The 13 Best Travel Insurance Companies Compared

The word “insurance” can be intimidating. Maybe it’s because big insurance companies are notorious for bullying every penny out of you. Or maybe you just don’t want to think about worst-case scenarios in which you’d actually need insurance. Either way, the best travel insurance companies make it feel a lot less daunting.

The truth is that buying good travel insurance (and also using it) doesn’t have to suck.

Travel insurance is ultimately your friend. It’s arguably your most loyal travel companion. In times of turmoil, travel insurance can quite literally save you. If you have to cancel or change trip plans, travel insurance is there to help you. And if you lose your luggage, travel insurance has your back.

As a wise man once said, “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” I don’t know who that wise man was, but I do know that he was right.

That said, there are some travel insurance companies that are better than others. This is especially true depending on your travel plans and needs. We’re here to help you figure out who the best travel insurance companies really are.

Best Travel Insurance Companies in 2022

By now, you know the importance of travel insurance and, above all, what to look for in a specific provider. I wrote this travel insurance comparison guide to help you discern which travel insurance is best for you. So it’s time to buckle down and look at some of the best travel insurance providers available.

Among these, I’m certain you’ll find an insurance plan that suits your needs. If you’re in a rush, you can compare insurance policies on SquareMouth using the widget below.

1. World Nomads: Best Overall Travel Insurance

Maybe you’re wondering why backpackers have different travel requirements compared to normal travelers. While they might need the same basic insurance coverage, backpackers tend to need more protection when it comes to certain places and activities. And the affordable price for coverage also comes into play.

World Nomads is one of the best names in the biz for backpacker travel insurance services (read the reviews; their policies and plans are revered by most travelers). In short, if you’re a backpacker, you should have it, as it’s among the top travel insurance companies. Not only do they cover the widest range of popular backpacking countries, but they also cover over 300 sports and activities.

In addition, they provide more than decent medical coverage and baggage coverage. Their standard plan includes $100,000 emergency medical coverage, $300,000 medical evacuation and repatriation, and $1,000 for stolen or lost luggage.

World Nomads’ policies also provide coverage for pandemic/epidemics (and always have), including up to $100,000 in emergency medical treatment due to COVID-19. This makes their plans stand out over other travel insurance plans because typically a pandemic is considered a “foreseen” event, and therefore does not have coverage.

Backpackers and other travelers will also love how easy it is to file online claims or use the online portal. It’s one of the best options for the traveler who is always on the go without having to disrupt your trip. If you want to spend a few more weeks swinging in a beach-side hammock or snowshoeing up a snow-capped mountain, then you can easily extend your insurance coverage with a single click.

Click here to read our full World Nomads review.

2. SafetyWing: Best Travel Insurance For Long-Term Travel

If you plan to be on the road for an extended period of time, and if you’re a digital nomad, then SafetyWing is one of the best travel insurance companies for your needs.

In short, other insurance companies only cover your travels up to a limited amount of time, but SafetyWing allows you to have complete coverage for as long as you like! Your plan automatically renews every four weeks until you decide to cancel, just like a subscription.

Being location independent, digital nomads and freelancers need insurance for travel that’s just as flexible as they are.

Furthermore, SafetyWing’s policy comes with $100,000 for both emergency medical coverage and emergency evacuation coverage in over 180 countries. Up to $1,000 in emergency dental care coverage is also included.

Although trip cancellation is not included in the plan (which can be a deal-breaker for some long-term travelers), they do offer trip interruption and trip delay coverage.

If you need to return home from your trip early, you’ll be reimbursed up to $5,000. You’ll get $100 per day if your trip is delayed, and you can claim up to $3,000 for lost/damaged baggage.

Finally, there’s coverage if you have to return home at any point. This is excellent for digital nomads who like to come and go as they please.

There’s a caveat: expensive equipment like laptops, cameras and smartphones do not have coverage under the SafetyWing policy. If you want to make sure your equipment is protected on your trip, consider a supplemental coverage plan with InsureMyEquipment.

Click here to read our full SafetyWing review, or check out our SafetyWings vs World Nomads comparison.

3. battleface: Best Adventure Travel Insurance

Although most travel insurance policies cover a wide range of benefits, very few offer coverage for serious events like violent crime, acts of terrorism, wrongful detention, kidnapping, or hijacking. battleface does. That’s why it’s the best for high-risk travel.

When you purchase a policy with battleface, you can opt for a Crisis Response add-on (it costs slightly more than the regular policy) that has coverage for all of the things above, no matter where you’re going on your trip.

You can also get coverage for emergency political evacuation, accidental death, expenses related to having an independent interpreter, and expenses related to temporary security guards as you’re escorted to safety.

battleface’s standard Travel Medical Insurance plan has coverage for up to $500,000 for medical expenses and emergency evacuation, and their Adventure Travel Insurance has coverage up to $100,000.

battleface is easily a rising star in the travel insurance scene, and we love that there’s 24/7 global assistance available and on-the-ground agents to guide you. For more, read our full battleface review!

4. IMG Patriot Adventure: Best Travel Insurance for Extreme Sports

As you now know, most travel insurance plans do not offer coverage for extreme adventure sports, such as bungee jumping, sky diving, or skiing. That’s because these activities are considered high-risk, which means you’re more likely to get into an accident and cost the insurance companies way more money.

IMG Patriot Adventure insurance was built with the extreme traveler in mind. In other words, it’s the top travel insurance for those who do adventure sports and you can, therefore, rest assured that there is coverage for all the fun you’ll be having.

There are two different plans available from which to choose, with a basic plan including $50,000 in maximum coverage for adventure sports with only a $250 deductible. This deductible is waived if you end up in the emergency room abroad.

Although not all sports are covered, however, you will be protected if you zip line, bungee jump, skydive, kayak, whitewater raft, and paraglide. In other words, you can still have plenty of adventures.

Besides providing coverage for high-risk activities, IMG Patriot Adventure also includes identity theft assistance, trip interruption coverage, and lost baggage coverage. They’ve got you covered.

