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The Best Travel Medical Insurance of 2024

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Seven Corners »

GeoBlue »

WorldTrips »

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners

Buying travel insurance is a smart move for any type of trip, but you may not need a policy that covers everything under the sun. If you don't need coverage for trip cancellations or delays because you're relying on your travel credit card to offer these protections, for example, you may find you only need emergency medical coverage that works away from home.

Still, travel medical coverage varies widely based on included benefits, policy limits and more. If you're comparing travel insurance plans and hoping to find the best option for unexpected medical expenses, read on to learn which policies we recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term travel insurance usually describes a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes coverage for medical expenses as well as trip cancellations and interruptions, trip delays, lost baggage, and more. Meanwhile, travel medical insurance is coverage that focuses on paying for emergency medical expenses and other related care.

Travelers need international health insurance if they're visiting a place where their own health coverage will not apply. This typically includes all international trips away from home since U.S. health plans limit coverage to care required in the United States.

Note that if you don't have travel health insurance and you become sick or injured abroad, you'll be responsible for paying back any health care costs you incur.

Many travel insurance policies cover emergency medical expenses you incur during a covered trip. However, the included benefits of each policy can vary widely, and so can the policy limits that apply.

If you're looking for a travel insurance policy that offers sufficient protection for unexpected medical expenses, you'll typically want to choose a plan with at least $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical care and at least that much in protection for emergency medical evacuation and transportation.

However, higher limits can provide even more protection from overseas medical bills, which can become pricey depending on the type of care you need. As just one example, Allianz says the average cost of emergency medical evacuation can easily reach up to $200,000 or more depending on where you’re traveling.

Your U.S. health insurance policy almost never covers medical expenses incurred abroad. The same is true for most people on Medicare and especially Medicaid. If you want to ensure you have travel medical coverage that applies overseas, you should purchase a travel insurance plan with adequate limits for every trip. Read the U.S. News article on this topic for more information.

The cost of travel medical insurance can vary depending on the age of the travelers, the type of coverage purchased, the length of the trip and other factors. You can use a comparison site like TravelInsurance.com to explore different travel medical insurance plans and their cost.

• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Overall
• Seven Corners: Best for Families
• GeoBlue: Best for Expats
• WorldTrips: Best Cost

Coverage for preexisting conditions is available as an add-on

Easy to purchase as needed for individual trips

Relatively low limits for medical expenses

No coverage for trip cancellations or trip interruption

• Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Up to $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage loss and damage
• Up to $600 in baggage delay insurance
• Up to $1,000 for travel delays
• Up to $10,000 in travel accident insurance
• 24-hour hotline assistance
• Concierge services

Purchase comprehensive medical coverage worth up to $5 million

Coverage for families with up to 10 people

Low coverage amounts for trip interruption

Medical coverage options vary by age

• Up to $5 million in comprehensive medical coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency evacuation coverage
• Up to $10,000 in coverage for incidental trips to home country
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for terrorist activity
• Up to $500 in accidental dental emergency coverage
• Up to $100 per occurrence in coverage for emergency eye exams
• $50,000 in coverage for local burial or cremation
• 24/7 travel assistance
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment per traveler
• Up to $500 for loss of checked baggage
• Up to $5,000 for trip interruptions
• Up to $100 per day for trip delays
• Up to $50,000 for personal liability

Qualify for international health insurance with no annual or lifetime caps

Use coverage within the U.S. with select providers

Deductible from $500 to $10,000 can apply

Doesn't come with any nonmedical travel insurance benefits

• Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $25,000 for repatriation of mortal remains
• $50,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment

High limits for medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation

Covers multiple trips over a period of up to 364 days

Deductible of $250 required for each covered trip

Copays required for medical care received in the U.S.

• Up to $1,000,000 of maximum coverage
• Up to $1,000,000 for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $10,000 for trip interruptions
• Up to $1,000 for lost checked luggage
• Up to $100 per day for travel delays
• Up to $25,000 in personal liability coverage
• Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19
• Ability to add coverage for your spouse and/or child(ren)
• Repatriation of remains coverage up to overall limit
• Up to $5,000 for local burial or cremation 
• $10,000 to $50,000 for common carrier accidental death

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

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Travel health insurance will cover the costs of getting medical attention in case of an emergency abroad. Plans also include medical evacuation, repatriation, trip interruption, and more. This type of coverage is necessary when you’re going outside your country for periods of up to a year or more. Even if you have a domestic medical plan, there is no guarantee that it will be accepted abroad.

Learn more about travel medical policies in this article and get to know which plans for traveling abroad fit your needs.

What is International Travel Health Insurance?

When traveling outside your home country, buying medical insurance as part of your international travel plan is vital to protect yourself against accidents or illnesses. Even if you have private medical insurance issued in your home country, it will most likely not cover you on your trip abroad. And even if it does, there is a chance that the coverage will be insufficient to provide the care you might need during your trip.

What Does Travelers' Medical Insurance Cover?

Depending on the plan you choose, your travel insurance policy can offer:

• Freedom to seek treatment with a hospital or doctor of your choice
• Maximum limits from $50,000 to up to $8,000,000
• 24/7 access to an emergency assistance medical hotline to speak with medical experts
• Deductible options from $0 to up to $25,000
• Renewable for up to 36 months
• Other benefits like travel delay/cancellation, baggage loss/delay
• Universal Rx pharmacy discount savings
• Repatriation and emergency evacuation

Is Travel Health Insurance Worth It?

The best travel medical insurance plans combine the benefits of travel insurance plans with additional health and medical coverage. Whenever you travel to another country, it is a necessity to have the right international plan that will cover you in case the unexpected happens.

Recommended Medical Travel Insurance Plans

We offer great options to cover you and your family during travel abroad. The Atlas plan is an affordable policy for travelers from most countries. GeoBlue's Voyager plan is a comprehensive plan tailored to US citizens. The Trawick Safe Travels plan includes comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, and post-departure travel coverage, among other benefits. Trawick's Safe Travel USA is designed specifically for foreigners visiting the USA .

Pro Tip: Visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find which type of plan is best for your situation.

Recommended Plan for US Citizens Traveling Abroad

GeoBlue's Voyager Travel Insurance plan is designed specifically for US citizens traveling abroad. The benefits are excellent while remaining a very affordable option. Most importantly, the customer service is outstanding, which is essential when you need to reach someone in a medical emergency.

GeoBlue Voyager Plan

• For U.S. citizens up to age 95
• Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
• 24/7/365 service and assistance

Option for All International Travelers

Trawick offers a great plan for all other nationalities traveling abroad to any country in the world. Coverage options are global, benefits are comprehensive, and they have a range of coverage levels to meet all budgets.

Safe Travels International

• Desinged for non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country (excluding the U.S.)
• Coverage for an unexpected recurrence of a Pre-Existing Condition
• Coverage from 5 days to 364 days - extensions are available

Recommended Plan for International Visitors to the US

Safe Travels USA from Trawick is the best plan option for international citizens visiting the United States. In addition to those listed above, benefits include limited coverage for wellness visits and "acute onset of pre-existing conditions".

• Desinged for non-U.S. citizens traveling to the U.S. and addiitonal countries
• Includes comprehensive medical, evacuation, & repatriation coverage

Affordable Plans with Great Coverage and Benefits

Our suggested plan based on affordability, benefits, and service is the Atlas Travel Insurance Plan. Don't be fooled by the price - the benefits are very comparable to those offered by more expensive insurers.

• Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
• Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
• Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
• 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance

Or See for Yourself: Compare Travel Medical Insurance Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does travel health insurance cost.

You can see in the table below that plans can cost from as low as $0.80 per day to as high as $5 a day , sometimes more. Monthly rates, ranging from $40 to $60, are also available, sometimes providing better value. How much an international travel health insurance plan costs will depend on the length of the trip, your age, medical limits, complications, and the deductible you choose by the time you purchase the plan.

Emergency medical plans for travelers are surprisingly affordable. The average cost of an international travel medical insurance plan is $2 per day. It is very affordable compared to the high cost of medical care should something go wrong on your trip.

Plans are often of a sort duration, within the travel period you have indicated, so the risks are less for insurers. As a result, medical insurance costs for traveling abroad are also significantly lower. Travel health policies also do not cover trip cancellations , so their premiums are lower than usual.

Costs and Benefits of a Travel Medical Insurance Plan

The cost of your plan will cover several benefits, all under one policy. For the low price listed here, you get emergency medical coverage abroad, trip interruption benefits, repatriation, medical evacuation, 24/7 travel assistance, and coverage for lost or stolen items. Some plans include personal liability coverage, natural disasters, political evacuation, and more.

How Optional Coverage Adds to the Cost of Your Policy

Many plans offer additional optional benefits for an additional cost. For example, you can add coverage for adventure trips, mountaineering, or Accidental Death and Disability (AD&D). Each additional benefit will increase the price of your plan. In general, the increase in premiums is affordable and worth the added expense if you feel you need that additional coverage.

What Are the Different Levels of Health Insurance for Traveling Abroad?

There are various levels of international travel health insurance plans from some of today’s leading insurers. These plans can range from very basic emergency health coverage to comprehensive health care, including prescriptions, medical evacuation, and insurance for high-risk activities.

• The most basic level of travel insurance covers emergency medical needs while you’re away from home. If you fall ill or get injured while traveling, this type of policy will usually cover your treatment. Some plans let you add higher maximums for medical coverage so you can get care for significant medical expenses.
• You can add features to your policy like prescription plans, repatriation, emergency evacuation, and coverage for pre-existing conditions. Depending on the plan, some of these might already be covered. 
• You can also add riders for so-called “extreme sports,” which cover you if you want to paraglide, climb mountains, or do zipline tours in the jungle. 
• Yet another type of travel insurance is trip cancellation, which pays you back if your vacation is interrupted or called off for a set list of reasons. A more expensive version of this is called Cancel For Any Reason or CFAR, which reimburses your trip costs if you suddenly can’t go for a reason that’s not otherwise covered. These plans include medical coverage, but you should check how much and whether you need more.

Among our most popular plans for US citizens is the GeoBlue Voyager Plan , which allows travelers to customize their coverage with different medical maximums and deductibles. You can be confident that your coverage, benefits, and service will be excellent.

Atlas Travel Insurance is a comprehensive travel medical policy that includes hospitalization and doctor coverage. It also includes coverage for lost luggage. You can customize the policy to include optional coverage for extreme sports .

The Patriot Platinum Insurance provides optional coverage for extra riders, including personal belongings and and extreme sports. This is perhaps the best medical policy for traveling abroad because it provides world-class coverage and access to the best service and assistance for traveling outside your home country.

You can review the list we made of the Best Travel Insurance Companies to get a better idea of which provider to choose.

For long-term travelers, expats, or individuals moving abroad for a year or longer, an international medical insurance plan might be a better option. These plans provide more comprehensive medical benefits but lack some of the coverage offered in travel health plans, such as trip interruption.

