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How Does Travel Insurance Work?

Travel insurance is a must have for traveling the world and keeping peace of mind. This applies whether you are traveling for fun or taking a business trip to another area. The benefits of travel insurance include more than just peace of mind, however.

Having travel insurance can save you money on a range of costs in case your trip is interrupted. In the absence of insurance, you could be out of pocket for travel tickets purchased and other expenses that you had prepaid.

Below, find out how travel insurance works, and what it benefits are for the individual traveler.

Types of Travel Insurance

If it’s your first time buying travel insurance, you may be confused at the variety of offers from travel insurance companies. The numerous types of insurance products for travelers is partly responsible for the complexity.

Travel insurance comes in the following broad categories:

• Trip cancellation – Covers the interruption and cancellation of your trip.
• Medical and evacuation – Will pay medical costs such as for sudden illness and evacuation to a treatment center
• Baggage – Covers lost or stolen baggage

You can also buy hybrid insurance plans that cover all aspects of your trip.

Buying Travel Insurance

Before buying travel insurance, you need to determine the right type of insurance for your needs.

If you are traveling close to home, chances are you won’t need medical and evacuation cover. However, if you are traveling to a far off country and engaging in high-risk activities such as sports, injury insurance cover, for example, might be in order.

Once you decide on the right type of travel insurance, check with the major travel insurance providers for your state. Compare multiple providers to make a well-informed selection.

Understanding the Benefits Included in a Plan

When you buy a travel insurance plan, make sure to educate yourself on all the included benefits. This will make sure you know what is available and can make use of the benefit if need arises.

Typical benefits to check out include trip cancellation, lost baggage, and medical assistance. For each benefit offered in your plan, make sure you understand what amount the benefit will provide. Trip cancellation benefits, for example, may cover all or part of your ticket and hotel expenses.

How Travel Insurance Claims Work

When you go on your trip, make sure to bring with you your travel insurance policy credentials. This includes your policy number and any other proof that you are actively enrolled in the policy.

Alert your travel insurance company immediately if the need arises to file a claim. This might be in the form of lost baggage, a cancelled trip, or medical events.

Collect any receipts and documentation that will be necessary to support the claim. This includes, for example, a police report in case of stolen baggage.

Once you submit the claim forms with documentation, the insurer will assess your claim. Check with them after a reasonable time for progress on your claim.

Costs and Fees Associated with Travel Insurance

Costs for insuring your trip depend on the total trip cost. This is true, for example, for vacation packages that cover all your travel expenses such as on a cruise. The travel insurance company might charge anywhere from 5% to 10% of the total trip cost in insurance fees.

Optional add ons such as “cancel for any reason” will cost extra. You may save some money by selecting a higher deductible for your travel insurance plan. Be careful with this, however, as you could end up paying more out of pocket if something goes wrong on your trip.

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• Travel Insurance
• Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best Travel Insurance Companies Of November 2023

Fact Checked

Updated: Nov 1, 2023, 8:06am

Buying travel insurance can be a smart move if you can’t afford to lose the hard-earned money you’ve invested in your trip. The best travel insurance policies can compensate you if unforeseen events spoil your plans, whether it’s a holiday excursion abroad or a family visit in the States.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate insurance companies, so all companies are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology for the ratings below.

• 53 travel insurance policies evaluated
• 1,855 coverage details analyzed
• 96 years of insurance experience on the editorial team
• Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans
• Cheapest Travel Insurance Plans
• Best “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance
• Best Cruise Insurance
• Best Senior Travel Insurance

The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Summary: travel insurance ratings, what does travel insurance cover, what’s not covered by travel insurance, how much does travel insurance cost, what affects travel insurance costs, how to get travel insurance, do i need travel insurance, how to choose the best travel insurance policy, top travel destinations in november 2023.

• List of August 2023 Top Travel Destinations

Methodology

Best travel insurance companies faqs, compare travel insurance quotes, compare & buy travel insurance.

• HTH Worldwide – Great For Medical Coverage
• Nationwide – Best For Upgrades
• Seven Corners – Best Value For Robust Coverage
• Travel Insured – Best For Non-Medical Evacuation
• TravelSafe – Best For Missed Connection Coverage
• WorldTrips – Great For Add-On Coverages
• AXA Assistance USA – Best For Baggage And Personal Effects Coverage
• Cat 70 – Great For Parents
• Generali Global Assistance – Great For Pre-Existing Medical Condition Coverage
• IMG – Great For Dog Owners
• John Hancock Insurance Agency – Best For Ad&D Coverage
• Tin Leg – Great For Price
• Travelex Insurance Services – Best For Families
• Trawick International – Great For Rental Car Coverage
• USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services – Great For Superior Coverage
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection – Great For Hurricane And Weather
• GoReady Insurance – Best For Price

GREAT FOR MEDICAL COVERAGE

Hth worldwide.

Top-scoring plan

TripProtector Preferred Plan

Covers Covid?

Medical & evacuation limits per person.

$500,000/$1 million

HTH’s TripProtector Preferred provides luxury-level benefits.

More:   HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Review

• Top-notch coverage limits for medical expenses and evacuation.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade available.
• Excellent trip interruption coverage of 200% of the trip cost.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.
• Excellent baggage loss coverage limit of $2,000 per person.
• Price is only so-so compared to companies evaluated, but you’re getting robust benefits.
• Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay.

BEST FOR UPGRADES

Cruise Luxury

$150,000/$1 million

While $150,000 in medical expense coverage isn’t superior, Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan provides an array of other generous benefits at a decent price.

More:   Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

• “Interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
• Excellent medical evacuation coverage.
• Includes $25,000 in non-medical evacuation benefits.
• Superior baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Superior baggage delay benefits of $1,000 per person.
• Excellent missed connection coverage of $2,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay.
• Good travel delay benefits of $1,000 per person covered after only a 6-hour delay.
• Medical coverage is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
• 24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to some competitor policies with only a 12-hour delay requirement.

BEST VALUE FOR ROBUST COVERAGE

Seven corners.

RoundTrip Choice

Seven Corners’ RoundTrip Choice plan provides great upgrade options and benefits across the board.

More:   Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

• Superior coverage limits for medical expenses and medical evacuation.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person.
• Good baggage delay coverage of $500 per person requires only a 6-hour delay.
• Superior baggage coverage of $2,500 per person.
• Good hurricane and weather coverage.
• Includes coverage for sports equipment.
• Includes $20,000 for non-medical evacuation, which includes coverage to get you to a safe place or back home if there’s a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department that you should leave the country due to civil, military or political unrest.
• Hurricane and weather coverage has a 48-hour delay, compared to some competitors’ plans that require only 12-hour delays.

BEST FOR NON-MEDICAL EVACUATION

Travel insured international.

Worldwide Trip Protector

$100,000/$1 million

If lower medical expense coverage limits suffice, Travel Insured’s Worldwide Trip Protector plan offers robust benefits at a lower price compared to other top-rated plans.

More : Travel Insured International Travel Insurance Review

• Top-notch non-medical evacuation benefits of $150,000 per person.
• Good travel delay and baggage delay benefits kick in after just a 3-hour delay.
• Excellent hurricane and weather coverage after a 6-hour delay.
• Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be enough for your needs.

BEST FOR MISSED CONNECTION COVERAGE

Classic Plan

While its medical expenses coverage is low compared to other top plans, TravelSafe’s Classic plan has high limits for other coverage types.

More:   TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review

• Superior coverage for medical evacuation at $1 million per person.
• Superior baggage loss coverage limits of $2,500 per person.
• Very good hurricane and weather coverage.
• $100,000 in medical benefits is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be sufficient for your needs.
• Baggage delay coverage is a little skimpy at $250 per person after a 12-hour delay.

GREAT FOR ADD-ON COVERAGES

Atlas Journey Premier

The Atlas Journey Premier plan provides decent coverage at a competitive price. Available upgrades include extra coverage for pets traveling with you, adventure sports, destination weddings, hunting and fishing equipment, and more.

More:  WorldTrips travel insurance review

• Superior medical evacuation benefits.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade available.
• Very good travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person after only 5 hours.
• Very good missed connection coverage of $2,000 per person after 3 hours.
• Medical coverage level is low compared to some competitors evaluated.
• Baggage delay benefits have a 12-hour waiting period.

BEST FOR BAGGAGE AND PERSONAL EFFECTS COVERAGE

Axa assistance usa.

Platinum Plan

$250,000/$1 million

AXA’s Platinum plan hits all the high points for coverage that you’ll want if you’re looking for top-notch protection.

More :   AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review

• Generous medical and evacuation limits.
• Top-notch baggage loss coverage of $3,000 per person
• Generous missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person (but for cruises and tours only)
• Covers lost ski days, lost golf rounds and sports equipment rental.
• Includes concierge services such as restaurant and hotel referrals and reservations, luxury rental arrangements such as villas and charter planes, golf course information and more.
• Travel delay and baggage coverage kicks in only after 12-hour delays

GREAT FOR PARENTS

Travel Plan

$500,000/$500,000

Cat 70’s Travel Plan has great medical and evacuation coverage that makes it worth a look, especially if the lower limits on certain other benefits don’t bother you.

