (Recommended)

Obtain a family travel insurance quote from most companies, and you’ll be charged for each child added to the policy.

Travelex does things a bit differently and covers children under the age of 18 on the parent’s policy at no additional charge.

As an example, their Travel Select policy for a family of 4 (ages 35, 36, 8, and 10) on a 2-week trip that costs $4,600 quoted a premium of $242.

Primary Coverage includes:

  • Trip cancellation 100% of trip cost
  • Trip interruption 150% of trip cost
  • Trip delay $750 ($250/day)
  • Equipment delay $200
  • Missed connection $750
  • Baggage & personal effects $1,000
  • Baggage delay $200
  • Emergency medical & dental expenses $50,000
  • Emergency evacuation & repatriation $500,000
  • Accidental death & dismemberment $25,000
  • Travel assistance & concierge services

There are plenty of upgrade options available, such as cancel-for-any-reason coverage and additional medical coverage.

Travelex is also backed by A++ rated Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company and accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

Be sure to compare rates between companies to find the best value for the coverage most important to you.

Bottom Line: For family coverage all on 1 policy, comprehensive protection, and good value, Travelex is a solid choice. 

Allianz Annual Plan

Best Travel Insurance Company for the Active Traveler

If you’re the type of traveler who partakes in adventure activities such as white water rafting, scuba diving, or even bungee jumping, there’s one company that stands out above the others.

World Nomads offers comprehensive travel insurance plans that cover a huge variety of over 200 activities — even dangerous ones!

But you don’t have to be a risk-taker to benefit from World Nomads travel insurance .

Any traveler can benefit from their policies, which offer a combination of the coverages travelers need most.

Highlights of World Nomads Travel Insurance

  • You can purchase the insurance from anywhere, before you travel or during your travels
  • Backed by highly rated companies such as  Lloyd’s and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
  • World travel specialists
  • 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance
  • Single-trip, multiple-trip, and long-term policies are available
  • Best overall coverage for active travelers
  • Standard and comprehensive plans to choose from
  • Policies are available for travelers through age 69

Let’s take a look at a sampling of their travel insurance policies to get an idea of the coverage and cost.

World Nomads offers Standard Plans and more comprehensive Explorer Plans.

This particular policy is an Explorer Plan for a 40-year-old traveling for 6 months to 5 countries. The premium cost came to $814. (The Standard Plan with lower coverage limits was $567.)

World Nomads plan

Let’s take a look at a shorter term policy for a 35-year-old traveling to 5 countries over a 1-month period. The cost for this policy is $133 for the Standard  Plan and $236 for the Explorer Plan.

World Nomads Medical

Your World Nomads travel insurance policy covers you once you’re more than 100 miles from home , so their policies are great for domestic travel too.

If you want a comprehensive travel insurance policy with all the coverage you would need when traveling, World Nomads is a good choice.

You must be under age 70 to purchase travel insurance from World Nomads, and they do not cover pre-existing conditions .

For travelers age 70 and up, World Nomads partners with Silver Nomads to provide coverage through  TripAssure .

To secure a quote now for travel insurance, visit the World Nomads website .

Travelex family

Best for Purchasing an Affordable Annual Travel Insurance Plan

If you’re taking 3 or more trips a year, an annual travel insurance policy could save you money.

An annual policy also has the added benefit of insuring trips you haven’t even booked yet!

Consider including travel insurance provider Allianz when comparing policies if you’re looking for coverage for multiple trips during a 12-month period.

Allianz was voted best travel insurance provider by Travel Weekly for 2018 , but that’s just one of the 12+ awards this company won during the year.

After reviewing several companies and policies, I purchased my annual travel insurance policy from Allianz because it was the right mix of price and coverage for my travel schedule.

In addition to the coverage listed in the above example, these annual plans include baggage loss/damage, travel delay , and car rental coverage.

Allianz Coverage

To determine if an annual travel policy is better for you, simply price each planned trip separately and compare the cost and coverage to the annual policy .

Allianz also offers affordable travel insurance plans for families.

Hot Tip: An annual travel insurance policy with Allianz has the added benefit of covering trips you haven’t yet booked! Any trips 45 days or less in length are covered.

Geoblue Trekker Policy

Best for Medical Insurance While Traveling

If you have current medical insurance that will not cover you while traveling, the type of medical travel insurance policy you purchase will be different than if you do not have current medical insurance.

Fortunately, medical travel insurance coverage is available in either scenario.

If you have current medical insurance , you can affordably supplement it with a GeoBlue medical travel insurance plan and have coverage worldwide.

For those who don’t have current medical insurance , one option is to purchase a comprehensive plan that includes medical, such as Exact Care Plus policies with Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.

This example is for an annual comprehensive travel insurance policy for a 35-year-old (costing $292).

In addition to primary medical insurance of $50,000 and evacuation/repatriation insurance of $500,000, you’ll receive these coverages:

  • Trip cancellation – 100% of trip cost
  • Trip interruption – 150% of trip cost
  • Trip delay – $1000
  • Missed connection – $100
  • Tarmac delay – $1,000
  • Flight departure delay – $50
  • Lost baggage – $500
  • Delayed baggage – $150

Terms and conditions apply, and the price will vary depending on the cost of the trip, destinations, age of traveler, and coverage selected.

Hot Tip: You may be able to secure an annual comprehensive travel insurance plan that includes primary medical coverage for not much more than just an annual medical travel insurance plan. 

Best for Medical Evacuation Coverage

According to Medjet, over 2 million travelers each year need medical evacuation. Unfortunately, emergency medical evacuations can run between $30,000 and $150,000!

Backed by Lloyd’s of London, A + rated, and BBB accredited, Medjet is the premier provider of emergency evacuation services.

Medjet is not insurance — it is a membership that assures you’ll have medical transport when you need it, even in remote areas.

Short term membership starts at $99, while annual membership is $295.

Coverage includes worldwide medical transport and associated services.

Additional coverage is available for terrorism evacuation, kidnap for ransom, disappearance, wrongful detention, and blackmail/extortion.

Best Travel Insurance Companies for Special Situations

Are you current or former military, a senior traveler, disabled, or simply want to make sure you have insurance when traveling with your pet?

Fortunately, specialty travel insurance is widely available to everyone.

Military members have unique circumstances when it comes to travel insurance, such as redeployment and other situations specific to military service.

USAA members receive extra protection and exclusive rates on travel insurance policies. Current military, their families, and former military can qualify.

Additionally, children are included on most plans for no extra charge .

Here’s what these plans generally include:

  • Lost or delayed baggage
  • Trip cancellation or interruption
  • Trip interruption/cancellation even due to illness
  • Medical coverage
  • Weather interruptions to your trip
  • Emergency evacuation and assistance

Need a good credit card? Check out our list of the best credit cards for military .

  • World Nomad  partner  TripAssure  offers travel insurance for those 70 years old and above.
  • GeoBlue issues medical insurance travel plans up to age 84.
  • Allianz and Berkshire Hathaway offer policies up to 99 years of age!
  • Allianz Global Assistance (recommended by Wheelchair Travel.org) offers policies for those with disabilities or special needs at standard prices.
  • Travelex’s Travel Max Policy  – $1000 for emergency pet medical treatment. If you are unable to take care of your pet due to hospitalization while traveling, there is coverage of up to $10,000 to transport your pet back home.

If you want to compare travel insurance companies and individual policies, a comparison tool can do just that.