What Is the Cheapest Travel Medical Insurance Plan?

We offer a variety of medical plans for traveling abroad, and they come at a range of different price points.

When it comes to medical coverage, the best value travel insurance plan is one that covers specific benefits you need at a price you can afford. Some inexpensive plans do not cover the most important benefits or cover them with limited value. Other low-cost policies provide considerable travelers' medical insurance coverage, but their service is not as good, so it will be frustrating to use it in emergencies.

International Citizens Insurance has filtered the best insurance providers that offer affordable plans with good coverage and excellent service. For the most affordable and reliable plans, we recommend the following options:

How Do I Purchase an International Travel Medical Policy?

Applying for a travel health plan is easy. Just answer a few questions about yourself and the planned trip to get the initial quote. From there, you can refine the plan and see how much the travelers' medical insurance will cost by selecting and deselecting different benefits and their maximum coverage amounts. You can also tweak the deductibles, optional add-on features, and other portions of the policy, if possible.

Use our Plan Picker to get started!

When you are satisfied with the quote after adjusting the cost and benefits of the plan, you can proceed with the online application and pay for the plan using your credit card. A confirmation email will be sent along with policy documentation and relevant contact details should you need emergency medical assistance on your next trip.

We have listed some of the best medical insurance for international travel. Just follow the links on each one to learn more about the plan.

Do These Plans Cover My Visa Requirements?

In most cases, they do. The short term medical insurance plans we offer are designed to meet, and even exceed, most visa requirements of most countries. We also have plans that can meet Schengen Visa Insurance requirements.

Before traveling to a country, check the visa requirements to ensure you purchase the maximum benefit and deductible amounts required. Most countries require at least $50,000 of coverage in medical benefits, along with a specific deductible amount.

Check the visa requirements for the country you are traveling to, and then when purchasing your policy, you can select the level and benefits that meet those requirements.

Read More: Insurance for Your Travel Visa

Can You Buy Just Travel Medical Insurance?

Yes, definitely.

International travel medical insurance plans are designed to cover emergency medical expenses should you get sick or injured while traveling abroad. Suppose you are in an accident and need medical care. In that case, these plans are designed to help you find a doctor, get you treated in the best facilities available, cover necessary medical prescriptions, and provide continuous care.

Note: These plans will typically not cover any pre-existing conditions you might have. Before you sign up for a policy, check the part pertaining to pre-existing conditions to clarify any questions or concerns regarding that portion.

Your policy may not cover treatment for accidents or illnesses that occur while participating in certain dangerous activities. Some plans offer adventure sports coverage as an optional add-on. If you plan to partake in hazardous activities or sports events that pose a high risk of getting injured, it is best to get this add-on on top of your base-level coverage.

Some policies, known as trip cancellation plans , also cover the cost of your trip if you have to cancel, and are typically more expensive. If you only want coverage for medical emergencies, a travel medical plan is right for you.

Not sure where to start? Use our Pick a Plan tool.

How Does International Travel Medical Insurance Compare to Trip Insurance?

With the wide variety in names and coverage of travel, trip, and medical plans, it can be confusing to select which one is the most appropriate for your needs. Different service providers offer several levels of coverage, so a travel insurance plan provided by one insurer could be completely different from those offered by competitors.

Trip insurance is a short-term solution that covers trip cancellation, protection, and limited emergency medical coverage. This type of policy is usually available only for up to 62 days.

A travel health insurance plan is more comprehensive. It provides increased medical coverage from what a regular trip or travel insurance policy does. This type of policy is best for travel periods lasting from 5 days up to a year.

If you are considering longer-term coverage or more comprehensive medical benefits, read these guides to help you see the available options:

• Expatriate Insurance or Travel Insurance: What is the Difference?
• Overseas Health Insurance Coverage

Do I Need to Buy Health Insurance for Traveling Abroad?

Travel health insurance is a short-term solution for those who are traveling outside their home country anywhere between 5 days and a year. Whether it is for business or pleasure purposes, getting adequate coverage is an essential part of ensuring safe travels.

Having a health plan at home will not guarantee you coverage when you travel to other countries. And usually, if it does provide coverage, it will be limited and will not cover the most important areas that need to be addressed.

The plans we offer can work for a broad range of traveling individuals, including international vacationers, immigrants, relatives visiting from overseas, and foreign au pairs and nannies.

The best part about global travel health insurance policies is that they are available to all nationalities traveling abroad.

Which Countries Require Travel Medical Insurance to Enter?

Most countries that were requiring medical travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage at the height of the pandemic are no longer requiring it. However, it is still highly recommended. (Read our guide for more specific details on the latest travel insurance requirements.) Double-check all requirements before booking your travel policy. Below is a list of countries that still require travel medical insurance as of December 2023.

• Saudi Arabia
• the Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• the Netherlands
• Switzerland

Recommended Travel Medical Plan Options for US Citizens

The following rate tables below show the cost per day for U.S. citizens traveling outside of the U.S.

GeoBlue Voyager Choice

IMG Patriot International

WorldTrips Atlas International

Trawick Safe Travels Outbound

Rates were last updated on March 4, 2024

Recommended Travel Medical Plan Options for All Nationalities

The following rate tables below show the cost per day for international (non-U.S.) citizens traveling abroad, including trips to the U.S.

The plans, IMG Patriot America, WorldTrips Atlas America and Seven Corners Travel Medical, provide coverage worldwide, including inside the U.S. and outside the U.S.

Trawick Safe Travels USA only provides coverage inside the U.S.

IMG Patriot America

WorldTrips Atlas America

Seven Corners Travel Medical Plus

Pro Tip: Visit our Plan Picker to find the best plan at the right price for your trip.

How Much Travel Medical Insurance Do I Need?

It depends on where you’re going, what your home coverage is like, and what you plan to get up to!

• For shorter trips, you can probably get away with less coverage. But if you’re traveling extensively, you might think about a more thorough policy. If you are taking several trips throughout the year, consider annual travel insurance so you’re always covered.
• How’s your health? If you have conditions that need regular treatment or medications, make sure your policy is up to the level of care you need while abroad. Most plans will exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, so be aware of that. 
• If you’re going somewhere with a high level of medical care easily available, you probably don’t need medical evacuation or repatriation. Consider adding it if you’re going into the wilderness, staying somewhere rural and far from care, or making an adventure trip.
• Speaking of, what are you planning to do on your vacation? You might be surprised by some things insurance companies consider “extreme sports.” If you’re planning anything outdoorsy, check if your activity requires special coverage.
• Some countries require a travel policy to get a visa. For instance, the Schengen visa requires a minimum of $50,000 in medical coverage. Check the visa rules for the place you’re traveling to.

Different Types of Health Plans for Travelers

Here at International Citizens Insurance, we provide a wide range of travel health plans from some of the leading insurers. Among our most popular plans are the Atlas and Patriot Plans, which have different levels to choose from, each designed to suit the needs of various travelers.

Atlas Travel Insurance is a comprehensive policy that includes hospitalization and doctor coverage. It can also include insurance on lost luggage. You can customize the policy to include optional coverage for extreme sports .

With Patriot Platinum Insurance , you can get coverage for extra riders and extreme sports when you add them. This is one of the best travel medical insurance plans for traveling abroad, providing world-class coverage and access to the best service and assistance for traveling outside your home country.

Annual, Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Plans for Frequent Travelers

International coverage for travel is available as a single-trip plan that covers a specific trip for a specified number of days.

But a multi-trip or annual travel insurance plan can cover all trips outside your home country during the year. This is usually valid for a year and up to a certain number of days per trip. This is a more cost-effective medical insurance for traveling abroad, especially if you are a frequent traveler.

If you are looking for one of the best travel health insurance policies we offer, consider the GeoBlue Trekker annual travel insurance plan. See the link below for more details on the policy and how you can get a quote before your purchase online.

Annual Plan for any Nationality

Seven Corners Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip

• Buy annually and travel as often as you want.
• Choose from 30-, 45-, and 60-day trip lengths.
• Emergency medical evacuation benefit of $1,000,000.

GeoBlue Trekker Plan for US citizens

Trekker MultiTrip Travel Insurance

• Up to $500,000 for sickness and accidents
• $500,000 medical evacuation benefit
• Unlimited Trips Outside the U.S. for trips up to 70 days

Buy One of Our Recommended Travel Medical Plans

Atlas Travel Insurance: Learn More | Free Quote / Apply (Best for All Nationalities Traveling Abroad)

GeoBlue Travel Insurance: Learn More | Free Quote / Apply (Best for US Citizens Abroad)

A message from the Center for Disease Control : Severe illness or injury abroad may result in a financial burden on you and your family. Although planning for every possible contingency is impossible, travelers can reduce the cost of a medical emergency by considering the purchase of 3 types of insurance for their trip: trip insurance, travel health insurance, and medical evacuation insurance. These insurance policies can be purchased before a trip to provide coverage in the event of an illness or injury and may be of particular importance to individuals with chronic medical conditions. Basic accident or travel insurance may even be required for travelers to certain destinations.

Author: Joe Cronin , Founder and President of International Citizens Insurance . Mr. Cronin, a former expat, is an authority in the areas of international travel, and global health, life, and travel insurance, with expertise in advising individuals and groups on benefits for today's global workforce. Follow him on LinkedIn or Twitter .

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Global medical plans, specialty coverage, company info, customer service.

Travel Medical Insurance: What to Know

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

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

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Licensed auto and home insurance agent

3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

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

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Updated October 12, 2023

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Table of contents

• Travel medical insurance
• What’s covered

Primary coverage

Secondary coverage.

• Medical evacuation
• Comprehensive coverage

Trip cancellation

• Insurance limitations

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

What is travel medical insurance?

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

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

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

Does your health insurance plan cover you internationally?

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

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

What travel medical insurance covers

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

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

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

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

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

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

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

Comprehensive travel insurance plan

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

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

Limitations of travel medical insurance

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

Pre-existing conditions

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

High-risk activities

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

Geographic exclusions

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

Travel medical insurance FAQs

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

Who should buy travel medical insurance?

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

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

How do you use your travel health insurance?

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

What is travel insurance vs. medical insurance?

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

What does medical travel insurance cover?

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

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Travel medical insurance can provide financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances while traveling, such as illness or medical emergencies.

The Best Medical Travel Insurance of 2021

Best for solo travelers.

John Hancock

Best for Thrill Seekers

Best for Frequent Travelers

Allianz Global Assistance

Best for Long Trips

Seven Corners

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Reviews Report

• Reviews.com ranks IMG as the best medical travel insurance company, earning a 4.75 out of 5.
• Seven Corners is the best medical travel insurance for long trips and has the highest medical coverage at $5 million limits.
• The best medical travel insurance companies have pre-existing condition waiver options.

If you’re on the hunt for the best travel insurance , you’ll want to keep medical insurance at the top of your priorities. Medical travel insurance jumps in when your U.S. health insurance coverage falls short while traveling out of the country. Whether you get sick, injured, or need to be evacuated, some or all of your expenses may be covered with the right medical insurance policy.