5. Travelex: Best Travel Insurance For CFAR, Pre-Existing Conditions, and Families

If you’re looking for a high-rated and financially stable provider to protect your family on vacation, Travelex is the insurer for you. In short, Travelex is the best travel insurance for families.

Unlike the majority of other insurance companies, Travelex insurance provides free coverage for all children age 17 and under traveling with you under a single policy. There’s no need to pay additional expenses if you have multiple children.

In addition, Travelex is also one of the most customizable companies in the insurance industry today (our Travelex insurance review dives deeper into this). Some add-on options include adventure sports coverage, cancel for any reason coverage, and coverage for losses due to pre-existing medical conditions.

Besides the optional add-ons to your policy, Travelex offers two different plans available to choose from, offering different types of coverage. Travel Basic, while affordable, only covers $15,000 of travel medical emergencies and $500 of lost or damaged baggage. However, it does include $100,000 coverage for emergency medical evacuation.

Travelex also has a second plan, Travel Select, which includes $50,000 emergency medical coverage, $1,000 lost or damaged baggage coverage, and $500,000 medical evacuation coverage. Moreover, you get 150 percent of your insured trip cost reimbursed if your trip is interrupted.

You can also upgrade your plan with Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) protection, which allows you to cancel your trip at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure and still receive up to 75% of the trip cost, up to $10,000. While other travel insurance plans also offer CFAR, it’s more common for them to cover around 50% of your total trip cost.

Finally, Travelex has one of the shortest look-back periods for pre-existing conditions. While other companies have a window of 180-days, Travelex’s window is just 60 days. Travelex also offers a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver to cover your condition while you’re abroad.

6. Allianz: Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans

Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance is one of the largest and oldest and best travel insurance companies in the industry. With multiple plans, policies, and benefits to choose from, Allianz likely has a travel insurance plan that suits your needs.

Allianz travel insurance has some basic policies that offer coverage for only trip cancellation and not travel medical, while other policies include trip interruption coverage, coverage for loss or damaged baggage (but only up to $500 per item), and baggage delay coverage.

The AllTrips Executive plan from Allianz has coverage for ALL of it—including emergency medical coverage up to $50,000, and emergency transportation up to $250,000. Allianz also has several affordable and optional add-ons, like rental car coverage from $9 per day. You may occasionally want a car rental as you travel with your annual plan, and Allianz’s car rental insurance provides coverage for collision, loss, and damage up to $40,000.

But for us, it’s the Allianz AllTrips annual travel insurance plan that really stands out. With an Allianz travel insurance annual plan, you can be protected for an entire year, no matter where or how many times you travel. Annual plans will save you money if you plan to take several trips during the year.

Another difference is that all Allianz annual plans offer Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, as well as rental car damage protection. The Allianz travel insurance plan works really well for the traveler who travels often but isn’t necessarily a digital nomad (business travelers, for example).

Need to know more? Check out our full Allianz Travel Insurance review.

7. InsureMyEquipment: Best Insurance for Camera Equipment

Although it’s not a comprehensive travel insurance company, InsureMyEquipment is the perfect supplement if you’re traveling with expensive electronics.

Most travel insurance companies and their plans lump all your belongings into a single category, which can only be reimbursed up to certain limits. These limits don’t quite fly, however, if you’re traveling with cameras or gear worth several thousands of dollars.

With Insure My Equipment, you’ll be able to specify coverage for your individual items over $2,000. Anything under that price has coverage, but just not itemized.

8. GeoBlue Xplorer: Best Travel Insurance for Americans

Expats have vastly different requirements compared to vacation and holiday travelers. For example, since they have moved to a new country, they often sacrifice their personal health insurance for coverage that will serve them abroad. In addition, they need coverage for a much longer period of time compared to other travelers.

GeoBlue Xplorer is one of the best medical travel insurance providers for long-term expats from the United States. Not only can you customize your deductible and prescription benefits, but you can also choose if you want to be covered in the United States. This coverage comes in handy if you return to your homebase often. Or if you simply want to take advantage of the medical facilities or other benefits.

This travel insurance plan also covers in-network and out-of-network doctors. Therefore, no more headaches searching for the best doctor around.

9. Globelink: Best Travel Insurance for Europeans

If you’re a traveler from the United Kingdom or the European Union, your best bet for travel insurance is with Globelink. Prices start at just £14 ($18) for single trip plans, making it one of the most affordable options on the market.

Even the basic economy insurance includes £5,000,000 of emergency medical expenses. And £2,000 of trip cancellation coverage. In addition, if you plan to take multiple trips throughout the year, Globelink also offers multi-trip plans. They include £10,000,000 of emergency medical expenses and £6,000 of trip cancellation coverage.

Depending on where you’re traveling, you can purchase three types of destination plans. This includes Europe (and Australia and New Zealand); worldwide excluding the US, Canada, Mexico, and Japan; or worldwide all-inclusive. In other words, you have options for policies to suit your needs.

10. Tin Leg: Best Travel Insurance for Seniors

Even as we age, our passion to travel still persists. We’re forever travelers ready to plan that next trip. Unfortunately, many travel insurance companies only offer coverage for people under a certain age. That’s where Tin Leg comes in.

Tin Leg’s insurance offers coverage for you up to age 90, making it one of the best travel insurance companies for seniors over the age of 65.

Although Tin Leg is relatively new, they’re underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway, so they’re already well established. Tin Leg also has some very competitive rates for their travel insurance plans, with their most basic insurance for travelers being Tin Leg Economy plan with basic trip cancellation coverage and emergency medical coverage with limits up to $20,000.

But if you’re a senior, the Tin Leg Luxury travel insurance plan is the way to go—you’ll have coverage for up to $100,000 in emergency medical and $250,000 for medical evacuation coverage and repatriation.

Whether you’re planning an around the world trip for your retirement, or just taking your grandkids on a European vacation, you’ll be happy to have Tin Leg as your insurer.

11. Seven Corners: Best Travel Insurance for Students Studying Abroad

Between making new friends and experiencing new cultures, your travel insurance needs are probably the last thing on your mind when studying abroad. But if you plan on being overseas, having comprehensive travel insurance is essential. That’s where Seven Corners comes in. Their reviews are wildly positive, and for good reasons.