More:   Cat 70 Travel Insurance Review

• Superior medical coverage of $500,000 per person.
• Provides $200 benefit for airline ticket change fee after 1-hour delay.
• Eligible for trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits if your child’s caregiver is injured, becomes ill or dies.
• Travel delay and baggage loss coverage are both on the low side at $500 per person.
• Baggage delay coverage requires a 24-hour delay and has a low $200 per person limit.
• No rental car coverage available.

GREAT FOR PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION COVERAGE

Generali global assistance.

Premium Plan

Generali’s Premium plan provides very good benefits at a decent average price. It has excellent trip interruption insurance and includes coverage for lost, damaged, stolen or delayed sports equipment.

More:  Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review

• You can qualify for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions if you buy the policy prior to or within 24 hours of making your final trip payment, as opposed to a deadline of 10 to 20 days after making your first trip deposit , which is typical from top competitors.
• Top-notch emergency evacuation coverage of $1 million per person.
• Excellent trip interruption coverage of up to 175% of your trip costs.
• Very good baggage loss coverage at $2,000 per person.
• Generous missed connection coverage of $1,000 per person, but for cruises and tours only.
• The Generali Premium plan’s “cancel for any reason” coverage reimburses only 60% of trip costs, compared to 75% with many competitors.
• You must buy “cancel for any reason” coverage within 24 hours of making your initial trip deposit, compared to 10 to 20 days from top competitors.
• Baggage delay benefits kick in only after a 12-hour delay.

GREAT FOR DOG OWNERS

iTravelInsured LX

The iTravelInsured Travel LX plan checks all the boxes for those who want comprehensive coverage, including benefits for pet owners, but comes at a high cost.

More:  iTravelInsured Travel Insurance Review

• Superior coverage levels for medical and evacuation benefits.
• Excellent non-medical evacuation benefits of $50,000 per person.
• Excellent travel delay coverage of $2,500 per person after a 6-hour delay.
• Superior baggage loss coverage of $2,500 per person.
• Includes coverage for sports equipment loss and delay.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after 6-hour delay.
• Will cover extra kennel fees if your return trip is delayed and your pet needs to stay longer at a commercial kennel.
• Trip cancellation and interruption benefits cover injury, illness or death of a pet.
• Among the highest priced travel insurance policies we evaluated, but you’re buying generous coverage limits across the board.

BEST FOR AD&D COVERAGE

John hancock insurance agency.

John Hancock’s Gold plan has superior coverage but it also comes with a high average price. John Hancock’s Silver plan has somewhat lower coverage levels but still deserves consideration because of its solid benefits.

More:  John Hancock Travel Insurance Review

• Top-notch medical evacuation benefits.
• Travel delay benefits kick in after only a 3-hour delay.
• Generous baggage loss coverage of $2,500 per person.
• Excellent hurricane and weather coverage.
• Includes coverage for sports equipment loss.
• Includes $100,000 per person in 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
• Pricey among the plans we analyzed but you buy superior benefits.
• Baggage delay benefits require a 12-hour delay.

GREAT FOR PRICE

Tin Leg’s Gold plan has a competitive average price for the level of benefits it provides. Check out the Tin Leg Adventure plan if you plan to do adventure activities.

More:   Tin Leg Travel Insurance Review

• Excellent medical and evacuation coverage limits.
• Baggage delay coverage doesn’t kick in until 24 hours of delay.
• Baggage loss reimbursement is on the low end at $500 per person.
• No rental car coverage option.

BEST FOR FAMILIES

Travelex insurance services.

Travel Select

$50,000/$500,000

Travelex Insurance Services’ Travel Select plan is a solid choice at a competitive price, especially for families, although coverage limits are lower than those of top competitors.

More: Travelex Travel Insurance Review

• Includes free coverage for children age 17 and under (when accompanied by an adult covered by the policy).
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 5-hour delay.
• Superior hurricane and weather coverage.
• Medical expense coverage is primary, compared to some competitors’ secondary coverage.
• Coverage for lost and delayed sports equipment.
• Medical coverage of $50,000 per person is on the low side.
• Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay and has a low $200 per person limit.

GREAT FOR RENTAL CAR COVERAGE

Trawick international.

Safe Travels Voyager

Trawick’s Safe Travels Voyager plan is worth a look because of its range of excellent benefits.

More:   Trawick International Travel Insurance Review

• Very good travel delay coverage of $3,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.
• Very good baggage delay benefits of $600 per person after an 8-hour delay.
• Provides $35,000 in coverage for rental car damage.
• Though Safe Travels Voyager has top-notch benefits, it’s pricey among the policies we evaluated.

GREAT FOR SUPERIOR COVERAGE

Usi affinity travel insurance services.

While pricing is higher than most other top plans, USI’s Diamond plan provides a variety of top-level benefits.

Also earning 4.5 stars is USI’s Ruby plan, which has very good benefits and a lower price than the Diamond plan.

More:  USI Affinity Travel Insurance Review

• Superior coverage levels for medical expenses and evacuation.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $1,500 per person.
• Includes some rental car coverage.
• Baggage delay coverage is good at $500 per person but requires a 12-hour delay for benefits to start.
• Pricing is on the high side compared to other top plans.

GREAT FOR HURRICANE AND WEATHER

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

The LuxuryCare plan from Berkshire Hathaway provides ample benefits. The required waiting periods for travel delay and missed connections that are shorter than some competitors.

More: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance Review

• Very good travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person after 5 hours.
• Missed connection coverage after 3 hours.
• Coverage for lost sports equipment.
• Coverage for sports equipment delay.
• Medical coverage of $100,000 per person is low compared to top competitors but you might find it sufficient.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade is available but only for 50% of trip costs compared to 75% from most competitors.
• Baggage delay coverage is on low end at $200 per person and requires a 12-hour delay for benefits to start.
• One of the more expensive top-rated plans.

Best For Price

Goready insurance.

Top Scoring Plan

$50,000/$250,000

Travelers on a budget will appreciate the low average cost of GoReady’s Choice plan while still getting decent coverage.

More: GoReady Travel Insurance Review

• The GoReady Choice plan had the lowest average cost among the best travel insurance policies.
• Very good medical evacuation coverage of $250,000 per person.
• Excellent travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person after only a six-hour delay.
• Superior hurricane and weather coverage with no waiting period.
• Decent missed connection coverage of $500 per person after three-hour delay.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade is only available if you buy a policy within 24 hours of your first trip deposit.
• Medical expense coverage is low at $50,000 compared to most competitors.
• Baggage delay coverage is so-so at $200 per person and requires a 24-hour waiting period.

Comprehensive travel insurance policies package together a number of valuable benefits. You can also buy policies that cover only trip cancellation or only medical expenses. With the wide variety of travel insurance plans available, you can find coverage levels that will fit your budget and trip needs.

Look for these top coverage options in a comprehensive travel insurance plan.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

You don’t book a trip with the intention of canceling it, but unexpected illness, injury, family member sickness, jury duty and more could disrupt plans. Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you 100% for money you lose in prepaid, non-refundable deposits if you have to cancel for a reason listed in the policy.

If Covid is a concern, you can find travel insurance policies that cover Covid-related trip cancellation if you contract the virus right before the trip.

A good strategy for trip cancellation coverage is to buy insurance for the total amount you have put into non-refundable and prepaid deposits. Don’t insure refundable amounts, like refundable plane tickets, because you can’t make an insurance claim for that.

Travel Delay Insurance

It can be inconvenient, stressful and costly if your trip is delayed due to unforeseen events.

Travel delay insurance reimburses you for expenses if you’re stuck somewhere due to a holdup that’s covered by your travel insurance plan. For example, if you’re stranded in an airport all day because bad weather delays your flight, travel delay insurance can reimburse you for necessities like food and toiletries.

If you have a long delay, travel delay benefits can pay for an Uber, a night in a hotel and meals. Travel delay insurance has a specified waiting period before benefits apply—for example, six or 12 hours—and also a per day maximum limit and a total maximum per person.

“Cancel for Any Reason” Coverage

If you want the freedom to cancel your trip no matter what, look for travel insurance that allows you to upgrade your trip cancellation insurance to “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance . Having CFAR allows you to cancel your trip for any reason that’s not listed in your base policy. For example, you could cancel the trip because you simply don’t feel like going anymore, as long as you do so at least 48 hours before your departure time.

Reimbursement under a CFAR claim is 75% or 50% of your trip costs, not the 100% that’s available under the base trip cancellation coverage. CFAR adds an average of about 50% to an insurance plan’s cost. Not all travel insurance companies offer a CFAR upgrade.

Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, X-rays, lab work, medicine, doctor and hospital bills, and other medical expenses during your trip. This is important coverage for travelers going abroad, where your U.S. health plan may have limited global coverage or no coverage. You can find generous coverage limits of up to $500,000 per person with some travel insurance policies, but you may decide that lower levels of coverage are adequate for your needs.

The best travel insurance for seniors includes travel medical insurance because Medicare does not pay for health care outside the U.S., except in very limited circumstances.

Many travel insurance policies cover Covid-related medical expenses just like any other illness—but not all do—so be sure to confirm that Covid is covered by your travel insurance policy if you contract the virus during your trip.

Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage

This is also important coverage for those traveling abroad, especially if you’re going to a remote area where quality medical care might be hard to find. Emergency medical evacuation insurance pays to get you to the nearest adequate medical facility. You can find ample coverage of $1 million per person in the best travel insurance policies..

Trip Interruption Insurance

If you have to cut your trip short because of a reason listed in the policy, trip interruption insurance is valuable coverage to have. It can reimburse you for the non-refundable parts of your trip that you miss, such as a resort stay or prepaid scuba diving lesson. It can also pay for a last-minute one-way ticket home if you have an emergency.

Baggage Delay Coverage

Your bags may be on their own detour, but what do you do while you’re waiting? This coverage reimburses you for necessities while you wait for your luggage. For example, if you’re in Canada you may need a coat, hat and essential toiletries. Policies usually require a certain time delay before baggage delay coverage kicks in, such as six hours.

Baggage Loss and Personal Effects Coverage

If your luggage doesn’t arrive at your destination when you do, it can throw your trip into chaos.

Baggage insurance can at least ease the financial pain a little. It can reimburse you for the bags and clothes and shoes that never arrive, but note that reimbursement is for the depreciated value of the items, not the cost to buy new ones. It also pays out for items lost to theft.

There are common things not covered by travel insurance . Make sure you read a policy’s exclusions so you’re not caught by surprise later.

For example, injuries from high-risk activities may not be covered, such as scuba diving. Nor are problems that happen because you were drunk or using drugs.

Medical tourism is also a common exclusion, so if you’re going abroad for a face lift or other elective procedure, travel insurance won’t cover hospital bills or aftercare.

If you lose cash, or it’s stolen, that is typically also excluded from reimbursement under most travel insurance plans.

Keep in mind that travel insurance is designed to protect you against unforeseen events and emergencies. For instance, if you want to cancel a trip because you’re afraid of flying, that’s not covered under standard trip cancellation insurance.

The average cost of travel insurance is 6% of your trip cost, based on a Forbes Advisor analysis of travel insurance rates. The cost of travel insurance is usually mainly based on the age of travelers and the trip cost.

The plan and provider you choose will also affect cost. Here are examples of the costs of the top plans in our ratings.

Travel Insurance Cost Examples

Key factors that affect travel insurance cost are your trip cost, age and how much coverage you buy.

• Trip cost: The more trip cost you insure, the higher your travel insurance cost. Your trip cost includes any prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, such as airfare, hotel accommodations, tours, event tickets, excursions and theme park passes.
• Age: Your age is also taken into account in travel insurance pricing. That’s because older travelers tend to make more claims, such as medical claims.
• Coverage: The more protection you buy, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. For instance, if you opt for a “cancel for any reason”  upgrade and generous travel medical expense coverage, you’ll pay more.

Your destination, trip length and prior travel insurance claims history generally don’t influence how much you pay for travel insurance.

Buying travel insurance is relatively easy. You can typically buy a travel insurance policy online within a few minutes by entering your:

• Destination
• Travel dates
• State of residence

You’ll typically be presented with a selection of policies, usually at different price points, with the more expensive ones providing more protection. Once you select a policy, you can buy it online.

If you’re unsure of your trip cost, you can estimate the amount, and then update it later, as long as it’s before your departure date. You don’t have to insure the total amount of your trip to buy travel insurance. But note that some add-on benefits require you to insure 100% of your trip costs for you to be eligible to file a claim, such as a “cancel for any reason” claim.

You usually have two weeks or so to review your policy. If you change your mind, you can get a refund, as long as it’s during the specified review period.

You’re asked for your state because laws regulating travel insurance vary by state—it doesn’t affect your cost.

You can also usually buy travel insurance through a travel agent or from a travel supplier like an airline or cruise company.

It’s best to buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you get the maximum length of coverage for trip cancellation benefits. Buying a policy shortly after you make your first deposit also makes you eligible to buy upgrades, such as “cancel for any reason” coverage, and to get other time-sensitive benefits, such as a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver .

Here are some reasons you may need travel insurance.

You’re Traveling Overseas and Your Health Plan Doesn’t Have Global Coverage

Many health plans lack robust global coverage, or impose high out-of-network deductibles for care outside the U.S. Check your health plan details to see what it provides. Travel medical insurance fills the gap.

You’re Going to a Remote Area

If you won’t be near any quality medical facilities, even a small injury could turn into a major medical event. Medical evacuation coverage will pay to medevac you to an adequate facility.

You Want Emergency Backup

The 24/7 travel assistance lines that are included with travel insurance can assist you with finding a pharmacy, language translation, replacing a lost passport and much more.

You Will Lose a Lot of Money in Non-Refundable Deposits if You Cancel the Trip

You want trip cancellation coverage you’re worried about the money you will lose if you have to cancel the trip.

The average trip cost for Americans traveling within the U.S. increased 46% from 2019 to 2022 and is now slightly over $4,000, based on data from Squaremouth. So having trip cancellation insurance to safeguard your trip investment can be a smart move.

Trip cancellation will cover 100% of the prepaid money you’ll lose, as long as you cancel for a reason listed in the policy. Problems typically covered for trip cancellation insurance claims include sickness, injury, severe weather, natural disasters, jury duty and more.

Here are key considerations for choosing the best travel insurance policy that will match your needs.

Where You’re Going

If you’re traveling outside of the U.S., a plan with travel medical insurance is important because you may have little to no coverage under your U.S. health plan. If you’re taking a domestic trip, you likely don’t need it, or you may want to buy low coverage amounts as a back-up.

If you’re taking an international trip, emergency medical evacuation coverage is important to have, especially if you’re visiting a remote area that doesn’t have top-quality medical facilities.

If you’re traveling to a hurricane-prone destination, travel insurance can also be beneficial if you’re worried about severe weather spoiling your vacation plans.

If you’re concerned about weather woes affecting your travel plans, you’ll want to make sure to buy a travel insurance policy that has trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance for hurricanes and other weather events.

If your trip is interrupted or canceled due to severe weather, you can file a claim and be reimbursed 100% for prepaid, non-refundable deposits.

To be eligible to file a travel insurance claim because of a storm, you must have bought your policy before the storm was named. Also, generally one of the following requirements must be met:

• Your destination is under a hurricane warning.
• Your destination is uninhabitable due to severe weather.
• Your (common carrier) airline is delayed for a specified amount of time listed in your policy—for example, six hours.

How You’re Getting There

Travel plans can be derailed by weather, airplane mechanical issues or any number of other unexpected circumstances. If you’re worried about paying extra money for costs due to a delay, you may want to look for a plan that has a generous amount of travel delay insurance.

What You’re Doing

If you have lots of pre-paid, non-refundable deposits for activities, lodging and tours, it is especially important to have trip cancellation coverage. This holds true for trip interruption insurance as well.

Travelers who plan to participate in extreme sports or adventure excursions should consider buying a plan that covers these activities, as they’re often excluded.

How Much Flexibility You Want

If you want the freedom to cancel a trip no matter what, opt for a “cancel for any reason” upgrade. You generally have to buy it within the first few weeks of making your first deposit. Similarly, you can also buy an “ interruption for any reason ” upgrade that allows you to cut a trip short and return home for any reason.

These upgrades are especially good for the traveler who has put down substantial prepaid, non-refundable deposits.

Concerns About Covid and Variants

If Covid is a travel concern for you, look for a travel insurance plan that covers Covid-related cancellations and medical costs. The best Covid travel insurance plans will also include “cancel for any reason” coverage.

If you test positive for the virus during your trip, travel delay insurance can cover extra costs for accommodations during a quarantine. This coverage can also compensate you for expenses up to a week past your original return date if you’re forced to stay beyond your return date due to a quarantine.

If you miss portions of your trip because you’re forced to quarantine after a positive Covid test, trip interruption insurance can allow you to recoup non-refundable expenses that you paid for in advance.

In order to make a claim you’ll need documentation that you tested positive for Covid.

Americans are ready to take trips abroad in November: 92% of travel insurance purchases for trips taking place from Nov. 1 to 30, 2023, are for international trips, based on Forbes Advisor’s analysis of policy sales.

Mexico is the top international destination for trips this month, followed by Italy and Spain. In addition:

• The average trip cost being insured for people traveling outside the U.S. in November is $4,832.
• The average trip cost being insured for folks traveling within the U.S. this month is $4,135.
• Americans traveling internationally are paying an average of $299 for their travel insurance policies for November trips and domestic travelers are paying an average of $226.