Medical travel insurance doesn’t automatically cover logistical issues of your trip, like lost luggage or a delayed flight — although many policies do include these features as extra perks. 

We reviewed the four best medical travel insurance companies that suit a range of travelers, from adventure-seeking explorers to large families with a troop of pioneers.

The 4 Best Medical Travel Insurance Companies

• John Hancock : Best for Solo Travelers 
• IMG : Best for Thrill Seekers
• Allianz Global Assistance : Best for Frequent Travelers
• Seven Corners :  Best for Long Trips

Compare the Best Medical Travel Insurance Companies

Information accurate as of March 2021.

Why we chose it

• 4.2 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• A AM Best Rate AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim.
• $50K–$250K Medical Coverage Medical coverage is what the company will pay out to you if you were injured or ill on your trip and needed medical care abroad.
• 90 days Trip Length This is the maximum number of days the travel insurance company will cover your trip.
• High medical coverage limits
• High financial ratings
• $1M in medical evacuation
• Kids not included
• No adventure sports coverage

Add-ons & Coverage

• Trip cancellation: 100% of cost
• Cancel for any reason: 75% of cost
• Lost baggage: $750–$2,500
• Medical evacuation: $250K–$1M
• 24/7 emergency travel assistance

Best for Thrillseekers

• 4.75 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• $500K Medical Coverage Medical coverage is what the company will pay out to you if you were injured or ill on your trip and needed medical care abroad.
• 180 days Trip Length This is the maximum number of days the travel insurance company will cover your trip.
• High medical coverage
• Tailored to adventure sports
• Search and rescue coverage
• Few optional coverage options
• Higher cost than competitors
• Lost baggage: $150–$2,500
• Medical evacuation: Up to $1M
• Sports equipment rental: $2,000
• Patriot Travel Medical Insurance
• Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance
• Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical Insurance
• 3.4 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• $10K–$50K Medical Coverage Medical coverage is what the company will pay out to you if you were injured or ill on your trip and needed medical care abroad.
• Year-round travel insurance
• Extra emergency evacuation coverage
• Coverage for kids is free
• No medical upgrades available
• Limited policy add-ons
• Lower medical coverage limit
• Trip cancellation: $5K–$100K
• Trip interruption:$5K–$150K
• Lost baggage: $500–$2K
• 24-hour hotline assistance
• AllTrips Basic, Executive, Premier, and Prime
• OneTrip Prime, Basic, Premier, Emergency Medical, and Cancellation Plus
• 4.5 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• $50K–$5M Medical Coverage Medical coverage is what the company will pay out to you if you were injured or ill on your trip and needed medical care abroad.
• 364 days Trip Length This is the maximum number of days the travel insurance company will cover your trip.
• Medical travel insurance throughout the year
• Includes COVID-19 exposure coverage
• Hazardous sports coverage
• Deductible must be paid in full and up front
• Lacks app support and interfacing
• COVID-19 treatment: $100,000
• Liaison International Travel Medical Insurance 
• Liaison Travel Plus (Covid-19 Coverage)

Medical Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know

Take activities into account.

Basic medical travel insurance includes things like emergency medical care and evacuation while traveling either at home or internationally . But if you plan on doing higher-risk activities, additional coverage may be warranted. Examples of these types of travel adventures include skydiving, mountain climbing, and scuba diving. 

Compare quotes

It’s important to compare medical travel insurance quotes because so many factors are evaluated to determine your offer. Premiums are based on total trip cost, coverage selections, and the number and age of travelers in your party, among other factors. If you want cheap travel insurance , opt for policies with lower limits and higher deductibles. 

Medical travel insurance companies will provide quotes on the amount of medical services covered under their policies. For example, if a company like Allianz only offers $50,000 in medical coverage, that’s how much it will cover before you have to pick up the rest of the bill for a hospital stay abroad. 

If you plan to scale mountains or dive deep into the sea, it’s recommended to opt for medical travel insurance that includes high limits near $750,000 or $1 million, depending on the adventure sport activity.

Medical Travel Insurance FAQ

What is medical travel insurance.

Medical travel insurance acts as your primary health coverage on international vacations . Just like your normal policy, it can be used to pay for treatments, medication, and even hospital stays.

Does travel insurance cover medical?

Basic travel insurance doesn’t include medical events. A travel insurance policy covers you for things like trip cancellations, lost bags, and flight delays instead.

How much medical travel insurance do I need?

Our best medical travel insurance providers cover a minimum of $50,000 for emergency medical care and at least $100,000 for emergency evacuation or repatriation. Add more if you plan to engage in higher-risk activities during your trip.

Why would I need medical travel insurance?

Medical travel insurance substitutes for your typical health insurance coverage when traveling abroad. Without it, you may be required to pay cash before receiving any type of medical care, which can cause serious problems that are better to avoid altogether.

How does medical travel insurance work?

Once you review plan options, just pick the one that fits your needs, make your payment, and submit your travel dates. If you need to file a claim, check to see what kind of documentation is required from the doctor or hospital who treated you during your trip.

Methodology

We evaluated medical travel insurance providers based on coverage, number of plans, optional coverage, medical coverage limits, and AM Best ratings to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best travel insurance provider reviews. To compare travel insurance providers with other brands across the board, we calculate each Reviews.com score based on the following:

• Essential Coverage: When comparing travel insurance providers, we considered essential coverage to be 24/7 assistance, trip cancellation/interruption, medical evacuation and more. Providers with more points of essential coverage scored higher. 
• Number of Plans: Flexibility and having options is important which is why Reviews.com awarded travel insurance providers with higher scores if they presented more plans. 
• Add-on Coverage: Travel insurance providers with more optional coverage add-ons scored higher in this metric — higher flexibility and customization in travel insurance is an indicator of the best travel insurance companies.
• Medical Coverage Limit: We compared the medical coverage limits of the best travel insurance companies and awarded providers with higher scores if they had higher medical coverage limits. 
• AM Best: Reviews.com utilized AM Best ratings to assign a score based on each home 

About the Authors

Amanda Push Contributing Writer

Amanda Push is a writer based in Colorado who covers personal finance, technology, safety and security, moving, and more. Her writing has also been featured at TheSimpleDollar.com, Interest.com, MyMove.com, and Safety.com.

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Buying the Best Travel Medical Insurance for You [2024]

Christy Rodriguez

Travel & Finance Content Contributor

88 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 36 U.S. States Visited: 31

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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Table of Contents

What is travel medical insurance, what does travel medical insurance cover, what doesn’t travel medical insurance cover, what travel medical insurance isn’t, how does travel medical insurance work, how much does travel medical insurance cost, which company has the best travel medical insurance, final thoughts.

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

The thought of getting sick or injured while traveling can be one of the most stressful aspects of planning a trip. Often, travelers assume that their primary health insurance will cover all costs of medical expenses on their trip, but not every health insurance plan covers every country and situation.

To ensure you have coverage if you need it, you may need to consider purchasing travel medical insurance. This can fill the gap between your regular insurance and any coverage you may have with your credit cards . We’ll break down all of the important details and tell you everything you should know about travel medical insurance.

If you are traveling domestically within your own country, you will likely be covered by your primary health insurance. If you are traveling abroad, your coverage may not extend to those other countries. This is primarily where travel medical insurance comes into play.

Travel medical insurance is a type of international insurance designed to cover emergency health care costs you might face when you are traveling or vacationing abroad.

A travel medical policy can be an important addition to your trip since your primary health plan may not cover you fully if you need assistance outside of your home country. An uninsured injury or illness abroad can result in a huge financial burden that can be significantly reduced by having travel medical insurance.

Bottom Line: Travel medical insurance is recommended by the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to Allianz Travel, the most common overseas medical emergencies that are claimed include:

• Fractures from falls
• Cardiovascular problems such as a heart attack or stroke
• Trauma involving motor vehicles
• Respiratory problems such as a collapsed lung

So going with that first item, let’s say you’re exploring Europe and end up twisting your ankle on the beautiful, but uneven cobblestone streets in Rome. Depending on the plan you choose, you may be covered for:

• The cost of a local ambulance to transport you to the hospital
• Your emergency room co-payment
• The bill for your hospital room and board
• Any other eligible medical expenses, up to your plan limits

But there are limitations to travel medical insurance. Before you purchase a plan, it’s important to know exactly what you are buying — including which things are and aren’t included in your coverage.

Travel medical plans are designed to help in the event of an unforeseen illness or injury while traveling abroad. Travel medical insurance offers emergency medical expense coverage as well as emergency evacuation coverage. This means that the plan will reimburse you for reasonable and customary costs of emergency medical and dental care (up to the plan limits — discussed below).

It is important to look closely at all plans you are interested in since many important things are hidden in the details. You might also find it helpful to brush up on your insurance lingo before doing this.

Plan Limits

Travel medical insurance covers emergency medical costs up to the plan limit. Plan limits vary greatly by plan but typically fall between $50,000 and $2,000,000. This is obviously a HUGE range, so you will have to determine the correct amount of coverage based on a few key items:

• How much (if any) will your own health insurance plan or credit card cover when you’re traveling outside of your home country? As we discussed above, Medicare doesn’t cover you at all outside of the U.S., so this would be an instance where you might want your plan’s coverage limit to be higher.
• How long is your trip? If you’re going to be away for more than 1 to 2 months, you might want a higher plan limit to account for the greater exposure to risk.
• Do you need extra coverage due to risky activities? For example, if you expect to ski, mountain climb, or do any other risky activities where you might get injured, you might want a higher plan limit.
• What do you feel comfortable with?  If you feel safer having $100,000 as opposed to $50,000, then that may be the right decision for you. This insurance plan should provide you a sense of security so you can enjoy your trip.
• Deductibles

Most medical single trip plans have some sort of deductible that you must pay before any benefits will be paid. After this, your travel medical insurance will cover any remaining costs, up to the plan’s limit.

However, you will be offered the option to increase, decrease, or remove the deductible altogether. Based on this choice, the price you pay (aka the premium) will be affected accordingly. For example, if you choose a higher deductible, your premium will decrease. If you choose a lower (or no) deductible, your premium will increase.

Length of Trip

You are covered by travel medical insurance based on the type of plan you purchase. These come in 3 types:

Single-Trip Coverage

This is the most common type of travel medical insurance. When you leave your home, go on a trip, and then return home, this is considered to be a single trip. While on your trip, you can still visit multiple countries and destinations all under the umbrella of this single trip. You will be covered for the duration of this trip under a single trip travel medical insurance plan.

Multi-Trip Coverage

Multi-trip coverage is for multiple trips and often purchased in 3-, 6-, and 12-month segments.

Long-Term Coverage

This is continuous medical coverage for the long-term traveler (think expats or people working abroad) and is typically paid on a monthly basis.

Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover COVID-19?

