essentials plus international travel insurance

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

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

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

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

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

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

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

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

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

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

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

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

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

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

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

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

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

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

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

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

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

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

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

You might also be interested in:

Carry-on Luggage Size and Weight Limits by Airline (2024)

Amanda Norcross

Just like checked bags, carry-on luggage size restrictions can vary by airline.

Bereavement Fares: 5 Airlines That Still Offer Discounts

Several airlines offer help in times of loss.

How to Renew Your Passport Online

For the first time since March 2023, online passport renewals are available.

13 Best Carry-on Luggage Pieces 2024 - We Tested Them All

Erin Evans and Rachael Hood and Catriona Kendall and Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson

Discover the best carry-on luggage for your unique travel style and needs.

The Connected Traveler’s Guide to International Travel Insurance

You've got your passport, packed your bags, and booked your hotels — you're ready to hit the tarmac and head out on your next international adventure. But hold up: have you purchased your international travel insurance yet? 

If traveling internationally, you should approach purchasing travel insurance like booking a hotel — necessary for your safety and peace of mind. 

In this article, we're digging into everything related to international travel insurance so you can buy a policy you know will give you the protection you need while overseas. So, please buckle up your seatbelt, put your tray table and seat in the upright position, and let's get into it!

In this article:

• What is international travel insurance?
• How does travel insurance work?
• Why it's important to get insurance before you travel internationally
• What does international travel insurance cover?
• Things to consider before purchasing international travel insurance
• Stay connected wherever you travel
• International travel insurance FAQs  

What Is International Travel Insurance?

International travel insurance is a plan you purchase that protects you from various financial risks that can occur while traveling.   Depending on your coverage, this could include a lost suitcase, a medical emergency, or a last-minute trip cancellation. 

Most international travel insurance plans also include some form of 24/7 assistance that allows you to access advice, arrange for medical treatment, and even get a translator to serve as an interpreter.    

How Does Travel Insurance Work?

While every insurance provider and plan is different, most travel insurance plans will reimburse you for any covered expenses after you file a claim and the claim is approved. You do need to pay for expenses upfront, so keep that in mind when planning. 

To file a claim, you must submit proof of the expenses incurred during your travel. Most insurance providers allow you to submit your claims online, but be sure to look into the requirements for your specific plan. 

Let's look at a real-world example of how international travel insurance works. You've purchased a plan that includes medical and trip cancellation insurance for your three-week trip to  Italy  from the United States. While you're at your first stop in Rome, you fall off your bicycle while making your way to visit the Trevi Fountain. You take an ambulance to the ER, are given a variety of tests and X-rays, and are ultimately treated for a broken wrist.

Without travel insurance, you would be responsible for covering all the costs you incurred due to the accident. Thankfully, with medical travel insurance, the insurance company would cover the trip to the ER and the cost of treatment for your broken wrist. 

Once you're feeling better, you get all your receipts and bills in order and file a claim to receive your reimbursement. 

Why It's Important to Get Insurance Before You Travel Internationally

If you're traveling internationally, purchasing travel insurance for the duration of your trip is extremely important. While some experts will debate the need for travel insurance when traveling in your own country, traveling internationally is always seen as a reason to insure your trip.

There are three main reasons to protect yourself with insurance that can give you peace of mind while overseas.

• Financial protection : By its very nature, international travel is expensive. Travel insurance can protect almost everything you prebook — flights, accommodations, tours, and more. Make sure you read the fine print and look for a plan that offers "trip cancellation coverage." That way, if you need to cancel your trip last minute, you won't lose all your nonrefundable deposits. 
• Travel issues : While traveling overseas is exciting, there are times when it can be more of a nightmare than a dream come true. Comprehensive travel insurance can help you get through those difficult times with your sanity and wallet intact. Whether your luggage has been lost or delayed or you need assistance with an emergency translation, travel insurance can help you work through some of the most frustrating travel issues.
• Medical coverage : Maybe the most essential piece of travel insurance when it comes to peace of mind, medical coverage makes sure you're protected overseas in case of an accident or illness. When you purchase international travel insurance, you know no matter what might happen, you have emergency healthcare coverage wherever you are.

What Does International Travel Insurance Cover?

Every international travel insurance plan will cover different things — it's important to dot your is and cross your ts to make sure you get a plan that gives you everything you need. 

Wondering what  could  be covered? Here are six common things that international insurance policies can cover.

Medical Insurance

Medical emergencies are stressful when you're on home soil. When they happen internationally, the mental and financial stress of the unforeseen emergency can start to pile up. You face additional barriers like different cultures, languages, customs, and climates. Plus, it's hard to ignore the financial implications of needing medical care.

But, if you opt for travel insurance, the medical insurance coverage would cover the cost of hospitalization and other medical bills if you get sick or have an accident. Some plans even offer a daily hospital cash allowance to help you take care of extra expenses while hospitalized overseas. 

Emergency Dental Insurance

Emergency dental insurance covers any emergency dental work that's needed while you're traveling (note the word 'emergency!'). If you broke a tooth while enjoying a Brazil nut in  Rio de Janeiro  and needed immediate medical attention, your travel insurance would cover the dental bills.

Trip Cancellation Coverage

No one wants to have to cancel their vacation — it's the last thing anyone plans on doing. But it happens. And when it does, you don't want to be left with thousands of dollars in nonrefundable bookings for a trip you can't even take. 

Consider this: you've been planning a trip to your favorite overseas destination for months. You've booked your flights, accommodations set, and even a few tours for when you arrive at your destination. You're three days away from leaving on a trip when you have no choice but to cancel — maybe you become ill, there's a death in the family, or the destination is expecting a weather crisis like a hurricane or volcanic eruption. 

With a good travel insurance plan, the insurance company will reimburse you for all your nonrefundable, prepaid travel expenses. 

Trip Interruption Coverage

Another scenario that people don't think about as much as trip cancellation is trip interruption coverage. If an emergency means you need to cut your trip short, trip interruption coverage will reimburse you for hotel reservations and other prepaid expenses. It will also cover a return flight that may need to be booked at the last minute — and we all know how pricey those last-minute flights can be.

Baggage Insurance

You get a sinking feeling when you arrive at your destination, only to learn that your luggage hasn't arrived with you. If it's delayed, you can be without your baggage for 12 hours up to a week. And if it's lost, you won't ever get it back, not to mention have nothing to wear for your trip. In both these situations, you'll need to buy new clothes, toiletries, and other essentials while you wait to find out the fate of your luggage. 

This can put a strain on your travel budget. But with travel insurance, when your baggage is lost or misplaced by the airline carrier, the insurance company covers the financial loss you experience. 

Evacuation Insurance

If you're traveling to a remote location, medical evacuation insurance is something you should consider. This insurance is usually offered as an add-on to a standard policy as it is something only some people need. But if you're traveling to a remote or hard-to-get-to location, add this to your plan. Suppose you have a medical emergency while hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in  France . In that case, emergency evacuation insurance will cover the cost of a helicopter evacuation if you get sick or injure yourself.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing International Travel Insurance

Now that you know what kind of insurance you should be looking for, there are some things to think about when you start looking for the best travel insurance policy. Above all else, make sure you find a policy that fits your needs and take the time to read through the whole policy — have we mentioned the fine print yet? 

Here are a few important things to think about while researching travel insurance options.

Are There Potential Exclusions?

Check what the policy you're booking covers and what it doesn't. Don't assume that all medical expenses will be covered simply because the plan includes emergency medical coverage. Get curious and dig into that fine print. For example, some plans will cover lost luggage but won't cover expensive items like jewelry and  electronics . You'll need to pack accordingly or buy additional coverage to make sure you're fully protected.

Is There a Deductible?

Like many insurance policies, some international travel insurance policies come with a deductible. A deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance plan starts to pay. While you may be comfortable with a deductible, it's important to know if there is one and how much it is. 

If the deductible is US$2,000, that might be more than you can pay, in which case you'd need to look for a travel insurance plan with a lower deductible. 

Does the Plan Cover Your Destination(s)?

There are some destinations that a travel insurance plan may not cover. Insurance companies typically won't cover areas with political or civil unrest or acts of war and rioting. Some plans won't cover areas when travel advisories are in place, and other insurance companies may have some destinations they choose not to cover at all times.

Is the Claims Process Straightforward?

If you have to claim your travel insurance policy, you want to know that it'll be a simple, straightforward process. Take some time before you decide which insurance provider you use to look at reviews, check out their social media, and get an idea of what the real-life claims experience has been for customers. 

Stay Connected Wherever You Travel

No one wants to find themselves in an emergency, especially when they're supposed to be on holiday overseas. But it happens. International travel insurance is a great way to protect yourself in an unexpected emergency. 

To stay protected in any situation, you need to be connected while traveling. With an eSIM from  Airalo , you're connected anywhere in the world the second you can turn off airplane mode. No more huge roaming bills, dropped connectivity, or searching for a SIM vendor internationally. Just easy connections and quick access, all from your phone, thanks to Airalo. 

Stay connected wherever you travel with an eSIM from Airalo . 

International Travel Insurance FAQs 

Is travel insurance necessary for international travel.

Most countries don't require travel insurance, but getting travel insurance when you travel overseas is in your best interest. Traveling internationally won't be covered by any health insurance or coverage from your country of origin in case of a medical emergency. Additionally, international travel is often expensive, and travel insurance protects you from trip cancellation and interruption. 

Some countries require some or all travelers to have travel insurance to enter the country: 

• Saudi Arabia
• Schengen Countries
• Ukraine 

When is the Best Time to Buy Travel Insurance?

The best time to buy travel insurance is right after you've booked your trip. There is something called a "pre-existing condition waiver" that you want to have in place. However, insurance companies require you to purchase insurance within a set timeframe to access it. For some companies, you have 14 days from when you start booking your trip. For others, it's as little as 24 hours. So booking your insurance the same day you book flights, for example, is the best time to buy travel insurance. 

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Travel insurance costs vary depending on the policy, length of your trip, and inclusion you choose. But on average, you can expect to pay 4-12% of your total trip cost. For a trip that costs US$10,000, the average travel insurance cost is about US$456. 

An SEO specialist who loves copy? It’s the perfect match. After 15+ years as a freelance writer, Marianne knows a thing or two about writing copy that actually gets seen. Marianne lived as a digital nomad across Europe, North America, and Australia for five of those years, and knows a thing or two about the importance of staying connected overseas. Next on her travel bucket list? A tour through South East Asia.

Ready to try eSIMs and change the way you stay connected?

Download the Airalo app to purchase, manage, and top up your eSIMs anytime, anywhere!

Use Your Free Credit.

You can earn USD $3.00 in Airmoney by sharing your referral code with friends.

The best travel insurance policies and providers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The best travel insurance providers

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

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

AIG Travel Guard

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

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

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

Preexisting conditions

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

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

Standout features

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

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

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

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

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

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

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

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

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

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

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

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

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

Is travel insurance worth getting?

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

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

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

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

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

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

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

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

What are the different types of travel insurance?

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

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

Should I buy travel health insurance?

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

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

How much does travel insurance cost?

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

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

When and how to get travel insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bottom line

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

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

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

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

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

7 Best Cheap Travel Insurance Companies in June 2024

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

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

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

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

She is based in Miami.

Many or all of the products featured 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 .

Finding the cheapest travel insurance is often a priority for travelers hoping to protect themselves and their finances while away from home.

But is it better to err on the side of affordable travel insurance or opt for a more comprehensive plan? That depends on your needs .

On average, a comprehensive plan that covers some combination of trip cancellation and interruption costs, medical coverage and baggage protection (and perhaps a number of other things) will cost you 5%-10% of what you paid for the trip, according to NerdWallet partner Squaremouth, a travel insurance marketplace.

That means a comprehensive policy for a trip that costs you $3,000 could run you anywhere between $150 and $300. Factors like the cost and length of your trip, the age of the travelers and how much protection you want can significantly influence what you pay for your plan.

Ultimately, Squaremouth recommends “the least expensive policy that offers the coverage [travelers] need.”

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Factors we considered when picking cheap travel insurance plans

We considered a few factors as we looked for the most affordable travel insurance plans.

Price: If your goal is to find cheaper travel insurance, you want the price to be affordable.

Breadth of coverage: The best budget travel insurance is typically going to be a plan that offers a wide range of protections at an affordable cost, ensuring you’re protected with at least some coverage for a wide range of scenarios.

Uniqueness or customizability : While many travel insurance plans have similar protections, some stand out for particular coverage that can be helpful to certain travelers, like those needing to Cancel For Any Reason , those going on a cruise, or travelers with preexisting health conditions. We didn’t spring for the priciest plans with broad, deep coverage; instead, we picked those that meet a sort of budget "sweet spot" when it comes to cost efficiency.

» Learn more: Is travel insurance worth getting?

An overview of the best cheap travel insurance plans

We looked at travel insurance quotes for a hypothetical 10-day trip to Italy in October 2023. The traveler is a 40-year-old man living in North Carolina who spent $2,000 on the trip, including airfare.

Reliable but cheap travel insurance providers

1. axa assistance usa (silver plan: $70).

Why we picked it:

The $500 missed connection benefit is great for cruise and tour participants. It covers additional transportation, accommodations and meal costs when you miss a cruise or tour departure.

