6 Best Covid Travel Insurance (Testing & Quarantine) for 2022

If you’re going to take a trip in 2022, you’ll want Covid travel insurance. However, with all the different policy options, choosing the best travel insurance for COVID isn’t always easy.

In this guide, you’ll learn which is the best COVID travel insurance for 2022. I’ll share each company’s policies for trip cancellation, medical assistance, COVID testing, quarantine, and more.

• 6 Best COVID-19 travel insurance for 2022
• Covid travel insurance price and coverage comparison
• What does Covid travel insurance cover?
• What isn’t covered by coronavirus travel insurance?

Note: As the WHO continues to track the pandemic, it’s clear that comprehensive medical coverage is essential. While many countries are open for tourism and we’re happy to help you choose which travel insurance to buy during COVID, we don’t recommend traveling when it goes against government advisories.

Also, before we start, I’ll be upfront and tell you that I’ve been using Heymondo for the last four years (right now we have the annual multi-trip travel insurance plan). You can get a coronavirus travelers insurance discount and see Heymondo’s coronavirus coverage for your trip in the link below.

Now, let’s dive into the best international travel insurance that covers Covid-19.

6 Best Travel Insurance for Covid (Testing & Quarantine)

Although Heymondo was the first international travel insurance covering Covid-related claims, other insurance companies quickly included clauses in their policies to address coronavirus. In fact, having COVID travel insurance is now a mandatory entry requirement in many destinations.

To summarize, these are the 6 best COVID travel insurance companies:

1. Heymondo, the best Covid travel insurance for 2022
2. SafetyWing, one of the cheapest Covid travel insurance plans
3. IMG, the best customizable travel insurance for Covid-19
4. World Nomads, another international travel insurance that covers Covid
5. Travelex, another travel insurance that covers COVID testing and quarantine
6. Tin Leg, a cheap travel insurance that covers COVID-19

Take into account that even if many standard travel insurance companies are now offering COVID coverage, it’s important to double-check that you’ll be covered for COVID-19 should any problems arise. Depending on the provider, international travel insurance that covers Covid-19 may or may not meet the entry requirements some countries have. For example, not all policies will cover COVID testing abroad or quarantine expenses, which is essential when looking for travel insurance for Costa Rica and other destinations.

Covid travel insurance price and coverage comparison

Fortunately, there are more COVID-19 travel insurance policy options than ever. To help you out, the chart below compares the best Covid travel insurance companies for a 30-year-old American tourist traveling one week to Hawaii and another week to Cancun, Mexico (14-day trip) for a unique honeymoon (like we did!)

I’ve compared each company’s policies and found the cheapest COVID travel insurance so you can choose your best fit.

* You may be eligible for benefits related to COVID-19 depending on the Travel Warning Level of your destination country.

Heymondo stands out since it’s the only one that covers coronavirus medical assistance with no exclusions or deductibles, as well as COVID testing abroad, early return due to the pandemic, and trip cancellation if you or a relative gets sick before the trip. Besides, it’s the best travel insurance company because they are the only one paying all medical expenses upfront, so you won’t have any out-of-pocket expenses if you need medical assistance.

You can buy it here and enjoy a 5% discount for being a Capture the Atlas reader!

Keep reading to see a breakdown of each COVID travel insurance plan.

1. Heymondo, the best Covid travel insurance in 2022

Heymondo is the best travel insurance for COVID, thanks to its high coverage and low price. It’s the cheapest COVID travel insurance, plus, all the plan options cover coronavirus-related medical expenses, including COVID testing, treatment, and quarantine.

Besides, Heymondo’s COVID coverage doesn’t make you pay for medical expenses upfront and request reimbursement. If you need medical assistance, contact Heymondo via the 24/7 customer support app, and they’ll find a covered nearby hospital.

They have four different plan options for worldwide travelers: Single Trip, Annual Multi-Trip, Long-Term Travel Insurance, and Cancellation Only. Their Trip Cancellation Insurance also covers you if you test positive before the trip and can’t travel. Moreover, if you must cut your trip short due to border closures, you can also request an early return flight.