Many travel insurance policies offer good medical coverage, but not all plans cover expenses related to COVID-19 . If that’s important to you, make sure to verify that the plan you’re buying specifically covers you in case you contract COVID-19.

In general, cancellations due to fear of travel are not covered. However, some plans cover you if you or your covered traveling companion were to become sick as a result of COVID-19. This means that you could still receive benefits for the losses that are covered by the plan.

Many countries around the world , such as Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates, are even requiring travelers to hold a specific level of medical coverage to account for COVID-19-related medical care and evacuation.

In addition, “ Cancel for Any Reason ” has become a hot topic. This optional coverage is not available with all plans but lets you cancel a trip for a partial refund no matter what your reason — including unexpected travel bans, lengthy quarantine periods, or cancellations due to concerns over COVID-19.

Since travel medical insurance is meant to cover emergencies, certain types of expenses are excluded from most travel medical policies. In addition, for insurance purposes, a pre-existing condition is general defined as any condition:

• For which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within a defined period of time prior to your coverage date (varies from plan to plan, but is typically within 60 days to 2 years)
• That would cause a “reasonably prudent person” to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment prior to your coverage date
• That existed prior to your effective date of coverage, whether or not it was known to you (commonly includes pregnancy)

Hot Tip: You do not need a medical examination in order to purchase travel insurance. If you have a claim, the insurance company will investigate to ensure that your claim occurred during the coverage period of your policy and wasn’t a result of any pre-existing conditions.

Here are some of the most frequent exclusions:

• Pre-existing conditions as defined above
• Routine medical examinations and care (i.e. wellness exams, ongoing prescriptions, etc.)
• Routine prenatal, pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care
• Medical expenses for injury or illness caused by extreme sports
• Mental health disorders
• Injury caused by the effects of intoxication or illegal drugs
• Payments exceeding the plan limit

Unless you’ve purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan, other exclusions include claims related to:

• Trip cancellation
• Lost luggage
• Rental car damage

Be sure to read the description of coverage for any plan you’re considering before you make the purchase. While reading the entire document front to back can be tedious, it’s better to know what’s excluded before you attempt to make a claim.

Now that we’ve let you know what is and isn’t covered by travel medical insurance, we’ll also breakdown the difference between travel medical insurance and other similar options.

Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance plans offer the most benefits of all plan types and will typically include medical coverage. It can offer you additional coverage for things like trip cancellation, trip delay and cancellation, lost luggage, and more. It’s the best way to cover a host of potential common travel-related problems.

Some comprehensive plans also offer additional coverage for things like rental car damage, Cancel for Any Reason, or a pre-existing condition waiver.

Bottom Line: Comprehensive travel insurance is a full-service plan and includes travel medical coverage as well as other coverages that will protect all aspects of your trip. 

Health Insurance

You might be thinking that already have medical insurance provided by your employer or through Medicare. However, when you travel to other countries, your primary health insurance might not go with you. Before your trip, check to see whether your domestic plan provides any coverage once you’ve left your home country since many offer limited or no coverage.

In case of a medical emergency, you will want to be able to lay your hands quickly on your travel insurance plan’s contact information for the 24-hour Emergency Assistance program as well as your policy number, so make sure to keep this information somewhere that is easily accessible. Also, be sure you know how to place a call to that number from outside the country.

This is important because you’ll be required to call your travel insurance provider and notify them that you need to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible. Obviously, you may not be medically able to call before you seek emergency medical treatment, but you should do so as soon as you are able to.

The earlier you can call, the more likely it is that you can avoid any issues for payment of claims and you can also get help and advice from the company’s emergency assistance program.

Bottom Line: Specific details on when and how to contact your insurance provider in case of a medical emergency vary by plan and provider, so thoroughly review these details in your plan information.

For example, in the event of an emergency that requires emergency medical evacuation, your insurance provider will have to approve the evacuation and even make those arrangements for you. If you don’t call ahead to have them do this, the company may not approve the expense and you may be stuck paying for the evacuation in full.

Once you are actually at a medical facility to receive care, make sure to document the experience as thoroughly as possible. This means asking for copies of all of your records before you check out. You’ll need to provide these records to the insurance company when you eventually file your claim and having proof of treatment and costs will assist you in filing a successful claim and getting your money back as soon as possible.

Travel medical insurance plans can vary widely in price, but in general, plans cost anywhere between 4-10% of your total non-refundable trip cost. The pricing of any plan takes into consideration many things, including a few that we discussed above, to determine the cost. These include:

• Age of travelers
• Plan limits
• Supplemental plans such as “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage or coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Length of trip

In addition, if you decide that a comprehensive plan is a better choice for you, this will also increase the price.

The best travel medical insurance company for you may be determined by what type and how much coverage you’d like to have. Let’s review a few options and companies to consider.

Credit Card Coverage

Many premium cards have some medical coverage, so be sure to look over all of the best credit cards for travel insurance coverage and protection.

For example, cardholders of The Platinum Card ® from American Express may already have $15,000 of secondary medical coverage . For many, this may be enough, but for others, you may not feel comfortable at this level of coverage and want to purchase a travel medical insurance policy.

Travel Medical Insurance Policies

If you are looking to purchase a plan from a reputable company, a few options include:

1. Patriot Travel Medical Insurance from IMG Global

For the out-of-country plans, Patriot offers:

• Short-term travel medical coverage
• Coverage for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Daily or monthly rates
• Freedom to seek treatment with the hospital or doctor of your choice

The following plans are available based on the level of coverage that you desire and you can request a quote through their website linked above.

2. GeoBlue Single Trip Traveler Medical Insurance

GeoBlue offers both the “Voyager Choice” and “Voyager Essential” single trip plans. Both plans allow you to choose your level of medical coverage (from $50,000 up to $1 million) and offer $500,000 in emergency medical transportation and repatriation coverage.

The main difference between the 2 plans is that the Choice plan does not require you to be covered by a primary health plan, but doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. The Voyager plan will cover all pre-existing conditions, but functions as a secondary coverage after your primary health plan.

3. Allianz Travel Medical Insurance

Allianz offers an Emergency Medical plan that offers additional benefits that extend beyond simply medical coverage. This plan is a comprehensive plan that covers lost baggage and trip cancellation and delay, in addition to emergency medical coverage. See just a few of these benefits below:

In addition, many companies, such as AAA,  offer travel insurance through Allianz, so you may receive a further discount if you reference your AAA policy.

Travel medical insurance can be beneficial for most travelers when traveling internationally as most primary health insurance plans won’t cover you abroad. We hope we’ve given you the tools you need to select a plan that works best for you and your travel needs.

At the end of the day, a travel medical plan is a great option if you’re traveling abroad and are not worried about covering trip costs due to a cancellation or added expenses due to a travel delay. Anyone looking for robust coverage for baggage or interruption should consider an upgrade to a more comprehensive plan.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much travel medical insurance do i need.

When considering the amount of coverage you’d like for your travel medical insurance plan, consider the following:

• How much (if any) will your own health insurance plan or credit card cover when you’re traveling outside of your home country?
• How long is your trip?
• Do you need extra coverage due to risky activities?
• What amount of coverage do you feel comfortable with?

Refer to the section titled “Plan Limits” for more detailed considerations.

How long does it take to receive travel medical insurance?

Travel medical insurance coverage starts the day of your trip, so you want to make sure you sign up for it before you leave. Most plans allow you to buy insurance up until the day before your trip.

However, the best time to buy travel medical insurance is within 15 days of making the first payment on your trip, since buying early can often qualify you for bonus coverages.

Is travel medical insurance worth it?

Depending on your primary health insurance and any secondary coverage you might be eligible for, travel medical insurance can still be a great tool to protect you from financial hits caused by injury or illness.

In addition, travel medical insurance can help organize assistance in extreme circumstances (such as medical evacuation). You can also pick the appropriate level of coverage to make you feel comfortable.

Does AAA offer travel medical insurance?

Yes, AAA offers travel medical insurance, but it is usually serviced by another company such as IMG Global or Allianz. You will normally receive a greater discount if you mention your AAA insurance policy, so don’t forget to include this when you request a quote!

Can you get travel insurance when already abroad?

Most companies do not offer travel insurance policies once your trip has already begun. There are a few reputable companies, such as  World Nomads and  SafetyWing , that are set up for long-term travel.

These companies allow you to purchase plans once your trip has already begun, but the rates may be higher than a plan that was purchased prior to leaving for your trip.

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About Christy Rodriguez

After having “non-rev” privileges with Southwest Airlines, Christy dove into the world of points and miles so she could continue traveling for free. Her other passion is personal finance, and is a certified CPA.

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T ravel Medical Insurance protects you in the event of an illness or injury when traveling outside of your country of residence. It provides key medical benefits in case of an emergency.

Traveling abroad is an exciting experience, but unpredictable illnesses and accidents can happen. Even worse, the resulting medical bills can be overwhelming. The level of international medical coverage provided by your domestic insurance provider can vary greatly depending on your plan, so you may have very limited coverage or no coverage at all. A travel medical insurance plan can provide the coverage you need. For more information, check out our blog: " How to Choose the Best Travel Medical Insurance Plan ."

Travel medical coverage is ideal for:

• International vacationers
• Relatives visiting from overseas
• People going on cruises, safaris or guided tours
• International business travelers
• Students studying abroad

International Medical Group ®  (IMG ® ) also offers travel insurance  that protects your health as well as your trip costs and travel expenses. And if you need long-term medical coverage, check out our  international health insurance . IMG plans include a wide range of medical benefits, protection, and support should a problem arise.

Popular Travel Medical Plans Ideal for Traveling Outside of Your Home Country

Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary first-class health insurance for individuals, families, and groups

• COVID-19 coverage for travelers to the U.S.
• Coverages for inside and outside the U.S. ( Patriot America Platinum / Patriot International Platinum )
• Short-term travel medical coverage
• Coverage for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Higher Limits & More Coverage than Patriot Lite Travel or Patriot Plus
• Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice

Summary of Benefits

iTravelInsured Travel SE

• Family-friendly plan for domestic and international destinations
• Trip cancellation maximum benefit up to 100% of trip cost
• Trip interruption maximum benefit up to 150% of trip cost
• Up to $125 per day per person to a maximum benefit of $2,000 for trip delay
• $500,000 maximum benefit for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains

Plan Benefits

The iTravelInsured Travel SE program is our most popular plan for domestic and international destinations. Travel Insurance benefits are available whether traveling on a cruise, tour or vacation abroad.

Patriot America Plus

Temporary health insurance for non-U.S. residents traveling to the USA

• Coverage for inside the U.S.
• Made for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Coverage for Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions*

Additional Travel Medical Insurance Plans

Patriot Lite Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary health insurance for individuals, families, and groups when traveling outside of your home country.

Visitors Care

Temporary fixed coverage health insurance for non-U.S. residents when traveling outside of your home country.

Student & Scholar Insurance

Student health insurance plans tailored to fit the needs of international students involved in educational or cultural exchange.