Here are 4 of the most popular comparison sites, all of which offer dozens of policies from scores of travel insurance companies:

  • Squaremouth
  • InsureMyTrip
  • Travel Insurance.com

Comparison sites do not list every travel insurance company , but they can help narrow your choices and get an idea of pricing and coverage.

Note that some sites are limited to single-trip policy searches and don’t allow you to search for annual travel insurance policies.

Booking Trips with a Travel Rewards Credit Card

Coordinating Travel Insurance With Current Coverage

You may currently have some form of travel insurance and not realize it, so check for current coverage if you have any of these resources.

Credit cards can provide a multitude of travel benefits. One of the best credit cards for travel benefits include the Chase Sapphire Preferred :

  • Domestic and worldwide car rental insurance
  • Trip delay , cancellation , and interruption protection
  • Lost/delayed baggage protection
  • Roadside assistance
  • Travel and emergency assistance
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Cell phone protection

It’s worth noting that to receive credit card travel benefits, you must pay for your trip with your qualifying credit card .

Some credit cards grant coverage when paying partially, but some require the entire purchase be paid with the card (or rewards points from the card).

Hot Tip: To find out which credit cards offer protection , we put together a comprehensive overview of credit cards and the associated travel benefits.

While many health insurance plans limit coverage outside of the United States, you may find travel coverage within your plan that can be quite significant.

For example,  Unum  is one of the most common group insurance companies offering employers travel insurance for their employees through  Assist America .

You may find these types of protection included:

  • 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
  • Hospital and English-speaking medical provider referrals
  • Legal and interpreter referrals
  • Passport replacement assistance

Bottom Line: It’s important to know if your current health insurance plan will cover you when traveling. You may find unexpected coverage or some gaps in coverage, and be able to supplement your plan with a travel insurance policy prior to your trip. 

Certain club memberships offer benefits that can include various levels of travel insurance coverage:

  • Divers Alert Network — Emergency evacuation insurance, even when traveling for non-diving activities
  • Family Motor Coach Association — Discounted worldwide travel assistance
  • Gold Wing Road Riders Association — Free emergency towing and roadside assistance for motorcycles
  • American Motorcycle Association — Emergency towing and roadside assistance coverage for motorcycles, cars, trucks, trailers, and RVs
  • American Alpine Club — Search and rescue for any land-based activity worldwide up to $7,500

Hot Tip: Divers Alert Network provides up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation insurance for members, even during non-diving activities. The cost to be a member is only $35 annually. 

Only in rare circumstances does Medicare extend coverage outside of the U.S.

Supplemental plans you purchase over and above your plan A and B Medicare, however, can pay 80% of medical emergency care outside the U.S. after a $250 deductible.

Coverage is valid for the first 60 days you’re traveling and has a $50,000 lifetime cap.

BOTTOM LINE: Benefits offered with credit cards, club memberships, employer-sponsored health plans, and Medicare do not match the protection you’ll receive with a comprehensive travel insurance policy. However, knowing what you have currently can help you avoid paying for duplicate coverage. 

Insurance serves the purpose of protecting us from great financial loss. For this reason, it is wise to purchase travel insurance for any trip that includes the potential to lose money if things go wrong.

Travel insurance also delivers peace of mind. Even if we never use the insurance, it is one less worry knowing we’ll be compensated if an incident occurs.

Fortunately, travel insurance is broadly available and also affordable. And there are so many choices!

Be sure to purchase your travel insurance policy from an actual regulated insurance company for an extra level of protection.

Our selections in this article were limited to strong financially rated companies, those that provided ease in getting a quote, and those that offered an understandable overview of coverages.

To learn more about travel insurance and assistance in finding a policy that fits your travel needs, access our ultimate guide to buying the best travel insurance .

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

Which is the best travel insurance company.

The best travel insurance company is the one that offers a policy that fits a combination of your budget and your travel needs.

The insurance company should be highly rated financially and ideally be certified with the Better Business Bureau.

You should also make sure that the policy you purchase is from an actual insurance company.

Insurance companies are state regulated and must adhere to rules and regulations. This extra level of protection can help if the company should go out of business or not pay your legitimate claim.

As always, it’s good to compare coverage and price to find the best combination for your situation.

Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?

Yes, you can purchase a travel insurance policy that includes medical insurance, or you can purchase one that has only medical insurance coverage.

There are plans that require you to have current medical insurance. These plans are called secondary plans, and they pay incurred medical costs over and above what your current policy pays.

There are also plans that are primary plans, which pay regardless of whether you have other medical insurance. If you do not have current medical insurance, you will want a primary medical travel insurance policy.

Do credit cards have travel insurance?

Credit cards offer limited travel insurance. You won’t find medical coverage, emergency evacuation insurance, or coverage if you need to cancel your trip due to an illness.

Credit cards can offer a trip interruption benefit, coverage for lost baggage, and even rental car coverage.

However, the coverage that comes complimentary on your credit card does not come close to the protection you receive with a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

It is good to know the current coverage offered on your credit card, however, so that you don’t purchase duplicate coverage.

Is there travel insurance that covers multiple trips?

Yes, you can purchase a travel insurance policy that covers a single trip, multiple trips, or an annual insurance policy that covers all the trips you would take in a 12-month period.

If you plan to take more than 2 or 3 trips a year, you should look into an annual travel insurance policy.

Price out what it would cost for separate policies for the trips you have planned, then price out an annual plan to compare the difference in cost.

You will also want to compare coverage and coverage limits.

One advantage to an annual travel insurance policy is that it will cover trips you may book in the future as long as they fall into the 12-month policy term.

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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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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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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).

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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.

special medical 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

special medical 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?

special medical 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?

special medical 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?

special medical 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

special medical 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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Do You Need Special Health Insurance to Travel Internationally?

Some countries are requiring proof of medical coverage in the covid-19 era.

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Before your next international trip , you may have to add an item to your packing list: proof of health insurance.

As the world begins to reopen to tourism, Americans are finding that some countries, including many Caribbean nations, now require arriving passengers to document that they have medical coverage. And a few, such as Costa Rica , are even demanding special policies that cover up to $2,000 for the expense of quarantining in a hotel if a visitor tests positive for COVID-19, as well as at least $50,000 of expenses relating to coronavirus care.

"We're seeing this more and more,” says Brook Wilkinson, an editor at travel-advice website WendyPerrin. “If someone wants an easy-breezy trip 2019-style, that's going to be tricky."

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You may already be covered by a health insurance plan in the U.S. A health insurance policy for international travel may be necessary if you don't have your own health plan, if your plan doesn't cover medical care outside of the U.S. or if your destination requires a special country-specific plan.

Here are questions to ask when considering whether you need to purchase travel health insurance.

Does the country you're visiting require travel health insurance?

Before COVID-19, some countries already required visitors to prove they had health insurance coverage, and now a growing number are requiring a special country-specific policy related to the pandemic.

While Western European countries haven't adopted the requirement, countries that have include Cambodia, which requires visitors to buy COVID-19 insurance from a local company ($90 for 20 days); Aruba; the Bahamas; the British Virgin Islands; Dubai; Egypt; Grenada; Jordan; Mauritius; Namibia; Rwanda; Saba; St. Martin/Sint Maarten; the Seychelles; Sri Lanka; and Thailand.