Where Are People Headed This Month?

List of november 2023 top travel destinations, average trip cost for popular destinations.

The average spending on trips to Italy spiked to a high of $10,585 for trips in June this year, while the lowest average cost for Italy trips was in February ($3,000). In October, the average trip cost for Italy ($7,111) is in line with the past three months. (These numbers reflect the non-refundable trip costs being insured.)

Also this year, average spending on trips to France was the highest for trips in  May ($6,900) and the lowest in January ($2,560). Spending on France trips in October is averaging $5,407, about $420 cheaper than in September ($5,829).

In addition:

• Japan trip spending was the highest in February ($8,870) and the lowest in March ( $4,580). Japan trip costs in October ($7,624) are about $2,840 more than in September.
• Average trip costs for Mexico peaked in January ($4,190) and dipped to a low in June ($2,710). Spending on Mexico trips in October ($3,018) is up about $225 compared to September.
• The highest average spending on trips to Great Britain (UK) was in August ($6,455) and the lowest was in January ($2,420). Great Britain trip costs in October ($5,154) are about $800 cheaper than in September ($5,951).

Forbes Advisor scored 53 policies to find the best travel insurance plans using data provided by Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison provider. When companies had more than one travel insurance plan we used the highest-scoring plan. Some companies may have plans with richer benefits and/or lower prices than their top-scoring plans, so make sure to get travel insurance quotes to see your full range of choices. The benefits scored were:

Cost (25% of score): We scored the average cost for each travel insurance policy for trips to the popular destinations of Italy and Mexico for common traveler profiles:

• Couple, age 30 for Mexico trip costing $3,000
• Couple, age 40, for Italy trip costing $6,000
• Family of four for Italy trip costing $15,000
• Couple, age 65, for Italy trip costing $6,000
• Couple, age 70, for Mexico trip costing $3,000

Covid-related medical coverage (10% of score): Travel insurance policies were awarded points if they include coverage for Covid-related medical expenses.

Medical expenses (10% of score): Travel medical insurance was evaluated by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with travel medical expense benefits of $250,000 and up per person were given the highest points.

Medical evacuation (10% of score): Emergency medical evacuation/transportation coverage was evaluated by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 and up per person were given the highest points.

“Cancel for any reason” upgrade (10%): Travel insurance policies received points if “cancel for any reason” upgrades were offered. More points were awarded for “cancel for any reason” upgrades with reimbursement levels of 75%.

Baggage delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with baggage delay benefits kicking in at 12 hours or less were given points.

Baggage reimbursement benefits (5%): Travel insurance plans with baggage reimbursement benefits of $2,000 per person and higher were awarded points.

Hurricane and weather (5%): Plans received points If the required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage was 12 hours or less.

“Interruption for any reason” upgrade (5%): Policies were awarded points if they offered an “interruption for any reason” upgrade.

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver (5%): Points were given to policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if purchased within a required timeline.

Travel delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with travel delay benefits kicking in after six hours or less were given points.

Trip interruption travel insurance (5%): Points were given if trip interruption reimbursement was 150% or higher.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of policy that reimburses you for money you lose from non-refundable deposits and payments when something goes wrong on your trip. These problems can range from lost baggage to flight delays to medical problems.

The more you’re spending on your trip, the more you likely need travel insurance. This is especially true for international trips and cruises, where travel problems become more expensive to solve.

What type of travel insurance do I need for my parents visiting me in the U.S.?

Travel insurance for parents visiting the U.S. is generally a travel medical insurance policy

that helps pay medical costs if they get sick or injured during their visit. There are two main types of visitors medical insurance :

• Limited policies that have fixed benefits: These generally set a cap for what they’ll pay for each medical treatment that’s covered. You may need to pay a deductible for each medical illness or injury and then the policy will pay 100% after that, up to the cap. For example, coverage for an X-ray might be capped at $250.
• Comprehensive visitors insurance policies: These typically cost more but have more robust coverage and don’t put a cap on specific medical expenses.

Do I need travel insurance for a cruise?

Travelers on cruises can potentially lose substantial money, just as much as a traveler on land. Cruise insurance can cover problems such as bad weather that causes a trip delay, or an illness that prevents you from traveling.

What do I need for travel insurance?

The information you need to buy travel insurance includes an estimate of your prepaid, non-refundable trip cost, your age, your destination, length of trip and age. Buying travel insurance online is relatively easy. You don’t have to answer a lot of questions, and you can update your trip cost and itinerary later if plans change, as long as you do so before your departure.

Is there travel insurance for multiple trips?

While standard travel insurance plans are meant to cover one-time trips, frequent travelers should consider an annual travel insurance plan. These plans cover the same issues as a single-trip plan, such as trip cancellation and emergency medical situations. But they also offer the convenience of a one-time purchase for multiple trips.

Next Up In Travel Insurance

• Best “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance Of November 2023
• Best Cruise Insurance Plans Of November 2023
• Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans Of 2023
• Best Senior Travel Insurance Of 2023
• The 5 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Of November 2023

Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.

Michelle is an insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 30 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.

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The best travel insurance companies to make sure your next trip is covered

Travel insurance can protect you against a range of unforeseen events, from lost bags to medical emergencies..

Whether you're taking a family vacation to Disney World or a romantic cruise through the Mediterranean, travel insurance could help protect your trip from the unexpected. From trip cancellations and flight delays to medical emergencies, travel insurance could protect you financially and give you peace of mind.

There are several different types of travel insurance plans to choose from when shopping for a policy. Here are a few of the common coverage types:

• Trip cancellation coverage : Helps you recoup travel expenses if you can't travel, though generally limited to specific reasons.  
• Travel delay coverage: Helps you cover expenses if your travel is delayed due to a covered reason. 
• Trip interruption coverage: Helps if you need to cut your trip short. Covered reasons may include an injury or illness on the trip, or a family emergency at home. 
• Medical expenses and emergency evacuation coverage: This covers unforeseen medical expenses when traveling outside of the U.S. where your health insurance may not work. Emergency evacuation could help get you home if medically needed while overseas. 
• Baggage loss: Covers baggage that is lost, damaged or stolen during your trip.

You'll also want to consider the prospective insurer's epidemic-related coverage. Each insurance company covers epidemic-related issues, such as Covid-19, differently, so it's worth checking the fine print on a policy you're considering.  

CNBC Select analyzed dozens of different U.S. travel insurance products and narrowed down the top six for all sorts of travelers. (Read more about our methodology below.)

Best travel insurance companies

• Best overall: AXA Assistance USA travel insurance  
• Runner-up: Travel Guard travel insurance
• Best for cancellation coverage: Allianz travel insurance
• Best for travel medical plans: USI Affinity travel insurance
• Best for cruise insurance: Nationwide travel insurance
• Best for luxury travel: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Best overall 

Axa assistance usa travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

AXA Assistance USA offers several travel insurance policies that include travel interruption, trip cancellation, and the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

24/7 assistance available

• Three tiers of plans available
• Highly rated for financial strength
• Cancel for any reason only available on highest-tier coverage

AXA Assistance USA ’s travel insurance offers three different plans for travelers to choose from, with the most basic plans including trip interruption and cancellation and baggage and personal effects coverage. The platinum plan offers coverage for lost ski days and golf rounds, ideal for trips centering around those activities. 

Travel Guard® Travel Insurance

Travel Guard offers a variety of plans to suit travel ranging from road trips to long cruises. For air travelers, Travel Guard can help assist with tracking baggage or covering lost or delayed baggage.

• A variety of plans are available to help cover different types of trips
• Not all products are available for purchase online

For those wanting to cover an upcoming trip, Travel Guard is a strong option for its variety of coverage types. With three base packages available online and more options available through a representative, there are a variety of ways to customize your policy. The deluxe, preferred and essential plans include coverage for one related child age 17 or younger.

Best for trip cancellation coverage

Allianz travel insurance.

10 travel insurance plans make it possible to customize your coverage. For families, Allianz's OneTrip Prime package covers children age 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

• Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable trip payments if you have to cancel your trip for one of the covered reasons stated in your plan documents. 
• Limited coverage for risky sports

Travelers who want the ability to cancel their trips will find 10 different travel insurance policies through Allianz . You can either purchase coverage for a specific trip or purchase an annual plan that covers an entire year's worth of trips. Instead of basic cancel for any reason coverage, Allianz offers a Cancel Anytime policy that can reimburse up to 80% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs, while many other companies we reviewed cap "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) coverage at 75%. 

Best for travel medical plans

Usi affinity travel insurance.

USI Affinity has travel medical policies in addition to trip cancellation policies. Travel medical plans include an option for frequent travelers to cover multiple trips. Trip cancellation options include coverage for road trips and group travel.

• Wide variety of plans for both trip cancellation coverage and travel medical insurance
• CFAR only covers up to 70% of non-refundable trip costs

People who are traveling out of the country can find medical plans from USI Affinity to cover them during their travels. Frequent travelers can get an annual medical plan that covers them on multiple trips of 30 days or less. This company also has trip cancellation insurance policies in addition to global travel medical plans. 