GlobeHopper Senior

Temporary health insurance for travelers age 65+ when traveling outside of your home country.

Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical Insurance

Annual multi-trip travel medical insurance for individuals, families and groups.

Outreach Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary health insurance for missionaries and mission groups when traveling outside of your home country.

Need Extra Protection and Coverage?

Explore our travel insurance options.

Why Do I Need Travel Medical Insurance?

D epending on where you travel, you may encounter language and currency barriers that prevent you from accessing high-quality medical care. Check out IMG’s Why You Need Travel Medical Insurance Now More Than Ever to learn more about some of these challenges.

Traveling unprotected can leave you vulnerable to paying high out-of-pocket medical expenses, and navigating a foreign health care system without the assistance you need.

However, with a travel medical insurance plan, you can worry less and experience more knowing you have medical coverage and a trusted health advisor who can support you in your time of need.

Get even more information by checking out our article,  “Do I Need Travel Medical Insurance?”

How Much Does Travel Medical Insurance Cost? Less than $3 per day for an average plan.

Like other travelers, you may be wondering if the coverage is worth the cost. It may surprise you to learn that IMG’s travel medical plans can cost less than $3 per day (based on an average plan) and can provide coverage worth well beyond your initial cost. Pick a plan and get protected.

Factors that Determine Cost The cost of a plan varies based on many factors including:

Age of traveler.

Age is one of the primary factors that determines insurance rates. Each IMG plan has a complete breakdown of insurance rates based on ages that can be found in the plan brochure.

Destination

Medical expenses vary around the world. To provide the best balance of coverage and cost, plan coverage rates may be different for a traveler visiting the United States than they are for a traveler in a destination where healthcare is less expensive.

Duration of Trip

A breakdown of daily rates and monthly rates can be found in IMG plan brochures. If you need long-term coverage (1 year or more), view our international health insurance plans .

Deductible, Maximum Limit, & Additional Optional Coverage

Customize your plan by choosing the deductible amount, maximum limit, and any optional rider that is best for you.

When Is Travel Health Insurance required? Some countries may require you to purchase travel health insurance to gain entry.

Traveling to schengen countries.

Schengen countries require visa applicants to prove they have travel medical insurance to cover expenses for repatriation, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment and more. Read our blog about  Countries that Require Travel Medical Insurance for Entry to learn more.

Other Situations

You may also be required to purchase travel health insurance depending on the purpose of your trip. The U.S., for example, requires those traveling on a J1 or J2 visa to maintain a certain level of medical coverage for the duration of their stay. However, if you're visiting the U.S. on a B2 visa, a travel medical insurance plan is only recommended. Find out How to Choose the Best Visitor Insurance Plan for You .

Travelers embarking on other trips — such as organized tours, working holiday schemes, mission trips, and cruises — may also be required to purchase coverage.

These are just a few reasons when you would be required to purchase Travel Medical Insurance. See the full list for 6 Times You Need to Purchase Travel Medical Insurance.

Recent Blog Articles

Where can you travel internationally right now.

There are many international destinations that you can currently visit, but here are eight popular spots to consider for your next leisure getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're planning a trip with multiple destinations, such as a vacation to Europe, you'll want to select the country that you plan on spending the most time in. Your travel medical insurance will cover you for the entirety of your trip and in countries outside of your own.

Yes, the insured does not have to be the one that fills out the application. You can purchase a travel medical plan for your parents, friends, or relatives as long as you have the necessary information.

As non-resident aliens, international students on F, J, M and Q visas (and certain family members of students) are not subject to the individual mandate for their first 5 years in the U.S. All other J categories (teacher, trainee, work and travel, au pair, high school, etc.) are not subject to the individual mandate for 2 years (out of the past six).

Since international students are not subject to the mandate, they are not required to purchase a plan that meets PPACA requirements and can purchase an appropriate IMG plan.

International Students – Exempt as Non-Resident Aliens

Under the IRS international student exemption , anyone “temporarily in the United States on an “F”, “J”, “M”, or “Q” visa for the primary purpose of studying at an accredited academic institution or vocational school (and certain family members of students), and who substantially complies with the requirements of that visa,” is exempt from being treated as a resident alien, and is therefore exempt from the individual mandate as a non-resident alien.

That exemption applies for 5 years. After 5 years, a student is no longer exempt, and the substantial presence test must be applied. See examples here .

Even after 5 years in the U.S., an international student may continue to be a non-resident alien for tax purposes under the “Closer Connection” exception if they can prove that they still have a closer connection to their home country than to the U.S.

The Individual Mandate and Alien / Non-Alien Status

The IRS provides a questions and answers page on the individual mandate. Question 11 asks whether all individuals living in the U.S. are subject to the mandate. The answer is that U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents are subject to the mandate, as are “foreign nationals who are in the U.S. long enough during a calendar year to qualify as resident aliens for tax purposes.” Thus, non-resident aliens are not subject to the individual mandate, even if they have to file a tax return.

Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien?

The IRS states that you are a non-resident alien unless you meet either the green card test or the substantial presence test.

Under IRS Publication 519 , Tax Guide for Aliens (the green card test), green card holders are resident aliens for tax purposes. The substantial presence test uses a formula to count the number of days present in the U.S. over the past 3 years. Generally, you a resident alien after six months of presence in the U.S. – unless you are exempt.

IMG’s international travel medical products are not a substitute for minimum essential coverage that you may need to have under PPACA. However, since most PPACA plans do not provide the types of international benefits and assistance that travelers need, you should strongly consider purchasing an international travel medical plan such as IMG’s Patriot Lite Travel Medical Insurance for coverage while you travel outside of the U.S.

If you are a U.S. citizen, national or an “alien lawfully present” in the U.S., you will need to maintain minimum essential coverage unless you are exempt. Exemptions include:

• Individuals not residing in the U.S.
• Non-U.S. citizens who are “non-resident aliens” (for U.S. income tax purposes). See Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien?
• Individuals with a coverage gap of less than 3 months.
• Individuals who cannot afford coverage (i.e. required contribution exceeds 8% of
• household income).
• Individuals with a religious conscience exemption (applies only to certain faiths).
• Members of a health care sharing ministry.
• Incarcerated individuals.
• Individuals with income below the tax filing threshold; and
• Members of Indian tribes

In general, PPACA does not govern short-term limited duration insurance, like IMG’s short-term travel medical insurance programs.

However, please understand that under PPACA, as of January 1, 2014, extensions of short-term coverage will be limited to less than 12 months to meet the definition of a short-term limited duration plan.

IMG’s international travel medical products are not a substitute for minimum essential coverage that you may need to have under PPACA. If you are a U.S. citizen, national or legal resident alien in the U.S., you will need to maintain minimum essential coverage unless you are exempt. Exemptions include:

• Non-U.S. citizens who are “non-resident aliens” (for U.S. income tax purposes).  See Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien? 
• Individuals with a coverage gap of less than 3 months
• Individuals who cannot afford coverage (i.e. required contribution exceeds 8% of household income)
• Individuals with a religious conscience exemption (applies only to certain faiths)
• Members of a health care sharing ministry
• Incarcerated individuals

You will not need PPACA coverage for short-term travel to the U.S., unless you are considered an “alien lawfully present” in the U.S. See I am a Non-U.S. citizen covered under a Global Medical Insurance Plan .

In general, PPACA does not govern short-term limited duration insurance, like IMG’s short-term travel medical insurance programs .

However please understand that under PPACA, as of January 1, 2014, extensions of short-term coverage will be limited to less than 12 months to meet the definition of a short-term limited duration plan.

The "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," commonly known as PPACA, was first introduced as a measure to deal with rising healthcare costs and numbers of uninsured.

The heart of PPACA consists of three provisions: guaranteed issue (insurers must offer coverage regardless of the applicant's health status or pre-existing conditions), community rating (insurers must offer policies within a given territory at the same price regardless of health status, age, gender, or other factors), and an individual mandate. The individual mandate assures that everyone has a minimum amount of coverage: those above a certain annual income are required to purchase coverage or incur a tax penalty; those who cannot afford it will have their coverage paid for by the government.

As PPACA continues to be implemented and challenged throughout the country, understanding the issues and implications for the international insurance industry and your business becomes all the more important.

Insurance prices are regulated by the government - you won't find a better price on IMG insurance plans anywhere else.  

IMG plans provide you access to more than 17,000 providers through our International Provider Access (IPA) while you're outside of the United States. Our multilingual customer service centers, claims administrators, and 24-hour emergency care coordinators are ready if the unforeseen does happen during your mission trip. 

Visitors should plan to get insurance after they plan their trip and receive their visa, but before they arrive in the U.S. The effective dates for coverage should match their visa.

If you were to suffer an injury or get sick while visiting the United States, you might be surprised by the cost of medical care. You may also be surprised by the limited assistance your domestic insurance provider can provide while you're visiting. Visitor insurance coverage in the U.S. helps to ensure that you don't incur any unforeseen expenses, receive excellent care, and get home quickly and safely if anything were to happen during your visit. 

In addition to the medical and health coverage, healthcare provider access, and other benefits you expect from IMG plans, we offer missionary-specific insurance benefits like coverage for furlough and political evacuations. See your plan befits information for more!

Once your plan is purchased and you have your plan documents, you will have the information you'll need to complete your school's waiver. 

Check with your school to get your waiver status. 

To show proof of insurance, simply download or print a copy of the ID card and/or confirmation letter and provide it to your school's program administrator.

IMG plans include customization options and add-ons, including add-on coverage for high school sports, interscholastic, intramural, or club sports, personal liability and legal assistance. 

If you are applying for coverage under the Patriot series of plans, IMG will process your application and send your ID card and other documents within one business day. If you are applying for coverage under the Global or Group series, IMG will process your application within three to four business days following the receipt of all required information, and your materials will be forwarded the same day coverage is approved. Every attempt will be made to process your application timely. The specific time frame depends largely on the type of coverage for which you are applying. 

This is not an offer to enter into an insurance contract. This is only a summary and shall not bind the company or require the company to offer or write any insurance at any particular rate or to any particular group or individual. The information on this page does and will not affect, modify or supersede in any way the policy, certificate of insurance and governing policy documents (together the "Insurance Contract"). The actual rates and benefits are governed by the Insurance Contract and nothing else. Benefits are subject to exclusions and limitations.

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Key benefits of travel medical insurance

• Travel medical insurance coverage
• Who needs medical travel insurance?

Choosing the right travel medical insurance

How to use travel medical insurance, is travel medical insurance right for your next trip, travel medical insurance: essential coverage for health and safety abroad.

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.

• Travel medical insurance covers unexpected emergency medical expenses while traveling.
• Travelers off to foreign countries or remote areas should strongly consider travel medical insurance.
• If you have to use your travel medical insurance, keep all documents related to your treatment.

Of all the delights associated with travel to far-flung locales, getting sick or injured while away from home is low on the savvy traveler's list. Beyond gut-wrenching anxiety, seeking medical treatment in a foreign country can be exceedingly inconvenient and expensive.