Seven Corners has three travel insurance policies/plans tailored just for international students. Plans are fully customizable, from the amount of medical coverage to the price of the deductible. And if you visit the student health center on campus, you’ll only have to pay a $5 copay.

If you plan on visiting family during the holidays or summer break, then you can also add coverage to your Seven Corners plan for when you come home. While US coverage is more expensive, you’ll be protected if something happens while you’re in your own country and you need health insurance for medical care. Seven Corners gives you protection everywhere.

12. Nationwide: Best Travel Insurance For Cruise Travelers

Did you know that you could purchase a travel insurance plan specifically for cruise travel? Nationwide has an insurance plan for that (actually, a few travel insurance plans).

Nationwide provides unique travel insurance coverage for issues related to cruise travel, including coverage for port of call itinerary changes made by the cruise line before departure, coverage for mechanical breakdowns on the ship, trip delay coverage in arriving to or departing from ports of call, and coverage for shipboard service disruptions.

Nationwide currently has three types of cruising travel insurance plans available: a Universal Cruise Plan, a Choice Cruise Plan, and a Luxury Cruise Plan. Universal is the most basic insurance policy, offering up to $75,000 for travel medical coverage and $250,000 for emergency evacuation coverage. Their trip cancellation covers up to 100% of non-refundable trip costs, while their trip interruption coverage is up to 125% of non-refundable trip costs. Yes, that includes weather-related events.

Their best and most comprehensive travel insurance plan is the Luxury Cruise Plan, for the really serious cruiser. That includes higher coverage limits as well as some extra perks like Cancel For Any Reason, non-medical evacuation coverage, and a pre-existing condition waiver.

13. Berkshire Hathaway: Best Travel Insurance For Road Trips

2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic definitely changed how the world will travel for years to come. For those of us, air travel may no longer seem appealing for the time being, no matter badly we want to take that trip. That’s why Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has come up with some travel insurance options and insurance services specially built for American road trippers.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel recently launched an ExactCare Lite comprehensive travel insurance policy for road trip travelers, offering rental car coverage, protection for non-refundable lodging reservations and attractions, and even trip interruption and trip delay coverage caused by traffic accidents.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel insurance services ensure you’ll get up to $500 in coverage for trip cancellation (including cancelling your trip for work reasons). If you get in a traffic accident (or if there’s some other trip interruption), you’ll get up to $750 per person. Berkshire Hathaway also offers up to $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage and up to $10,000 in emergency travel medical coverage.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is well known for its easy claims process and expedited payments for when things go wrong. So when you want a no-hassle road trip, Berkshire Hathaway is definitely the way to go.

What is Travel Insurance?

Insurance for traveling covers a number of financial losses that you may incur while on the road, whether it’s expense coverage related to trip cancellation, trip delay coverage, travel medical, emergency medical, or even accidental death.

It’s important to note that travel insurance is different than the health insurance you typically use. It usually does not cover pre-existing conditions. And it, generally, will not cover you at home. In fact, you are required to have personal health insurance in addition to your travel insurance.

The best travelers insurance typically covers these types of coverage:

• Travel cancellations, trip interruption and also changes
• Stolen, lost, delayed or damaged baggage and property
• (Usually non-preexisting) medical treatments and also expenses

However, not every travel insurance plan is the same, just like not all providers are the same. For instance, some plans don’t include the typical coverage you might expect, like travel medical. Meanwhile, other plans include so many more options—perhaps more than you even need (adventure sports and other high-risk activities coverage, for example).

Who Uses Travel Insurance?

Less than 40 percent of travelers purchase a travel insurance policy when they set out on their trip. While some of them certainly survived their trips unscathed, in our well-traveled opinion, it’s really not a risk you should take.

Travel insurance has something for every type of traveler and for every type of trip. If you plan on traveling, you should plan on getting travel insurance.

Additionally, you deserve to have the best most relaxing travel experience ever. Incidents come up and accidents also happen. But with the righ policy, at least you’ll sleep soundly knowing that you’re prepared to handle whatever comes your way.

Of course, purchasing travel insurance doesn’t make you a worry-wart. It does, however, make you a smart traveler. Your policy may cost you a few bucks, but those extra costs are very well-spent.

Is Travel Insurance Necessary?

You’ve already spent your monthly savings on an international flight. The last thing you probably want is to cut even deeper into your travel fund with surprise costs. Why should you spend even more money to protect against rare instances like your baggage getting stolen or those gentle waves turning into a tsunami?

To put it simply, shit happens.

Even as the most cautious traveler, issues and complications outside of your control may still arise on your trip. You might end up in the hospital with a broken ankle you got during a hike. You might even run into a natural disaster or even political violence.

You can’t predict the unpredictable, but you can plan for it.

So, is travel insurance worth it? Absolutely. Because losing thousands of dollars (or your leg) hurts more than the few dollars a day it costs you. Things like emergency evacuation could end up costing you a LOT of money. And also because, again, your health insurance benefits won’t do you any good when you’re on the road.

As my father always says, “They’re called ‘accidents’ for a reason.”

What Should Travel Insurance Cover?

Now that you understand how much getting yourself the best international travel insurance is a necessity, let’s dive into some more depth on what travel insurance plans should cover and what benefits you should look for.

Trip Cancellations

While canceling a vacation already may mean losing relaxation time, nobody wants to also lose money for the canceled trip. When you book your travel, you’re investing a lot of money upfront. Most flights, hotels and excursions are pre-paid and non-refundable, which means you’re outta luck if you don’t show up.

However, trip cancellation coverage will reimburse any travel expenses you made if you need to cancel before your travels start. But keep in mind that you can’t get reimbursed for any ‘ol reason, such as finding a better price somewhere else or simply deciding not to go. In fact, travel insurance providers have lists of reasons that are covered with their trip cancellation protection. It’s important to review your benefits before your trip.