Best for cruise insurance

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide's wide coverage for travel insurance allows many different types of travelers to find coverage that fits their needs. Three levels of cruise insurance coverage gives extra options to cruise passengers.

• 10-day review period on cruise insurance policies to make sure the plan meets your needs (not available in NY or WA)
• Most basic cruise plan doesn't offer CFAR coverage

Those planning a cruise in the future might find cruise-specific travel insurance helpful. Nationwide offers cruise-specific insurance that can cover things like emergency accidents, sicknesses, itinerary changes and trip interruption to start. Nationwide offers three tiers of cruise insurance (universal, choice and luxury) to get the right level of coverage for every type of trip. Nationwide offers a 10-day review period on its cruise policies (though unavailable in NY or WA), giving you extra time to look over the policy and ensure it’s a good fit. 

Best for luxury travel 

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has multiple plans to cover vacations from luxury travel to adventure travel. The brand's LuxuryCare offers the highest limits of travel insurance coverage offered by the company. Quotes and policies are available online.

• Wide variety of policies available
• Strong financial strength rating by AM Best
• Cancel for any reason only provides reimbursement for up to 50% of non-refundable trip payments

Since a luxury vacation is a large investment, insuring it could make sure that cost is covered if you have to cancel or have your trip interrupted. Berkshire Hathaway ’s LuxuryCare travel insurance has high limits of coverage for trip interruption coverage, medical expenses, and coverage for things like sporting equipment. Berkshire Hathaway also covers cruises and adventure travel with other separate plans. 

Travel insurance FAQs

How do i choose the best travel insurance .

The best travel insurance is one that will meet your needs, cover the type of travel you’re doing (and the experiences you’re planning) and will give you the peace of mind you need. 

Shopping around for travel insurance can help you make sure that you get the best deal possible. Since policies and coverage can vary by company, it could be helpful to get several quotes and compare the coverage limits and types available from several companies to find the best deal for your specific needs and trip. 

To simplify the shopping process, a travel insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth could help you get an idea of how much you’ll spend and what types of insurance coverage are available for your trip. 

Is travel insurance worth it? 

Whether or not travel insurance is worth it could depend on the types of coverage you already have, including whether or not an existing travel credit card you hold could provide similar coverage, and whether that would cover your concerns. 

Some travel credit cards offer car rental insurance , baggage insurance, trip delay insurance, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance. In addition, others offer more coverage like travel accident insurance. 

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, for example, offers travel accident insurance, emergency evacuation insurance, and coverage for baggage delays and lost luggage reimbursement. Several of CNBC Select’s top travel credit cards also offer some credit card travel insurance that could cover potential travel issues.

How much does travel insurance cost?

The average travel insurance costs between 4% and 10% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs, according to travel insurance marketplace InsureMyTrip . 

However, travel insurance costs vary based on the cost of the travel you’re insuring, as well as the age of the travelers and any extra coverage that’s added to the policy. 

Bottom line

Travel insurance can cover a variety of unexpected events on your trip, from lost baggage to emergency medical expenses. While costs vary based on age, type of coverage and trip costs, it can be useful if you need to cancel or cut your trip short.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance products . While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel insurance.

Our methodology 

To determine the best travel insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of U.S. travel insurance companies that come with a wide variety of policies and offer coverage for a number of situations. 

When narrowing down the best travel insurance companies, we focused on the coverage available, including the number of plans available, 24/7 assistance availability and cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage availability. We also considered financial strength ratings from AM Best and Better Business Bureau ratings for customer satisfaction. 

From there, we sorted our recommendations by the best overall and runner-up, best for cancellation coverage, best for travel medical plans, best for cruise insurance and best for luxury travel.

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for travel insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company’s policies.

Catch up on CNBC Select’s in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money . And follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

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Helping you make the most out of your money

Searching Money Mentor . . .

Best travel insurance providers.

Updated October 10, 2023

In this guide

The best travel insurance policy for you will depend on your circumstances and the type of trip you are taking. 

We have rated hundreds of travel insurers. Make sure you read the small print because what’s covered varies by insurer and by policy.

This article includes:

• Best travel insurers 

Best travel insurance for cruises

Best winter sports cover, which travel insurers cover covid related claims.

• How are our independent ratings calculated?

Read more: What does travel insurance cover?

Here are the top annual-trip providers:

Best travel insurers

Best travel insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions 

Best all-round travel insurance

Best for over-50s

Best for customer experience

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If you’re thinking about taking a cruise, it’s important to take out special additional cover such as a cruise insurance to protect you.

Cruise insurance is normally offered as an add-on to travel policies , and protects you if you:

• Miss connections to reach the departure
• Fail to get back on board after planned stops
• End up being confined to your cabin

Though if you want a dedicated travel insurance policy for a cruise, here’s an option to consider:

Just Travel Cover*

Best for cruise holidays

If you’re planning a skiing and snowboarding trip then it’s important you have insurance that will cover you if you’re involved in an accident on the slopes.

Most travel insurers will offer winter sports cover as an optional add-on to their regular cover and will protect you if you:

• Need to be airlifted off the slopes or rescued and need medical treatment
• Turn up and there’s no snow
• Can’t start skiing and snowboarding because of avalanche risk
• Find out your equipment – such as skis, snowboard and boots – has been stolen

It’s difficult to predict what the next ski season will look like. But if you’re booking now and want cover for the essentials, here’s a policy to factor into your calculations.

InsureandGo*

Best for winter sports

We have gone through hundreds of policies to find the ones that offer the best cover for coronavirus-related disruption.

We think that a good policy should cover you for the following:

• Changes to FCDO advice while you are on your trip
• Cancelled excursions you have booked in advance
• Cancellation if you or your travel companion, a household member or a relative contract the coronavirus in the days before your departure
• Medical cover if you catch Covid-19

Currently only Abta provide cover for all of the above eventualities.

A number of insurers will cover for the cancellation of your trip should you need to self-isolate because someone you live with has tested positive for the coronavirus. These include:

• Allianz Assistance
• Trailfinders

As the pandemic situation develops, policies can change rapidly (even now that Covid is less in the focus of media attention). Always check the terms and conditions of a policy carefully to see if it will cover you for what you need it to!

Can I get cover if I travel against FCDO advice?

Yes but you have a smaller pool of insurers to choose from:

• Protects those who travel to European destinations after FCDO’s new travel rules have changed
• But you won’t be covered for claims relating to the coronavirus

You can use a specialist firm such as Battleface, Campbell Irvine and High Risk Voyager, which provide cover for destinations not on the FCDO’s “safe list”.

Under normal circumstances, they sell policies to those visiting war, crisis and disaster-relief zones such as:

• Aid workers
• Journalists and photographers
• Those visiting family in high-risk countries

Many of these policies now include cover for coronavirus-related medical expenses incurred while on a trip, as well as broader medical and general travel insurance.

REMEMBER: You are unlikely to find a policy that will cover you if you change your mind about traveling, even if it’s for a good reason.

How we calculate our travel insurance ratings

Our travel insurance star ratings are compiled by the independent consumer group Fairer Finance .

A five-star policy will be one that will protect most travellers in most situations including:

• Lost baggage
• Stolen belongings
• Delays & cancellation
• Medical treatment while away

Our travel insurance customer experience ratings will also give you an idea about which travel insurance companies are best at keeping their promises and have the happiest customers. All providers are authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority.

Want to know more about what travel insurance covers, read our guide.

Our product ratings look at the levels of cover, excesses and fees associated with over 600 travel insurance products on the market.

To get five stars, a product must be within every single one of the red lines that we set. Our red lines are based on average claims levels of cover for different types of insurance claim.

We also look at sector averages for excesses, fees and levels of cover.

A top-rated policy will be one that will cover most or all of any unexpected expenses that arise on your holiday. It will also have manageable excesses and no nasty high fees. 

A five-star rated policy must have at least £2m of medical treatment cover (or £5m for a multi-trip policy), £3,000 of cancellation cover and £3,000 for cutting your trip short.

It must also cover you for events like your airline going bust, or your holiday being disrupted because of a natural disaster.

Our customer experience ratings are based on:

• How happy customers are with different travel insurance brands
• How much they trust the brand
• Each brand’s record at complaints handling
• The clarity of their online purchase journey and policy documents

James Daley is managing director of Fairer Finance , the independent consumer group that produces our best-buy product tables

* All products, brands or properties mentioned in this article are selected by our writers and editors based on first-hand experience or customer feedback, and are of a standard that we believe our readers expect. This article contains links from which we can earn revenue. This revenue helps us to support the content of this website and to continue to invest in our award-winning journalism. For more, see  How we make our money  and  Editorial promise

Important information

Some of the products promoted are from our affiliate partners from whom we receive compensation. While we aim to feature some of the best products available, we cannot review every product on the market.

What is travel insurance and is it worth it?