The peace of mind that comes with travel insurance for the many things that could ail you while abroad is priceless. As options for travel-related insurance abound, it's essential to research, read the fine print, and act according to the specifics of your itinerary, pocketbook, and other needs.

Travel insurance reimburses you for any unexpected medical expenses incurred while traveling. On domestic trips, travel medical insurance usually take a backseat to your health insurance. However, when traveling to a foreign country, where your primary health insurance can't cover you, travel medical insurance takes the wheel. This can be especially helpful in countries with high medical care costs, such as Scandinavian countries.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

Another benefit that often comes with travel medical insurance, emergency medical evacuation insurance covers you for any costs to transport you to an adequately equipped medical center. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is often paired with repatriation insurance, which covers costs associated with returning your remains to your home country if the worst happens. 

These benefits are for worst-case scenarios, but they might be more necessary depending on the type of trips you take. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is helpful if you're planning on traveling to a remote location or if you're traveling on a cruise as sea to land evacuations can be costly. Some of the best travel insurance companies also offer non-medical evacuations as part of an adventure sports insurance package.

It's also worth mentioning that emergency medical evacuation insurance is required for international students studying in the US on a J Visa. 

Types of coverage offered by travel medical insurance

The exact terms of your coverage will vary depending on your insurer, but you can expect most travel medical insurance policies to offer the following coverages.

• Hospital room and board
• Inpatient/outpatient hospital services
• Prescription Drugs
• COVID-19 treatment
• Emergency room services
• Urgent care visits
• Local ambulance
• Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
• Dental coverage (accident/sudden relief of pain)
• Medical care due to terrorist attack
• Emergency medical evacuation 
• Repatriation of mortal remains
• Accidental death and dismemberment

Travel medical insurance and pre-existing conditions

Many travel insurance providers will cover pre-existing conditions as long as certain conditions are met. For one, travelers need to purchase their travel insurance within a certain time frame from when they placed a deposit on their trip, usually two to three weeks. 

Additionally, travel insurance companies usually only cover stable medical conditions, which are conditions that don't need additional medical treatment, diagnosis, or medications.

Who needs travel medical insurance?

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Even if well-managed, preexisting conditions like diabetes or asthma can make a medical backup plan even more vital.

Having what you need to refill prescriptions or get other care if you get stuck somewhere other than home could be essential to your health and well-being. That's without counting all the accidents and illnesses that can hit us when away from home.

Individuals traveling for extended periods (more than six months) or engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing) should also consider a solid medical travel plan. Both scenarios increase the likelihood that medical attention, whether routine or emergency, could be needed.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip travel insurance . Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Like other types of insurance, medical travel insurance rates are calculated based on various factors. Failing to disclose a preexisting health condition could result in a lapse of coverage right when you need it, as insurers can cancel your policy if you withhold material information. So honesty is always the best policy.

Even the best-laid travel plans can go awry. As such, it pays to consider your potential healthcare needs before taking off, even if you are generally healthy. Making the right choice when shopping for travel medical insurance can mean the difference between a minor hiccup in your travels and a financial nightmare. 

When a travel insurance company comes up with a quote for your policy, they take a few factors into consideration, such as your age, your destination, and the duration of your trip. You should do the same when assessing a travel insurance company. 

For example, older travelers who are more susceptible to injury may benefit from travel medical insurance (though your premiums will be higher). If you're traveling for extended periods throughout one calendar year, you should look into an annual travel medical insurance plan . If you're engaging in high-risk activities (think scuba diving or parasailing), you should seek a plan that includes coverage for injuries sustained in adventure sports.

In the case of travel via the friendly seas, it's also worth considering cruise trip medical travel insurance. Routine care will be available onboard. But anything beyond that will require transportation to the nearest land mass (and could quickly become extremely expensive, especially if you're in another country).

Travel medical insurance isn't just for peace of mind. If you travel often enough, there's a good chance you'll eventually experience an incident where medical treatment is necessary.

Before you submit your claim, you should take some time to understand your policy. Your travel medical insurance is either primary (you can submit claims directly to your travel medical insurance provider) or secondary (you must first submit claims to your primary insurance provider). In the case of secondary travel medical insurance, a refusal notice from your primary insurance provider, even if it does not cover medical claims outside the US, is often required as evidence of protocol.

On that note, you should be sure to document every step of your medical treatment. You should keep any receipts for filled prescriptions, hospital bills, and anything else documenting your medical emergency.

As many people have found out the hard way, reading the fine print is vital. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you fall ill with a severe condition, including illnesses like COVID-19. 

Still on the fence about whether or not  travel insurance is worth it ? It's worth noting that many travel insurance plans also include medical protections, so you can also protect against trip cancellations and other unexpected developments while obtaining travel medical insurance.

While short, domestic trips may not warrant travel medical insurance, it may be a good idea to insure longer, international trips. You should also consider travel medical insurance for trips to remote areas, where a medical evacuation may be expensive, and more physically tasking trips.

While shopping for travel medical insurance may not be fun, a little advance leg work can let you relax on your trip and give you peace of mind. After all, that is the point of a vacation. 

Medical travel insurance frequently asked questions

Trip insurance covers any unexpected financial losses while traveling, such as the cost of replacing lost luggage, trip interruptions, and unexpected medical expenses. Travel medical insurance just covers those medical expenses without the trip interruption or cancellation insurance.

Travel insurance companies usually offer adventure sports as add-on coverage or a separate plan entirely. You'll likely pay more for a policy with adventure sports coverage. 

Many travel medical insurance policies now include coverage for COVID-19 related medical expenses and treat it like any other illness. However, you should double-check your policy to ensure that is the case.

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.

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At Allianz, we continue to show our commitment to sports through our sponsorship with the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee. Read More >>

Entry Requirements & COVID-19 Travel Resources 

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

Find out how our  Epidemic Coverage Endorsement can protect your next trip from certain losses related to COVID-19.

Why do I need travel insurance?

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

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

Travel delays leave you stranded.

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

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

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

Fender-benders are unavoidable.

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

You need help in a hurry.

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

Why go with Allianz Travel Insurance?

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

We're Protecting You

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

We're There For You

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

We're Built For You

From our Allyz ® TravelSmart app to proactive SmartBenefits, we innovate for the way you travel today - and tomorrow.

TRAVEL RESOURCES

How Travel Insurance Works

How the Cancel Anytime Upgrade Works

What Does Rental Car Insurance Cover?

Is It Too Late to Buy Travel Insurance?

The Comprehensive Guide to Annual Travel Insurance

The Top Travel Apps That You Need This Summer

Travel Insurance with Emergency Medical Benefits

Destination Guide: Croatia

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

More Travel Resources »

LATEST COVERAGE ALERTS

The events listed below are considered "known and foreseeable" for travel insurance purposes on the date listed next to the event. Please consult your policy for more information.

More Coverage Alerts »

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] .

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The Guide to Single Trip Travel Insurance

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Table of Contents

How single trip travel insurance works

How to choose between travel insurance companies, best plans for single trip travel insurance, other tips for travel insurance for a single trip, travel cards that come with complimentary travel insurance, single travel insurance for a trip recapped.

There are many types of travel insurance, including plans that’ll reimburse you for emergency medical expenses or unexpected travel delays. Along with coverage types, there are also different durations of travel insurance.

Single trip travel insurance will cover you during one vacation, while multitrip or annual travel insurance can last for multiple outings. Let’s take a look at single trip travel insurance, what kind of coverage you can expect and how to choose a plan that works for you.

Purchasing a travel insurance plan is fairly simple, as is making a claim. It generally goes like this:

You gather a few quotes from travel insurance companies.

You pick a plan that suits your needs and customize it to your liking.

You purchase your plan and include a date for it to start.

You go on your trip.

If something happens (such as a flight delay), keep the proof.

You make a claim with your travel insurance company.

The travel insurance company reimburses you. 

There are a few variations in how this can work (for instance, some travel insurance plans can pay a medical provider directly), but for the most part, this is how the process will go. This is the case whether you have one-trip travel insurance or multitrip travel insurance.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

There are several travel insurance companies out there, which can make choosing a plan difficult.

NerdWallet analysis found that some travel insurance providers rise above the rest in terms of breadth and depth of coverage, cost, customizability, and overall customer satisfaction. Jump to see our findings on the bets plans for single trip travel insurance.

However, before choosing a company and purchasing a plan, consider these questions:

How much am I willing to pay?

Do I want trip protection, emergency medical coverage or both?

Do I already have coverage somewhere?

How much customizability does my plan need?

Do I need coverage for preexisting conditions?

Will I be doing any sort of adventure activities?

Once you’ve answered these questions, do your due diligence and get quotes from multiple sources. Different providers will offer differing levels of coverage at varying prices, so it’s in your best interest to generate as many quotes as possible and read the fine print.

To make it simple, travel insurance aggregators such as Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will provide you with multiple quotes at a time.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

We considered a wide variety of factors when it comes to selecting the best insurance for your trip. These factors include cost, customizability, coverage maximums, whether preexisting conditions are included and the type of coverage the policy offers.

World Nomads

World Nomads is great for active travelers because of its standard coverage of adventure activities. With just two plans from which to choose, it’s also simple to decide which one you’d like.

Covers 200-plus activities as standard. 

Simple plan options.

Emergency medical coverage included.

Only two choices for policies.

Riskier activities are covered only by the more expensive Explorer plan. 

Fixed-rate reimbursement for trip protection.

» Learn more: Read our full review of World Nomads

With eight plans on offer, Tin Leg has a policy for every type of traveler. Along with standard trip protections, Tin Leg also offers Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-ons.

Plenty of plans from which to choose. 

Preexisting conditions included in most plans. 

Primary and secondary medical coverage options. 

Cheapest plan doesn’t cover preexisting medical conditions.

Rental car coverage add-on available only on Luxury plan. 

» Learn more: Is Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance worth it?

Seven Corners

Seven Corners is an excellent option for those who really want to customize their plans. Whether you’re looking for medical-only insurance or a more comprehensive policy, Seven Corners has options available.

Preexisting condition coverage available.

Medical-only plans on offer.

Covers missed tours and cruise connections. 

Inexpensive plan offers secondary medical insurance.

Event ticket registration coverage only for expensive plan. 

» Learn more: Is Seven Corners coverage worth the cost?

Our last company on the list is unique in that it covers those who use travel rewards, like purchasing flights or hotels with points and miles . This is fairly uncommon among travel insurance providers and can be really helpful when things go awry during award travel.

Plan options include accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) travel life insurance. 

Covers up to $300 in frequent traveler reward costs. 

Worldwide travel assistance included on every policy.

Cancel For Any Reason insurance available only on most expensive plan. 

Just $35,000 in emergency medical for basic plan (low compared to similar policies at other companies).

» Learn more: Our full TravelSafe review

If you’re interested in getting travel insurance, do yourself a favor and consider these tips before making any purchases:

Consult your medical insurance provider to see whether it offers coverage out of country .