Some of the most commonly covered reasons include:

• You, your travel companion or a family member is seriously sick, injured or dies
• Natural disasters or terrorism in your destination deter you from traveling there
• Natural disasters or burglary of your main residence deters you from travel
• An involuntary job termination or layoff deters you from travel

Trip Interruption

Sometimes unexpected incidents occur when you’re already in the middle of your trip. For example, there might be a family emergency that requires you to change your travel plans and leave early. If you have to cut your trip short, then most travel insurance providers and their policies will cover any unused transportation or accommodation costs.

Missed Connections

No, we’re not talking about Craigslist.

Sometimes, there are forces outside your control that cause you to miss your flight. For example, an airline might cancel the connection due to bad weather, or the airline might reschedule if the plane has a mechanical breakdown. Here, your travel insurance policy will either reimburse you for the cost or rebook you on the next flight.

Did you see the recent news about WOW air closing for business, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in airports with no financial recourse? Yep, your travel insurance benefits would cover that.

Stolen, Lost or Damaged Luggage

The best international travel insurance plans will also have coverage for the costs of your stolen, lost, or damaged baggage while on your trip.

So this means that, if a pickpocket steals your wallet or a hotel worker snatches your laptop, for example, you can get reimbursement after submitting your insurance claims.

In addition, if you lose an item like, say, your phone while parachuting, you may be able to submit a claim and get some of the money back. Of course, you can’t say you were out partying when you lost your phone and expect the insurance company to offer payment, however.

However, if you packed your DSLR or expensive jewelry in your checked bag that gets lost, you probably won’t receive anywhere close to the amount of damage done. And, since you’ll have to show the airline evidence of the cost of damages (with receipts and dozens of forms), you might not see the payment for months.

But that’s why travel insurance is helpful. Most policies will cover the total cost of your lost or damaged items.

Delayed Luggage

Additionally, travel insurance will come in handy if your luggage doesn’t arrive with you at the airport. If your bag is delayed, you’ll receive payment for the cost of necessities and basic needs and toiletries until your bag arrives. Keep in mind that you are not covered for the actual items that are delayed.

Medical Treatments and Expenses

If you travel domestic, your current health insurance policy should cover any medical emergencies. So it’s not necessary to purchase travel medical insurance.

However, once you start to travel, you are most likely also leaving your health insurance network and you’ll be without travel medical insurance on your trip. If anything happens to you whileon your trip, you’ll be responsible for paying completely out of pocket. And travel medical isn’t cheap.

But, again, that’s where the best travel medical insurance comes in handy.

For example, if you catch malaria or yellow fever while visiting Brazil, you might not be able to afford hospital visits or medical care. So you risk your life. Or, say you get in a scooter accident in Vietnam. You risk your life if you can’t afford the emergency surgery you might need. That’s why travel medical insurance is so necessary.

Or perhaps your illness or injury requires you to be sent to an adequate facility or even to your country of residence for medical care. You will thank your lucky stars that you have emergency evacuation coverage with your plan. Being airlifted or flown to a hospital can cost upwards of $100,000. So spending a few extra bucks to protect you from this risk is, to say it plain and simply, worth investing in.

This policy coverage is especially crucial if you will travel to a developing area where medical facilities might not be the best.

(Also, besides medical evacuation benefits, travel insurance may also have emergency evacuation coverage from where you are if there is a natural disaster. For example: unforeseen tsunamis, earthquakes, floods or wildfires.)

Essentially, traveling internationally without medical travel insurance is like traveling with no health insurance at all. It’s also always best to be prepared for any unexpected traumas or emergencies while you travel. You can’t put a price on your life or health. But you can insure it!

Medical Evacuation

Perhaps your illness or injury requires you to be sent to a nearby medical facility. You will thank your lucky stars that you have emergency medical evacuation coverage thanks to the best international travel insurance. Being airlifted or flown to a hospital can cost upwards of $100,000. So spending a few extra bucks to protect you from this risk is, to say it plain and simply, worth investing in.

Medical Repatriation

Medical repatriation coverage will have you are flown back to a medical facility in your country of residence. Having one of the best travel health insurance policies is especially crucial if you will travel to a developing country where medical facilities might not be the best, and repatriation will be your best option in case of emergency.

Natural Disaster Evacuation

Besides medical evacuation, your travel insurance policy may also cover emergency evacuation from where you are if there is a natural disaster. For example: unforeseen tsunamis, earthquakes, floods or wildfires.

Personal Liability

Your travel insurance policy also includes coverage for legal liability. This means that you have legal protection if you accidentally injure another person or damage their property. Not only will travel insurance cover your lawyer or representative, but it will also pay any legal payment you owe to the other party.

Other Additional Coverage

Depending on your travel needs, you may choose to add additional coverage and support to your travel insurance policy.

For example, extreme sports coverage provides coverage if you plan to do any thrilling activities on your trip. If you plan on skydiving, bungee jumping, mountain biking or scuba diving, add this coverage to your travel insurance plan. Keep in mind that coverage for adventure sports may be different from extreme adventure sports.

Likewise, adding rental car collision coverage to your plan will help if you damage, collide or lose your rental car. While liability insurance is often covered with your rental car, collision is not usually included.

Frequent flyer insurance also guarantees coverage if you book your flight using reward points or frequent flyer miles. If your flight is canceled, your travel insurance plan will redeposit the miles back into your account.

What’s NOT Included in Travel Insurance?

Unfortunately, travel insurance does have its limits. It can save you from a life-threatening or unfortunate situation on your trip. But it can’t protect you from everything under the sun.

All Medical Conditions

Pre-Existing

Even the best travel medical insurance will not cover all pre-existing medical conditions before your trip. The definition and time frame of a pre-existing condition will vary from company to company and from policy to policy.

Read the fine print and check out the look-back period before you travel. For instance, depending on what travel insurance plans are available, the look-back period ranges anywhere from 30 to 180 days. The best travel insurance companies will have a smaller window for your trip.

For example, let’s say the look-back period is 30 days. This means the company will “look back” 30 days. They’ll check to see if your filed claims relate to any preexisting condition of yours.

To sum up, confirm with your travel insurance company about medical coverage before your trip.