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Entry requirements are changing frequently. Ask your travel agent or search online for the latest updates. The best source of information is usually the country's tourism office and the U.S. State Department . Other helpful resources include CanITravel.net and WendyPerrin.com , which maintains a comprehensive list. The sites also have the latest traveler requirements for COVID-19 vaccination, testing and quarantining. Note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises delaying international trips until you are fully vaccinated.

If a country requires special health insurance, you must bring written proof, sometimes specifically mentioning coverage for COVID-19, which the insurer can provide. Without it, airlines may not let you board and some countries may not admit you.

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Travel Insurance Terms

Travel health insurance  covers medical issues that arise while you're traveling. You may need it if you don't have another form of  health insurance , your health insurance doesn't fully cover you outside the U.S. or your destination requires visitors to purchase a particular plan.

Medical evacuation insurance  covers transportation to a medical facility if there isn't one in your immediate destination. It may be included in a travel health insurance policy or bought separately.

Trip cancellation  or disruption insurance  allows you to recoup the nonrefundable portion of a trip canceled for a covered reason. Sometimes it covers cancellation in case of illness, but it doesn't cover medical care. It may or may not cover cancellation due to disease outbreaks (such as  COVID-19 ) in your destination.

Does your current health insurance policy cover medical care outside the United States?

Even if you have health insurance and special coverage isn't required for entry to your destination country, you may still need a travel health policy. Many traditional health insurance policies, including basic  Medicare plans , do not provide coverage outside the U.S. And while some Medicare supplement polices include overseas coverage, it may be limited.

"A lot of U.S. travelers really aren't aware of how much medical coverage they have when they're traveling internationally,” says Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com. “They're assuming that health insurance travels with them, but in many cases it doesn't."

If you don't have health insurance (travel or otherwise) that covers you in your destination, you could face bills running many thousands of dollars if a health emergency arises.

Will you be particularly vulnerable during your travels because of a health condition or high-risk activities?

The CDC recommends travel health insurance for international travel, particularly for those who “have an existing health condition, are traveling for more than six months, or doing adventure activities such as scuba diving or hang gliding.”

You can find travel health insurance plans that cover  preexisting conditions , but you often need to purchase one shortly after paying for your trip (usually within two or three weeks). And some plans won't cover medical care for injuries resulting from activities that are generally considered high risk. So be sure your plan does if you want to be adventurous and, say, skydive.

Do you need emergency evacuation coverage?

Even if your health insurance includes medical transportation, it may just cover the cost of getting you to the nearest appropriate medical facility. For example, if you sustained a serious injury on a safari in South Africa, your carrier may pay for transportation to a hospital in Johannesburg but not the cost to fly you back home.

Some travel health insurance policies include emergency evacuation home, and other companies, such as Medjet (MedJetAssist.com) and GlobalRescue.com, sell stand-alone plans that provide the coverage.

Choosing a travel health insurance plan

Travel health insurance generally isn't super expensive. A policy for a 65-year-old going to Europe for two weeks could cost less than $35 for $50,000 in coverage, Sandberg says. Paying just a bit more can bring higher policy limits and extras like lost-baggage coverage. (By contrast, trip cancellation insurance is pricier, costing up to 10 percent of the price of your trip. And coverage that lets you cancel for any reason runs even more.)

Shop around. Sandberg's company offers quotes from multiple plans, as do platforms such as InsureMyTrip.com. These companies also sell travel cancellation insurance, but you can narrow your search for travel health insurance policies by entering $0 as your total trip cost.

And, as noted above, you may want to consider whether a policy covers medical care for preexisting conditions or for COVID-19 and whether it includes emergency evacuation.

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The Best Travel Insurance for Mexico in 2024

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Allianz Travel Insurance »

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Seven Corners »

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Generali Global Assistance »

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Trawick International »

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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 Insurance for Mexico.

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  • Allianz Travel Insurance
  • Seven Corners

While Mexico is a lot closer to the United States than most other international destinations, that doesn't mean you don't need travel insurance. Travel to Mexico puts you at risk of many of the same perils you'll face in other parts of the world, including the prospect of becoming injured or ill during your trip, facing travel delays or flight cancellations , or dealing with baggage delays once you arrive.

Before you plan a relaxing getaway or adventure trip in a destination like Mexico City , Puerto Vallarta or Cancún , you'll want to have a travel insurance plan lined up and ready to go. Our advice? Start your search by comparing the following Mexico travel insurance plans and all they have to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Just like with other international trips, you should know that your own personal health insurance coverage will not apply in Mexico. The same is true if you have a government health plan like Medicare. (See our article on this topic for more information.)

At the bare minimum, you'll want to have travel health insurance that applies if you become sick or injured during your vacation. Other types of insurance coverage can also make sense for travel to Mexico, including coverage for trip cancellations, delays, lost baggage, missed connections and more.

Mexico travel insurance policies vary widely in terms of what they offer and how much coverage you get. Ultimately, you should compare plans side by side and make sure you're getting enough coverage for the type of trip you're taking and the specific risks you're taking on.

That said, common protections found in Mexico travel insurance plans cover:

  • Baggage delays
  • Emergency medical evacuation
  • Trip cancellation
  • Trip interruption
  • Travel delays
  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Medical expenses
  • Rental car damage

Some plans available for Mexico trips also include optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage that reimburses you for part of your prepaid trip cost when you cancel your trip for any reason at all. Certain coverage options also provide protection for preexisting medical conditions if certain conditions are met, which is a factor you'll want to take note of if you or someone in your traveling party has a medical condition that could pose a problem on your trip.

  • Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Overall
  • Seven Corners: Best for Families
  • Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
  • Trawick International: Best for Adventure Travel
  • WorldTrips: Best for Nomads and Remote Workers

Option to purchase CFAR and preexisting medical conditions coverage

Kids age 17 and younger covered for free

Lower coverage limits for medical expenses than some providers

  • $100,000 in coverage for trip cancellation (per traveler)
  • $150,000 in coverage for trip interruption (per traveler)
  • $500 in Trip Change Protector coverage
  • $50,000 in emergency medical coverage (per traveler)
  • $500,000 for emergency medical transportation (per traveler)
  • $1,000 toward baggage loss or damage (per traveler)
  • $300 in coverage for baggage delays of 12 hours or more (per traveler)
  • $800 in protection for travel delays per traveler (daily limit of $200 applies)
  • $100 per insured person, per day in SmartBenefits coverage for eligible delays
  • 24-hour hotline assistance
  • Concierge services

Optional CFAR and preexisting conditions waiver available

Coverage for up to 10 travelers in a single plan

Low coverage limits on Trip Protection Basic plan

  • Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses ($750 emergency dental limit)
  • $1 million in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost (maximum $100,000 per person)
  • Trip interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
  • Trip delay coverage worth up to $2,000 ($250 per person, per day)
  • $1,500 in coverage for missed cruise connections or tours (up to $250 per day)
  • $2,500 in coverage for baggage and personal effects (limit per item of $250)
  • Baggage delay coverage worth up to $500 (maximum $100 per day) after delays of six hours