Consider an annual plan to save money if you make multiple trips per year.

Check your credit card for complimentary travel insurance . Many offer this benefit, and if its limits are satisfactory, you can book your travels with it and avoid buying a separate policy out-of-pocket altogether. More on this in the next section.

If you're looking to get coverage for a one-off trip, among your best options is to simply pay for your travel with a card that includes travel insurance as a benefit.

Most travel cards will include coverage for things like trip interruption , trip delays and lost luggage .

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Terms apply.

If you’re in the market for single trip travel insurance, there are plenty of options available to you. Before purchasing a plan, grab quotes from multiple companies because the types of coverage and costs are going to vary.

Beyond this, be sure to check whether your credit card offers complimentary travel insurance and reach out to your medical insurance provider to see what type of coverage it offers overseas.

American Express insurance disclosures

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

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

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

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

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 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.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 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.

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Blueprint is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service focused on helping readers make smarter decisions. We receive compensation from the companies that advertise on Blueprint which may impact how and where products appear on this site. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Blueprint. Blueprint does not include all companies, products or offers that may be available to you within the market. A list of selected affiliate partners is available here .

Health insurance

Our health insurance ratings methodology

Heidi Gollub

Kara McGinley

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

Jennifer Lobb

Updated 8:55 a.m. UTC May 24, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

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How we rate health insurance 

We evaluated 129 health insurance companies by weighing key factors of top health insurance plans and scoring the following metrics.

We analyzed more than 864 Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace rates to determine the average cost of health insurance plans.

>> Why this is important: Health insurance cost is one key factor when deciding on a health plan. You’ll want to buy coverage that fits your budget.

Consumer complaints to state insurance departments

Health insurance companies with the lowest levels of complaints received the highest score. We collected complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which shows the volume of health insurance consumer complaints against each company.

>> Why this is important: We used complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The NAIC collects complaints to state insurance departments. Before buying a health insurance plan, it’s a good idea to understand the rate of consumer complaints against an insurer. 

National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) rating

Health insurance companies with the highest quality ratings received the highest score. We collected data from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits health plans and produces ratings based on specific metrics.

>> Why this is important: NCQA collects information on specific metrics, including patient experience, prevention, treatment, overall rating of the health plan and rating of care. This information can provide a glimpse at a health plan’s quality.

Health plans available 

Health insurance companies with the greatest variety of health insurance plans (HMO, EPO, PPO) received the highest score.

>> Why this is important: Health plan benefit design plays a key role in how much health insurance costs and the flexibility and barriers you may experience receiving care. Companies that offer more types of health plans provide more options, which gives you a better chance of finding a plan benefit design that’s right for you.

Metal tier offerings

The Affordable Care Act marketplace has four metal tier options. Health insurance companies with the most options of metal tier plans received the highest score.

>> Why this is important: Health plan costs, including premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses, affect a plan’s metal tier. The Affordable Care Act marketplace bases metal tiers on those costs. An insurer that offers multiple metal tiers means you have more flexibility to decide whether you’d rather pay lower premiums or lower out-of-pocket costs.

Short-term health insurance rates

Short-term health insurance plans were compared using a $5,000 deductible. The rate profile was a female 35-year-old nonsmoker who lives in Dallas. Cost was analyzed based on these factors:

• Monthly premium cost.
• Coinsurance percentage.
• Maximum annual out-of-pocket amount.
• Total coverage amount.

>> Why this is important: The monthly premium amount should not be your only cost consideration when shopping for short-term health insurance. You should also consider the amount you’d need to pay out of pocket when using this insurance, and how much the insurance company will cover. A plan with a lower rate may not be the best choice if it doesn’t provide adequate coverage for your needs. 

Vision and dental

Short-term health insurance companies that also sell individual vision and dental coverage for an additional premium received the maximum amount of points.

>> Why this is important: If you’re planning to buy short-term health insurance, you may want to add coverage for vision and dental for a more comprehensive plan. 

Our star ratings explained

Our best health insurance star ratings are determined by weights assigned to the key factors above. Each health insurance company is scored and its total score out of 100 determines its star rating. Top scores earn 5 stars. 

Methodologies

• Best health insurance
• Best short-term health insurance

Best health insurance methodology

To find the best health insurance companies, we analyzed data points about coverage, quality and complaints. 

Best health insurance ranking factors

• Cost: 30 points.
• Consumer complaints: 25 points. 
• NCQA quality rating: 25 points.
• Variety of health insurance plans: 10 points.
• Metal tier offerings: 10 points. 

See the results of our analysis in our rating of the best health insurance .

Best short-term health insurance methodology

To determine the best short-term health insurance companies, we analyzed cost, coverage and customer complaints to state insurance departments. 

Best short-term health insurance ranking factors

• Customer complaints: 30 points. 
• Monthly premium cost: 15 points.
• Coinsurance percentage: 15 points.
• Maximum annual out-of-pocket amount: 15 points.
• Total coverage amount: 15 points. 
• Vision and dental: 10 points.

See the results of our analysis in our rating of the best short-term health insurance .

How we collect data

We collect health insurance data from the Affordable Care (ACA) marketplace at healthcare.gov and short-term health insurance data from insurer websites. 

Our data undergoes three levels of fact-checking to ensure accuracy. We get new data throughout the year to update our health insurance articles and our ratings are updated annually. 

USA TODAY Blueprint’s editorial standards

Our goal as insurance editors is to provide an unbiased analysis of insurance products on the market and break down the pros and cons of each. 

For insurance ratings, we collect thousands of data points to evaluate by assigning weights to the most important factors. These weights determine each product’s score out of 100, which translates to a star rating. Top-scoring insurance products get 5 stars. 

Our ratings are designed to let rigorous methodology determine the winners so all star ratings are data-based. Advertisers never influence our editorial content. 

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

Kara McGinley is deputy editor of insurance at USA TODAY Blueprint and a licensed home insurance expert. Previously, she was a senior editor at Policygenius, where she specialized in homeowners and renters insurance. Her work and insights have been featured in MSN, Lifehacker, Kiplinger, PropertyCasualty360 and more.

Jennifer Lobb is deputy editor at USA TODAY Blueprint and is an experienced insurance and personal finance writer. Jennifer served as an insurance staff writer and editor at U.S. News and World Report and deputy editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor. She also spent several years covering finance and insurance for various financial media sites, including LendingTree and Investopedia. For nearly a decade, she’s helped consumers make educated decisions about the products that protect their finances, families and homes.

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What is Medicare?

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What is long-term disability insurance and how does it work?

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Which Medicare plans cover emergency medical care overseas?

May 18, 2024 at 5:47 p.m.

by Toni King

I met with you in 2023 for a Toni Says personalized Medicare consultation. I have a quick question regarding travel outside the United States because I'm planning a trip to Italy in September. Which Medicare plans cover emergency medical costs while traveling overseas?

I received Medicare advice from my travel agent that has me very confused. I was informed that some Medicare plans, such as Plan F, give foreign travel medical coverage, but others, including Plan G, which I am enrolled in, do not. Is this true?

— Laura from Dallas

Hello Laura,

The advice that you were given is not accurate.

Medicare does not cover emergency medical care during foreign travel. It is an added benefit that a Medicare supplement plan (Medigap) covers.

Medicare supplement plans F and G (as well as C, D, M and N) will all cover the same limited amount of emergency foreign travel. These plans pay for emergency care during the first 60 days of a trip outside of the United States. There is a $250 deductible, and the Medicare supplement plan "only" pays 80%, up to a lifetime maximum benefit of $50,000. You pay 20% and any amounts over the $50,000 lifetime maximum.

Who knows what an air ambulance anywhere overseas will cost? Laura, discuss with your travel agent or explore online for true travelers' insurance that will take care of any medical needs while traveling in countries worldwide.

But beware, because not all travel insurance plans include medical coverage. It's important to read the plan's conditions and restrictions before purchasing the travel insurance policy.

Another important note: Original Medicare and Medicare Part D plans take care of medical and prescription drug expenses in the United States only. So be sure you bring enough of your prescription medication while you are overseas, or you will have to pay out-of-pocket.

There are, however, new Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans that pay for medical expenses overseas. Be sure that you are covered with that specific plan in case you have a medical event with foreign travel overseas. Call the Medicare Advantage plan to verify how to receive emergency medical benefits when out of the United States, because coverage and rules vary depending on which plan is selected.

Readers, do not forget there is a Medicare rule that one cannot be enrolled in original Medicare with a supplement and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.

Laura, the travel agent you were speaking with is also unaware that plan F is no longer available for those enrolling in Medicare Part A as of Jan. 1, 2020. (Chapter 3 of the "Medicare Survival Guide" discusses the rules of enrolling in a Medicare supplement plan.) Anyone enrolled in a Medicare supplement Plan F who wants to change to a Plan G or N, which has lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs, will have to answer medical underwriting questions to qualify for that specific plan.

The differences between Medicare supplement Plan G and Plan N are:

— Plan G offers lower premiums and the same Medicare benefits as Plan F except the Medicare Part B deductible is not covered and will be paid for by the enrolled Medicare beneficiary. The Part B deductible for 2024 is $240, which is Plan G's out-of-pocket.

— Plan N generally has a lower premium than Plan G with higher out-of-pocket costs. There is a $20 copay for a doctor's visit and a $50 copay for the emergency room. The Part B deductible is also not covered, and the Part B "excess charges" are not paid for by the insurance company (which Plan G covers).

Laura, this is not the first time someone has contacted the Toni Says Medicare team because of inaccurate Medicare information. Readers, always check your coverage before travelling overseas.

Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. She has spent nearly 30 years as a top sales leader in the field. If you have a Medicare question, email [email protected] or call 832-519-8664. The "Medicare Survival Guide Advanced" edition and her new "Confused about Medicare" video series are available at www.tonisays.com.

Upcoming Events

What’s covered by credit card travel accident and emergency evacuation insurance?

Editor's Note

Many perks available from your credit cards are well-known and well-utilized. However, benefits such as trip cancellation insurance , delayed baggage insurance , lost baggage insurance , and trip delay protection can quite literally save the day and justify paying an annual fee.

Today, we'll explain a couple of lesser-known benefits that you hopefully won't have to use but, if needed, can protect you from extreme financial hardship and ensure your family and loved ones are provided for if something happens to you.

You can easily find the coverage and terms of any protection your travel credit card offers by doing a quick web search for the card's updated benefits guide. These benefits are not exclusive to travel credit cards , and many standard credit cards come with travel protection and insurance.

Travel accident insurance

Often called common carrier insurance , this policy pays in case of death, loss of eyesight or loss of limb(s) while on a plane, train, ship or bus licensed to carry passengers and available to the public. A few cards also have travel accident insurance that offers protection for the entire duration of a trip (up to 31 days long) but pays out less than the common carrier insurance policies. To be eligible, you must typically pay for the entire fare with the credit card.