High-Risk Activities

The best travel insurances include emergency medical coverage of some sort. But not all emergency travel medical covers all extreme sports. These include sky diving, rafting, mountain biking, scuba diving, and even snowboarding and skiing.

So, if you’re planning to spend your travel time living on the edge, make sure you have coverage for extreme sports. Some of the best travel insurance companies, like World Nomads, offer this as an add-on for your trip.

If you plan to travel soon and are looking for the best-rated travel insurance, we love these guys. Just fill out the form below to get a quote!

Losses in Some High-Risk Areas

Most places in the world are completely safe for tourists to travel to. However, the United States has compiled a list of areas deemed too unsafe for travelers. Your policy might not have coverage if something were to happen to you in a high-risk area, so it’s best to check this list before you travel.

So, in short, it’s best to check the government website for current high-risk areas during your travels. And confirm with your travel insurance company of choice that your destinations are covered before your trip. Even with the best medical travel insurance policy, high-risk areas might not be covered.

Unattended Items

Although a standard travel insurance policy covers stolen or lost property, it doesn’t cover items that were left unsupervised. In other words, you can’t claim your lost purse that was left in a restaurant or your laptop that was forgotten in a taxi. Travel insurance plans won’t protect you if the accident could have been prevented.

Travel Insurance Won’t Cover You if You Lack Evidence

Without a decent paper trail, you might not get reimbursed. Besides filing claims within the right timeline (within 24 to 48 hours), you also need to make sure you have enough evidence for your policy.

For instance, let’s say the airline loses your baggage. You will immediately want to speak with the airport or airlines. You need to first file a property irregularity report. Without this form, your insurance company may not think the loss is adequately supported with enough evidence.

To sum up, make sure you collect as much information and materials as possible for your travel insurance company.

Glossary of Travel Insurance Terms

Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s best to understand everything to which you’re agreeing. Make sure your needs are met before you start your trip. Therefore, here are some common travel insurance terms that you might encounter.

• Deductible is the amount you, as the insurance holder, must pay before the insurance company kicks in. If your bill is $5,000 and your deductible on your policy is $1,000, you are required to make a payment of $1,000 of your own money and the insurance company will cover the remaining $4,000.
• Co-Pay is the amount you as the insurance holder must pay after the deductible on your policy has been reached. Let’s say your co-pay is $20. If you’ve already met your deductible, you are required to make a payment of $20 per doctor’s visit and your insurance will cover the rest of the bill.
• Premium refers to the cost of your travel insurance plan. This can be paid in monthly or annual installments, or as a lump sum to the insurance company for a single trip.
• Maximum Out-of-Pocket Expenses is the largest amount of payment you as the insurance holder must make before your insurance policy covers 100 percent. Your deductible and your co-pay go towards this total. For example, your out-of-pocket maximum may be $20,000, but once you pay your deductible of $1,000 you’re still required to pay your co-pay of $20 each visit. Once your total deductible and co-pay amount reaches $20,000, you’ll no longer have to pay out of pocket; your insurance company takes 100 percent of the expense.
• Maximum Policy Coverage is the amount of money your travel insurance policy is required to cover. If your maximum policy coverage is $10,000, the insurance company pays up to $10,000.
• Single Trip Plans cover a single trip, whether it’s a week-long trip, work trip, or weekend getaway.
• Multi-Trip Plans cover the trips you take within a year. You can travel to multiple countries as many times during the year.

How to Choose Travel Insurance: What to Look for in a Great Plan

In order to choose the best travel insurance plan for you and your trip, you should be aware of the specific options, benefits and various travel insurance plans that most companies offer.

With a seemingly endless number of insurance companies and travel insurance plans from which to choose, picking the best travel insurance for your trip can therefore be a complicated process. Companies rarely come as a one-size-fits-all, and what works for a solo backpacker in Nepal might not work for a family of four in Argentina.

However, there are stark differences between good insurance companies and just plain awful ones. So, keep in mind the following tips when searching for a reputable company and their plans.

1. International Coverage is Important

While this may seem like an obvious box to check, you’d be surprised at how many companies only cover domestic incidents.

When deciding on an insurance provider, inform them of every single country to which you plan on traveling. For instance, you want to make sure that you have the same type of policy coverage and limits in Canada with your personal health insurance that you have in Thailand.

2. Inclusivity is Key

Travel insurance encompasses many different types of coverage and benefits. For example, there are some insurance companies that only include trip interruption and cancellation coverage or emergency medical expenses.

While you can always pick and choose what to add to your policy coverage, the best travel medical insurance companies will be well-rounded and inclusive of the following items:

• Emergency Medical Coverage
• Emergency Evacuation
• Trip Cancellation
• Trip Interruption
• Lost or Delayed Baggage

3. Excellent Customer Service Makes a Difference

Although the seemingly best medical travel insurance company may have a flashy website and cool graphics, none of that will help when you’re in the middle of trying to get emergency evacuation on your trip. In other words, you need personal support with your policy.

Service and global assistance is crucial, and you’ll be thankful that you can easily contact your provider while you’re on your trip. Search for companies that provide 24/7 global assistance, who will be at your beck and call when you need them the most. (Hint: reviews tell all!)

Besides emergency support, you’ll also want a company with an efficient and easy claim filing process. Nobody wants to spend unnecessary hours filing paperwork while on your trip. So look for the actual best travel medical insurance companies who can also handle this process online. In short, find the people-people behind the plan.

4. High Reviews Are Telling

Above all, if you need a little boost to help make your decision to travel insured, there are plenty of online websites and companies that have reviews about the insurance companies you’re considering. And reviews are usually brutally honest.

Squaremouth and Consumer Affairs, for instance, are two of the best companies dedicated to showcasing unbiased reviews and rankings for travel insurance companies and travel insurance plans. Their customer reviews take into account multiple factors from cost, customer service, and coverage limits to outline the most reputable companies around. And all reviews are unedited.

5. Comprehensive Coverage Is Critical

The most ideal travel insurance plans and policies will cover you for a multitude of different financial losses, particularly emergency medical coverage, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation.