CFAR and preexisting medical conditions coverages available

High coverage limits for medical expenses and evacuation

CFAR coverage only reimburses at 60%

Low emergency dental limit

  • Up to $1 million in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and transportation
  • $250,000 coverage limit for medical expenses ($500 limit for dental emergencies)
  • 100% of trip cost for trip cancellation
  • 175% of trip cost for trip interruption
  • $1,000 per person for travel delays ($300 per person daily limit)
  • $2,000 per person in coverage for baggage
  • $2,000 per person in coverage for sporting equipment
  • $500 per person for baggage delays
  • $500 per person for sporting equipment delays
  • $1,000 per person in coverage for missed connections
  • Air flight accident accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage worth $100,000 per person (maximum $200,000 per plan)
  • Travel accident AD&D coverage worth $50,000 per person (maximum $100,000 per plan)
  • $25,000 per person for rental car damage
  • 24-hour travel support
  • Identity theft resolution services

Coverage for 450-plus sports and activities

Generous benefits for emergency evacuation

No CFAR option available with this plan

No preexisting conditions waiver

  • Trip cancellation coverage for 100% of prepaid trip cost (up to $50,000)
  • Trip interruption coverage for 125% of prepaid trip cost (up to $62,500)
  • Trip delay coverage up to $1,000 for delays of 12 hours or more ($200 per day)
  • Inconvenience benefits worth up to $500 per trip
  • Medical coverage up to $100,000
  • $10,000 in coverage for search and rescue (not available in New York)
  • Up to $1 million in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
  • Up to $3,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects
  • Baggage delay coverage worth up to $750 after a delay of 12 hours or more
  • Sports equipment rental coverage worth up to $5,000 (not available in New York or Washington)

Useful medical coverage for frequent travelers to Mexico

Potential for high coverage limits for medical expenses

No coverage for trip cancellation

Available coverage limits vary by age

  • Up to $250,000 in maximum coverage for illnesses and injuries
  • Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
  • $10,000 in coverage for political evacuation
  • $1,000 in coverage for emergency dental expenses
  • Up to a $20,000 lifetime maximum for repatriation of remains
  • $5,000 in trip interruption insurance
  • Up to $3,000 for lost checked luggage ($6,000 lifetime maximum)
  • Travel delay coverage worth up to $100 per day after delays of 12 hours (two-day maximum)
  • Personal liability coverage worth up to $25,000

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a seasoned travel expert who has been creating content about travel insurance, cruises, all-inclusive resorts and more for more than a decade. She has visited more than 50 countries around the world and has an annual travel insurance plan of her own. Johnson also has experience navigating the claims process for travel insurance plans and has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations more than once. Johnson works with her husband, Greg, who is licensed to sell travel insurance, and owns the travel agency Travel Blue Book .

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Specialist travel insurance

Specialist travel insurance by AllClear is designed to provide travel insurance cover where other providers may not, for those of all ages. Our tailored policies cover pre-existing medical conditions, medical emergencies and cancellations. For peace of mind on your travels, get a quote today!

Defacto Rated

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Specialist travel insurance from allclear, our 5 star trustpilot rating.

Specialist travel insurance is designed to cover your medical conditions, unlike many standard policies. This type of travel insurance gives you peace of mind if have medical conditions and wish to travel. You will then be covered for medical emergencies, even those related to COVID-19, which is vital to prevent any unexpected medical bills while you’re away.

Many standard travel insurers have no appetite to offer specialist holiday insurance cover beyond a certain age and where medical conditions are involved, a fact recognised by AllClear when it launched 16 years ago.

In that time we have offered cover for over 1300 medical conditions and can rightly be described as travel insurance specialists.

Knowledge and choice

In 2010, AllClear became the first company to launch an online comparison website for specialist holiday insurance cover. A select panel of other travel insurance specialists were invited to join our panel of providers so we can truly offer the widest possible choice and a range of prices from those who most understand the cover needs of the customer.

Annual multi-trip or single trip specialist travel insurance?

We offer both variations and you need to consider carefully what best suits your needs.

If you have a number of planned trips over a 12 month period then annual multi-trip specialist holiday insurance is likely to be your best option.

There are some important elements of an annual multi-trip policy that you need to be aware of.

Maximum trip lengths vary by age and by the provider. It is important that before purchasing your specialist travel insurance that you check the maximum trip lengths for the provider you wish to select. AllClear annual multi-trip products have a maximum trip length of 31 days if you are 70 and over and 45 days if you under 70.

Additionally, all of your planned holidays or trips must originate and finish in the UK.

Where you may only have one holiday planned or a small number of short trips, then single trip travel insurance cover is likely to be a more suitable option.

It can also be a viable option if you plan an extended stay in one location – trip lengths in this scenario can be up to 92 days.

Is age a factor?

AllClear prides itself on being an inclusive brand. Our mission is to provide specialist travel insurance regardless of condition, age or destination.

During our relatively quick and easy to follow screening process you will be required to input your age but only those specialist travel insurance providers who offer cover for the age you have given will display prices.

Benefits of AllClear Cover

Simple 3 step quote process, 1. call us or click a quote button on our site, 2. complete our simple medical screening process, 3. get your quotes.

We strive to ensure that we can deliver the widest possible choice for as many different medical conditions as possible. We believe we can genuinely say we are travel insurance specialists but don’t take our word for it.

Our customers are regularly invited to review both our service and products and we have currently received over 50,000 Trustpilot reviews.

We take our feedback seriously and monitor the reviews in order to continuously improve our customers’ experience.

AllClear is currently rated an outstanding five-stars with a TrustScore of 4.8 out of 5!

Read AllClear Trustpilot Reviews

Written by: Russell Wallace | Travel Insurance Expert Last Updated: 24 November 2023

[1] Based on Trustpilot reviews of all companies in the Travel Insurance Company category that have over 30,000 reviews as of January 2023.

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  • Why You Should Trust Us

Best Cheap Travel Insurance of April 2024

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

In an ever-evolving world, emergency medical and evacuation travel insurance coverage is essential, especially if you're traveling internationally. However, sports equipment coverage, pet protection, and cancel for any reason coverage are among the increasingly popular coverage options that are changing the way we travel.

Best Cheap Travel Insurance

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

Compare the Top Cheap Travel Insurance Plans

HTH Worldwide HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three plans to choose from
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reasonable premiums
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR coverage available with some plans
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical emergency and evacuation coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc not available
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited reviews with complaints about claims not being paid
  • Trip cancellation of up to $5,000 with the Economy plan and up to $50,000 with the Preferred plan
  • Cancel for any reason insurance and missed connection insurance available with the Preferred plan
  • Baggage delay insurance starting after 24 or 12 hours depending on the plan

GoReady GoReady travel insurance

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a CFAR upgrade add-on on certain plans
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Comprehensive insurance plans include generous coverage for baggage loss, plus protection from hurricane and other intense weather-related issues
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive pricing
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Online complaints about claims not being paid and non-responsiveness
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not all more expensive plans include CFAR coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Dropping rating with AM Best
  • Annual and multi-trip plans available
  • All plans include pandemic coverage for COVID-19
  • Coverage for weather-related delays, cancellations and other incidents

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

Trawick Trawick International Travel Insurance

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. 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)

Affordable Travel Insurance Reviews

So you're planning a big family vacation—if you're lucky, the trip of a lifetime. Travel costs can skyrocket quickly, leaving you feeling a bit overwhelmed. At this point, travel insurance starts to look like a potentially unnecessary cost, but is it really?

The best travel insurance plans can go a long way toward defraying unexpected costs that may arise if you're asking the right questions starting with: What does travel insurance cover ?

Best Affordable Travel Insurance Overall: HTH Worldwide TripProtector Economy Travel Insurance

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

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

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

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Affordable Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation: GoReady Trip Cancellation Plan Travel Insurance

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

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

Read our GoReady Travel Insurance review here.