Different credit cards have different payment tables for how much your beneficiary would receive in case of death, losing one limb, losing two limbs, losing sight in one eye or becoming legally blind. Coverage is also typically extended to authorized users on the account, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children of the cardholder on trips paid for with the card.

By default, the beneficiaries in order of precedence are spouse, then children, then estate. You can submit a letter to the card issuer to establish another beneficiary.

Emergency evacuation insurance

In the past, when traveling to remote destinations like the Maldives and Fiji, I bought third-party emergency medical evacuation insurance , not realizing the cards I already had would have covered me. There are a few crucial aspects of emergency evacuation insurance offered by credit cards that you need to understand and follow so you don't compound your medical situation with the stress of financial hardship:

• Everything must be approved and coordinated through a benefits administrator. This is who you or your companions should call when things first start to look like you'll need assistance. You will not be reimbursed for anything that you decide to pay for on your own.
• Evacuation does not mean repatriation. If you're far overseas, you won't be evacuated back to the U.S. Most policies state you'll be moved to the nearest medical facility capable of proper care.
• Preexisting conditions may lead to your request for evacuation at the credit card provider's expense being denied. Read your credit card's full terms and benefits guide to see which exclude these conditions and the credit card's definition of a preexisting condition.
• The coverage is only for the cost of evacuation and medical care during transportation. Once you're back on the ground, you still need medical insurance to pay the doctors and staff who provide care.
• Some cards have country exclusions, so don't expect to head into Syria or Afghanistan and rely on your credit card benefits administrator to get you to a hospital.

To get all the relevant information, download and read the entire section of the benefits guide pertaining to these coverages. Here are a few cards offering travel accident and/or emergency evacuation insurance.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum card removed travel accident insurance in 2020. However, it still offers the most generous emergency evacuation insurance of any card.

There's no cost cap , and benefits are extended to immediate family and children under 23 (or under 26 if enrolled full-time in school). Best of all, you don't even have to use the card to pay for the trip.

You must be on a trip less than 90 days in length and at least 100 miles away from your residence. A Premium Global Assist (PGA) administrator must coordinate everything to not incur any cost. The benefit will also pay economy airfare for a minor under 16 to be returned home if left unattended, pay for an escort to accompany that minor if required to get them home and get a family member to the place of treatment if hospitalization of more than 10 consecutive days is expected.*

Other American Express cards offer access to the Premium Global Assist Hotline. However, anything they coordinate will be at your expense. Make sure you read your Amex card's benefits guide carefully.

For more details, see our full review of the Amex Platinum .

Related: Your complete guide to Amex travel protections

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Apply here: Amex Platinum

Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Cards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve ® offers two travel accident insurance benefits : common carrier travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel accident insurance. The former applies while riding as a passenger in, entering or exiting any common carrier. The latter applies any time during your trip — but you cannot be paid out on both the common carrier and 24-hour policies.

If you use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book your trip, you are covered under the card's benefits.

People eligible for coverage include "you, your spouse, your spouse's or domestic partner's children, including adopted children or stepchildren; legal guardians or wards; siblings or siblings-in-law; parents or parents-in-law; grandparents or grandchildren; aunts or uncles; nieces or nephews." Chase pays up to $1,000,000 for a common carrier loss and up to $100,000 for a 24-hour policy loss based on the following table:

Some interesting exclusions with Chase that would prevent a payout include the insured person participating in a motorized vehicular race or speed contest, the insured person participating in any professional sporting activity for which they received a salary or prize money or if the insured person traveling or flying on any aircraft engaged in flight on a rocket-propelled or rocket-launched aircraft.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® also offers emergency evacuation insurance. If you or an immediate family member paid for at least a portion of your trip with the card, you're eligible for up to $100,000 in emergency medical evacuation.

Your covered trip must last between five and 60 days and be at least 100 miles from your residence. If you are hospitalized for more than eight days, the benefits administrator can arrange for a relative or friend to fly round-trip in economy class to your location. If your original ticket cannot be used, you can also be reimbursed for the cost of an economy ticket home. In a worst-case situation, the benefit also pays up to $1,000 to repatriate your remains.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers the same travel accident insurance as the Reserve, except with lower payouts on the common carrier policy. The benefits pay up to $500,000 for a common carrier loss and up to $100,000 for a 24-hour policy loss based on the following table:

For more details, see our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred .

Related: Your guide to Chase's trip insurance coverage

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred

United Club℠ Infinite Card

The top-tier United Club℠ Infinite Card offers travel accident and emergency evacuation insurance. The travel accident insurance benefits pay up to $500,000 for a common carrier loss.

The card also carries the same benefit as the Chase Sapphire Reserve for emergency evacuation coverage, with up to $100,000 of coverage provided for evacuation.

For more details, see our full review of the United Club Infinite Card .

Apply here: United Club Infinite

Bottom line

We hope none of us perfectly ever have to worry about either of these policies, but it's nice to have peace of mind if you or your family need emergency assistance. This reassurance is one more reason to ensure one of these cards is always in your wallet when traveling.

The benefit guides of all cards are updated regularly, so make sure you don't toss them in the trash when updates show up in the mail and read the online guides for the latest terms and conditions.

Related: The best credit cards with travel insurance

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WorldTrips Travel Insurance

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About the Business

WorldTrips, formerly HCC Medical Insurance Services LLC, (HCCMIS) provides travel medical insurance, trip protection insurance, emergency medical services, and travel assistance to individuals worldwide. …

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4 Carter Green

Carmel, IN 46032

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107 reviews

Stay away from them . My mother was admitted to the hospital, and they rejected saying "routine check up " . Biggest frauds . Please run away from them

1 star because zero is not possible. Worst travel insurance ever! They spent almost 8 months to say they will not refund the medical expenses due to a pre existing condition that they don't say what it is. They are very disorganized and could not reconciliate the documentation I have provided multiple times. I would not recommend this plan!!!

Acute onset of pre-existing conditions does not cover majority of pre existing conditions. DO NOT purchase anything from this company. The company covered $0 out of $4600 for an emergency visit for my father. His BP was greater than 200/100 yet its not acute onset!

its a scam, I had insurance (or so I thought) and after having a medical emergency had to go to the hospital. When I had to claim the asked for so many documents that I had to go to Freedom of Information to get some of them. It took weeks by the time I got everything they required and then after chasing them for 4 months they denied my claim citing pre-existing condition. This despite the fact the doctors and the hospital could not identify the cause of my condition. How can I have a pre-existing condition if nobody or could discover what was wrong. BTW my condition finished up clearing up itself. So if anybody has any sense, do not use Worldtrips for medical insurance. You may as well not bother having any insurance at all.

An evil scam. I had an accident and had to go through a surgery. I carefully double checked beforehand that all is included in the policy, also through skype and chats with them. Then collected all the paperwork, as it isn't my first private insurance company, and I'm experienced with claims and the necessary paperwork. worldTrips / safetyWing had the most laborious process of submitting a claim I came across, and while the same type of documents and receipts always sufficed former insurance companies that I used, they stated that I lack information in my claim. They kept me hanging with e-mails, and when finally I extracted some questionable description of how the documents I lack should look like (through a texting chat with a worker, otherwise this information is nowhere to be found), I found myself in the very uncomfortable position of requesting the involved clinics for imaginary documents that nobody ever provides. I got so frustrated during this process, that I turned and researched thoroughly about worldTrips. Apparently they are a known scam. People report of never seeing money reimbursed, and their high ratings, which are the first results a google search will show you, are published by websites and bloggers that are being paid for it, and probably were never insured by this bogus company. A horrible waste of my time, a large amount of my money, and a large portion of my willingness to trust.

The Worldtrips STOPPED SELLING INSURANCE TO TRAVELERS FROM UKRAINE. this is outrageous. All countries support Ukraine and some company even offer free services and discount. I call to boycott the company

SCAM! We bought insurance for 12 months from them and unfortunately we had to use medical care that we paid for being assured they will review the claims and everything will be figured out. Complete liars, you either wait to get an email for 2-3 month or they tell you they need the information again, or that you didn't submit it correctly so now you wait another 2-3 months. I guess they avoid any and all responsibility. Please spread the word! I am going to take them to BBB and their state Consumer Protection department. Who knows, maybe someone will do something about those greedy people getting rich on peoples misfortune.

world trips travel insurance is a rip-off to the customer, all my friends advised from my experience that stays away from this company. I took insurance three times from this. we were a senior couple 67 / 63 years old when we were sick and billing to get the money we did not get a single cent from this company. they make you accused to avoid money. Our money is drained. I don't give this company one star but there is no option so I have to give it one star Highly do not recommend this stay away. HarshadMistry

world trip is worst insurance ,i highly not recomanded for this because of my personnal experience. i took three times this insurance while travelling to usa . last two times me and my wife sick and we submit our dr.visit bills and pharmacy bill to insurance but the company find some reason to avoid to pay. me and my wife sick within the period of insurance highly recomanded to away this world trip insurance .

We missed 4 ports of call on a trip to Iceland, Greenland, and Canada because of weather. Our ship was delayed 48 hours on the very first day and then we missed 2 more ports of call during the trip. I filed a claim with documentation from the cruise line that clearly stated it was a weather delay/issue but my claim was denied because we were already onboard the ship! I've used many other travel insurance providers and a missed port of call was ALWAYS covered under the trip interruption clause. We checked the other policies and the language was the same as in the World Trips policy so they just didn't want to pay for a set of circumstances that clearly was a trip interruption

I had an extremely poor experience with a clear-cut claim. After reading other reviews on Yelp and elsewhere, I think this is intentional and I do not think this company is acting in good faith. I broke my tooth in half, and required emergency care by a dentist. The dentist took care of me with an x-ray, pain meds and a replacement tooth, and sent me on my way with clear documentation, x-rays, and an invoice so I could send it to WorldTrips. My plan offers up to $1,000 for "Emergency Dental (Acute Onset of Pain)". This is an easy one to approve, I was in agony. This is exactly what emergency health insurance is for. Nope. In the half-year following the incident, I followed up about twice a month to ensure that they had all of the documents they needed. Their answer would change based on who I was speaking to. Frequently, I would get confirmation that my claim was ready to go, then I would call back a month later and they'd tell me they needed more documents. What a waste of time. Six months after I initially filed my claim, they managed to reject it. No explanation or documentation was provided, just "THE EMERGENCY DENTAL TREATMENT DOES NOT MEET THE CERTIFICATE PROVISIONS". When I called to get some more information, the agent on the phone told me that they cannot provide any more information about why my claim was rejected, but I am welcome to file an appeal. Great. I filed the appeal 6 weeks ago. It will apparently take 45-60 business days to process this claim - a claim that I expect them to reject again, probably without an explanation. By the time this process is over, it will have been about a year since the incident. I would've been better off putting my monthly payments to WorldTrips in a savings account. There's a reason SafetyWing and WorldTrips are so cheap and easy to sign up for, it's because they're worthless.

38 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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