Trust us, the bare minimum of medical coverage you will want is $100,000. Not only can you guarantee that it covers your small pains such as doctor visits or medication, but it also protects you if there are any larger injuries on your trip.

If you’re fine shelling out the big bucks, then there are travel insurance companies and insurance plans that offer coverage as high as $2,000,000. Of course, you can also purchase medical coverage somewhere in the middle.

Further, if you need emergency evacuation coverage, you will want to make sure you have adequate coverage to airlift you back. When reviewing travel insurance policies, you might come across these three types of coverage for evacuation, for example:

1. Medical evacuation coverage will transport you to the nearest facility that will sufficiently provide the right medical services.
2. Medical repatriation will transport you to your home.
3. Repatriation of remains will transport your deceased remains back to your family in case of accidental death. Nobody wants to think about accidental death, but you also don’t want to leave your loved ones in a bad situation. Repatriation is a necessity.

Since evacuation or repatriation can make a huge dent in your wallet, we recommend purchasing an insurance policy with medical evacuation and/or repatriation coverage of at least $100,000. Traveling to remote places might incur a higher expense. You might think about increasing your medical insurance coverage to $300,000.

And, lastly, the best insurance policies should cover the entire cost of any necessary, unseen changes or cancellations to your trip.

Let’s say the total cost of your roundtrip flight and a seven-night stay at a hotel comes to $4,000. Your trip cancellation protection should cover the $4,000 if you need to cancel. The same goes for trip interruption coverage.

Credit Card Travel Insurance is Not Always the Best Option

Credit cards these days are way more than just methods for expensing purchases at the grocery store. Along with travel rewards and incentive bonuses, many companies are now offering travel insurance plans to credit card holders.

Rental car insurance plans and roadside assistance for your car rental are common travel insurance benefits offered by credit card companies. Other cards may offer lost luggage insurance plans or even trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

With these travel benefits, it may be appealing to forgo a travel insurance policy completely. However, credit card travel insurance may not protect you as much as you think. Here’s why.

Your Time Limit is Shorter

Most travel insurance companies are customized to cover the entire length of your travels, whether you just need basic weekend single trip insurance coverage or if you plan on spending two years exploring the world.

With a travel insurance policy that your credit card provides, you’re often limited to just 30 consecutive days of travel. After that, you’re on your own. Although some credit cards offer up to three months of travel protection, coverage can’t compare to a stand-alone travel insurance provider. Their policies are just superior.

If you’re a full-time traveler, backpacker or digital nomad, then the insurance offered by most credit cards is most definitely not for you. You’ll need more comprehensive coverage to protect you during your entire journey.

Your Maximum Policy Coverage is Lower

With your credit card’s insurance policy, you may still have to pay expenses out of pocket. And, although coverage and services vary with cards, most travel insurance policies cap out at certain limits. These limits are often much lower than a travel insurance maximum.

While premium cards can offer higher trip cancellation or interruption coverage limits, the average card might barely scratch the surface of your trip. So, what’s the point in relying on your credit card and its travel insurance policy to protect a $10,000 vacation when they only cover $1,000?

The same goes for medical insurance. Most credit card companies only pay a certain percentage of what stand-alone travel insurance companies offer for medical coverage.

And, also, most credit card companies just offer a small level of medical insurance coverage and not emergency medical evacuation or repatriation. So, as you now know, it’s vital to have some sort of evacuation plan if you need to be airlifted to a hospital, or repatriation coverage if you need to get out of there.

Your Trip Cancellation Reasons are Limited

Stand-alone travel insurance companies are picky when it comes to reimbursement reasons, but they are absolutely nothing compared to credit card companies. For credit card companies, the list of acceptable reasons for canceling a trip is quite short: illness, injury and also accidental death. Trip interruption? Often not included.

Although these may be the most common reasons for cancellation, travel insurance companies and travel insurance policies have your back in other instances. Think: natural disasters, robbery and even terrorism.

Credit Cards Only Cover What You Purchased on the Card

Unfortunately, simply having credit cards doesn’t entitle you to an unlimited insurance policy. Coverage usually only applies to flights, accommodation and excursions purchased with your card.

You may have multiple credit cards for points. Or you may use cash to pay for any extras on vacation. In other words, if you’ve used other credit cards or cash, don’t plan on ever getting reimbursed.

You Lack Flexibility

The benefits you see with your credit card provider and their policies is all you get. There’s no way to customize the coverage to fit your needs. You can’t add coverage for extreme sports (even if it’s just scuba diving or mountain biking), cover your pre-existing conditions or extend the length of your trip.

But with travel insurance, you can look at different insurance plans that fit your style.

Using Your Travel Insurance Abroad

If something happens to you or your travel mate, you’ll be glad that you familiarized yourself with the medical insurance claim process. And it’s not as complicated or complex as you might think.

Precautions to Take Before You Travel

Unexpected accidents can always occur while traveling, and you’ll be happy you have travel medical insurance. While you can’t predict or prevent what happens on your trips, you can be ready to tackle the situation head-on. You should expect the best but plan for the worst.

While it may seem tedious, it’s actually quite easy to prepare for any emergencies that may arise during your trip.

1. Keep your travel insurance policy information somewhere close. If your travel insurance company doesn’t send you a card in the mail, you should be able to locate your policy and print it online. But make sure all the necessary information including your name, identification number and also the policy number is visible.
2. Fill out all the information in your passport. In case of an emergency, this is the first place the hospital will look in order to identify who you are and also where you’re from. So you should include your full name, address, telephone number and also possibly the number and name of an emergency contact. If you plan to leave your passport in your hotel, make sure you have a printed copy on you at all times.
3. Carry any necessary medications and other needs with you on all your trips. Along with the medications, you should have any letters or explanations describing your pre-existing conditions or other health needs. In case of an emergency, the responding physicians can reference your previous health information.
4. Write down a list of high quality or in-network providers. If an emergency arises, you’ll want the fastest, but best care possible. By researching a list of facilities beforehand, you’ll have them at your disposal. Read reviews to help you figure out which providers are best.
5. Figure out where the nearest embassy is. You should know the location of the closest home country embassy on all the trips you take. In some situations, the embassy will be able to help arrange for medical assistance or travel assistance, or to inform your family.