PROS CONS

• Cheapest travel insurance plan
• No deductibles
• High medical coverage
• Covers COVID testing and treatment
• Covers quarantine & up to Level 4 Travel Advisories
• Medical expenses paid upfront
• 24-hour emergency assistance
• You can buy a policy even if you’re already abroad

• This plan has no notable shortcomings

2. SafetyWing, one of the cheapest Covid travel insurance plans

SafetyWing is one of the cheapest COVID travel insurance plans for worldwide travelers. However, take into account that there is a $250 deductible for most policies. Any resident outside of Cuba, Iran, and North Korea can enroll in a SafetyWing policy, and you can buy a plan even if you’re already abroad.

SafetyWing’s COVID coverage works just as it would for any other illness, but only if you didn’t contract the virus before your coverage start date. This is a huge disadvantage compared to Heymondo’s Covid insurance since Heymondo covers you no matter when you contract the virus as long as you show symptoms during your trip. Besides, SafetyWing only covers up to 10 days of quarantine ($50/day) if your policy is 28 days or longer.

Like Heymondo, this travel insurance covers COVID testing when it’s deemed medically necessary by a physician. However, SafetyWing doesn’t pay medical expenses upfront. That means that you will need to pay all medical expenses yourself and then file a claim to get reimbursed, something you won’t have to deal with if you travel with a Heymondo Covid insurance plan.

PROS CONS

• Very affordable
• High medical coverage
• Covers COVID testing and treatment
• Quarantine coverage may apply
• You can buy a policy even if you’re already abroad

• Most plans have a deductible
• Only covers Covid treatment if you can prove that you contracted the virus during your trip
• You will need to pay your medical expenses upfront and make a claim to get a reimbursement after your trip

3. IMG, the best customizable travel insurance for Covid-19

IMG offers a variety of policy options, but if you want international travel insurance that covers COVID-19, consider that their cheapest plans only cover coronavirus in destinations that don’t have a Travel Warning.

The only plan that covers COVID-19 like any other illness, regardless of your destination’s Travel Warning, is the iTravelInsured plan, and only if you contracted the virus after the effective date, which means that you should be diagnosed after 14 days of being abroad.

Also, take into account that IMG doesn’t pay medical expenses upfront, so you will need to pay out-of-pocket and then file a claim to get a reimbursement. This is another reason why I feel more comfortable traveling with a Heymondo plan.

An advantage of IMG is that most of their plans are customizable, with different deductibles and coverage limits, so you can even select a policy maximum of up to $1,000,000 for a higher price.

On the downside, most plans don’t cover COVID testing, quarantine, early return, or trip cancellation due to coronavirus. Plus, any COVID-related benefits will depend on the Travel Warning Level of your destination, so you could be left with expensive medical fees if you get the virus in a country with an ineligible travel advisory.

PROS CONS

• Good rates
• Variety of plans
• Maximum limits up to $1,000,000

• Most plans don’t cover several COVID-related events
• COVID medical benefits depend on your plan
• COVID coverage only available for countries without a Travel Advisory (unless you purchase the iTravelInsured plan)
• Only covers Covid treatment if you can prove that you contracted the virus during your trip
• You will need to pay your medical expenses upfront and make a claim to get a reimbursement after your trip

4. World Nomads, another international travel insurance that covers Covid

World Nomads offers international travel insurance that covers Covid-19 but only for American and Canadian tourists. Also, the policy parameters aren’t always easy to understand, as several of the plans state that “you could receive benefits” for losses caused by COVID. So, you must read the fine print to be sure.

For example, if you, your travel partner, or a relative gets coronavirus or must quarantine, the plan may cover trip cancellation up to $2,500 if the event occurred after the policy went into effect.

Moreover, this Covid travel insurance includes travel delays if your flight is delayed at least six hours due to border closures, travel bans, or mandatory quarantine restrictions. However, there is no coverage for countries that have a travel ban in effect.

Again, it’s important to check the policy terms and how the claims process works. For this reason, I recommend Heymondo because they cover your emergency medical expenses upfront so you don’t need to worry whether your claim is going to be accepted or not.