Full trip cancellation and interruption coverage, along with up to $25,000 for out-of-pocket medical costs and baggage coverage.

Among the lowest prices we found.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more than AXA's $70 Silver plan, a Gold plan only costs $19 more and gets you deeper coverage amounts and up to $35,000 in collision rental car insurance.

2. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (ExactCare Value plan: $56)

Cheapest plan we found while still offering a wide array of protections.

Includes a preexisting medical condition waiver.

Add-on rental car collision coverage optional for $10 per day. You can pick how many days you want the additional coverage — it’s not all or nothing.

At $56, this plan comes in at less than 3% of the $2,000 trip cost.

3. IMG (iTravelInsured Lite plan: $77)

Treats COVID-19 like any other illness, which is to say, if your claim accepts flu, strep throat or appendicitis as an acceptable, covered condition, the coronavirus is, too.

Covers costs related to trip interruption up to 125% 

Higher than normal limits on dental expenses, at $1,000. If your teeth are your Achilles heel (or your biggest fear), this plan might be for you.

The iTravelInsured Lite plan doesn’t offer some of the bells and whistles that other plans do, like rental car coverage , Cancel For Any Reason coverage or waivers for pre-existing conditions. But you’ll have relatively solid across-the-board trip protections.

4. John Hancock (Silver plan: $93 for a mid-tier plan)

Mid-level plan (as opposed to a basic plan) at an affordable price for travelers who want more coverage without paying too much.

Includes an optional Cancel For Any Reason add-on for travelers wanting flexibility. It is a bit pricey, at half the cost of the insurance ($46.50 extra for a $93 plan).

Reimburses up to $1,000 for lost baggage , far more than many basic plans.

Add-on rental car coverage for $9 per day.

At $88, John Hancock’s basic (Bronze) plan isn’t particularly affordable. But for just $4 extra, you can tap into the benefits of a mid-tier plan at still less than 5% of the total trip cost.

5. Nationwide (Essential plan: $76)

Includes a preexisting conditions waiver.

Add-on rental car coverage for $90. 

Covers trip interruption at 125% of the trip cost while providing comprehensive emergency medical and baggage coverage.

6. Seven Corners (Basic plan: $75)

On top of standard trip protections, it includes a relatively affordable Cancel For Any Reason option for $31.50 extra.

If you plan to rent expensive sporting equipment, you might consider paying $10 extra to cover lost, damaged, stolen or destroyed gear.

COVID-19 coverage reimburses you for costs incurred if you have to quarantine .

Rental car coverage comes in at an affordable $7 per day.

Seven Corners’ Basic plan stands out because it offers a little bit of everything, appealing to athletic travelers, those who need affordable trip protections, those who want the flexibility to cancel for any reason and those still concerned about getting quarantined due to COVID-19.

7. Travelex Insurance Services (Basic plan: $71)

Straightforward: What you see is what you get. This plan’s coverage has fewer rules and caveats than many. 

While not sporting the highest coverage amounts, it offers a solid range of protections to ensure you get at least something back when your travel is disrupted or you have a medical emergency.

Offers add-on rental car coverage for $10 per day.

At $71, the Travelex Basic plan’s cost is just over 3% of the $2,000 trip’s cost.

If you want to get travel insurance at the cheapest possible rate, here’s a trick. Put $0 as your trip cost, Stan Stanberg, co-founder of comparison site Travelinsurance.com said in an email.

“When excluding trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage the cost of a travel insurance plan goes down significantly,” Stanberg said.

That means you won’t get reimbursed if you need to cancel your trip or if it gets interrupted. But you may still have access to the plan’s medical, trip delay , missed connection, baggage and other protections.

You’ll often find comprehensive travel insurance plans cost 5%-10% of your total trip cost, according to Squaremouth. This will often get you full trip cancellation and trip protection, baggage protection, emergency medical coverage and often other benefits.

Typically, the more you pay, the broader and deeper the coverage.

For many plans, you can purchase travel insurance up until you depart. However, to get access to the most protections possible, booking two days to two weeks after making your initial deposit is the best rule of thumb.

That means you won’t get reimbursed if you need to cancel your trip or if it gets interrupted. But you may still have access to the plan’s medical,

, missed connection, baggage and other protections.

How to maximize your rewards

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

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

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

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Join CHOICE

Which travel insurers cover you for cruises?

Cruises are officially back on the cards and people are queuing up to get on board. here's how to make sure you're covered..

Fact-checked

Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE .

Need to know

• Most travel insurers cover cruises but there are some exclusions and fine print to be aware of
• For example, you won't be able to claim for events that occur because you've had too much to drink
• You need to make sure you declare your pre-existing medical conditions

With the restrictions on cruises finally lifted post-pandemic, the industry has bounced back in a big way this year and is more popular than ever.

But some people lost thousands of dollars on cancelled cruises during the COVID-19 travel bans and some cruise lines might not even let you on board without travel insurance.

So if you're planning a cruise, read on to discover how to choose the travel insurance policy that's best for you.

On this page:

Travel insurance for overseas cruises

Which travel insurers cover international cruises, what cruise travel insurance won't cover, do i need insurance for australian cruises, when to buy travel insurance for a cruise.

Most travel insurers cover international cruises that start and end in Australia, usually as an optional extra (we haven't looked at cover for cruises that start and/or end overseas). 

Some providers also offer tailored cruise travel insurance, which can give you access to additional inclusions that are unique to cruising and that may not be covered in standard policies, such as cover for missed ports, missed departures, or cabin confinement due to illness.

When choosing a policy, it's important to make sure the region you're visiting is covered and that it suits your needs and itinerary.

Check the policy age limit, as some policies cover you up to the age of 100 but others only cover you up to 69. 

It's also worth noting that if you want cancellation coverage in case a relative in Australia becomes ill or dies, the relative will also need to meet the age limit on the policy and satisfy the existing medical condition requirements.

Australian authorities no longer require people to prove they've had a COVID-19 vaccination in order to board, but it may be required for some destinations such as New Caledonia, and cruise ships are still a higher risk setting for diseases like gastroenteritis and respiratory infections, including influenza (flu) and COVID-19. So check if you have medical and cancellation cover for COVID-19 and other illnesses.

Existing medical conditions and pregnancy

As with other types of travel insurance, some pre-existing medical conditions may not be covered, and others will need to be disclosed in order to be covered. If in doubt, contact the insurer to discuss your needs.

It's also worth noting that pregnancy is considered an existing medical condition. Some insurance policies cover pregnancy up to 30 weeks, but most cruise lines won't allow you on board if you're more than 24 weeks pregnant.

Travel insurance and alcohol

Some people liken cruises to a floating RSL club, but the combination of alcohol and a seagoing vessel can cause accidents. 

In an Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) case, Phil* fell down a flight of stairs on a cruise ship and suffered a moderate brain injury, skull fracture and right lung contusion.

All travel insurers have a clause that excludes cover for claims resulting from a person being under the influence of alcohol

Phil said the area was not well lit and the steps would have been slippery, while his wife said he was walking steadily. He was taken to a hospital in Austria and a test showed that he had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.198%.

The insurer had an exclusion for "any conduct engaged in whilst under the influence or effect of alcohol or drugs", and AFCA sided with the insurer, determining that Phil's claim for expenses should be denied.

All travel insurers have a similar clause that excludes cover for claims resulting from a person being under the influence of alcohol.

* Not their real name. Policyholder names are not disclosed in AFCA case records.

Even if you book a cruise that won't be leaving Australian waters, you may still need travel insurance as shipboard medical expenses might not be covered by Medicare. Check that your travel insurance does cover medical costs – you may need international or cruise-specific insurance. Domestic travel or health insurance won't cut it.

Doctors working on cruise ships don't need Medicare provider numbers, so check with your cruise line if they have a Medicare doctor on board. If they don't, and they treat you, you can't claim on Medicare or your private health insurance, even though you never left Australia. 

Domestic travel insurance doesn't cover medical costs, so you'd need either international travel insurance (check that it covers domestic cruises) or special 'domestic cruise' insurance, which is available from a few select insurers.

Cruises are often booked well ahead of time, so you could be forgiven for forgetting or delaying the purchase of your travel insurance. But if your cruise is cancelled ahead of time and you don't yet have cover, you could lose your money. The earlier you buy the policy, the better.

On the flip side, there aren't many insurers that cover you more than a year out from starting your trip. If you book your trip more than a year out, shop around for a policy that will cover you.

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

Join the conversation

To share your thoughts or ask a question, visit the CHOICE Community forum.

• Mon - Fri : 9am to 5pm
• Sat : 9am to 5pm
• Sun : Closed

• My bookings
• Unlock member savings

Your member details

Before we can show you lower prices, we need to check you’re an RAA member. We’ll use your last name and date of birth to find you in our system. Read our Privacy Policy .

International Travel Insurance

Get a quote online  and take out cover before you travel. 

Choose from three types of international cover

Premium international travel insurance

Designed for ultimate peace of mind, rest easy with our Premium cover knowing that help is at hand when you need it most.

Premium insurance is our top-level of cover and covers you for all the major things – like medical expenses and cancellations – and the extras, to ensure every trip is a smooth one.

• Unlimited^ cover for medical and dental expenses
• Unlimited^ cancellation fees 
• $5,000 towards lost, stolen, or illegally used travel documents or credit cards
• $15,000 per adult for lost, stolen or damaged luggage*
• Unlimited^ emergency expenses
• $8,000 to cover rental car excesses
• Choose the Ski and Winter Sports Option to cover equipment hire, bad weather and more if you’re heading to the snow

Essentials international travel insurance

Looking for cover that provides some extra peace of mind, but don’t need all the bells and whistles?

Essentials cover is the perfect blend.

• Unlimited^ cover for medical expenses and $2,000 for dental
• $25,000 cover per adult for cancellation fees
• $1,500 towards lost, stolen, or illegally used travel documents or credit cards
• $7,500 per adult if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged
• $25,000 for emergency expenses
• $4,000 to cover rental car excesses

Basic international travel insurance

Travelling on a shoestring doesn’t mean you have to skimp on travel insurance.

Our Basic cover is perfect for the budget-conscious who still want some cover in case of a medical emergency.

• Unlimited^ cover for medical expenses and $500 for dental
• $2,000 per adult if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged*
• $5,000 for emergency expenses

Cheaper for RAA members

RAA members save 10% on travel insurance policies.

Simply enter your membership number to save.

Contact us anytime

Emergency assistance

Our emergency overseas assistance team can help you anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call +61 2 8055 1698 .

Make a travel insurance claim

You can make a travel insurance claim online or by calling 1300 207 365 . We'll take your details and guide you through the claim process.

Travel alerts

• Frequently asked questions

Things you should know

^Unlimited means that generally there is no cap on the maximum dollar amount which may be paid out for this benefit, subject to the specific terms and conditions, sub-limits and exclusions that apply to this benefit.

*Lost or stolen luggage must be reported within 24 hours.

¹Member discount applies to premium payable for the product.

Conditions, exclusions, limits, and sub-limits apply. This insurance is issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL AFSL 246548) (Tokio Marine).

Royal Automobile Association of South Australia Incorporated acts as agent for Tokio Marine and may receive a commission which is a percentage of the premium paid and may also receive a portion of the underwriting profit. Consider the  relevant PDS and Target Market Determination ,  Terms and Conditions  and  Privacy Policy , available on the RAA website when deciding whether to purchase this product.

Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any of this information, you should consider its appropriateness having regards to your personal circumstances.

Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. 

Sign up to our travel e-news and get $20 off your next travel booking

We'll send our latest travel offers and exclusive packages straight to your inbox. By signing up to this newsletter, you agree with our Privacy Policy and our Terms and Conditions

• Flights and stays
• Holidays and destinations
• Inspiration
• Holiday search
• Holiday types
• International
• Deals and discounts
• Travel essentials
• Travel insurance
• International driving permits
• Travel extras
• Luggage and accessories
• Manage a booking
• Meet our travel experts
• Visit an RAA Shop

• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Terms and Conditions

Spenderrific

Travel insurance essentials: what you need to know before your trip.

Travel insurance is an important consideration for any trip, designed to offer you financial protection against the many unforeseen events that can occur both before and during travel. With the right travel insurance policy, you can safeguard your investment against situations like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, baggage loss, and significant travel delays. The peace of mind it provides allows you to focus on the excitement of your journey, secure in the knowledge that you have a safety net in place.

Understanding the coverage options is crucial to selecting a plan that best fits your needs. Policies differ widely and can be customized to cover specific risks associated with your destination, the nature of your trip, and your personal circumstances. For instance, some plans may include provisions for adventure sports, while others might offer higher levels of medical expense coverage.

Selecting the best travel insurance involves comparing various plans and providers to find a balance between comprehensive coverage and affordability. In this article, we will take you through travel insurance essentials you need to know as you plan your trip. 

Get inspiration for your net destination here!

6 Island Destinations in the Indian Ocean for Your Bucket List

10 Pet Friendly Destinations: Where to Go with Your Furry Friend

Table of Contents

Travel Insurance Essentials to Know

Like any other insurance policy , travel insurance coverage acts as a risk management tool to insure you against certain losses. It is designed to protect you against financial losses while you travel, from minor inconveniences to major emergencies. The right plan depends on the scope of coverage you need and the nature of your trip.