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In September, hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed due to a “technical issue” with UK air traffic control systems. It left hundreds of passengers stranded. Here we explain your rights when it comes to flight compensation. Air traffic control faults are classified as “extraordinary circumstances” and therefore airlines do not have to give you […]

Is credit card travel insurance any good?

We explain how travel insurance on credit card works and look at the pros and cons of using it. Some rewards credit cards offer travel insurance. However, your credit card is unlikely to give you all the cover you need as full medical insurance is not included. This article will cover: Related content: What are […]

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12 Best Travel Insurance Companies of November 2023

The best travel insurance varies depending on your desired coverage, trip value and budget. Below are our top picks for every type of traveler.

Bradford Cuthrell is a meticulous researcher and writer specializing in pet and home finance topics. He’s surveyed thousands of pet owners and homeowners, listened to hundreds of customer service calls from various home service companies and spoken with dozens of industry experts to understand homeowners’ common pain points and needs.

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Mark Friedlander is Director, Corporate Communications, at the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), a New York-based nonprofit research and education organization focused on providing consumers with a better understanding of insurance. Mark serves as a national spokesperson for the Triple-I, handling a wide array of insurance industry media issues. His responsibilities also include spearheading the association’s hurricane season communications strategy and its member company support and media outreach in Florida, where he is based.

If you’re considering traveling domestically or internationally, you might want to invest in a travel insurance policy. Travel insurance can protect you financially in case your trip is affected or canceled by unforeseen circumstances like illness, injury, flight delays and more. In this guide to the best travel insurance companies, you can learn more about travel insurance and see how investing in a policy can help protect your next trip.

We at the Guides Home Team have researched dozens of travel insurance companies and compiled our top picks based on policies offered, cost, customer service and other important factors. Explore some of the best travel insurance companies and plans using our guide below.

• Top Providers

Compare Travel Insurance Companies

Companies that didn’t make the cut, travel insurance coverage, common add-ons.

• How To Choose the Right Policy

Considering COVID-19

Is travel insurance required.

• Cost Factors

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

• The Bottom Line
• Methodology

Top 12 Travel Insurance Companies of 2023

Here are our picks for the top travel insurance companies for U.S. residents:

• Faye : Our top pick
• Travelex Insurance : Our pick for budget travelers
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection : Our pick for luxury travelers
• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Our pick for cruise travel
• Allianz Global Assistance : Our pick for business travelers 
• Generali Global Assistance : Our pick for emergency assistance
• AXA Assistance USA : Our pick for leisure travelers
• AIG Travel Guard : Our pick for families
• Trawick International : Our pick for college students
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance : Our pick for international travelers
• HTH Travel Insurance : Our pick for group travel
• International Medical Group : Our pick for medical coverage

Below is an at-a-glance look at how the best travel companies compare in terms of cost and coverage. We collected costs for a single 35-year-old traveler from Alabama with plans to spend a week in the Bahamas. The trip’s total value is $2,000.

We received quotes directly from each company’s website. The data is updated as of March 2023.

• COVID-19 Coverage: Yes
• CFAR Coverage: Add-on available
• AM Best Rating: NR

Why We Chose Faye

If you’re a digital native, you may enjoy how Faye leverages insurance tech to help you get a policy quickly and file a claim on the go. Benefitting from a digital underwriting process, Faye allows you to view policy options and start comparing quotes in seconds.

Launched in 2022 , Faye may be a newcomer to the travel insurance industry, but its seamless online experience has already earned the company hundreds of positive online customer reviews.

Faye features an all-online quote process with just a handful of questions, enrollment and claims-filing process. You can enroll in coverage and file claims directly through its mobile app, and even be reimbursed on approved claims to your phone’s Faye wallet. Faye also offers real-time alerts and 24/7 customer service before and during your trip.

We recommend Faye to travelers who want a quick, all-online experience that doesn’t require wading through complicated coverage options.

Pros & Cons

Coverage & add-ons.

Faye offers one plan with several optional add-on options.

Optional Add-Ons 

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) 
• Rental car damage or theft
• Adventure and extreme sports protection 
• Vacation rental damage protection

*Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.

A 30-year-old traveler planning a $4,000, five-day trip to the Bahamas would pay about $187 for travel insurance with Faye. Unlike competitors, this company offers only one policy for international travelers.

• Countries Covered: 100+
• COVID-19 Coverage:  Yes
• CFAR coverage: Add-on available

If you’re seeking travel insurance on a budget, consider a Travelex plan. While Travelex’s policies are only available for trips up to two weeks in length, you can get comprehensive coverage starting at just $60. In addition, children under the age of 17 are included with one adult on certain travel insurance policies at no additional cost, making Travelex an affordable choice for families.

Although Travelex is not rated by AM Best, it is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway, which has an A+ rating.

Travelex offers three policy options that include the standard protections you’d expect to find on any travel insurance plan. Though you’ll need to opt for the company’s higher-priced Travel Select plan to access benefits like free children’s coverage and license fee reimbursement, the Travel Basic plan can fit into nearly any traveler’s budget. Travelex policies can also be shared among up to ten travelers, which makes getting low-cost coverage on group trips easy.

Coverage & Cost

Plans and Coverage

If you decide to purchase travel insurance from Travelex, you can choose from the plans below. While both the Travel Select and Travel America plans both include coverage for sporting equipment delays, Travel America also offers medical protection for your pet.

Add-On Options

Limited add-on options are available on the Travel Basic plan, but the following add-on coverages are available on the Travel Select plan:

• Adventure sports coverage
• CFAR coverage (up to 50% of trip costs)
• AD&D and medical benefit upgrades

A 35-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip with a total cost of $2,000 can typically expect to pay between $90 and $125 for Travelex travel insurance. Pricing for 50-year-old travelers was the same as for 35-year-old travelers.

• AM Best Rating: A++

Why We Picked Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway’s LuxuryCare TM  travel insurance plan is an ideal choice for anyone planning a high-value vacation. Policies are available with higher insurance limits, covering up to $100,000 worth of nonrefundable trip expenses such as unexpected cancellations and medical emergencies. Unlike most travel insurance, this plan also covers cancellations if your child’s school calendar changes, you or your partner becomes pregnant or are approved for adoption and other circumstances.

But the company’s travel insurance division covers more than just luxury travel. Berkshire Hathaway also offers standard travel insurance plan options and AdrenalineCare adventure travel plans that remove policy exclusions on action sports. All insurance coverage also includes 24/7 travel assistance in the event of an emergency.

Plan Coverage

The LuxuryCare TM  plan includes the following coverages. If you plan on golfing or playing sports while on your trip, this plan will also reimburse you for delayed rental equipment.

Berkshire Hathaway allows you to add the following add-on options to your LuxuryCare TM  plan:

• CFAR upgrade (up to 50% of trip costs)
• Rental car collision damage
• Pre-existing conditions waiver

A 35-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip with a total cost of $2,000 can typically expect to pay around $148 for LuxuryCare TM  trip insurance. Pricing for LuxuryCare TM  coverage was the same for 35-year-old and 50-year-old travelers.

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*A.M. Best ratings accurate as of July 2023

• COVID-19 Coverage:  Yes, limited
• AM Best Rating: A+

Why We Picked Nationwide

While there are many options for travel insurance, not every company offers specific coverage for cruises. With Nationwide, you can choose from three levels of coverage for your next cruise. In addition to standard protections, Nationwide’s cruise policies feature coverage for ship-specific events such as mechanical breakdowns or missed connections.

Every plan also includes coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays, missed connections, and emergency accidents and sickness. Covered cancellation reasons are flexible and include work-related cancellations and extensions to your child’s school calendar.

The below chart outlines Nationwide’s cruise travel insurance plans and associated coverages. If your cruise schedule is interrupted, each plan also offers coverage for missed connections and itinerary changes.

You can add the following optional coverages to Nationwide’s travel insurance plans, including cruise-specific policies:

• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits
• CFAR coverage (up to 75% of trip costs)
• Vendor financial default coverage
• Interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage

A 35-year-old traveler taking a week-long cruise can expect to pay between $82 and $104 in Nationwide travel insurance to protect a $2,000 vacation, depending on the coverage level. The price for a 50-year-old traveler was also between $82 and $104 on the same trip.

• COVID-19 Coverage:  Optional

Why We Picked Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz Global Assistance is our pick for business travel, thanks to its AllTrips Executive plan. As the name implies, this policy focuses on business travel and includes unique coverages for things like business equipment rentals, rental car damage, lost or stolen commercial property and more. Overall, Allianz’s executive-oriented plans can be ideal for anyone who travels regularly and carries expensive equipment.

The AllTrips Executive plan also includes concierge coverage to offer personalized assistance in navigating travel itinerary changes or using your insurance benefits. In addition to its business travel plan, Allianz also offers annual and single-trip travel insurance, along with a 24-hour hotline to help you handle travel emergencies.