Best Value Cheap Travel Insurance: Nationwide Essential Travel Insurance

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

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here

Most Popular Cheap Travel Insurance: Trawick Safe Travels Explorer Travel Insurance

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

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

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

Types of Cheap Travel Insurance

Comprehensive coverage.

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

Medical-Only Coverage

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

Evacuation and Repatriation

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

Benefits of Opting for Cheap Travel Insurance

Cost savings.

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

Adequate Coverage for Less

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

How to Pick The Best Cheap Travel Insurance Plan for You

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Cheap Travel Insurance

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

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

The seven winning plans cost between $29 to $74 — significantly below the typical cost of comprehensive travel insurance, which can range between 4%-8% of total travel expenses, according to the US Travel Insurance Association. But these affordable plans also come with comparably low ceilings for various aspects of coverage such as emergency medical, trip cancellation, or delay — and do not include rental car or "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) protection. So if you think you might need these benefits, it may well be worth upgrading to a comprehensive travel insurance plan for a few more dollars, just for the peace of mind.

Convenience and Flexibility

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

Sufficient Coverage in Essential Categories

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

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

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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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Entry Requirements & COVID-19 Travel Resources 

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

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Why do I need travel insurance?

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

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

Travel delays leave you stranded.

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

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

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

Fender-benders are unavoidable.

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

You need help in a hurry.

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

Why go with Allianz Travel Insurance?

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

We're Protecting You

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

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

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TRAVEL RESOURCES

How Travel Insurance Works

How the Cancel Anytime Upgrade Works

What Does Rental Car Insurance Cover?

Is It Too Late to Buy Travel Insurance?

The Comprehensive Guide to Annual Travel Insurance

5 Ways the TravelSmart App Can Help During Winter Travels

Travel Insurance with Emergency Medical Benefits

Destination Guide: Croatia

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

More Travel Resources »

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

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FinanceBuzz

FinanceBuzz

8 Reasons It’s Worth It To Buy Travel Insurance (And 6 Times To Skip It)

Posted: July 12, 2023 | Last updated: July 12, 2023

<p> Life is full of unexpected events and complications, and that doesn’t stop just because you’re traveling. If anything, travel may have even more surprises than your day-to-day life at home.  </p> <p> Travel insurance can help you <a href="https://financebuzz.com/seniors-throw-money-away-tp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=1&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=avoid+wasting+money&synd_backlink_position=1&synd_slug=seniors-throw-money-away-tp">avoid wasting money</a> if you have to cancel a trip due to illness, need medical coverage while you’re traveling, or send you home for medical reasons.  </p> <p> However, it may not always be necessary and can sometimes be a waste of money. Keep reading to learn when you should and shouldn’t opt for travel insurance.</p><p>  <a href="https://financebuzz.com/top-travel-credit-cards?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=1&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=Compare+the+best+travel+credit+cards+for+nearly+free+travel&synd_backlink_position=2&synd_slug=top-travel-credit-cards">Compare the best travel credit cards for nearly free travel</a>  </p>

Life is full of unexpected events and complications, and that doesn’t stop just because you’re traveling. If anything, travel may have even more surprises than your day-to-day life at home.

Travel insurance can help you avoid wasting money if you have to cancel a trip due to illness, need medical coverage while you’re traveling, or send you home for medical reasons.

However, it may not always be necessary and can sometimes be a waste of money. Keep reading to learn when you should and shouldn’t opt for travel insurance.

Compare the best travel credit cards for nearly free travel

<p> The number one reason people buy travel insurance is to cover an expensive trip. And if you’re traveling overseas, chances are your travels will cost a lot of money.  </p> <p> In addition, there are potential complications when it comes to international travel, from losing luggage during connecting flights, missed or canceled flights, sickness, and more.  </p> <p> And if something catastrophic happens in a foreign country, travel insurance provides evacuation so you can get home safely.</p><p>  <p class=""><b>Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%?</b> <a href="https://financebuzz.com/worthy-community-signup-wealth-testimonials-v2-synd?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=2&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=Sign+up+for+Worthy+to+get+ideas+and+advice+delivered+to+your+inbox.&synd_backlink_position=3&synd_slug=worthy-community-signup-wealth-testimonials-v2-synd">Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.</a></p>  </p>

Safety net for international travel

The number one reason people buy travel insurance is to cover an expensive trip. And if you’re traveling overseas, chances are your travels will cost a lot of money.

In addition, there are potential complications when it comes to international travel, from losing luggage during connecting flights, missed or canceled flights, sickness, and more.

And if something catastrophic happens in a foreign country, travel insurance provides evacuation so you can get home safely.

Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%? Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.

<p> Getting sick or injured is unpleasant enough when you’re in the comfort of your home, but it’s a new beast entirely when you’re abroad.  </p> <p> Generally, you can expect basic medical expenses to be covered through your travel plan, often including dental. Medicare will not cover medical expenses in a foreign country. If you’re traveling overseas, travel insurance for potential medical costs is worthwhile. </p>

Medical coverage

Getting sick or injured is unpleasant enough when you’re in the comfort of your home, but it’s a new beast entirely when you’re abroad.

Generally, you can expect basic medical expenses to be covered through your travel plan, often including dental. Medicare will not cover medical expenses in a foreign country. If you’re traveling overseas, travel insurance for potential medical costs is worthwhile.

<p> Renting a car is a great way to get around when traveling because you can explore a place on your own. Using taxis or ride-share services may cost more money. However, even the best drivers make mistakes, and no one can protect themselves from reckless drivers.  </p> <p> Your U.S. car insurance won’t cover you when driving in a foreign country. So choosing the car-rental insurance option when you buy travel insurance may be a good move.  </p> <p> Be aware that most travel insurance rental-car plans cover collisions and may not cover medical expenses, damages to other cars or property, or personal property damage or loss.</p><p>  <p><a href="https://financebuzz.com/southwest-booking-secrets-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=4&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=7+Nearly+Secret+Things+to+Do+If+You+Fly+Southwest&synd_backlink_position=4&synd_slug=southwest-booking-secrets-55mp">7 Nearly Secret Things to Do If You Fly Southwest</a></p>  </p>

Cover rental car mishaps

Renting a car is a great way to get around when traveling because you can explore a place on your own. Using taxis or ride-share services may cost more money. However, even the best drivers make mistakes, and no one can protect themselves from reckless drivers.

Your U.S. car insurance won’t cover you when driving in a foreign country. So choosing the car-rental insurance option when you buy travel insurance may be a good move.

Be aware that most travel insurance rental-car plans cover collisions and may not cover medical expenses, damages to other cars or property, or personal property damage or loss.

7 Nearly Secret Things to Do If You Fly Southwest

<p> Unfortunately, as with many health insurance plans, travel insurance often won’t cover pre-existing conditions. Travel health insurance is usually meant for unforeseen illnesses or injuries instead of complications due to an existing medical issue.  </p> <p> Even travel insurance companies that cover pre-existing issues often only cover physical maladies and exclude mental conditions and typical pregnancy-related symptoms and complications.  </p>

Pre-existing conditions often aren’t covered

Unfortunately, as with many health insurance plans, travel insurance often won’t cover pre-existing conditions. Travel health insurance is usually meant for unforeseen illnesses or injuries instead of complications due to an existing medical issue.