Types of Travel Insurance

When exploring travel insurance, you’ll find a range of different types with varying levels of protection:

• Trip cancellation/interruption Coverage: this safeguards your investment if your trip is canceled or cut short due to unforeseen events.
• Medical coverage: as a crucial component, travel medical insurance offers protection against potential medical emergencies abroad.
• Baggage insurance: covers loss, damage, or theft of your luggage and personal items.

Selecting a comprehensive plan typically gives you a combination of these coverages.

How to Choose the Right Policy

Your selection of a travel insurance policy should be based on a careful comparison of several key factors:

• Coverage needs: ascertain whether your priority is medical worries, trip cancellations, lost items, or a mix of these.
• Policy cost: look for a policy that falls between 4% to 10% of your total trip cost, balancing cost with coverage.
• Insurance comparison sites: utilize insurance comparison sites to analyze benefits across different plans.
• Customer reviews: look for customer feedback to gauge satisfaction with service and claims processing.
• Methodology: review the methodology of how insurance providers handle claims and customer assistance.

Choose an insurance provider reputed to be among the best in terms of coverage options, cost efficiency, and customer service.

Coverage Options and Benefits

When selecting travel insurance , understanding your coverage options and the benefits provided is crucial for ensuring comprehensive protection for your journey.

Standard Coverage Inclusions

• Trip cancellation – you’re typically covered for non-refundable trip expenses if you must cancel for a covered reason—such as illness or severe weather.
• Trip interruption – if you need to cut your trip short due to unforeseen events, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for lost trip expenses and additional costs to return home.
• Trip delay – delays can lead to unexpected hotel stays and meals; travel insurance may cover these additional expenses.
• Medical – covers medical expenses if you fall ill or get injured while traveling.
• Emergency evacuation – if you require emergency evacuation due to medical reasons or natural disasters, this coverage is vital.
• Baggage – reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage.

Additional Coverage Options to Consider 

• Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) – provides the freedom to cancel your trip for any reason not covered under standard cancellation policies, often refunding a significant percentage of your trip cost.
• Medical evacuation coverage – separate from standard medical, it specifically covers the costs of transportation to a medical facility.
• Pre-existing conditions – additional coverage can be obtained for medical issues known before purchasing the policy.

Limitations and Exclusions

• Exclusions – policies often exclude high-risk activities, natural disasters known before departure, and losses due to mental health disorders or pre-existing conditions, unless additional coverage is purchased.
• Limitations – coverage limits are essential to know as they define the maximum benefit payable for covered risks.

Policy Comparison and Purchase

Making an informed decision about travel insurance requires a thorough comparison of policies and an understanding of where to purchase the coverage that suits your needs. You’ll need to focus on the details of each policy and consider factors like coverage options and customer reviews.

How to Compare Policies

• Gather quotes: start by obtaining quotes from several reputable insurance providers. Use an insurance comparison site to streamline this process, allowing you to view multiple quotes side by side.
• Check coverage levels: examine the coverage details carefully. Each policy will have varying levels of protection for scenarios such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage . Confirm that the coverage limits are adequate for your trip.
• Customize your policy: look for options to customize your insurance. Some companies offer add-ons like extreme sports coverage or rental car protection . Tailor the insurance to match the specific risks of your travel.
• Read customer reviews: pay attention to customer reviews to gain insight into the provider’s customer service and claims process. Positive reviews can signal a reliable company.
• Assess insurance benefits: beyond basic coverage, some policies may offer additional benefits such as 24-hour assistance or concierge services. Weigh these perks against the cost.

Where to Buy Travel Insurance

When purchasing travel insurance, remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best. It’s essential to strike a balance between cost and adequate coverage. Check the policy terms thoroughly before deciding to ensure you’re well-protected on your travels.

• Insurance providers’ websites – visit the websites of well-known insurance providers to purchase directly. This might offer the most up-to-date policy information and the option for live support.
• Licensed insurance agents – you can opt to buy travel insurance through a licensed agent. They can offer personalized advice and help you compare policies based on your specifics.
• Travel agencies – some travel agencies offer travel insurance as an add-on when you book your trip. This can be convenient, but ensure that the policy’s coverage meets your needs before purchasing.
• Comparison platforms – utilize comparison platforms to view a wider array of options from multiple companies. Platforms like InsureMyTrip connect you with different providers, allowing for easy policy comparison.

Claims and Reimbursement

When you face travel inconveniences, like trip cancellation or interruption, the claims and reimbursement process is crucial for recouping your losses. It is essential to understand the steps for filing a claim with the insurer and how the reimbursement process works to ensure timely and accurate compensation for covered expenses such as medical costs, lost luggage, or delayed travel.

Filing a Claim

To begin filing a claim, you’ll need to compile necessary documentation such as travel receipts, medical records, or proof of lost luggage. Follow these steps:

• Notify your insurer as soon as an incident occurs. Timeliness is critical.
• Proof of travel arrangements and any cancellations
• Medical reports if claiming for medical costs
• Police reports for lost or stolen belongings
• Communication with airlines regarding missed connections or luggage issues
• Complete the claim form provided by your insurance company. Include specific details of the incident and the expenses you’re claiming.

Some insurers require a minimum delay time before a claim for trip delay is considered valid; this period can range from a few hours to a full day.

Reimbursement Process

The reimbursement process begins once your claim is submitted and can vary based on the insurer’s policies. Here’s a brief overview:

• Review by the insurance company – they will assess your claim to ensure it falls within your policy’s coverages.
• Decision – you’ll receive a determination on your claim; this isn’t always a guarantee for full reimbursement.
• Payout – if approved, you’ll receive compensation for relevant expenses, like medical costs. This can be through check or electronic transfer.

For expenses like trip cancellations or delayed luggage , ensure your policy specifics match your claims; only certain triggers will be considered valid for reimbursement. Keep communication lines open with your provider and act within their suggested time frames for a smoother process.

How can travelers effectively compare different travel insurance policies?

You should start by identifying what aspects of travel insurance are most important to you – cancellation coverage, medical expenses, or baggage protection. Then, compare policies for their coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions to ensure they meet your specific travel needs.

What factors should be considered when choosing the best travel insurance plan?

Consider the destination, duration of the trip, your current health, the activities you’ll undertake, and the overall cost of your trip. These factors influence the type and level of coverage you’ll require, such as high medical coverage for adventurous activities or comprehensive cancellation policies for expensive trips.

What are the typical costs associated with purchasing travel insurance for international trips?

The cost of travel insurance varies widely and is typically a percentage of your total trip cost. Factors affecting the price include your age, the length and cost of your trip, the level of coverage provided, and any optional add-ons such as “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage.

What are the primary benefits of having international medical coverage while traveling?

International medical coverage provides financial protection for unforeseen medical emergencies. It can cover hospitalization, medical evacuation, and sometimes even pre-existing conditions, ensuring you’re not left with significant out-of-pocket expenses.

How do coverage differences between various travel insurance providers affect traveler’s choices?

Differences in coverage, like varying limits on medical expenses or differing provisions for trip delays, directly influence your decision. Look for providers that offer the coverage you prioritize and have a reputable customer service and claims process.

What are some common exclusions to be aware of in travel insurance policies?

Typical exclusions include pre-existing medical conditions not covered by the policy, injuries from high-risk activities not specified in the coverage, losses due to negligence, and travel to receive medical treatment. Always read the fine print to understand these exclusions fully.

7 Productivity Apps to Make Your 2024 More Productive

6 Best International Travel Insurance Companies 2024

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Overview

American International to sell global travel insurance and assistance business to Zurich for $600M

• American International Group ( NYSE: AIG ) has agreed to  sell  its global travel insurance and assistance business to Zurich Insurance Group ( OTCQX:ZURVY ) for $600 million, including the Travel Guard business and its servicing capabilities, excluding Japan and our AIG joint venture arrangement in India.
• The total consideration will be paid in cash plus additional earn-out.
• The company said that the travel coverages offered through AIG’s Accident & Health business is also excluded from this agreement.
• The sale is expected to close by the end of 2024.

More on American International Group

• American International: Business Is Simplifying, But Shares Appear Fully Valued
• AIG deconsolidates Corebridge Financial after latest secondary offering
• AIG announces pricing of secondary offering of Corebridge shares

June 1, 2020

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova; North Korea; Russia; Israel

This is a test environment. Please proceed to AllianzTravelInsurance.com and remove all bookmarks or references to this site.

Use this tool to calculate all purchases like ski-lift passes, show tickets, or even rental equipment.

Find the Right Travel Insurance Plan for You

Whether you're traveling for leisure or business, you'll appreciate the benefits and coverage Allianz Travel Insurance plans can provide. With 24/7 support from our travel professionals around the world, we helped over 70 million people last year to protect themselves from the unpredictable.

OneTrip Prime

AllTrips Executive

OneTrip Rental Car Protector

OneTrip Basic

OneTrip Premier

OneTrip Emergency Medical

OneTrip Cancellation Plus

AllTrips Basic

AllTrips Prime

AllTrips Premier

Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

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] .

Return To Log In

Your session has expired. We are redirecting you to our sign-in page.

'Deadliest weather we have': Heat blasts East with 100-plus degrees; floods swamp Midwest

ARLINGTON, Va. − A swath of the East saw temperatures linger near 100 degrees or more Sunday as cities opened cooling centers and labored to protect residents without air conditioning from the relentless heat gripping the region.

Baltimore declared a "code red extreme heat alert" through Monday. In New York, Mayor Eric Adams said city cooling centers were open Sunday and that some schools across the city have opened their doors as well.

"Heat is the deadliest weather we have in New York City," Adams warned on social media. "If you don’t have an (air conditioning), don't sit at home in the heat − it can be deadly."

Arlington County, a suburb of Washington, declared a heat advisory Sunday with a warning that the heat index could reach 107 degrees. The actual temperature at Reagan National Airport reached 99, breaking the previous record for the date of 98 reached twice − in 1988 and 1874.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser extended the city's heat emergency and urged residents without air conditioning to seek relief in air-conditioned buildings and the city's cooling centers. The city was bracing for the hottest day since Aug. 15, 2016, and could approach the all-time June record of 104 degrees, AccuWeather said.

Bowser warned that extreme heat can have impacts on a person’s mental health, including increased irritability, aggression, depression, drug and alcohol use and even suicide. Some psychiatric medications can affect body temperature regulation, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

"Stick to your treatment regimen and talk with your doctor about any concerns," Bowser said.

A modicum of relief was in sight. AccuWeather meteorologists say that a change in the weather pattern will cause temperatures across the Northeast to retreat from record territory within days, although afternoon temperatures will still reach in the 90s.

Developments:

∎ More than 100 million Americans were under heat advisories or warnings from the National Weather Service. Not all the big heat was in the East: Triple-digit high temperatures were possible in central and southern California, Arizona, and Utah, the weather service said.

∎ The heat wave was global: The toll of Muslims who died while taking part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, where temperatures climbed as high as 120 degrees, has risen to more than 1,300, officials said Sunday. Most of the dead were Egyptians. The BBC said more than 200 Indonesians and almost 100 Indians had died. Other nations also reported dozens of deaths.

Record-breaking temperatures

Temperatures broke records across the region, according to the National Weather Service's offices in the area.

The weather service office in Mount Holly said Sunday that as of 2 p.m., record highs were set in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Atlantic City International Airport, Philadelphia, and Reading all reached 98 degrees, surpassing record highs in 1988, 1888, and 1908, respectively.

Reading also hit triple-digit temperatures on Saturday — a high of 101 degrees — making it the first time since July 2012 that the city has experienced triple-digit temperatures, according to the weather service.

For two consecutive days, the Washington, D.C., area had record-breaking daily temperatures, the weather service in Baltimore-Washington said.

Baltimore saw a high of 101 degrees on Saturday, breaking the record of 100 set in 1988, according to the weather service. On Sunday, the area reached 98 degrees, which surpasses the previous daily high-temperature record of 97 degrees set in 2010.

On Saturday, the temperature at Dulles International Airport hit 100 degrees, breaking the previous daily high temperature record of 99 degrees set in 1988.

"This is also the first time it's hit 100º F in June since 2012," the weather service said, later adding that the area hit another record at 98 degrees on Sunday.

In Arlington, Virginia, the temperature reached 99 degrees on Sunday, breaking the previous daily record in 1988.

Flooding in Iowa, South Dakota

In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds declared a flooding emergency in 21 counties and requested an expedited presidential disaster declaration. She flew over parts of northwest Iowa where towns were awash in water, "rivers cresting above 1993 record levels and the devastation is widespread," she said.

In South Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem declared an emergency after storms that blasted parts of the state with up to 18 inches of rain over the last few days. The rain was slowing down, but "we need to keep vigilant. The worst of the flooding along our rivers will be Monday and Tuesday," she said.

Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken asked residents to temporarily avoid washing laundry, running dishwashers or doing anything else that would contribute unnecessary wastewater to the system.

"If you can avoid a shower today, that will be great," TenHaken said.

FBI offers reward for information on NM fires

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for igniting wildfires near Ruidoso, New Mexico, that killed two people and destroyed hundreds of homes.