Call the Insurance Provider’s Hotline

If you’ve signed up with a reliable provider, then you’ll be able to call the hotline 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world to receive travel assistance and services. From an oncoming illness to a stolen purse, the representative can help you work out a plan and advise you on next steps. They will also work with the police or hospital to make sure your needs are taken care of.

If you’re facing a serious emergency, then you should immediately call the local authorities. If you’ve gotten into an accident, then seek medical attention as soon as you can. Take care of yourself first and then consult the insurance company afterward.

Document the Incident or Accident

After you’ve notified the insurance company of the event, you will want to make sure you keep tabs on everything that occurred.

Although you’ve made your insurance company aware of the situation, it’s up to you to follow up with the appropriate authorities. If your bag was lost at the airport, you’ll need to work with the airlines to file a claim. If you were robbed, then you must contact the local police to file a police report.

As always, it’s your responsibility to gather all the necessary documentation, and your plan should have this outlined. You need everything in writing, or at least in some form that can be submitted for travel insurance coverage. The amount of reimbursement or action your insurance provider will take will depend on the paperwork and also the information with which you are able to provide them.

The same goes for keeping track of your receipts if your luggage is delayed or temporarily lost. Your insurance provider should cover the costs of essential baggage. However, they can only reimburse things with receipts attached to their claims.

How to File a Travel Insurance Claim

Listen closely, because this is an incredibly important rule for getting reimbursed. When you travel insured, you need to make sure to file your claim as soon as possible. This is true for all trips. Most companies have a time limit anywhere from 10 to 60 days for submitting a claim. However, it’s best to submit as early as possible in order to avoid any complications.

Depending on what type of reimbursement you’re seeking, you’ll need to submit the appropriate forms and also paperwork with the insurance company. In other words, you’ll need to do some work to get your trip cost back. Some companies (like Berkshire HathawayTravel Protection and battleface) make the claims process super easy. Others are a bit more difficult. The quality of services will always vary per company.

Filing a Trip Cancellation Claim

In order to get reimbursed for a trip before you depart, you need to make sure your reason for canceling is covered.

If you cancel your trip due to illness or injury, you will need documentation to support that you are unable to travel. This includes a completed medical certificate claim filled out by a physician or nurse. If you cancel your trip due to an accident or robbery, you will need copies of the incident or police report.

Finally, you will need to provide the invoice for your trip for reimbursement. This includes the total cost for your flights. It also includes accommodation (and sometimes other services).

Filing a Trip Interruption Claim

Maybe you have to leave your trip early, or maybe you missed a connection. Either way, you’ll want to be reimbursed for the unused expenses. You’ll also want any coverage for additional transportation or services costs needed.

Similarly to filing a trip cancellation claim, you’ll need to make sure why you’re interrupting the trip is a valid reason. Again, you’ll need proof from a medical professional or any corresponding reports for your plan.

Submit the final invoices for any part of your travel that is unused or non-refundable. Say you only stayed in your hotel for three out of the seven days. Depending on your plan, then you may still be able to get reimbursed for the unused days.

If you need to rebook a flight due to a missed connection, you can also submit documentation with the associated airline costs. As long as your policy covers additional trip costs to get home or to get to where you’re going, you should be good.

You will also have to prove you took all the necessary measures if you missed a connection. When a flight is canceled, the airline usually attempts to rebook you, or the airline will offer some sort of travel assistance, like a different means of transportation to get you to your destination. You cannot get reimbursed if you choose not to try other available options (or if you deny travel assistance). This should be outlined clearly in your plan.

Filing a Lost or Delayed Baggage Claim

There are a few different ways to prove to your insurance company that your baggage was lost or stolen. Just one of the following pieces of evidence might be all the insurance company needs, but it’s always best to document as much as you can if you want your money back.

If the airline was responsible for losing your bag, they will provide you with a receipt that shows the date and relevant information. This may or may not include a detailed description (and the value) of the items that were lost.

To help support your claim, you might want to submit the receipt or credit card statement for the valuable things you lost in your bag. Whether it’s your fancy DSLR camera or simply your favorite pair of jeans, the more proof you have the higher your chances are of getting as much money back as possible.

If your personal belongings were stolen, then you need to submit an incident or police report with your claim. If belongings in your baggage were damaged, you will likely need to attach a copy of the repair invoice or cost estimate to fix the damage.

Filing a Baggage Delay Claim

If your baggage is simply delayed, then you can still get baggage delay coverage for things like clothing or toiletries before it arrives. Again, you will need documentation from the airlines. This should state when and for how long they lost your luggage.

Keep the receipts of any purchases. Most insurance companies only reimburse for necessities, as outlined in your plan. And the expenses are limited to a certain limits per day. Make sure you’re aware of these limits beforehand.

Filing a Medical Expense or Evacuation Claim

In the worst case scenario, you should be solely focused on getting the right level of care for your medical emergency. Trips are replaceable, but your health is not. But it’s also important to remember that you’ll need the appropriate documentation. Most travel insurance providers require some or all of the medical bills.

First, you’ll need detailed records of your time spent in the hospital or with a doctor. This record should include the diagnosis, the treatment and also any admit/discharge information. If you’re in an accident, then it’ll also require the incident or police report.

Some travel insurance providers require Pre-Certification of Medical Benefits. If you plan to undergo major treatment like surgery, you might need the insurance company to pre-approve you. If you do not, you might be required to pay a penalty fee. Or, possibly, you’ll need to pay a portion of the treatment cost (depending on your limits).

Second, you’ll need copies of all the invoices and also the bill for your medical treatment or stay in the hospital. If you need to pay for these services up front, ask for a receipt or print off your credit card statement.

Finally, figure out if your travel insurance plan covers you for treatment that occurs after you return from your trip. Some travel insurance policies include anywhere from 30 to 90 days of post-treatment. This is true even if you’re in your place of residence.