Even travel insurance companies that cover pre-existing issues often only cover physical maladies and exclude mental conditions and typical pregnancy-related symptoms and complications.

<p> A big fear for travelers is losing their luggage, either having it not arrive at the destination or stolen during their trip. Most airlines will offer reimbursement for luggage they lose, but it can take quite a while for this to process. </p> <p> Travel insurance will cover the cost of replacing your clothing and other items while you wait for your luggage to be located and can also cover theft and damage. </p>

Protect lost luggage

A big fear for travelers is losing their luggage, either having it not arrive at the destination or stolen during their trip. Most airlines will offer reimbursement for luggage they lose, but it can take quite a while for this to process.

Travel insurance will cover the cost of replacing your clothing and other items while you wait for your luggage to be located and can also cover theft and damage.

<p>You should consider buying travel insurance if you’re traveling with valuables, including expensive jewelry, art, or even pricey sporting or adventure gear. </p> <p> You’ll need to talk to the insurance agency specifically about covering your valuables, as they may need to be insured separately. Depending on your homeowners insurance policy, your jewelry may be covered even when you travel.  </p> <p> Sporting goods, including golf clubs, will not be covered by your homeowners insurance if you’re traveling, so you will need travel insurance to replace them if they’re lost, damaged, or stolen.</p><p>  <p class=""><a href="https://financebuzz.com/top-no-interest-credit-cards?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=7&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=Pay+no+interest+until+nearly+2025+with+these+credit+cards&synd_backlink_position=5&synd_slug=top-no-interest-credit-cards">Pay no interest until nearly 2025 with these credit cards</a></p>  </p>

Cover valuable items and gear

You should consider buying travel insurance if you’re traveling with valuables, including expensive jewelry, art, or even pricey sporting or adventure gear.

You’ll need to talk to the insurance agency specifically about covering your valuables, as they may need to be insured separately. Depending on your homeowners insurance policy, your jewelry may be covered even when you travel.

Sporting goods, including golf clubs, will not be covered by your homeowners insurance if you’re traveling, so you will need travel insurance to replace them if they’re lost, damaged, or stolen.

Pay no interest until nearly 2025 with these credit cards

<p> While we do our best to prepare for the worst-case scenario, we can’t stop life from happening. Things like medical emergencies, a death in the family, or other catastrophes can halt your travel plans.  </p> <p> If you have travel insurance, rescheduling or cancellation fees will be covered, allowing you to deal with the emergency at your own pace. You won’t have to worry about losing the money spent on the trip and subsequent fees. </p>

Emergencies happen

While we do our best to prepare for the worst-case scenario, we can’t stop life from happening. Things like medical emergencies, a death in the family, or other catastrophes can halt your travel plans.

If you have travel insurance, rescheduling or cancellation fees will be covered, allowing you to deal with the emergency at your own pace. You won’t have to worry about losing the money spent on the trip and subsequent fees.

<p> Are you planning a fall trip to the Gulf Coast or Florida? Consider your travel destination and the time of year you're going.  </p> <p> If you’re visiting someplace prone to natural disasters, especially seasonal occurrences like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and such, travel insurance can help you recoup your money should these events interrupt your travel plans. </p> <p> Similarly, if a natural disaster occurs during your trip, often, insurance will pay to move you to a more secure location. </p>

Natural disaster coverage

Are you planning a fall trip to the Gulf Coast or Florida? Consider your travel destination and the time of year you're going.

If you’re visiting someplace prone to natural disasters, especially seasonal occurrences like tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and such, travel insurance can help you recoup your money should these events interrupt your travel plans.

Similarly, if a natural disaster occurs during your trip, often, insurance will pay to move you to a more secure location.

<p>Your insurance will most likely cover typical travel-related injuries but don't expect your medical bills to be covered if your itinerary involves extreme adventures or dangerous exploits. </p> <p> Surfing, sailing, kayaking, bungee jumping, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, and other extreme sports do not fall into everyday illnesses or injuries. For these activities, consider getting a specific plan for adventure activities.</p><p>  <p class=""><a href="https://financebuzz.com/top-cash-back-credit-cards?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=10&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=Earn+up+to+5%25+cash+back+when+you+shop+with+these+leading+credit+cards&synd_backlink_position=6&synd_slug=top-cash-back-credit-cards">Earn up to 5% cash back when you shop with these leading credit cards</a></p>  </p>

Extreme adventures may not be covered

Your insurance will most likely cover typical travel-related injuries but don't expect your medical bills to be covered if your itinerary involves extreme adventures or dangerous exploits.

Surfing, sailing, kayaking, bungee jumping, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, and other extreme sports do not fall into everyday illnesses or injuries. For these activities, consider getting a specific plan for adventure activities.

Earn up to 5% cash back when you shop with these leading credit cards

<p> If you booked your trip through a travel company and it goes bankrupt, travel insurance may provide a safety net to ensure you get your money back. </p> <p> Airlines, cruise ships, travel companies, and other travel-related businesses suffered during the pandemic, and many may not be on solid financial ground yet. </p> <p> This may not be covered in a basic insurance plan, so make sure your agent adds financial default coverage if you are concerned about the health of your travel provider. </p><p>In the situation any company or organization closes or is otherwise inoperable during your trip, you’ll be covered. </p> <p> Now let’s look at times you may not need travel insurance. </p>

Shaky travel companies

If you booked your trip through a travel company and it goes bankrupt, travel insurance may provide a safety net to ensure you get your money back.

Airlines, cruise ships, travel companies, and other travel-related businesses suffered during the pandemic, and many may not be on solid financial ground yet.

This may not be covered in a basic insurance plan, so make sure your agent adds financial default coverage if you are concerned about the health of your travel provider. 

In the situation any company or organization closes or is otherwise inoperable during your trip, you’ll be covered.

Now let’s look at times you may not need travel insurance.

<p> Before purchasing travel insurance, consider which credit card you have. Many of the <a href="https://financebuzz.com/top-travel-credit-cards?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=12&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=top+credit+cards&synd_backlink_position=7&synd_slug=top-travel-credit-cards">top credit cards</a> offer travel protections.  </p> <p> Some protections you may already have include lost luggage, rental car insurance, trip delay, and trip interruption or cancellation.  </p> <p> Credit card programs often don’t cover medical or other interruptions, so consider your priorities before choosing this option. </p>

Your credit card offers travel protections

Before purchasing travel insurance, consider which credit card you have. Many of the top credit cards  offer travel protections.

Some protections you may already have include lost luggage, rental car insurance, trip delay, and trip interruption or cancellation.

Credit card programs often don’t cover medical or other interruptions, so consider your priorities before choosing this option.

<p> If you’re traveling within the U.S. and its territories, travel insurance may not be necessary. For example, you won’t need medical coverage as your health insurance should be honored nationwide.  </p> <p> Domestic travel is also usually much less expensive. If you’re taking a cheap, last-minute, or nonstop flight and staying at an inexpensive hotel or rental, the cost of travel insurance may not be worth it. </p> <p> One exception might be a family trip to Disney World. The estimate for a trip for a family of four in 2023 is more than $6,000, so travel insurance might be money well spent in this case.</p><p>  <p class=""><a href="https://financebuzz.com/top-signs-of-financial-fitness?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=13&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=5+Signs+You%E2%80%99re+Doing+Better+Financially+Than+the+Average+American&synd_backlink_position=8&synd_slug=top-signs-of-financial-fitness-2">5 Signs You’re Doing Better Financially Than the Average American</a></p>  </p>

You have a domestic trip

If you’re traveling within the U.S. and its territories, travel insurance may not be necessary. For example, you won’t need medical coverage as your health insurance should be honored nationwide.