The South Fork Fire and Salt Fire were discovered last Monday, forcing thousands of residents from their homes.  Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said residents will be allowed back into Ruidoso this Monday, warning that people with asthma or other breathing issues may not be able to tolerate the ash, smoke and soot in the air. And many homes will have no gas, electric or water service, Crawford said.

"Please bring at least a week's worth of food and drinking water as grocery stores are not operating at full capacity," Crawford warned.

Most heat wave deaths take place in homes

Almost half the 3,142 people who died from heat-related ailments in the past 20 years died at home, according to an  analysis of National Weather Service data  by the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network .

Many people who die in heat waves lack air conditioning or have health problems that can turn deadly in extreme heat. Social isolation may also play a role in heat-related deaths because those living alone may not have anyone checking on them. A study in Rome found a program aimed at decreasing social isolation among people over age 80 was linked to a  lower number of deaths  during the summer.  

“Maybe they use a walker or a cane or a wheelchair, and maybe their caregivers are not available," said Tasha Turner-Bicknell, a nurse and associate professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing. "They might be unable to get out of their house without assistance.” Read more here .

− Elizabeth B. Kim

Mosts heat wave deaths occur at home: Here's why

7 essentials to help beat the heat

The summer season was made for all-day fun in the sun, but being unprepared in the scorching heat can quickly ruin a good time. We've compiled a list of 7 essential items that you need to keep on hand to beat the summer heat and enjoy the season to the fullest. From portable strollers and spray fans to an easy DIY misting spray and quick-dry towels, our comprehensive list of summer must-haves covers all the bases so you can stay cool and comfortable wherever your summer days take you. Read more here .

− Maryal Miller Carter

Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY; Dominik Dausch, Sioux Falls Argus Leader; Reuters

• Amazon Prime Day
• All Wellness
• All Skin Care
• Moisturizers
• Mineral Sunscreens
• Sunscreens for Kids
• Sunscreens for Dark Skin
• SPF Lip Balms
• Under Eye Patches
• All Hair Care
• Purple Shampoos
• Thinning Hair
• Head Shavers
• Hair Dryers
• All Oral Care
• Electric Toothbrushes
• Toothpastes
• Mouthwashes
• Water Flossers
• Meal Kit Delivery
• Gluten-Free Meal Kit Delivery
• Disposable Face Masks
• Air Purifiers
• Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents
• Natural Deodorants
• Period Underwear
• All Fitness
• Exercise Bikes
• Walking Shoes
• Fitness Trackers
• Reusable Water Bottles
• Blackout Curtains
• Sound Machines
• Home & Kitchen
• All Home & Kitchen
• Kitchen Appliances & Tools
• All Kitchen Appliances & Tools
• Coffee Makers
• Kitchen Gadgets
• Small Home Appliances
• All Small Home Appliances
• Air Conditioners
• Space Heaters
• Humidifiers
• Bedding & Bath
• All Bedding & Bath
• Bath Towels
• Silk Pillowcases
• Duvet Inserts
• Office Chairs
• Standing Desks
• Desk Organizers
• Seat Cushions
• Under Desk Ellipticals
• All Outdoor
• Raised Garden Boxes
• Garden Hoses
• Beach Towels
• Solar Pool Covers
• Grilling Accessories
• Electronics
• All Electronics
• Wifi Routers
• Gaming Consoles
• Streaming Devices
• Instant Cameras
• Handheld Gaming Consoles
• 3D Printers
• All Headphones
• Noise Canceling
• Wireless Earbuds
• Smart Gadgets
• All Smart Gadgets
• Smart Watches
• Smart Bulbs
• Garage Door Openers
• All Computers
• Gaming Laptops
• Laptops for College Students
• Computer Monitors
• Ergonomic Keyboards
• Dog Carriers
• Litter Boxes
• Scratching Posts
• Cat Carriers
• All Pet Care
• Nail Clippers
• Flea & Tick
• All Luggage
• Lightweight
• Weekender Bags
• Accessories
• All Accessories
• Luggage Tags
• Travel Pillows
• Tech Gadgets
• Packing & Organization
• All Packing & Organization
• Packing Cubes
• Toiletry Bags
• Gift Guides
• All Gift Guides
• Valentine's Day
• All Valentine's Day
• For Any Loved Ones
• Mother's Day
• All Mother's Day
• Last Minute Gifts
• Best Mother's Day Gifts
• For Moms Who Have Everything
• Best from Amazon
• All Graduation
• For College Grads
• For High School Grads
• For Teachers
• Father's Day
• All Father's Day
• Best Father's Day Gifts
• For Dads Who Love Fishing
• Holiday Season & Christmas
• All Holiday Season & Christmas
• Gifts Under $25
• Practical Gifts
• Other occasions & loved ones
• All Other occasions & loved ones
• For Grandparents
• For Bridal Shower
• For New Parents
• For Any Occasion
• Deals & Sales
• All Deals & Sales
• Most Popular This Month
• Sales This Week
• New & Notable
• What to Buy This Month
• CNBC Select
• All CNBC Select
• Credit Cards
• Small Business
• Personal Finance
• Credit Monitoring
• Help for Low Credit Scores
• Sign up for the Select Newsletter
• Check out Shop TODAY
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• Terms Of Service
• NBC News Sitemap

Follow Select

NBC Select Travel Awards 2024: The best duffels, backpacks and weekenders

At NBC Select, we spend hours researching and testing products so you can be more selective with your purchases. For our first-ever NBC Select Travel Awards, we spent months thoroughly testing numerous products covering a variety of travel categories.

We flew across the globe to Japan and Paris with suitcases , took train rides around New York City with weekenders and duffels in tow and packed bags full of packing cubes , toiletry bags and noise-canceling headphones to road trip across the East Coast. After all that testing, our editors sat down to choose products deserving of NBC Select’s stamp of approval.

Below are our award-winning duffels, weekenders and backpacks , plus information about how we evaluated each product.

SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best bags | Best duffel bags | Best backpacks | Best weekender bags

select We tested over 50 travel accessories for our first ever Travel Awards — these are our favorites

How we picked the best travel bags .

The backpack, the weekender and the duffel are all bags that need to serve multiple functions while on a trip. We fill them with whatever we can’t fit in our suitcases, throw our essentials inside them for overnight getaways and use them to carry our laptops and water bottles on planes, trains, and automobiles. They are versatile and multipurpose, making it useful to keep at least one at home when traveling. Here’s how we evaluated travel bags to find NBC Select’s 2024 Travel Award winners.

• Zippers, handles and straps : To ensure zippers glide smoothly and don’t get stuck at any point, we opened and closed each bag numerous times when it was empty and full. We also considered how strong the bags’ handles and straps were, including how they felt when we held or wore them on our bodies.
• Structure and organization : We assessed how each bag’s structure impacted our ability to pack it easily — for example, whether it stayed open while we added clothing or flopped over and whether it was too stiff to overstuff or just flexible enough. We counted how many outfits (and, if applicable, how many pairs of shoes) fit inside the bags, plus what type of organizational features they offer, including built-in dividers, pockets, and pouches.
• Comfortability : After filling our bags to the brim, we ensured they felt comfortable carrying for long and short periods. We carried them as the brand intended: on our backs or over our shoulders.
• Durability : We noted the material each bag is made from and how well it withstands being tossed around during travel. We also considered water resistance.

The best duffel bags

Best overall: calpak luka duffel.

Calpak Luka Duffel

With its spacious main compartment, exterior and interior pockets, exterior shoe compartment and trolley sleeve, this bag makes for the perfect travel and daily duffel. “I love that I can use this bag for trips as well as in my everyday life as a gym bag. I didn’t find that with the other duffels I tested, so I appreciated this,” says Zoe Malin , NBC Select associate updates editor. “The size of this bag and how lightweight it is makes it a perfect workout bag for me. I put my sneakers, a change of clothes, weights, a towel, toiletries and a water bottle inside it to go to yoga after work.”

The soft and puffy polyester bag is also durable, easy to clean and water-resistant. “I had to walk to the train in the rain with this bag and everything inside was totally dry,” says Malin. “I just wiped water off the bag in the bathroom of the train station with paper towels.”

Best large capacity: Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel comes in four sizes — 40L, 55L, 70L and 100L — so you can choose the capacity that’s best for your travels. The duffel is made from 100% recycled fabrics, plus it has a durable and weather-resistant exterior.

On the inside, this spacious bag has interior pockets that are similar to a carry-on suitcase. It also closes and opens easily since the zippers glide easily, says Mili Godio , NBC Select updates editor. “The only thing I wish is that it had more pockets, especially for smaller items like my wallet and keys, but the ones it does have are super spacious.”

The best backpacks

Best overall: calpak laptop backpack.

Calpak Laptop Backpack

This Calpak backpack is great for frequent travelers looking for a large, durable bag to hold essentials of all sizes, as well as a laptop. The backpack has exterior and interior pockets, a water bottle holder and a trolley sleeve so you can slide it onto your luggage. “Calpak’s backpack has completely changed how I travel,” says Bianca Alvarez , an NBC Select associate reporter who’s a super commuter . She travels from Virginia to New York City every week for work. “I tossed my old backpacks after using this one because it makes my travel days easier,” she says.

Alvarez says storage and space are a guarantee with this bag due to its plethora of organizational features. She especially loves its interior pockets. They’re located near the top of the bag rather than the bottom, which prevents her from having to rummage through everything packed inside to find what she’s looking for.  Alvarez says the bag’s main compartment can easily fit clothes, shoes and cosmetics bags, and there’s a separate compartment for her laptop and notebooks.

Best for commuting: Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack

Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack

Dagne Dover’s Dakota Backpack is ideal for commuters, like NBC Select staff who brought it back and forth to the office. “I’ve been using this backpack for two months as my work bag and it’s been a major upgrade from my last situation,” says Rebecca Rodriguez , NBC Select editorial projects manager. The backpack has padded straps, making it comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and it has compartments and pockets to store whatever you’re traveling with.

Whether you’re commuting in the rain or accidentally spilled your morning coffee , no worries — this backpack will keep your items protected. “The backpack got dirty a couple of times while I used it, but the neoprene material was super easy to clean with soap and warm water,” says Rodriguez.

Best outdoors: Orvis Trekkage LT Adventure

Orvis Trekkage LT Adventure

While the Orvis Trekkage backpack is specifically designed for outdoor adventures like hiking and camping, it has features that allow you to use it in everyday life, including a laptop pocket and a hidden security pocket for valuables. The bag is made from heavy-duty recycled, water-repellent fabric, and its main pocket is lockable making it easier to protect your items while outdoors camping or just traveling. There are also expandable side pockets and a built-in hydration reservoir.

“This bag is big without looking like it belongs on the 'Amazing Race,'” says Rosalie Sparaco, NBC senior social media editor. “It has a ton of space, although it could potentially use more internal pockets since it was easy to lose stuff.” She also says the backpack is comfortable to carry thanks to its padded back panel and curved ergonomic shoulder straps. If you need extra support, you can use the bag’s adjustable sternum strap and adjustable, removable waist strap. The backpack also fits under the seat of a plane.

The best weekenders

Best overall: dagne dover landon carryall.

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall

The magic behind Dagne Dover’s Landon Carryall lies in its structure, says Malin: “It has shape, so it stays open while I’m packing and never flops over, yet it’s flexible and soft, so I can overstuff it without any issues.”  The bag is also expandable. “You can unsnap the sides of the bag to make it bigger, which is such a great option,” says Malin. “I expand it for longer trips, but leave it snapped for overnight trips when I don’t need a ton of space.”

The organizational features this bag offers vary by size. It’s available in extra small, small, medium, large and extra large options — the bigger the bag, the more extensive its organization features are. Because of this, we recommend the medium, large and extra large options for traveling (the extra small and small Carryalls function more as everyday handbags, based on our testers’ experiences). They’re designed with a laptop carrier, an exterior phone pocket, interior side pockets, a key leash and an attached zip-top pouch. The larger bags also come with a shoe bag and a detachable adjustable crossbody strap.

Best for a long weekend: July Carry All Weekender Plus

July Carry All Weekender Plus

If you need a weekender bag that fits enough clothes and toiletries to last you a few days, this one from July is exactly what you’re looking for. “I’m very impressed by how incredibly spacious this bag is,” says Ari Night, NBC Select editorial assistant. “Not only does it fit multiple outfits, but it also has segmented pockets that keep everything organized inside.” The bag’s clamshell opening allows it to lie flat making it  easier for packing, and there’s a padded pocket in the center to put delicate items like a laptop or tablet . This weekender also has a hidden internal pocket with a magnetic opening for valuables like jewelry, an exterior zip pocket and a luggage sleeve. It also  comes with a detachable adjustable shoulder strap.

Why trust NBC Select?

Products underwent an eight-week trial before being selected as our favorite in their respective categories. We utilized our editors as shopping and trying experts. Each editor was given the same criteria during the testing period to ensure each item was held to the same standards and procedures. We looked at spaciousness, durability, comfort, zippers and much more. You can read more about our process here .

What our badge means

When a product carries the NBC Select badge, you can trust that our team of editors as shopping experts and professionals vetted the item thoroughly. First and foremost, we are journalists, so we will always do our research and reporting.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Select Staff on NBC News

BI’s Article search uses Boolean search capabilities. If you are not familiar with these principles, here are some quick tips.