PROS CONS

• No deductibles
• Covers over 200 adventure activities

• Not the highest medical coverage, but the most expensive plan
• Worldwide Covid coverage is for American & Canadian tourists only
• Only covers Covid treatment if you can prove that you contracted the virus during your trip
• Policies vary in COVID coverage depending on the Travel Advisory Level of your destination
• You will need to pay your medical expenses upfront and make a claim to get a reimbursement after your trip

5. Travelex, another travel insurance that covers Covid testing and quarantine

Travelex has two plans for international travel insurance that covers COVID-19: Basic and Select. Both policies include 24/7 travel and emergency assistance, and no deductibles.

Travelex’s Covid travel insurance benefits cover medical testing and treatment if you or your travel companion tests positive for the virus. Accommodation expenses due to medical quarantine at your destination are also covered. Plus, if you reschedule your trip due to COVID-19, you may be able to choose new travel dates or request a refund for the policy cost. However, Travelex won’t cover an early return flight due to border closures or if a new travel advisory prevents you from reaching your destination.

Moreover, the coverage limits for emergency medical costs are quite low compared to Heymondo and other companies, and they don’t pay medical expenses in advance, so you will need to deal with the claims process if something happens during your trip. That said, Travelex offers primary coverage, and it has a solid reputation.

PROS CONS

• No deductibles
• Covers COVID treatment & quarantine
• 24-hour emergency assistance
• Solid reputation

• Lower coverage limits
• A bit pricey
• Only covers Covid treatment if you can prove that you contracted the virus during your trip
• You won’t be covered if a new travel advisory prevents you from reaching your destination
• You will need to pay your medical expenses upfront and make a claim to get a reimbursement after your trip

6. Tin Leg, a cheap travel insurance that covers COVID-19

Tin Leg provides several COVID travel insurance plans with comprehensive coverage, including Trip Cancellation and Interruption benefits. The company offers a variety of plans, including policies for adventure travelers and USA-only coverage.

The Tin Leg Standard plan covers 100% of the insured trip cost in case of trip cancellation (150% for trip interruption.) Under these Trip Cancellation and Interruption benefits, you can cancel your trip for medical reasons, including a COVID-19 diagnosis. That said, the medical coverage is noticeably lower than other companies, including Heymondo.

With Tin Leg travel insurance, if you test positive for COVID before or during your trip, you’ll be covered. Also, if a family member back home gets COVID and you must cancel your trip to care for them, Tin Leg can reimburse you. If you test positive for COVID-19 and must quarantine before you can return home, you may be covered under your plan’s Travel Delay benefit for up to 7 days. For all of these scenarios, you’ll have to file a claim to receive reimbursement for your accommodation and meals, so you’ll be stuck paying the initial costs upfront.

On the downside, the only way to ensure you are covered for travel advisories is to purchase the Cancel for Any Reason upgrade.

PROS CONS

• No deductibles
• Covers COVID treatment & quarantine
• 24-hour emergency assistance

• Lower coverage limits
• Only covers Covid treatment if you can prove that you contracted the virus during your trip
• Only the Cancel for Any Reason upgrade will cover cancellation due to travel advisories
• You will need to pay your medical expenses upfront and make a claim to get a reimbursement after your trip

What does Covid travel insurance cover?

What if someone you care for gets sick with Covid? Or, what if your flight gets delayed due to a change in travel guidelines at your destination? While we know that there is international travel insurance that covers Covid-19, it’s not always clear what exactly is covered. This section will look at:

• Covid testing & treatment
• Other emergency medical coverage
• Medical quarantine
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Trip interruption & early return
• Trip cancellation

Travel insurance that covers Covid testing

While researching different policies, it’s wise to look for travel insurance that covers PCR testing. Without a doubt, the best COVID travel insurance must cover treatment abroad and, preferably, testing.

Heymondo, SafetyWing, and Travelex will cover your Covid test if it’s deemed medically necessary by a doctor.

IMG, World Nomads, and Tin Leg don’t cover expenses related to PCR tests for travel.

Travel insurance that covers Covid treatment

When it comes to treatment, most companies only cover you if you can prove that you contracted the virus during your trip, for example, SafetyWing, WorldNomads, Travelex, or Tin Leg. Therefore, it can be hard to get coverage if you start showing COVID symptoms within 14 days of leaving your home country.