Domestic travel is also usually much less expensive. If you’re taking a cheap, last-minute, or nonstop flight and staying at an inexpensive hotel or rental, the cost of travel insurance may not be worth it.

One exception might be a family trip to Disney World. The estimate for a trip for a family of four in 2023 is more than $6,000, so travel insurance might be money well spent in this case.

5 Signs You’re Doing Better Financially Than the Average American

<p> Not all travel is planned. Whether traveling for work, a family emergency, or just a last-minute vacation, you likely don’t need insurance in these circumstances. Odds are, you’re packing light, and both your flight and hotel are relatively inexpensive.  </p> <p> In these scenarios, the things insurance covers won’t be relevant, including baggage loss, flight cancellations, hotel issues, and so on. </p><p>Not only will these costs likely be minimal, but they can be disputed with your airline or hotel, although it may take a little while to get your money back. </p>

Don’t add expense to cheap trips

Not all travel is planned. Whether traveling for work, a family emergency, or just a last-minute vacation, you likely don’t need insurance in these circumstances. Odds are, you’re packing light, and both your flight and hotel are relatively inexpensive.

In these scenarios, the things insurance covers won’t be relevant, including baggage loss, flight cancellations, hotel issues, and so on. 

Not only will these costs likely be minimal, but they can be disputed with your airline or hotel, although it may take a little while to get your money back.

<p> If you’re buying travel insurance to cover the cost of rescheduling a flight, you’re better off purchasing a refundable ticket at a higher price. And some airlines have more flexible policies now. </p> <p> Many airlines allow last-minute ticket changes and will even help you reschedule your flight within a specific timeframe. The timeframe and policy vary by airline, and you may be subject to a nominal cancellation or rebooking fee, but it will be significantly less than insurance.  </p>

The airline has a flexible rebooking policy

If you’re buying travel insurance to cover the cost of rescheduling a flight, you’re better off purchasing a refundable ticket at a higher price. And some airlines have more flexible policies now.

Many airlines allow last-minute ticket changes and will even help you reschedule your flight within a specific timeframe. The timeframe and policy vary by airline, and you may be subject to a nominal cancellation or rebooking fee, but it will be significantly less than insurance.

<p> One emergency situation insurance probably won’t cover is war or political unrest. If you’re visiting a location with political tensions and your trip is canceled as a result, don’t expect your insurance to cover the costs.  </p> <p> Insurance companies generally follow the travel advisories the U.S. State Department issued for medical and political situations.  </p> <p> Similarly, insurance won't cover these costs if you have to leave your trip early for safety concerns. Consider your destination's political environment before booking your travel or buying insurance.</p><p>  <p class=""><a href="https://financebuzz.com/recession-coming-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=16&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=9+Things+You+Must+Do+Before+The+Next+Recession&synd_backlink_position=9&synd_slug=recession-coming-55mp">9 Things You Must Do Before The Next Recession</a></p>  </p>

Insurance will not cover political unrest

One emergency situation insurance probably won’t cover is war or political unrest. If you’re visiting a location with political tensions and your trip is canceled as a result, don’t expect your insurance to cover the costs.

Insurance companies generally follow the travel advisories the U.S. State Department issued for medical and political situations.

Similarly, insurance won't cover these costs if you have to leave your trip early for safety concerns. Consider your destination's political environment before booking your travel or buying insurance.

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<p> Many hotel cancellation policies have tiers depending on the booking you make. For example, some may have free cancellation within a specific period, while others charge different rates for rooms booked as non-refundable or partially refundable.  </p> <p> If your sole reason for purchasing insurance is hotel flexibility, consult with the hotel before you book. They may have a policy as flexible as your insurance or can work with you should something unexpected arise.  </p> <p> Penalty-free cancellations for major hotels tend to be around 24-48 hours prior to arrival. </p>

Your hotel may cover cancellations

Many hotel cancellation policies have tiers depending on the booking you make. For example, some may have free cancellation within a specific period, while others charge different rates for rooms booked as non-refundable or partially refundable.

If your sole reason for purchasing insurance is hotel flexibility, consult with the hotel before you book. They may have a policy as flexible as your insurance or can work with you should something unexpected arise.

Penalty-free cancellations for major hotels tend to be around 24-48 hours prior to arrival.

<p> Travel insurance may be pricey, but it’s a lifesaver in many situations. However, in others, it’s overkill and a waste of money.  </p> <p> Every travel situation is different, so consider your specific needs when purchasing. And, if you want more money to cover your insurance, consider these ways to <a href="https://financebuzz.com/ways-to-make-extra-money?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=18&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=make+extra+cash&synd_backlink_position=10&synd_slug=ways-to-make-extra-money">make extra cash</a> for travel funds.</p><p>  <p class=""><b>More from FinanceBuzz:</b></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.financebuzz.com/supplement-income-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=18&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=7+things+to+do+if+you%E2%80%99re+barely+scraping+by+financially.&synd_backlink_position=11&synd_slug=supplement-income-55mp">7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.</a></li> <li><a href="https://financebuzz.com/ways-to-make-extra-money?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=18&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=12+legit+ways+to+earn+extra+cash.&synd_backlink_position=12&synd_slug=ways-to-make-extra-money">12 legit ways to earn extra cash.</a></li> <li><a href="https://r.financebuzz.com/aff_c?source=%2Fshould-you-buy-travel-insurance&offer_id=16866&aff_id=1006&aff_sub=msn&aff_sub2=&aff_sub3=&aff_sub4=feed&aff_sub5={impressionid}&aff_click_id=&aff_unique1={aff_unique1}&aff_unique2=&aff_unique3=&aff_unique4=&aff_unique5={aff_unique5}&rendered_slug=/should-you-buy-travel-insurance&contentblockid=984&contentblockversionid=16460&ml_sort_id=&sorted_item_id=&widget_type=&cms_offer_id=637&keywords=&synd_slide=18&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=Can+you+retire+early%3F+Take+this+quiz+and+find+out.&synd_backlink_position=13" rel="nofollow">Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.</a></li> <li><a href="https://financebuzz.com/extra-newsletter-signup-testimonials-synd?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=18&synd_postid=12377&synd_backlink_title=9+simple+ways+to+make+up+to+an+extra+%24200%2Fday&synd_backlink_position=14&synd_slug=extra-newsletter-signup-testimonials-synd">9 simple ways to make up to an extra $200/day</a></li> </ul>  </p>

Bottom line

Travel insurance may be pricey, but it’s a lifesaver in many situations. However, in others, it’s overkill and a waste of money.

Every travel situation is different, so consider your specific needs when purchasing. And, if you want more money to cover your insurance, consider these ways to make extra cash for travel funds.