To search specifically for more than one word, put the search term in quotation marks. For example, “workers compensation”. This will limit your search to that combination of words.

To search for a combination of terms, use quotations and the & symbol. For example, “hurricane” & “loss”.

• Cyber Risks
• Pricing Trends
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Coronavirus
• Pain Management
• Workers Comp Cost Control
• Workplace Safety
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Best Places to Work
• Rankings & Directories
• Risk Perspectives
• Top 100 Brokers
• White Papers
• Comings & Goings
• Executive Q&A's
• Perspectives
• Editorial Cartoons
• Employee Benefits
• Break Out Awards
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference
• Innovation Awards
• US Insurance Awards
• Women to Watch
• Women to Watch EMEA
• World Captive Forum
• Current Issue
• DEI Institute

Risk Management

Zurich to buy AIG’s travel insurance unit for $600 million

Gavin Souter

American International Group Inc. has agreed to sell its personal travel insurance business to Zurich Insurance Group Ltd. for $600 million, plus a potential earnout, as AIG continues to focus on its core property/casualty insurance operations.

The sale will include AIG’s Travel Guard business, excluding Japan and AIG’s joint venture in India, the insurer said in a statement. Travel coverage offered through AIG’s accident and health division is also excluded from the deal, which is expected to close by year-end.

Zurich said it will roll the business into its Cover-More division, which will have about $2 billion in gross written premium after the deal closes.

AIG has sold several noncore units over the past two years. Earlier this month, it completed the deconsolidation of Corebridge Financial, its life and retirement business. It began the divestment of the business in 2022 . Last year, it sold Validus Reinsurance Ltd. to RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

Readers Poll

Most read in risk management.

1. Long-time insurance executive Dinos Iordanou dies

2. WTW adds three former Aon execs

3. WTW hires former Aon casualty leader

4. AssuredPartners names executive VP of carrier relationships

5. Gallagher hires former Lockton execs for new Sacramento office

6. Appeals court says no D&O coverage for $145M DOJ settlement

Sign up for Daily Briefing, the free email newsletter from Business Insurance.

Sign up now for free access to this article and much more., if you are already registered with business insurance, click here to login, please tell us a bit more about yourself in order to continue.

• Email Invalid email address.
• Company Name
• Job Function --Select-- Accountant/Finance Advertiser/Marketer/PR Professional Agent (Resale) Agent (Wholesale) Attorney/General Counsel Broker Chief Technology/Information Officer Claims CSuite/Executive Management Human Resources/Benefits Risk Manager Sales Service Provider (TPA, Consultant, Outside Counsel) Student Required
• Type of Business --Select-- Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing Construction Finance, Banking & Real Estate Services Government/Education/NonProfit Hospitality Insurance Manufacturing/Utilities Services Technology Transportation/Communications/Electric/Gas Wholesale/Retail Trade Required
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Career Opportunities
• Event Sponsorship

Reprints and Licensing

• Request Reprints
• Register Online
• Directories & Rankings
• Diversity & Inclusion Institute
• Editorial Calendar
• International
• Magazine Archives
• Risk Perspective
• W2W Foundation

COPYRIGHT © 2024 BUSINESS INSURANCE HOLDINGS

1 (800) 605-2282

• Member Portal (Travel Medical)
• CBP Portal (Trip Protection)

+1 (800) 605-2282 Outside US: +1 (317) 262-2132

[email protected]

Send Us A Message

• There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

International Travel Medical Insurance

Prepare for the unexpected with travel medical insurance.

International travel medical insurance can’t prevent you from catching a stomach bug or breaking your ankle while sightseeing. But it could help you find a quality doctor or hospital and reimburse you for unexpected healthcare costs so you can continue enjoying your trip.

Consider international travel medical insurance if you’re traveling abroad for:

• Cruise, guided tour, or safari
• School trip or mission trip
• Backpacking or adventure

Discover the Benefits of Atlas Travel

Enhance your coverage.

Upgrade your international travel medical insurance coverage with these optional benefits upon checkout:

• Crisis Response – Increase your Crisis Response coverage amount to $100,000 (with $10,000 for natural disaster coverage)
• Personal Liability – Increase your Personal Liability coverage amount to $100,000
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment – Increase your AD&D coverage amount to $50,000

Or bundle all 3 upgrades and save!

Entering or exiting the United States? Add $2,000 of device protection coverage by bolt for your phone, laptop, and tablet.

What if I Need Additional Travel Medical Insurance Coverage?

Get higher coverage limits with atlas premium.

Atlas Premium provides the same benefits as our popular Atlas Travel plan with increased limits for many benefits. If you’re worried about things that could go wrong on your trip or have destination-related safety concerns, consider Atlas Premium’s higher coverage limits.

Check out these plan highlights or see a full benefit comparison here .

Why Choose WorldTrips?

Who is insuring you is just as important as the insurance plan you choose. Since 1998, WorldTrips has provided international travel medical insurance to help our customers confidently explore the globe.

Our knowledgeable team of customer service professionals is standing by 24/7 to support you through unexpected travel emergencies. No matter the spoken language. No matter the time zone.

“WorldTrips is the best travel insurance company of 2024, based on our in-depth analysis of travel insurance policies."

Is International Travel Medical Insurance Required for Travel Abroad?

Not necessarily. Some countries require foreign visitors to have international travel medical insurance that meets specific requirements. Others may only require proof of valid insurance for the duration of a trip.

Some visas require insurance as well. If you need a Schengen visa to visit Europe’s Schengen Area, you’ll need Schengen visa insurance . If you’re traveling to the U.S. on a J-1 visa, you’ll need J-1 visa insurance . (Hint: Atlas Travel meets both Schengen and J-1 visa requirements.)

Some types of trips may require insurance too. Think organized tours, cruises, study abroad trips, and mission trips . International travel medical insurance from WorldTrips could fit the insurance coverage necessary for your trip. 

Will My Current Health Plan Cover Me Overseas?

There’s a good chance your regular health plan that covers you on a day-to-day basis may not provide adequate coverage once you leave your home country. Even if it does include some overseas benefits, it may not offer medical evacuation coverage or supplemental travel coverage (like reimbursement for a long delay or the airline losing your checked luggage).

You may also wonder if your credit card offers any coverage —and if it does, whether that coverage is enough. While your travel-related credit card might include some compensation for airport and luggage mishaps, it’s unlikely that it includes coverage for an unexpected injury or illness.

Ask yourself: Could I afford to pay for an overnight hospital stay or treatment of a broken ankle while sightseeing abroad? If not, consider international travel medical insurance like Atlas Travel. You might be surprised how easily it fits into your budget.

How Much Does International Travel Medical Insurance Cost?

Travelers are often surprised by the budget-friendly cost of international travel medical insurance. Our Atlas Travel plan starts at less than $1 a day .

Here are the factors that influence the cost of a plan with WorldTrips:

• Age – As your age group increases, so will your plan cost
• Destination – Trips that include the U.S. are more expensive to cover due to healthcare costs
• Trip Length – Longer trips are more expensive to cover
• Overall Maximum Limit – As your overall maximum limit increases, so will your plan cost
• Deductible – As your deductible increases, your plan cost will decrease
• Optional Upgrades – Coverage add-ons will increase your plan price

How International Travel Medical Insurance Works in Action

• You’re hospitalized with a serious bout of food poisoning.

Your Atlas Travel international medical insurance policy could help you find a suitable hospital. Your plan would cover eligible medical expenses, which could include your ambulance ride, hospital stay, diagnostic testing, physician charges, and more.WorldTrips could also arrange translation assistance and provide medical monitoring to keep your family updated on your condition.

• You’re hiking through a remote area when you fall and become seriously injured.

The nearest medical facility does not have the equipment to provide the medically necessary treatment. Fortunately, your Atlas Travel plan’s Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit pays the $30,000 it costs to transport you by helicopter to the nearest hospital.

• You’ve just touched down in your destination when you receive the devastating news that your sister-in-law has passed away. You decide to return home immediately.

Your Atlas Travel policy’s Trip Interruption benefit could pay for your plane ticket back to your home country so you can be with your family.

• Your flight is delayed until the next morning due to snowstorms.

You grab a warm meal and book a hotel room so you don’t have to stay at the airport overnight. Your Travel Delay benefit could reimburse you up to $100 for meals and accommodations resulting from a covered delay of 12+ hours.

• You’re exploring the city alone when you’re suddenly kidnapped for a small ransom.

More International Travel Medical Insurance Plans

Need coverage for remote work, frequent international travel, or a group of travelers? Discover additional international travel medical plans designed for these types of travel.

Nomad Insurance for Remote Workers

Digital nomads who are non-U.S. residents working outside of their home country are eligible for an Atlas Nomads plan.

Travel Medical Insurance for Groups

Traveling with a group of 5 or more? Purchase Atlas Group and get the same benefits and services of our popular Atlas Travel plan at a 10% reduced rate.

Annual Travel Medical Insurance

Save time and money by purchasing one Atlas MultiTrip plan to cover you for any number of pre-planned or last-minute trips abroad throughout a one-year period.

Visitor Medical Insurance for Travel to the U.S.

When your international travel includes the United States, your Atlas Travel plan will be referred to as Atlas America . This plan meets J-1 visa requirements and can provide coverage for you or your family members as they visit the States.

FAQs: WorldTrips' Travel Medical Insurance Plans

How Do I Register for a Member Portal Account?

1. Visit Member Portal at  https://worldtrips.my.site.com/MemberPortal . 2. Under “Continue Sign In” click “First-time user? Register for an account.”

3. On the Register page, enter the email address you wish to use to sign into your account. This email does not need to match the email address associated with your policy. Enter your policy number and select whether or not you are the insured or the insured’s legal guardian. Enter the insured’s first and last name as entered on the policy. (You can see how the insured’s name was entered on your ID card and fulfillment documents that were sent to you upon purchase.) Enter the insured’s date of birth. Then choose a password. Follow the password instructions noted on the page.

Read and agree to the terms and conditions by checking the box. Then click the “Continue” button.

  4. You will be taken to the Sign In page. Enter the email address and password you used to register your account and click “Sign In.”

5. To add an additional layer of security when signing into your account, you will be prompted to choose your preferred multifactor authentication method.

Options Include: a.  Okta Verify  - Click "Setup" if you wish to use a push notification sent to the mobile app

b.  SMS Authentication*  - Click "Setup" if you wish to enter a single-use code that is sent to your mobile phone

c.  Voice Call Authentication*  - Click "Setup" if you wish to follow voice instructions via  phone

d.  Security Question  - Click "Setup" if you wish to answer a security question

  * Please be sure to use a method which you will have continual access to on your travels. Do not use phone numbers that will not work outside of your current service area.

  6. Follow the setup instructions of your chosen multifactor authentication method. Then click “Finish.”

  7. On the resulting page, choose a "Forgot Password" question. Make sure you select a question with only one correct answer that is easy to remember.

  Type the answer into the blank box below "Answer." You will need this answer to access your account if you ever forget your Member Portal password and need to reset it.

  You may also choose to add a phone number for resetting your password or unlocking your account using SMS text message or a voice call if you don’t have access to your email.

  Click "Create My Account."

How Do I Submit a Claim?

You must complete, sign, and submit a Claimant's Statement and Authorization form along with proof of claim (itemized bills, payment receipts, medical records, police reports, etc.) for every incident. ( Click here to download the form in Spanish ).

Filing a Claim on Behalf of Someone Else? If you are filing this claim on behalf of another person, you MUST fill out the section of the Claimant's Statement and Authorization form labeled "Supplement D - Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information " – also known as a HIPAA form. This section must be signed by the policyholder in order for us to speak with you regarding any of the policyholder's Protected Health Information (PHI). Without this signed form, we may only disclose to you the status of the claim.

You can complete and submit the Claimant's Statement and Authorization form along with supporting documents in one of the following ways:

Via DocuSign within Member Portal (Most Efficient Approach)

1. Go to Member Portal (formerly Client Zone / Student Zone). 2. Log in to your account. If this is your first time using Member Portal, please click here to view instructions for registering your new account.

If you already have a Client Zone / Student Zone account, you do not need to register for a Member Portal account. Simply log in to Member Portal using your Client Zone / Student Zone login details.

3. Click "Claims and Appeals" in the main navigation menu. 4. Click “Submit New Claim Via DocuSign” button under the “Claimant’s Statement and Authorization Form” subheader in the “File a Claim” section and follow the instructions.

For more extensive step-by-step instructions, including screenshots, please see our “How to Submit a Claim” guide

Don’t Have Access to the Claims and Appeals Page? If you noted that you are not the insured or the insured’s legal guardian, you will see the Protected Health Information Authorization page in place of the Claims and Appeals page. Enter the insured’s email address and click “Send Request.” Once the insured has completed and submitted our HIPAA form, you will gain access to the Claims and Appeals page and have the ability to submit a claim within 3-5 days.

1. Download the Claimant's Statement and Authorization form. ( Click here to download the form in Spanish.) 2. Print, complete, and sign the form. Mail to: WorldTrips Claims Department PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A. WorldTrips is also happy to fax, e-mail, or mail the form(s) to you upon request. Important Note for Students For eligibility purposes, you must submit the following along with a Claimant's Statement and Authorization form: - A copy of your education-related visa (F-1, J-1, OPT, etc.) or valid I-20/DS2019 - Proof of full-time student status (not necessary if submitting a valid F-1 visa including OPT, or J-1 visa)

Can I Submit a Claim on Behalf of Someone Else?