Other companies, like IMG (except for the iTravelInsured plan) and WorldNomads have plans that may cover coronavirus-related medical expenses depending on the Travel Warning Level at your destination. Travelex won’t cover you if a new travel advisory prevents you from reaching your destination, and Tin Leg doesn’t cover any travel warning levels unless you purchase a Cancel for Any Reason upgrade.

Fortunately, Covid insurance with Heymondo covers coronavirus treatment (and COVID testing) abroad like any other disease even if there is a Travel Warning in place for your destination. So, if you need medical assistance or a swab test for medical purposes, the company will cover the costs upfront, and you don’t have to face any out-of-pocket expenses. This is why I consider Heymondo the best COVID-19 travel insurance of 2022.

Other emergency medical coverage

Even the most careful traveler can run into disaster, which is why having coverage is so important. There is always the possibility that you could slip and fall, get injured during an activity, or fall ill with some sickness, like the coronavirus.

Having travel medical insurance covering COVID-19 is essential because it will cover treatment for the virus as well as other emergency medical expenses if you need to go to the hospital or visit a doctor.

In this case, having a Heymondo policy is advantageous because they handle your medical expenses upfront and you can contact them 24/7 for help finding a hospital or doctor.

Travel insurance that covers Covid quarantine

What if you get the virus and have to quarantine at your destination?

Again, Heymondo stands out because it will cover your extra lodging expenses upfront. SafetyWing covers up to 10 days of quarantine, but only if your policy is over 28 days long. Quarantine coverage with WorldNomads depends on your plan and where you travel because they make exceptions in destinations with a travel advisory.

Tin Leg travel insurance covers Covid self-isolation for up to 7 days. With Travelex, quarantine could fall under the trip interruption benefits, but it depends on your policy.

We have another article where we compare the best quarantine travel insurance, so I recommend checking it out!

Emergency medical evacuation

If you get injured during your trip and need transportation to the hospital or even your home country, you’ll want coverage for those expenses. Ambulances and other transportation can get pricey, so it’s important to get the best medical travel insurance for Covid that covers transportation back home after you’ve received emergency care.

Trip interruption and early return coverage

Once you’re abroad, what if you need to return home early because a relative gets sick, or your trip gets interrupted because of national border closures? Here are how the different insurance companies stack up.

Heymondo’s international travel insurance for COVID covers the cost of early return to your home country. For example, if a relative dies or is hospitalized because of coronavirus or another illness, or you must return to your home country because of border closures, you’ll be reimbursed.

Comparing all the companies, Heymondo has the most straightforward reimbursement process. Simply contact them via the customer support app and have their team take care of your early return flight.

SafetyWing and Travelex will not cover early return flights due to COVID. WorldNomads, IMG, and Tin Leg may offer early return benefits depending on your plan.

Covid trip cancellation insurance

For all the possible scenarios that could arise during the pandemic, you must have COVID travel insurance for trip cancellation. The tricky part is figuring out which specific instances are covered by COVID trip cancellation insurance, as well as any exceptions.

Circumstances not covered by Covid travel insurance

We’ve looked at what you can expect from the best Covid travel insurance plans. Yet, it’s also important to understand which circumstances aren’t covered by these policies.

A worst-case scenario would be running into a problem while abroad, only to discover that your coronavirus travel insurance doesn’t cover it. Below are some of the exceptions to be aware of.

Pre-trip Covid test

Keep in mind that most countries open to tourists require a pre-flight COVID test. However, these tests aren’t covered by any insurance company, so you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket, regardless of your policy.

Check the links below to find where to get a quick COVID test for travel.

Mandatory quarantine for entry travelers

We talked about coverage benefits if you get Covid while abroad and have to quarantine. However, this differs from the mandatory quarantine requirements that some countries have in place for visitors.

Even if you have travel insurance that covers COVID quarantine, it won’t cover your accommodation expenses if you’re visiting a country that requires you to self-isolate upon arrival. In this case, the quarantine would be a foreseen, or expected event, so coverage isn’t available.

Getting Covid before the trip

If you test positive for Covid before your trip and you must cancel your flight, be aware that some coronavirus travel insurance policies don’t cover trip cancellation.

IMG may cover you if your plan includes trip cancellation benefits. SafetyWing and WorldNomads will not cover COVID if you contract the virus before your trip. Travelex and Tin Leg can cover you under the trip cancellation policy, but it depends on your specific plan.