More from FinanceBuzz:

  • 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
  • 12 legit ways to earn extra cash.
  • Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
  • 9 simple ways to make up to an extra $200/day

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  1. Best Travel Medical Insurance In 2020 (From $3.77 Per Week)

    special medical travel insurance

  2. Travel Health Insurance Reviews

    special medical travel insurance

  3. Medical Travel Insurance Explained

    special medical travel insurance

  4. Don't Worry

    special medical travel insurance

  5. Everything You Need To Know About Medical Travel Insurance Plan

    special medical travel insurance

  6. Travel Medical Insurance: The Complete Guide

    special medical travel insurance

VIDEO

  1. Everyone Needs Private Medical Insurance

  2. နယူးဇီလန် Intermediate ကျောင်းအတွက်လိုအပ်ချက်များ။

  3. Burglary covered in travel insurance #insurance #insuranceawareness #travel

  4. Tips To Stay Safe During Your Maldives Holiday

  5. Don't Get Lost in Coverage

COMMENTS

  1. Best Travel Medical Insurance Of 2024

    The Best Travel Medical Insurance for Visitors to the U.S. Atlas America - Best Overall. Patriot America Lite - Best for Cost. Patriot America Plus - Great for Trip Interruption Insurance ...

  2. 11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in March 2024

    Best for emergency medical coverage. Allianz Global Assistance. Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions. Travel Guard by AIG. Best for those who pack expensive equipment. Travel ...

  3. Best Travel Medical Insurance of 2024

    Breaking a bone during a trip. $25,000 to $2 million. Emergency evacuation coverage. Heart attack that requires a helicopter ride to a hospital in another town. $25,000 to $1 million or more ...

  4. Buying the Best Travel Medical Insurance for You [2024]

    3. Allianz Travel Medical Insurance. Allianz offers an Emergency Medical plan that offers additional benefits that extend beyond simply medical coverage. This plan is a comprehensive plan that covers lost baggage and trip cancellation and delay, in addition to emergency medical coverage.

  5. Travel Medical Insurance: How it works

    As a rule of thumb, a travel insurance policy typically costs 4% to 10% of the price of your trip. So, if your overall trip will cost $5,000, expect to pay $200 to $500 for a travel insurance ...

  6. How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

    Nerdy takeaways. Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more. Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions ...

  7. Travel Medical Insurance: What to Know

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

  8. Do I Need Travel Health Insurance?

    Travel health insurance is a special policy designed to cover medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip abroad. A common question from those that do not travel often is if travel insurance is necessary. This article will explain how travel insurance works, how it might benefit you, and whether you need to purchase it if you're going ...

  9. Complete Guide to Buying The Best Travel Insurance [2024]

    GeoBlue medical travel insurance covers through age 84 "Silver Nomads" age 70 and above can purchase coverage with World Nomad partner TripAssure; Special Needs and Travel Insurance for Those With Disabilities. If a person is healthy enough to travel, they're usually able to purchase travel insurance from many providers.

  10. Medical Travel Insurance Benefits

    Emergency medical benefits are the part of your travel insurance that covers the cost of medical evacuation and/or medical care in an emergency. Emergency medical and dental benefits can reimburse you for the cost of eligible medical care if, while traveling, you experience a sudden, unexpected illness, injury, or medical condition that could ...

  11. Emergency Medical Travel Insurance| AXA Travel Insurance

    GET A QUOTE 855-327-1441. In an event of an accidental injury or sickness that warrants immediate medical attention during your trip, AXA Travel Insurance provides the necessary range of medical expenses such as hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation, and medical repatriation. Up to $250,000 in Medical expenses and Up to $5,000 in Dental ...

  12. Travel Medical Insurance: What is it and how can it help?

    Travel Medical Insurance: Medical Evacuation Coverage. Medical Evacuation coverage can arrange your transportation to the nearest hospital in the event of a medical emergency. This benefit can also cover the cost to be transported home if the treating physician deems it necessary. Squaremouth recommends $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage ...

  13. The Best Travel Insurance Companies for All Travelers

    Medjet. According to Medjet, over 2 million travelers each year need medical evacuation. Unfortunately, emergency medical evacuations can run between $30,000 and $150,000! Backed by Lloyd's of London, A + rated, and BBB accredited, Medjet is the premier provider of emergency evacuation services.

  14. Travel Medical Insurance

    A travel health insurance plan can limit your financial risk while traveling. Learn more about travel medical insurance and compare plans from leading providers. 1-877-906-3950 or

  15. The best travel insurance policies and providers

    For a single trip, multiple trips or long term. Covered by most policies. $15/25. IMG. Single trip or multiple trips (travel insurance and travel medical insurance options are available). Waived under set conditions for travel insurance; covered but capped for single-trip travel medical insurance. $17/$94.

  16. Travel Health Insurance May Be Required in Covid-19 Era

    Even if you have health insurance and special coverage isn't required for entry to your destination country, you may still need a travel health policy. Many traditional health insurance policies, including basic Medicare plans, do not provide coverage outside the U.S. And while some Medicare supplement polices include overseas coverage, it may ...

  17. Emergency Medical Travel Insurance

    Travel Insurance with Emergency Medical Benefits. Getting sick or injured on an international trip is a traveler's worst nightmare. Not only does a medical emergency completely derail your vacation plans, but it's stressful, too. ... The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service ...

  18. The Best Travel Insurance for Mexico in 2024

    100% of trip cost for trip cancellation. 175% of trip cost for trip interruption. $1,000 per person for travel delays ($300 per person daily limit) $2,000 per person in coverage for baggage ...

  19. Specialist Travel Insurance

    Specialist travel insurance is designed to cover your medical conditions, unlike many standard policies. This type of travel insurance gives you peace of mind if have medical conditions and wish to travel. You will then be covered for medical emergencies, even those related to COVID-19, which is vital to prevent any unexpected medical bills ...

  20. Cheap Travel Insurance: Protecting Your Journey on a Budget

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

  21. Travel Insurance

    Trip protection for cancellations, emergency medical & more. Over 70M policies sold. Get a quote, compare plans and buy Allianz travel insurance online. Trip protection for cancellations, emergency medical & more. Over 70M policies sold. ... The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA ...

  22. Pre-Existing Specialist Medical Holiday & Travel Insurance

    Travel and holiday insurance with medical conditions. We offer a range of specialist travel insurance policies including single trip, annual multi-trip and cruise policies all of which include cover for your pre-existing medical conditions. We don't impose any age restrictions on European or Worldwide annual cover or single trips up to 3 months ...

  23. Amex Travel Benefits and Resources

    American Express Travel Insurance (Policy AX0126, or Policy AETI-IND) is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Phoenix AZ. Coverage is determined by the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the respective policies (see above) and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the Policy.

  24. 8 Reasons It's Worth It To Buy Travel Insurance (And 6 Times To ...

    If anything, travel may have even more surprises than your day-to-day life at home. Travel insurance can help you avoid wasting money if you have to cancel a trip due to illness, need medical ...

  25. Safe Travels: Here's What's New in Medical And Security ...

    Global Rescue's new GRID 2.0. One of the newest developments in medical and security membership is Global Rescue's GRID 2.0 system, introduced last month. The new system pushes event notifications ...

  26. TABLE OF CONTENTS

    A special-needs trust that does not meet federal Medicaid and ... expenses, fees, or costs for transportation or travel time. 7. attorney fees, except when payment of the fees is required for the appointment of the guardian; and ... Medicare and other health-insurance premiums credited prospectively for the cost of six months' coverage ...

  27. Insurance training grad makes investment in herself to break into a

    Insurance training grad makes investment in herself to break into a satisfying new career. 03/26/2024. No matter the industry, and no matter what it took to break into a new field, Shamika Lyte has always had the drive and work ethic synonymous with success. The 34-year-old Dorchester, MA, native and current Johnston, RI, resident has found new ...