How Do I Submit the Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (HIPPA Form) If I Did Not Complete This Section of the Claim Form?

If you have already submitted a claim on behalf of someone else and did not complete this section OR if WorldTrips has requested that you submit the Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (HIPAA), you do not need to fill out another claim form. You can submit the HIPAA form separately in one of the following ways:

Electronically via Member Portal

• Go to Member Portal .
• Log in to your account. If this is your first time using Member Portal, please click here to view instructions for registering your new account. If you already have a Client Zone / Student Zone account, you do not need to register for a Member Portal account. Simply log in to Member Portal using your Client Zone / Student Zone login details.
• Click "Claims and Appeals" in the main navigation menu.

If You See the Protected Health Information Authorization Page:

- Because you selected that you are not the insured or the insured's legal guardian upon registering for Member Portal, you do not yet have access to the Claims and Appeals page. - Under the "Protected Health Information Authorization" header, enter the insured's email address and click the "Send Request" button. - The insured will receive an email with a link to complete, sign, and submit the HIPPA form via DocuSign. You will gain access to the Claims and Appeals page and will be able to see the status of any pending claims within 3-5 days of the date the policyholder completed and submitted the form.

If You See the Claims and Appeals Page:

- Click the "Fill Out and Submit Via DocuSign" button under the "Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (HIPPA)" subheader in the "File a Claim" section. - Enter the insured's name and an email address and click the "Begin Signing" button. - Click the yellow "Continue" button, fill out the form and the required information (as noted by the red boxes); have the policyholder sign the form, and click the yellow "Finish" button. - Clicking "Finish" submits the document and sends a PDF of your signed Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information to the email address entered. Download or print a copy of your completed form for your records. If you do not receive a confirmation email with your completed form attached within 24 hours, please contact WorldTrips to make sure your form was properly submitted.

• Download the Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information .
• Print, complete, and have the policyholder sign the form.
• Mail to: WorldTrips Claims Department PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A.

When and How Will I Receive My Fulfillment Documents?

During the checkout process, you will have the option to receive your ID cards and other fulfillment documents by:

• Email only OR by
• Email and hard copy

If you select “Email only,” you will receive your ID cards and fulfillment documents by email as soon as your application has been processed and your credit card has been approved. This typically takes a few minutes or less.

If you select “Email and hard copy,” you will receive your ID cards and fulfillment documents by email as soon as your application has been processed and your credit card has been approved. You will also receive hard copies of your ID cards and fulfillment documents by mail to the address you entered on your application.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

What If I Do Not Agree with a Claim's Denial?

There may be situations when you choose to appeal how a claim was processed. You may appeal your claim decision using one of the following methods:

Submit the Claimant Appeal Request Form Via DocuSign within Member Portal:

• Sign into Member Portal . You will be presented with your Member Portal home page.
• Click “Claims and Appeals” in the main navigation menu at the top of the page. You will be presented with the Claims and Appeals page.
• Switch the toggle at the top of the page under the “Claims and Appeals” header from “Claims” to “Appeals.”
• To file an appeal via DocuSign, click the “Fill Out and Submit Via DocuSign” button under the “Claimant Appeal Request Form” subheader in the “File an Appeal” section.
• Enter your name and email address on the PowerForm Signer Information page and click the “Begin Signing” button.
• Click the yellow “Continue” button to the right.
• Fill in all the required information on the form (as indicated by the red text boxes) and sign everywhere a signature is required (as indicated by the yellow “Sign” boxes).
• Attach your supporting documents (medical records, receipts, itemized bills, etc.), if necessary, at the bottom righthand corner of the page via the yellow attachment boxes. If you have more than 3 attachments or exceed the 5MB attachment limit, see instructions for submitting additional documents here.
• When you are done, click the yellow “Finish” button at the bottom of the page. Clicking “Finish” submits your documents and sends a PDF of your signed Claimant Appeal Request Form to your email.
• Download or print a copy of your completed form for your records. If you do not receive a confirmation email with your completed form attached within 24 hours, please contact WorldTrips to make sure your form was properly submitted.

Want more detailed instructions including screenshots? See the “ Claimant Appeal Request Form Submitted Via DocuSign within Member Portal (Most Efficient Approach) ” section of our Claims Resource Center page .

• Download the Claimant Appeal Request Form. ( Click here to download the form in Spanish ).
• Fill out the form and email it, along with additional documentation that supports your reasoning and position (medical records, receipts, itemized bills, etc.), to [email protected]. OR Mail the form and supporting documents to: WorldTrips Appeals PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A

Submit a Written Appeal Letter Via Email or Mail

• Write a letter of appeal following the appeal procedure instructions outlined in your policy documents/certificate of coverage.
• Email this written letter of appeal, along with additional documentation that supports your reasoning and position (medical records, receipts, etc.), to [email protected] . OR Mail the form and supporting documents to: WorldTrips Appeals PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A

IMPORTANT! In order for our claims department to review the appeal, you must provide additional documentation or information to support a reversal of the denial. Please note that submission of the appeal will lead to re-evaluation of your claim but does not guarantee that the initial benefit determination will be altered.

Why Am I Receiving So Many Letters?

What Is Included in the Fulfillment Documents?

Your fulfillment documents will include:

Instructional Information

• How to seek medical treatment
• How to file a medical claim
• How to access  Member Portal  (our online self-service portal where members can manage their policies)
• How to contact WorldTrips

Declaration Page

• Link to the Description of Coverage for your policy
• Name, address, ID number, and citizenship of the insured
• Policy start and end dates and length of coverage
• Certain policy details including plan name, overall maximum limit, maximum per injury/illness, deductible, and any optional coverage elected
• Purchase date, payment type, and amount paid
• Name and address of plan administrator

Policyholder/Certificate Holder Notice

• Important notice about OFAC sanctions

European Union GDPR Data Protection Notice  (Note that you will only receive this notice if you are a citizen or resident of the European Union OR if you are a visitor traveling to the European Union)

• Information about our privacy policy
• How we use your personal and sensitive information and who we may disclose it to
• Information about your data protection rights
• How to opt out of marketing communications or withdraw your consent
• Name of insured(s)
• Certificate/policy number and effective date of coverage
• Instructions on how to file a claim
• Name and logo of PPO network
• Instructions on how to find a provider

Learn more about your ID card here .

How Do I Access My Visa Letter?

What Information Is Included in the Visa Letter?

How Does My Deductible Work?

Am I Eligible for an Atlas Travel Insurance Plan?

When Does My Atlas Travel Coverage Become Effective and When Does it End?

Your Atlas Travel insurance coverage becomes effective on the latest of: - the moment we receive your application and correct premium (if application and payment is made online or by fax) - 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the date we receive your application and payment (if application and payment are made by mail) - the moment you depart from your home country - 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the date you request on your application if the correct premium is received

Your coverage will end on the earliest of: - 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the last day of the period for which you have paid a premium - 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date requested on your application - the moment of your arrival upon return to your home country (unless you have started a benefit period or are eligible for home country coverage)

Does the Atlas Travel Plan Provide Any Home Country Coverage?

Does the Atlas Travel Plan Include Any Coverage for Medical Expenses Related to COVID-19?

If You Purchased Your Atlas Travel Policy on Or After July 15, 2020: Your plan will cover eligible medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. Eligible medical expenses are medically necessary expenses that are not subject to another plan exclusion. If You Purchased Your Atlas Travel Policy Before July 15, 2020: Your plan contains an applicable exclusion and will NOT cover medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. The full exclusion reads: Charges resulting from a disease outbreak in a country or location for which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a level 3 or higher travel warning are excluded if:

- the warning has been in effect within the 60 days immediately prior to your date of arrival, or - within 10 days following the date the warning was issued you have failed to depart the country or location. You can review the exclusions by reading through the "General Exclusions section of your Description of Coverage (DOC).

You will find your DOC in Member Portal . Sign in to the portal and click the box on the home page labeled "Description of Coverage." 

What Are Atlas International and Atlas America?

What Is Covered Under the Atlas Travel Insurance Plan?

Does the Atlas Travel Insurance Plan Provide Any Trip Cancellation Coverage?

Does the Atlas Travel Insurance Plan Meet Schengen Visa Requirements?

Can I Extend or Renew My Atlas Travel Insurance Coverage?

How Do I Extend My Atlas Travel Insurance Coverage?

Follow the below instructions to EXTEND your Atlas Travel medical insurance plan:

• Log into your Member Portal .
• On your Member Portal home page, click the box labeled "Extend or Renew My Policy" under the "How Can We Help You Today?" header.
• If you are eligible to extend your policy ad do not need to contact a broker or plan administrator in order to do so, you will see the "Extend Policy" page.
• Use the dropdown arrow to insert your new coverage end date and click "Next."
• Fill in your payment information.
• Review the Terms and Conditions and click the checkbox to acknowledge that you have read and accepted them.
• Click the "Submit" button to submit your extension request. Your coverage confirmation will be sent to the email address you entered.

How Do I Cancel My Atlas Travel Insurance Coverage?

Is My Group Eligible for an Atlas Group Travel Plan?

Does the Atlas Group Travel Insurance Plan Provide Any Home Country Coverage?

Does the Atlas Group Plan Include Any Coverage for Medical Expenses Related to COVID-19?

If You Purchased Your Atlas Group Policy on Or After July 15, 2020: Your plan will cover eligible medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. Eligible medical expenses are medically necessary expenses that are not subject to another plan exclusion.

If You Purchased Your Atlas Group Policy Before July 15, 2020: Your plan contains an applicable exclusion and will NOT cover medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. The full exclusion reads: Charges resulting from a disease outbreak in a country or location for which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a level 3 or higher travel warning are excluded if:

- the warning has been in effect within the 60 days immediately prior to your date of arrival, or - within 10 days following the date the warning was issued you have failed to depart the country or location. You can review the exclusion by reading through the “General Exclusions” section of your Description of Coverage (DOC).

You will find your DOC in Member Portal . Sign in to the portal, click "Policy Information" in the navigation menu, and then click the box labeled "Description of Coverage."

What Are Atlas Group International and Atlas Group America?

Atlas Group policyholders who are U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens (and home country is not the United States) traveling outside of the U.S. will be covered under Atlas Group International, which provides coverage outside of the United States.

Atlas Group policyholders who are non-U.S. citizens traveling to the United States will be covered under Atlas Group America. (For the purpose of this American visitor insurance coverage, the United States also includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.)

The correct plan will be automatically selected for you when you purchase your Atlas Group plan, depending on whether your trip includes coverage for the U.S. (You will only be covered for the U.S. if you are a non-U.S. citizen, your home country is not the United States, and all or part of your travel includes the U.S.)

What Medical Expenses are Covered Under an Atlas Group Travel Plan?

Am I Eligible for an Atlas Nomads Insurance Plan?

When Does My Atlas Nomads Coverage Become Effective and When Does it End?

Your Atlas Nomads insurance coverage becomes effective on the latest of: - the moment we receive your application and correct premium (if application and payment is made online or by fax) - 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the date we receive your application and payment (if application and payment are made by mail) - the moment you depart from your home country - 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the date you request on your application if the correct premium is received

Your coverage will end on the earliest of: - 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the last day of the period for which you have paid a premium - 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the date requested on your application - the moment of your arrival upon return to your home country (unless you have started a benefit period or are eligible for home country coverage)

Does the Atlas Nomads Plan Provide Any Home Country Coverage?

Does the Atlas Nomads Plan Include Any Coverage for Medical Expenses Related to COVID-19?

What Is Covered Under the Atlas Nomads Insurance Plan?

Does the Atlas Nomads Insurance Plan Provide Any Trip Cancellation Coverage?

Atlas Nomads does not provide any reimbursement if you must cancel your trip prior to departure. However, it does include a Trip Interruption benefit if you must end your trip early due to a covered reason. See “Trip Cancellation VS Trip Interruption: What Is the Difference?” for an explanation of the difference between trip cancellation coverage and trip interruption coverage.

Note that Atlas Nomads medical insurance has a lower premium than most travel insurance plans because it does not include a Trip Cancellation benefit. If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident looking for travel insurance with a Trip Cancellation benefit, you should consider Atlas Journey® trip cancellation insurance. Visit the Atlas Journey product page for details about this plan.

Does the Atlas Nomads Insurance Plan Meet Visa Requirements?

Can I Renew My Atlas Nomads Insurance Coverage?

Can I Extend My Atlas Nomads Insurance Coverage?

How Do I Cancel My Atlas Nomad Insurance Coverage?

Most members are able to submit a cancellation request online in Member Portal . Note that only members who have no claims are eligible for a premium refund. After you create your Member Portal account ( click here for registration instructions) , log in and select “Policy Information” in the top righthand corner. Then select the “Modify Coverage Dates” box. If you are not eligible to cancel via Member Portal, you will see a message prompting you to contact your agent for assistance. If you are eligible to cancel via Member Portal, select “No” under the “Would you like to change your coverage start date?” question. Then select “Shorten or cancel your coverage.”

If Your Policy Has Not Yet Started… On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your coverage start date as your new coverage end date. Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days.