That said, I prefer Heymondo because if you purchase your plan within seven days of booking your flight, you’ll be covered for cancellations caused by COVID-related illness and death automatically (you can also purchase the trip cancellation coverage later.)

Flight cancellation by the airline

Another unfortunate scenario you might experience is a flight cancellation by the airline. In that case, even the best COVID travel insurance policy isn’t likely to cover the costs. Of course, it’s a good idea to double-check your plan and maybe even consider a Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance.

Luckily, most airlines will refund the travel expenses or help you change your travel dates if they have to cancel the flight, although some airlines require you to have purchased cancellation insurance.

Border closures

Moreover, no insurance company will cover the expenses related to trip cancellation before you leave your home country due to the pandemic or coronavirus-related issues like border closures.

Also, few travel insurance plans will cover border closures, with the exception of Heymondo. The only way to truly ensure you’re covered is if you decide to cancel your trip after your destination imposes quarantine restrictions for tourists.

Fear of getting sick

Fear of getting sick is not an eligible reason for trip cancellation on any plan. However, Heymondo will cover your canceled trip if your destination implements a travel ban or a Level 4 Travel Advisory and you decide you don’t want to travel anymore.

Another option is to get Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, which is available through IMG and Tin Leg at an additional cost. SafetyWing, WorldNomads, and Travelex don’t offer CFAR policies.

Level 4 travel advisories

If you’re looking for travel insurance for Level 4 countries, be aware that most policies won’t apply your benefits if you visit a country with this Travel Advisory. In some cases, entering a Level 4 country will limit some of your benefits, but not all. However, it depends on the provider, so it’s always a good idea to check first.

Heymondo covers you even if you decide to travel to a country with a Level 4 Travel Advisory. Also, if the government issues a travel warning affecting your destination and you ultimately don’t want to travel, Heymondo’s Trip Cancellation insurance includes travel advisories as a valid reason for cancellation.

IMG and SafetyWing only cover Level 1 and 2 countries, and Travelex doesn’t cover government travel warnings. WorldNomads isn’t likely to cover Level 3 and 4 advisories either, especially if you travel after the warning is issued, so check your policy terms. Tin Leg’s CFAR insurance can cover travel advisories, but you’ll only receive a 50%-75% reimbursement.

Covid events not directly related to you

Finally, what about trip cancellations and early return flights due to COVID-associated events that aren’t directly related to you? For example, if you need to go home early because a relative gets sick, are you covered?

Heymondo’s Covid insurance for international travel covers the cost of early return to your home country. For example, if a relative dies or is hospitalized because of coronavirus or any other illness while you’re abroad, you’ll be reimbursed. Plus, the process is simple: contact customer support via the app and have the team take care of your early return flight.

SafetyWing and WorldNomads don’t cover trip interruption for these circumstances. IMG, Travelex, and Tin Leg offer similar benefits, although it’s a limited reimbursement and depends on which plan you purchase.

FAQs about Covid travel insurance

There are so many what-ifs when thinking about travel insurance for COVID-19, and we’ve tried to address the most important ones in this guide. Below are the most common questions we’ve received about international travel insurance that covers COVID. If you have a specific question that’s not answered here, feel free to leave a comment, and we’ll get back to you!

After reading this guide and considering all the possible scenarios involving the pandemic and travel, I highly recommend purchasing coronavirus travel insurance.

With the right plan, you can rest assured knowing you’re covered in an emergency. After comparing the best COVID travel insurance options, Heymondo is still my top pick. I’ve personally been using it for the past four years with no problems, even after running into medical expenses on several occasions, as you can read in our Heymondo travel insurance review. Also, you can enjoy a 5% discount for being our reader.

While travel is ramping back up, the pandemic is still ongoing, so if you plan to take a trip, take the necessary precautions and purchase COVID travel insurance, and you should be able to fully enjoy your trip.

Of course, you shouldn’t travel to countries that the U.S. government advises against. Also, if you have COVID symptoms or you’ve recently been in contact with someone who has symptoms, don’t travel.

Finally, don’t leave the country without travel insurance that covers COVID-19, no exceptions!