Get Reimbursed

For most travel insurance providers, once you file the claim, it’s time to wait. If all goes well, you’ll have your money back soon. However, you might need to submit additional documentation. This is to prove that you deserve reimbursement.

Not submitting everything upfront can cause delays or flat out denial. Make sure to attach as much information as possible so your claim can be filed smoothly.

Depending on your company and your plan, getting reimbursed can happen anywhere from five business days to several weeks.

Sample Insurance Costs

There are several factors to consider when figuring out how much you should pay for travel insurance. The cost of the insurance will vary widely, just like the insurance providers and also the policies themselves. For example, prices vary based on the following.

• The age of the travelers is important when calculating the policy cost. While you probably won’t see a price difference if you’re between the ages of 18 and 65, being outside of that range might affect the price of your insurance plan. Some companies provide free travel insurance coverage for minors, while others increase rates if for senior citizens.
• The length of your trip impacts the total cost of your travel insurance plan. Longer trips usually cost more, which means they will cost more to insure. Longer trips also increase your chances of encountering something unexpected, like losing luggage or getting into an accident. There’s also a big difference between annual trip plans and single trip plans. Plans for multiple trips, obviously, will cost a lot more than single trip policies.
• The types of coverage determines the policy rate. More frills and also higher coverage limits directly equate to cost. If you add on different types of programs or benefits, you can also expect additional costs, depending on your needs.

Now, let’s dive into a few sample travel insurance costs and their types of coverage for different trips.

Travel Insurance for Southeast Asia

Plan on spending a few months hanging out on the secluded beaches in Thailand or summiting the lush mountains of Vietnam? Then Southeast Asia is for you. It’s a stunning destination not just for backpackers, but for all types of adventure seekers. If you’re jetting off to spend three months in Southeast Asia, then make sure to pick the top travel insurance company for your trip.

For example, let’s see what happens if you’re a 25-year old Californian traveling through Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and also Cambodia. The price of our trip is roughly valued at $2,000 and also lasts between 1-3 months.

World Nomads

The Standard plan works out to be between $3-4 per day; meanwhile, the Explorer Plan is around $5-7 per day.

So, for just the cost of a beer per day, for example, you’ll have full coverage during your trip through Southeast Asia. And there’s no difference in price if you plan to stay just in one place, or if you want to explore everywhere.

Besides the basic coverage listed, World Nomads also includes a Standard or Explorer Sports and Activities package. But you might want to upgrade to the Explorer Plan if you plan to rent a motorbike in the city or go scuba diving off the islands. These trips prove to be a bit riskier. There’s also an included $25,000 Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation if one of the places you’re visiting faces civil or political unrest or natural disasters.

Allianz Travel

The basic plan with Allianz averages around $2 a day, so there is really no excuse not to purchase insurance while traveling. Although you don’t have the same health or evacuation coverage as the other plans, you can still protect yourself and offset even just some of the cost in case of an emergency with the best medical travel insurance.

Although it’s fairly cheap to backpack and stay in Southeast Asia, the trip costs associated with your travels might be more than the $2,000 I estimated in this itinerary. And, if that’s the case, you can expect to pay a few more dollars per month. This is for an increased trip cancelation and interruption coverage maximum.

Travel Insurance in Australia

Australia is an ideal destination not just for outdoor enthusiasts. It boasts rich aboriginal culture, buzzing metropolitan cities and also white sandy beaches. Australia has something for you and all of your friends and should absolutely be included in your travel plans.

For example, let’s take a month-long vacation in the land down under. Let’s choose World Nomads as our primary travel provider.

World Nomads

With a month in Australia, you’ll have enough time to explore multiple regions of this sprawling, diverse area. With a car rental, you can drive at your own leisurely pace. Plus, you can explore all the sites and attractions you desire.

For this trip, you should sign up for the Explorer Plan. It includes $35,000 Collision Damage Waiver for your car rental.

Signing up for the Explorer Plan also includes coverage for the extreme sports that you might do in Oz, whether that’s scuba diving or mountain biking or something in between. Whether you go cave diving through the Great Barrier Reef or sky diving over the Outback, you’ll be covered.

IMG Patriot

IMG Patriot, for example, offers flexible and also customized plans. This is depending on your desired deductible and maximum limit. You’re also covered for $50,000 for extreme sports. This includes bungee jumping, zip lining and sky diving.

Planning on coming back to visit your friends and family during your working holiday visa? You can add on an American medical plan. Therefore, you’re covered if you want to see your normal doctor in the US.

Travel Insurance for Europe

Backpacking through Europe is the quintessential bucket list trip. It has some of the best countries on the planet. You can spend your days sipping wine from the Tuscan vineyards or relaxing under the Eiffel Tower, and you’re guaranteed to have the best trip ever.

Even in the most developed destinations, however, you should be prepared. Having the protection of travel insurance will ease all your worries on your trips.

World Nomads

The best part about traveling with World Nomads is that you’ll travel insured for all of Europe. And now you can fully take advantage of the European railways. And you can also travel freely across borders without worrying about travel insurance coverage and your limits.

Of course, no trip through Europe would be complete without photographing the landmarks and historic sites. So, if you’re traveling with pricey equipment, you’ll want to take out an insurance policy to protect your belongings.

With InsureMyEquipment, you’ll also pay an annual fee. But this depends on the number and cost of the pieces you want to insure. And it also covers your equipment when you’re at home. For example, for a camera that’s several thousand dollars, you’re looking at $300 to $500 in annual fees.

But InsureMyEquipment is necessary for those traveling with a lot of equipment. In short, it’s not wise to travel without it.

Travel Insurance FAQs

Final Thoughts

So, that wasn’t so bad, right? By now you’re a travel insurance pro, and you’re ready to travel insured. You realize that travel insurance is worth investing in because your life is worth living. You’ve got lots of different policies to consider, and you know your limits.

With travel insurance, you can feel safe and comfortable knowing you’re protected.

So, to sum up, once you consider all the best travel insurance options, you can relax. Go out there and break a leg. Literally, because travel insurance actually covers that.