If Your Policy Has Already Started… Only premium for unused whole months (if paying in monthly installments) or unused days (if paid in full) will be refunded. On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your new coverage end date and click “Calculate Refund” to display the eligibility of the date selected and the amount that will be refunded. Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days. Please note that you cannot have filed any claims to be eligible for a premium refund.

Am I Eligible for a StudentSecure International Student Health Insurance Plan?

When Does Coverage Become Effective Once I Get a StudentSecure Plan?

When Does Coverage Terminate with a StudentSecure Plan?

Which Plan Should I Purchase, StudentSecure Elite, StudentSecure Select, StudentSecure Budget, or StudentSecure Smart?

Do StudentSecure Plans Provide Any Home Country Coverage?

Does the StudentSecure Plan Include Any Coverage for Medical Expenses Related to COVID-19?

If You Purchased Your StudentSecure Policy on Or After May 15, 2020: Your plan will cover eligible medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. Eligible medical expenses are medically necessary expenses that are not subject to another plan exclusion.

If You Purchased Your StudentSecure Policy Before May 15, 2020: Your plan contains an applicable exclusion and will NOT cover medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. The full exclusion reads: Charges resulting from a disease outbreak in a country or location for which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a level 3 or higher travel warning are excluded if: - the warning has been in effect within the 60 days immediately prior to your date of arrival, or - within 10 days following the date the warning was issued you have failed to depart the country or location. You can review the exclusion by reading through the “General Exclusions” section of your Description of Coverage (DOC).You will find your DOC in Member Portal . Sign in to the portal, click "Policy Information" in the navigation menu, and then click the box labeled "Description of Coverage." 

What International Medical Benefits Are Covered in a StudentSecure Insurance Plan?

Are Any Pre-Existing Conditions Covered by a StudentSecure Insurance Plan?

Charges resulting directly or indirectly from any *pre-existing condition are excluded from StudentSecure Elite and StudentSecure Select during the first 6 months of coverage and from StudentSecure Budget during the first 12 months of coverage. All StudentSecure plans include **Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions (excluding chronic and congenital conditions) up to a lifetime maximum of $25,000 for eligible expenses. Note that StudentSecure Smart provides Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions coverage only.

*Pre-existing Condition means any injury, illness, sickness, disease, or other physical, medical, mental, or nervous disorder, condition, or ailment that, with reasonable medical certainty, existed at the time of application or at any time during the 12 months prior to the effective date of this insurance, whether or not previously manifested, symptomatic or known, diagnosed, treated, or disclosed to us prior to the effective date, and including any and all subsequent, chronic or recurring complications or consequences related thereto or resulting or arising therefrom.

**An acute onset of a pre-existing condition is a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence that is of short duration, is rapidly progressive, and requires urgent care. A pre-existing condition that is a chronic or congenital, or that gradually becomes worse over time, is not acute onset of a pre-existing condition. The Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition benefit will only apply if all of the following conditions are met: 1. The Acute onset of a Pre-Existing Condition does not directly or indirectly relate to a chronic condition or congenital condition; 2. Treatment must be obtained within twenty-four (24) hours of the sudden and unexpected outbreak or reoccurrence; 3. You must be under eighty (80) years of age; 4. You must not be traveling against or in disregard of the recommendations, established treatment programs, or medical advice of a physician or other healthcare provider; 5. You must not be traveling with the intent or purpose to seek or obtain treatment for the pre-existing condition; 6. You must be traveling outside your home country

Is There Any Maternity or Newborn Care Coverage with a StudentSecure Insurance Plan?

I Am Planning to Play a Team Sport When I Study Abroad. Am I Covered with a StudentSecure Plan?

Is There Mental Health Coverage with a StudentSecure Plan?

Am I Covered with a StudentSecure Plan if I Have an Accident that Involves Dental Injuries?

Does StudentSecure Provide Coverage for an Emergency Medical Evacuation?

Does StudentSecure Have Emergency Reunion Coverage?

How Can I Access My Personalized Product Links?

I'm Worried About Acts of Terrorism in My Host Country. Is There Coverage for That?

StudentSecure Elite, StudentSecure Select, and StudentSecure Budget provide medical coverage for injuries and illnesses resulting from an act of terrorism, subject to a $50,000 lifetime maximum, provided all of the following conditions are met: 1. The injury or illness does not result from chemical, nuclear, biological, radioactive, or cyber weapons or events. 2. You have no direct or indirect involvement in the act of terrorism. 3. The act of terrorism is not in a country or location where the U.S. Department of State has issued a level 3 “reconsider travel” or higher travel advisory within the 60 days prior to your date of arrival. 4. You have not failed to depart a country or location within 10 days following the date a level 3 or higher travel advisory to leave that country or location is issued by the U.S. Department of State.

An Act of Terrorism Is Defined as: An act, including but not limited to, the use of force or violence and/or the threat thereof, of any person or group(s) of persons, whether acting alone or on behalf of or in connection with any organization(s) or government(s) committed for political, religious, ideological or similar purposes including the intention to influence any government and/or to put the public, or any section of the public, in fear. *StudentSecure Smart does not provide coverage for medical expenses incurred due to an act of terrorism.

Is There Any Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage Included with a StudentSecure Plan?

In the event of your accidental death or dismemberment resulting from a covered injury, StudentSecure Elite and StudentSecure Select will provide the following benefit: - Accidental Death - Principal sum to the beneficiary designated on your application - Loss of Sight in Both Eyes or Loss of Two or More Limbs - Principal sum to you - Loss of Sight in One Eye or Loss of One Limb - One-half of the principal sum to you Loss of Sight - Defined as total and irrevocable loss of sight. Loss of Limb - Defined as complete and permanent severance of a hand at or above the wrist, or a foot at or above the ankle.

StudentSecure Elite and StudentSecure Select offer an optional AD&D Rider for an additional $25,000 lifetime maximum. Neither StudentSecure Budget nor StudentSecure Select provides an Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit. Note that the Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit is not available for losses resulting from an act of terrorism.

Should Something Happen and Death Occurs, Do You Cover the Transportation of Remains Back Home?

What If I Have to Go to the Hospital on the Day My StudentSecure Plan Terminates?

Can I Extend or Renew My StudentSecure Insurance Coverage?

How Do I Extend My StudentSecure Insurance Coverage?

Follow the below instructions to EXTEND your StudentSecure insurance plan:

• Log into your Member Portal account.
• If you are eligible to extend your policy and you do not need to contact a broker or plan administrator in order to do so, you will see the "Extend Policy" page.

How Do I Cancel My StudentSecure Insurance Coverage?

Most members are able to submit a cancellation request online in Member Portal . Note that only members who have no claims are eligible for a premium refund. After you create your Member Portal account (click here for registration instructions), log in and select “Policy Information” in the top righthand corner. Then select the “Modify Coverage Dates” box. If you are not eligible to cancel via Member Portal, you will see a message prompting you to contact your agent for assistance. If you are eligible to cancel via Member Portal, select “No” under the “Would you like to change your coverage start date?” question. Then select “Shorten or cancel your coverage.”

If Your Policy Has Not Yet Started … You are eligible for a full refund of your premium for free. On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your coverage start date as your new coverage end date. Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days.

If Your Policy Has Already Started … A $25 cancellation fee will apply. On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your new coverage end date and click “Calculate Refund” to display the eligibility of the date selected and the amount that will be refunded. If Paying in Monthly Installments… - You may only cancel in whole month increments. If you select a date in the middle of a monthly installment period, the following installment period will not be drafted. - Only premium for unused whole months will be refunded.

If Paid in Full … - Only premium for unused days will be refunded. Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days. Please note that after 60 days, no refunds will be granted.

What Is Trip Protection Insurance?

What Are Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation?

What Are Covered Reasons for Trip Interruption?

What Is a Trip Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) Benefit?

How Do I Purchase a Trip Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) Benefit?

Who Is Considered a "Traveling Companion" for Insurance Purposes?

Who Is Considered a "Family Member" for Insurance Purposes?

Can I Buy Trip Protection Insurance After Departing on My Trip?

What Is the Latest Date I Can Purchase Trip Protection Insurance?

Can I Purchase Trip Protection Insurance If I'm Not a U.S. Resident?

What Is a Pre-Existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition means an illness, disease, or other condition during the lookback period immediately prior to your effective date of coverage for which you: 1. received a test, examination, or medical treatment; 2. received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment; or 3. took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine.

Item (3) above does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription medication and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or *change in the required prescription throughout the lookback period before your coverage effective date.

*Change in required prescription means the dosage or frequency of a medication has been increased, reduced, stopped, and/or new medications have been prescribed due to the worsening of an underlying condition that’s being treated with the medication, unless the change is: 1. between a brand name and a generic medication with comparable dosage; or 2. an adjustment to insulin or anti-coagulant dosage. Your Atlas trip protection plan will not cover pre-existing conditions that existed during the lookback period, unless you qualify for a waiver of the pre-existing conditions exclusion. (Note that Atlas On-The-Go does not offer a waiver of the pre-existing conditions exclusion.) Learn more about pre-existing conditions below or review the policy documents for your plan and state of residency for specific coverage details. View the Policy Documents for Atlas Journey and Atlas On-The-Go product pages.

What Is a "Lookback Period"?

How Do I Qualify to Have Pre-Existing Conditions Covered?

Atlas Journey Premier, Atlas Journey Preferred, and Atlas Journey Economy will waive the pre-existing conditions exclusion if both the following apply: - you purchase your plan within 21 days of the date you made your first payment toward your trip; and - you are medically able to travel on the date of purchase.

Atlas On-The-Go does not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. Review the policy documents for your plan and state of residency for more details.

What Kinds of Travel Assistance Services Are Included with My Plan?

Wherever you travel with your Atlas trip protection coverage, you can rest easy knowing you have access to multilingual travel assistance services 365 days a year. Some travel assistance services include: - Worldwide travel, medical, emergency, and security assistance - Pet assistance - Concierge services - Embassy and consular service - Medical referrals - Language interpretation - Assistance with lost or stolen luggage and personal items - Coordination of personal effects collection and return - Search and rescue coordination - Assistance with return of minor children - Arrangements for aircraft and car return

See the full list of travel assistance services available to you.

What Should I Do if I Experience an Emergency While Traveling?

What Information Do I Have to Provide in Order to Purchase a Trip Cancellation Plan?

You will need the following trip information: - Total trip cost - Departure date - Return date - Primary destination - Initial trip payment date - Final trip payment date - Airline (optional) - Cruise line (optional) - Tour operator (optional)

You will need the following personal information for each traveler on your policy: - First and last name - Traveler(s) current age(s) and date of birth - Gender (optional) - Email address - Mailing address - City of residence - State of residence - Postal code - Phone number

You will need the following credit card information to purchase your policy: - Name on credit card - Credit card number - Credit card expiration date (month and year) - Credit card security code

What Do I Choose as My State of Residence?

How Do I Calculate My Total Trip Cost?

What Is Considered My Departure Date?

What Is Considered My Return Date?

Do I Enter My Current Age or My Age on My Departure Date?

What Is Considered the Initial Trip Payment Date?

What Destination Do I Choose if I'm Visiting Multiple Destinations?

When Will My Coverage Become Effective?

What Should I Do if I Need To Change the Details of My Insurance Plan After I Buy?

How Do I Access My Insurance and Policy Documents?

Where Can I See My Coverage Limits?

How Do I Cancel My Travel Policy?

Atlas Journey Premier, Atlas Journey Preferred, Atlas Journey Economy, and Atlas On-The-Go each include a free-look period. This is the period after purchase in which you’re eligible for a refund if you decide to cancel your coverage. Review the policy documents for your plan and state of residency to see how long your free-look period lasts.

You can view policy documents for Atlas Journey or Atlas On-The-Go by using the dropdown to select your state. Then click the link for the policy of your choosing. If you have an Atlas Journey or Atlas On-The-Go plan and your policy number starts with a “T,” you may email us at [email protected] to cancel. Please include “Cancellation Request” in the subject line. If your policy number does not start with a “T,” this means you have a travel medical insurance plan.

Atlas Travel Medical Plans Most members are able to submit a cancellation request online in   Member Portal . Note that only members who have no claims are eligible for a premium refund.

After you create your Member Portal account, log in and select “Policy Information” in the top righthand corner. Then select the “Modify or Cancel Coverage” box. If you are   not   eligible to cancel via Member Portal, you will see a message prompting you to contact your agent for assistance. If you   are   eligible to cancel via Member Portal, select “No” under the “Would you like to change your coverage start date?” question. Then select “Shorten or cancel your coverage.” If Your Policy Has Not Yet Started…  You are eligible for a full refund of your premium for free. On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your coverage start date as your new coverage end date. Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days.

If Your Policy Has Already Started… A $25 cancellation fee will apply and only the prorated portion of your premium will be refunded. On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your new coverage end date and click “Calculate Refund” to display the eligibility of the date selected and the amount that will be refunded.

Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days.

How Do I File a Claim?

What Supporting Documents Should I Include With My Claim?

Examples of supporting documents are as follows:

For a Trip Cancellation Claim : -

• Itinerary/invoice for all trip arrangements
• Proof of payment for trip arrangements
• Proof of cancellation of all trip arrangements
• Documentation supporting your reason for cancellation (e.g., completed attending physician’s statement, death certificate and obituary, jury summons, etc.)