The chart below outlines coverage limits for the AllTrips Executive plan. This policy also includes a $500 reimbursement if you need to change a flight, $45,000 in rental car coverage and $1,000 to protect your business equipment or related rentals.

You can add the following coverages to your Allianz travel insurance plan, whether you are planning a family vacation or traveling on business.

• Pre-existing medical conditions waiver

The cost of the AllTrips Executive plan is higher than Allianz’s other travel insurance options. A 35-year to 50-year-old traveler can expect to pay around $510 for the AllTrips Executive Plan for a trip lasting less than 45 days.

• AM Best Rating: A

Why We Picked Generali Global Assistance

No matter where you go, Generali Global Assistance can provide peace of mind in knowing you have telemedicine and international travel experts on standby if you run into trouble. Generali offers travel insurance plans that include access to the company’s 24/7 global assistance team if you need support with your policy. Company experts can be invaluable resources if natural disasters or political demonstrations strike the areas you’re traveling to, or if you fall sick and need medical attention.

Generali’s plans also include identity theft protection, an uncommon benefit in the travel insurance industry, and trip interruption coverage for COVID-19 at no additional costs. Another unique feature of Generali’s plans is its 10-day “free look” period. After purchasing your coverage, you have 10 days to review your plan to ensure it fits your needs. If you find a better travel protection plan from another insurance company within this window, you can cancel your coverage and receive a full refund.

Generali Global Assistance offers three travel insurance plans for you to choose from. Additionally, the Preferred and Premium plans offer reimbursement if you experience any delays when renting sporting equipment on your trip.

Generali’s current add-on options include:

• CFAR coverage (up to 60% of trip costs)

A 35-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip with a total cost of $2,000 can typically expect to pay between $76 and $113 for Generali travel insurance, depending on the plan. Pricing for 50-year-old travelers was the same as for 35-year-old travelers.

Why We Picked AXA

If you’re traveling and your plans include skiing, golfing or a cruise, you may find AXA Assistance’s travel insurance policies beneficial. The company offers a Platinum travel insurance package that includes reimbursements for special leisure activities, like ski trips, missed tee times and sports equipment rentals. It’s also one of the only companies we’ve reviewed that provides a generous $1,500 benefit for missed connections, which you can apply to missed cruise departures.

The policy’s $3,000 delay coverage for lost bags is exceptionally generous, which might add peace of mind if you travel with expensive equipment. It also includes coverage for COVID-19 and $100,000 in insurance toward nonmedical evacuations, which can be beneficial if you’re traveling to an area of known social or political unrest.

AXA offers three travel insurance plans, each listed below. If your trip involves sporting activities, the Platinum plan also includes daily coverages for lost skier days, lost golf rounds and sporting equipment rentals.

You can add the following coverages to your policy as an AXA customer:

A 35-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip with a total cost of $2,000 can typically expect to pay between $60 and $101 for AXA travel insurance. A 50-year-old traveler may expect to pay between $83 to $142 for coverage on the same trip.

Why We Picked AIG

With coverage limitations up to $1 million, AIG’s policies can be great for families looking to protect multiple people while traveling. AIG offers three travel plans that include complimentary family, meaning one child under the age of 17 is included with every adult enrolled in the plan. If you are traveling as a family, this can potentially cut your insurance expenses in half.

AIG’s travel insurance policies include higher-than-average coverage limits on missed connections, baggage delays and emergency evacuation expenses. The company also offers several unique upgrades that can be especially beneficial for family travel — it is one of the only travel insurance providers we’ve reviewed that offers specialized group policies for destination weddings. AIG also has a specific Name Your Family TM  add-on that allows you to add a non-family member to your policy for family-related unforeseen event coverage.

AIG offers three travel insurance plans, all of which include family coverage.

AIG offers several add-ons for its travel insurance plans. While the following list is comprehensive, not all coverages can be added to all plans. We recommend visiting AIG’s website to learn more about plan upgrades.

• CFAR coverage
• $150 missed connection benefit

The company also offers unique coverage bundles that can be added to the Preferred and Deluxe plans, including:

• Adventure sports bundle:  Removes your policy’s exclusions for adventure activities and extreme sports
• Name Your Family™ bundle:  Allows you to add one person as a family member for the purpose of family-related unforeseen event coverage
• Medical bundle:  Increases your policy’s medical benefits
• Inconvenience bundle:  Payment for trip inconveniences such as closed attractions, rental home lockouts, hotel infestation, etc.
• Baggage bundle:  Increases your policy’s baggage benefits
• Pet bundle:  Adds coverage related to your pet, including benefits for boarding and medical expenses
• Security bundle:  Covers costs related to security evacuations and trip interruptions or cancellations due to riot or civil disorder
• Wedding bundle:  Covers the costs if the wedding you are traveling to is canceled

A 35-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip with a total cost of $2,000 can typically expect to pay between $80 and $170 for AIG trip insurance. A 50-year-old traveler may expect to pay between $90 to $180 for coverage on the same trip.

A family of four, including two adults aged 30 and two children under 17, can expect to pay from $150 to $330 for coverage on a $4,000 trip.

• CFAR coverage: Add-on, limited

Why We Picked Trawick International

Health insurance is a must-have protection when staying long-term in the U.S. Trawick International stands out for offering Collegiate Care plans, which provide travel medical coverage to students studying abroad in the U.S. Trawick is underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance, which has an A+ AM Best rating.

Travel medical coverage is available with deductibles as low as $100 and can be purchased for an entire semester. These plans also treat COVID-19 like any other illness, providing unlimited benefits on most treatment plans. While Trawick’s standard travel insurance policies are available to U.S. residents, Collegiate Care plans are limited to international residents. The company also offers international students and scholars evacuation-only coverage.

Trawick International offers three Collegiate Care plans for international students studying abroad in the U.S. Since these plans cover expenses related to travel medical costs, the coverage items will be different from those listed for other providers in this review. You can visit Trawick’s website for more information on policy coverage and costs.

Coverage add-ons are not available on Collegiate Care plans.

An 18-year-old student traveler from Canada visiting the U.S. for a four-month semester can expect to pay around $181 for the basic Collegiate Care Essential plan.

• CFAR coverage: Yes

Why We Picked Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers short- and long-term travel insurance that can be ideal for international travelers looking for affordable coverage. With Seven Corners, you can purchase travel insurance once and enjoy protection year-round, which is ideal for frequent travelers, expats and students living abroad for most of the year. Or if you’d prefer single-trip coverage, plans are available for international adventures up to 90 days.

Seven Corners’ policies include 24/7 emergency and travel assistance over the phone, which can be a lifesaver for regular international travelers. You can also quickly add coverage for domestic travel with a single click, which can be useful for regular travelers. Seven Corners’ streamlined online buying process makes comparing plans simple, and you can easily add coverage for up to 10 guests if you’re booking group travel.

In addition to its annual travel insurance plan, Seven Corners offers two policies for trip protection.

Seven Corners offers the following coverage add-ons:

• Event ticket registration fee protection
• Sports and golf equipment rental
• IFAR coverage (up to 75% of trip costs)

Based on our research, a 35-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip with a total cost of $2,000 can typically expect to pay between $75 and $126 for Seven Corners travel insurance. That same traveler can expect to pay around $400 for annual Seven Corners travel insurance, which covers worldwide travel up to 30 days per year with a $0 deductible.

• Countries Covered: 190

Why We Picked HTH

HTH Travel Insurance offers a variety of single and multi-trip plan options, including travel medical insurance policies. However, it is most notable for its easy group coverage option — you can add multiple group members to your policy and access affordable group insurance at discounted rates. Group insurance includes coverages like a trip interruption, medical and cancellation protection for qualifying reasons.

HTH is also notable for its more inclusive travel insurance policies. You can purchase a policy with or without medical insurance coverage up to 95 years of age. This can benefit senior travelers whom other insurance providers have denied due to age. HTH is underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, which has an A+ rating from AM Best.

HTH Travel insurance offers both travel medical insurance and traditional travel insurance policies. The chart below outlines its TripProtector travel insurance plans, which are underwritten by Nationwide.

HTH offers the following coverage add-ons for individual and group plans:

• CFAR upgrade (up to 75% of trip costs)

A group of five 30-year-old travelers can expect to pay around $456 for a travel insurance policy with HTH. This equals about $91 per person, which is competitive with other travel insurance providers.

• CFAR coverage: No

Why We Picked IMG

If you need a medical travel insurance plan with higher benefits, International Medical Group offers a multi-trip coverage plan that can provide you with long-term, worldwide health insurance. The company offers plans for both individuals and families, and policies include up to $8 million in annual medical benefits. The Global Medical Insurance plan allows you to choose your own deductible, with options as low as $100 and as high as $25,000.

In addition to its travel medical insurance policies, IMG offers travel insurance for single-trip plans. IMG also offers a unique “interrupted for any reason” add-on coverage choice that allows you to apply CFAR-like benefits if you get sick or injured and need to leave your trip early. Regardless of the IMG policy you select, you have 15 days to review coverage and cancel if it is too much for your needs.