For a Trip Interruption/Travel Delay Claim:

• Documentation of the date you joined the trip and/or left the trip
• Receipts and proof of payment for any additional expenses claimed
• Documentation supporting your reason for interruption/delay (e.g., medical notes/records, death certificate, evidence of delay or cancellation by your common carrier including the reason for the delay or cancellation, etc.)

For an Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense Claim:

• Itemized invoices
• Medical notes/records
• Proof of payment for medical expenses incurred during the trip
• Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your primary health insurer (if coverage is excess)

For a Baggage Damage or Loss Claim:

• A copy of your claim with the carrier that had possession of the items when they were lost/stolen
• A copy of the resolution of the claim with the carrier
• Itemized list of all items claimed, including the approximate age/date of purchase for each item claimed and proof of the replacement cost for a similar item from a retailer
• If loss was the result of theft, a copy of the police report filed at the time of loss

For a Baggage Delay Claim:

• Property Irregularity Report (PIR) issued by the common carrier (shows evidence of baggage delay)
• Documentation of the date your baggage was returned to you
• Receipts for personal articles purchased while your baggage was delayed

How Long Will It Take for You To Review My Claims?

How Do I Check the Status of a Claim I've Submitted?

How Do I Upload Supporting Documentation for a Claim?

How Long Will It Take To Receive Payment for an Approved Claim?

How Can I Appeal a Denied Claim?

There is no special form required to file an appeal. If you wish to appeal your claim, you may send us a letter explaining the reason you disagree with the denial of your claim. You will need to include your policy and/or claim number as well as documents that support your claim. Email or mail your reasoning, policy/claim number, and supporting documents to:

Mail: Attention: Co-ordinated Benefit Plans, LLC On Behalf of US Specialty Insurance Company P.O. Box 26222 Tampa, FL 33623

[email protected] (please include “Appeal” in the subject line)

Do I Have To Use a Doctor From a Specific List?

Do I Have To Pay the Doctor Up Front?

Many providers are willing to bill us directly, and we are happy to work directly with the provider. The provider should submit original itemized bills to WorldTrips. You, the patient, will still need to submit a completed Claimant's Statement and Authorization form to WorldTrips. If the provider requires you to pay for medical treatment at the time of service, you will need to file a claim for reimbursement. When seeking treatment, please ensure that you provide your name in the same format as provided for your insurance policy. You can check your name format on your fulfillment documents, ID card, or in Member Portal .

At the time of service, ask your medical provider for an itemized bill with the following information: 

• Provider name and address
• Provider tax ID (if U.S.-based)
• Your name, date of birth, and certificate ID number
• Itemized charges
• DX (diagnosis) code and CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) code
• Request your receipt for payment and complete medical records from the visit.

Can My Doctor Call if They Have Questions About What My Plan Covers?

What Happens if I Become Ill or Injured Over the Weekend and Need to Contact You?

What Is a Claimant's Statement and Authorization Form?

Where Do I Find the Claimant's Statement and Authorization Form?

- The Claimant’s Statement and Authorization form. - You can also fill out the form via DocuSign online in Member Portal . (See step-by-step instructions on how to file a claim via Member Portal.) - You can also contact us at 800-605-2282 to request a form by mail or fax.

How Do I Submit the Claimant's Statement and Authorization Form?

You can complete and submit the Claimant's Statement and Authorization form (along with supporting documents) in one of the following ways: Via DocuSign within Member Portal (Most Efficient Approach) 1. Go to Member Portal . 2. Log in to your account. If this is your first time using Member Portal, view instructions for registering your new account here.

NOTE: If you already have a Client Zone / Student Zone account, you do not need to register for a Member Portal account. Simply log in to Member Portal using your Client Zone / Student Zone login details.

3. Click "Claims and Appeals" in the main navigation menu. 4. Click the “Submit New Claim Via DocuSign” button under the “Claimant’s Statement and Authorization Form” subheader in the “File a Claim” section and follow the instructions. For more extensive step-by-step instructions, including screenshots, please see our “ How to File a Claim ” guide.

Don't Have Access to the Claims and Appeals Page? If you noted that you are not the insured or the insured’s legal guardian, you will see the Protected Health Information Authorization page in place of the Claims and Appeals page. Enter the insured’s email address and click “Send Request.” Once the insured has completed and submitted our HIPAA form, you will gain access to the Claims and Appeals page and have the ability to submit a claim within 3-5 days.

By Mail 1. Download the Claimant's Statement and Authorization form here. 2. Print, complete, and sign the form 3. Mail to: WorldTrips Claims Department PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A. WorldTrips is also happy to fax, e-mail, or mail the form(s) to you upon request.

Important Note for Students: For eligibility purposes, you must submit the following along with a Claimant's Statement and Authorization form: - A copy of your education-related visa (F-1, J-1, OPT, etc.) or valid I-20/DS2019 - Proof of full-time student status (not necessary if submitting a valid F-1 visa including OPT, or J-1 visa)

Do I Need to Send a Completed Claimant's Statement and Authorization Form with Every Bill?

I Completed the Claimant's Statement and Authorization Form and You're Asking for It Again - Why?

What Is An Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (Also Known as the HIPAA Form)?

How Do I Submit the Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (Also Known as the HIPAA Form?

You may complete and submit the form to us in one of the following ways:

- Electronically via Member Portal

• Log in to your account. If this is your first time using Member Portal, please click here to view instructions for registering your new account.  If you already have a Client Zone / Student Zone account, you do not need to register for a Member Portal account. Simply log in to Member Portal using your Client Zone / Student Zone login details. 

If You See the Protected Health Information Authorization Page: - Because you selected that you are not the insured or the insured's legal guardian upon registering for Member Portal, you do not yet have access to the Claims and Appeals page. - Under the "Protected Health Information Authorization" header, enter the insured's email address and click the "Send Request" button. - The insured will receive an email with a link to complete, sign, and submit the HIPPA form via DocuSign. You will gain access to the Claims and Appeals page and will be able to see the status of any pending claims within 3-5 days of the date the policyholder completed and submitted the form.

If You See the Claims and Appeals Page: - Click the "Fill Out and Submit Via DocuSign" button under the "Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (HIPPA)" subheader in the "File a Claim" section. - Enter the insured's name and an email address and click the "Begin Signing" button. - Click the yellow "Continue" button, fill out the form and the required information (as noted by the red boxes), have the policyholder sign the form, and click the yellow "Finish" button. - Clicking "Finish" submits the document and sends a PDF of your signed Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information to the email address entered. Download or print a copy of your completed form for your records. If you do not receive a confirmation email with your completed form attached within 24 hours, please contact WorldTrips to make sure your form was properly submitted.

• Mail to: WorldTrips Claims Department PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A. 

How Long Will It Take for My Claim to Be Processed?

How Do I Find Out About the Status of Submitted Claims?

I Submitted Everything You've Requested - Why Are My Claims Still Not Processed?

Is the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) a Bill?

What Is Subrogation?

In health insurance, subrogation is the process through which an insurance company seeks to recover medical costs from another party’s insurance. For WorldTrips, it refers to those times when you or your family may have submitted a claim for medical care for which a third party is responsible. These types of claims could be car accidents, slip and fall claims, negligence claims, or product liability claims. In cases where a claim for services in the United States is in question, WorldTrips is responsible for administering the claim.

We use Equian, an independent company, to assist us with the investigation and recovery process for these subrogated claims. [equian logo?] - What Equian Will Do? As part of the investigation process, you may receive a letter or email directly from WorldTrips and Equian asking you to provide details regarding an incident or paid medical claim. The date of your consultation or treatment and the name of the healthcare provider will be listed on the letter and the investigation will be allocated an event number.

-What You Need to Do If you have been contacted by WorldTrips and Equian, you can fill out the online subrogation questionnaire at the following link: https://selfservice.troversolutions.com You will be asked to provide your event number, which was provided in the correspondence, so please have it ready to reference. You can also call the toll-free customer service number at +1 (800) 395-5568 to provide the information to an Equian customer service representative.

Customer service hours in the U.S. are as follows: - Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time - Friday: 8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time - How Helping Us Will Benefit You By providing WorldTrips and Equian with the requested accident-related information, you are able to take an active role in helping to control your healthcare costs. If Equian determines another party was responsible for your injuries, it may seek reimbursement from the responsible party or insurance.

With the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA) Law, How Can You Deny Pre-Existing Conditions?

How Do I Become Contracted with WorldTrips?

Are There Any Contract Fees or Production Requirements?

Do I Have to Carry a Health Insurance License in Every State?

Can I Sell WorldTrips' Portfolio of Products on My Personal Website?

How Can I View My Production?

When and How Are Commissions Paid?

Commissions are paid each month on the third to the last business day of the month for all commissions owed for all sales since the last commissions received.  You may also be eligible for a second commission payment if you sign up to receive payment by EFT (ACH/Wire) and are owed over $100.00 on the second Wednesday of each month. 

KHE2FFFYH6SP-971744701-1084

WorldTrips international travel medical insurance products are underwritten by Lloyd's. WorldTrips is a service company and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. WorldTrips has authority to enter into contracts of insurance on behalf of the Lloyd's underwriting members of Lloyd's Syndicate 4141, which is managed by HCC Underwriting Agency, Ltd.

• Best overall
• Best for trip cancellation
• Best for medical-only coverage
• Best for families
• Best for value
• Best for reputation
• Why you should trust us

Best Cheap Travel Insurance of July 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. We've gathered the best cheap travel insurance plans to help you protect your trip while on a budget.

Best Cheap Travel Insurance Plans of 2024 Summary

• Best overall: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• Best for trip cancellation:  Aegis General Travel Insurance
• Best for medical-only coverage:  GeoBlue Travel Insurance
• Best for families:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best value: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for reputation: Trawick International Travel Insurance

Top Cheap Travel Insurance Company Comparison

The best travel insurance meets your needs at a price you're willing to pay. Sometimes, you're just not willing to pay that much. The following companies offer decent coverage for low prices. To determine which companies made this list, we compared quotes across the travel insurance industry for the same trip, making a note of which companies offered particularly good coverage in certain areas and which companies were well reviewed.

Here are the best affordable travel insurance companies picked by Business Insider editors in 2024.

Best Affordable Travel Insurance Overall

Hth worldwide 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 .

Best Affordable Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation

Aegis general travel insurance.

The Aegis 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 Aegis Travel Insurance review .

Best Affordable Travel Insurance for Medical Coverage

Geoblue travel insurance.

GeoBlue is a travel insurance provider that specializes in travel medical insurance. Because it doesn't offer much trip protection or travel inconvenience coverage, it can charge cheaper premiums. A 30-year-old from California would pay as low as $20.55 for a policy that covers a two-week trip.  GeoBlue plans can cover medical expenses up to $1 million with several multi-trip annual plans available. It offers coinsurance plans for trips within the U.S. and 100% coverage for international trips. It also has a network of clinics in 180 countries, streamlining the claims process. It's worth noting that coverage for pre-existing conditions comes with additional costs. Read our GeoBlue travel insurance review .

Best Affordable Travel Insurance for Families

C&f travel insured.

There's a lot to like about C&F Travel Insured. For one, it is one of the only travel insurance companies that offers CFAR coverage for annual travel insurance plans . Additionally, C&F is widely praised for its customer service, offering quick reimbursements for claims. Claims that don't reimburse within 30 days begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

When it comes to affordability, C&F remains on the lower end of travel insurance costs. Policies for younger solo travelers are generally around 4% of total trip costs, which isn't bad considering average costs for travel insurance is around 4-8% of total trip costs. However, C&F excels at insuring families as children are heavily discounted with the Edge plan and completely free with the Protector plan. 

Read our C&F Travel Insured review .

Best Affordable Travel Insurance for Value

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide 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 .

Best Affordable Travel Insurance for Reputation

Trawick international travel insurance.

The Trawick 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 .

Types of Affordable Travel Insurance

Comprehensive coverage.

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

Medical-Only Coverage

As the name suggests, this policy focuses solely on medical emergencies, dropping trip cancellation coverage and travel inconvenience coverage. It's 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 insurance aggregator 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.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Cheap Travel Insurance

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

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

The four winning plans cost between $29 to $74 — significantly below the average 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 travel medical insurance 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.

Best Cheap Travel Insurance FAQs

You can reduce the cost of travel insurance by opting for simpler coverage with lower coverage limits. You may also consider companies that offer medical-only travel insurance policies. You can also consider annual travel insurance , which will save you money in the long run if you take multiple trips over one year.

Yes, many affordable policies offer comprehensive coverage suitable for international travel. It's crucial to compare policies and understand your needs. You can find our guide on the best international travel insurance here.

Travel insurance is relatively cheap because it only covers you for a set period of time and the level of coverage you get may not be particularly high. Your premiums will rise with higher coverage limits and add-ons like cancel for any reason coverage . Travel insurance for older travelers can also be quite expensive.

If you just want trip cancellation protection, go with the Aegis 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. Families should consider a C&F Travel Insured policy.

Unfortunately, many travel insurance companies that cover pre-existing conditions reserve coverage for its more expensive plans. That said, you'll find some providers that cover pre-existing conditions with their value plan, such as C&F Travel Insured and Berkshire Hathaway .

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.

**Enrollment required.

• Main content