IMG is underwritten by SiriusPoint America Insurance Company, which has an A- AM Best rating.

IMG Global offers a variety of travel medical insurance, as well as standard travel insurance plans. Since travel medical plans cover expenses related to health costs, the coverage items will be different from those listed for other providers in this review. You can visit  IMG’s website  for more information on policies and costs.

IMG’s travel medical insurance plans allow you to add the following riders to any coverage level. These riders extend the situations when your injuries and illnesses are covered and you’re entitled to reimbursements for medical care expenses.

• Adventure sports waiver
• IFAR coverage
• Terrorism waiver (medical-only plans)
• Adventure sports waiver (medical-only plans)

The cost of your IMG insurance policy will vary depending on your coverage level and deductible. A 35-year-old can expect to pay between $1,028 and $5,670 annually for worldwide health insurance coverage, while 50-year-old travelers can expect to pay between $2,768 and $18,011.

Several travel insurance companies like Tin Leg , John Hancock , GoReady and TravelSafe did not make our list of top travel insurance companies. Although these companies did not make the cut according to our travel insurance review standards, each is still a reputable, highly-rated provider.

Some of you may be wondering, what is travel insurance and what does it cover? Most travel insurance policies include a few specific protections. Some of the most common coverage items you’ll find include:

• Trip cancellation protection: Compensates you for nonrefundable trip payments prepaid to your hotel, airline , cruise and other vendors if you’re forced to cancel your trip . Note that coverage may only extend to cancellation reasons stated in your policy’s fine print.
• Trip interruption protection: Compensates you for nonrefundable trip expenses if you’re forced to leave your vacation early for a covered reason.
• Baggage delay and loss: Compensates you for lost, stolen or delayed baggage costs.
• Emergency medical expenses: Covers the cost of medical expenses if you’re injured or become ill on a trip. Some travel insurance plans also include coverage limits for dental costs.
• Medical evacuation coverage: Compensates you for the cost of medical transportation if you’re injured and need to be moved elsewhere for health care. Also includes coverage for the repatriation of remains in the event that the insured party passes away during a covered trip.

While the above list includes the more common protections you will find on travel insurance plans, most providers also include coverage for trip delays, missed connections and accidental death and dismemberment. Other companies may offer more unique coverages that focus on sporting equipment rentals, your pet, rental cars and more.

Most travel insurance providers have various add-on coverage options that can complement your policy. The most common travel insurance add-ons include:

• Cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage: When you claim reimbursement through your travel insurance policy, you’ll need to prove why you’re canceling. With a CFAR upgrade, you can cancel your trip for any reason and still claim a percentage reimbursement on nonrefundable costs.
• Interrupt-for-any-reason (IFAR) coverage: IFAR coverage is similar to CFAR coverage except that it protects you starting 72 hours after your departure until the end of your trip. If you have to cut your trip short for any reason, IFAR will reimburse 75% of the total amount of coverage you purchased for any non-refundable travel arrangements.
• Collision coverage waiver: This add-on extends your rental car coverage to include collision damage.
• Financial default: This type of coverage protects you from financial losses if your airline, resort or other trip vendor declares bankruptcy.
• Pre-existing conditions waiver: Most standard travel insurance policies exclude health conditions if you show symptoms before buying travel insurance. An add-on allows you to extend your coverage to waive pre-existing condition exclusions.

How To Choose the Right Travel Insurance Policy

When selecting a travel insurance policy, we recommend you consider the following factors:

• Approved cancellations: Be sure to know when you’ll qualify for reimbursement through your policy before buying. If you want to ensure cancellation coverage in the case of an unexpected event, look for an insurance provider that offers CFAR upgrades.
• Cost: When considering cost, look at more than just your travel insurance premium. For example, if you’re purchasing travel medical insurance, be sure your coinsurance or deductible is affordable and that your reimbursement percentages are worth the expense.
• Coverage limits: The most inclusive travel insurance policies include a 100% cancellation reimbursement for nonrefundable trip costs and at least 125% coverage for trip interruptions. If you’re planning a high-value trip, you may want to look for a provider with higher per-person limits.

You’ll also want to review the coverages you already have before shopping for more. For example, American Express and many other credit cards include some rental car coverage, and many homeowners insurance policies protect you against theft abroad.

Most travel insurance policies we’ve reviewed offer limited coverage for COVID-19. These plans treat the COVID-19 pandemic like any other illness under medical insurance. If you become sick while traveling or before you leave and are forced to adjust your travel plans, your coverage may come into effect. However, most standard policies do not cover fear of a new COVID-19 strain as a qualifying cancellation reason.

If you’re in a group at a higher risk of COVID-19 and believe a new strain might affect your travel plan, consider upgrading to CFAR insurance. CFAR insurance extends your benefits to situations like fear of flying or illness.

In most cases, travel insurance is not required. However, some countries require visitors to have travel insurance due to visa requirements or diplomatic unrest. These countries typically only require proof that your policy covers emergency medical expenses. You can extend your coverage to also protect you against baggage loss, trip delays and cancellations.

Even if your destination does not mandate travel insurance, the U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens traveling overseas purchase a policy that covers unexpected medical bills while abroad.

Factors That Determine Cost

Travel insurance is not a one-size-fits-all plan, and the best travel insurance plan for you depends on your specific budget and needs. Several factors can determine how much your travel insurance will cost, including:

• Your age: Some travel insurance companies increase cost and coverage amounts with age. As a general rule of thumb, you should expect to pay more the older you are. But typically prices are the same for travelers up to age 50 and then increase from there.
• Trip cost: No surprise here — the more expensive the trip, the more it will cost the travel insurance company to reimburse you. As such, your travel insurance premium will increase alongside your reported total trip cost.
• Plan type: There are all different types of travel insurance policies. The more protection you have, the more expensive your travel insurance cost will be. Some basic plans may only provide flight or medical protection, which will be cheaper options. If your plan covers multiple means of travel (like flights, rental cars, a cruise, etc.) or more risk-prone sports (like rock climbing), you’ll pay more.
• Add-on coverages: Most plans will give you the option to add on certain features without having to upgrade your entire plan. For example, you may be able to buy basic flight insurance for $30 and add on CFAR coverage for an additional $30.
• Number of travelers: While you can buy a single policy for multiple travelers, each traveler will have their own premium, which increases the total cost of the travel insurance. However, many travel insurance companies offer group discounts.
• Destination: Your travel insurance provider will take the risk factor of your trip destination into consideration when determining the cost of travel insurance. Companies focus less on crime statistics and more on the likelihood of danger. For example, if you’re embarking on a rural jungle adventure, you’ll probably have a more expensive travel insurance cost compared to staying in a populous city with a high crime rate.
• Trip length: Travel insurance cost is typically based on a percentage of your total trip cost, so you’ll likely pay more for your travel insurance the longer your trip is. That’s because longer trips are not only more expensive but also increase the chances of something going wrong.

The table below compares costs for basic coverage for our top companies:

Travel plans can get expensive quickly, so you may be wondering if it’s worth buying travel insurance to begin with.

The answer to this question will vary depending on your specific situation. If you’re saving up for an expensive international trip with hefty airfare, it’s probably worth spending a little extra to insure your trip. But you may reconsider for shorter trips, such as a weekend at the beach. It’s also worth getting travel insurance if you or someone you care for has known medical conditions that might cause you to have to make last-minute trip adjustments or cancellations.

Even if you don’t think you’ll buy travel insurance, getting a free quote or two takes only a few minutes — coverage might be more affordable than you think.

The Bottom Line: Who is the Best Company to Get Travel Insurance From?

The best travel insurance will vary depending on your budget, the price of your trips and your coverage needs.

Get a quote from at least three competing travel insurance providers before investing in coverage — we recommend starting with a quote from each of the providers listed above. Every travel insurance company uses its own formula to determine how much you’ll pay for coverage, which means that the only way to know you’re getting the best price is to know what’s out there. You can work with your local insurance agent to compare multiple quotes and discuss your options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance

Does travel insurance get more expensive closer to the trip.

Unlike most other types of insurance, you won’t be penalized for buying your travel insurance closer to the dates you might use it. However, many travel insurance companies require that you purchase coverage within a limited time after booking your trip. Luckily, travel insurance prices do not increase as you get closer to your departure date. That being said, some options (like CFAR coverage) may only be available for a limited time before you travel.

When does travel insurance expire?

Your travel insurance policy will expire on the date you indicate when you purchase the plan. For most travelers, this will be the final day of your vacation. Frequent travelers might also have the option to buy annual travel insurance that protects them for a year.

What does international travel insurance cover?

International travel insurance provides you with a reimbursement for nonrefundable travel expenses if you’re forced to cancel your trip or leave your destination early. In addition, it may reimburse you for travel expenses like airfare and hotel costs if you cannot claim a refund from your vendors directly.

How close to a trip can you cancel and still by covered by insurance?

That depends. Most travel insurance companies require canceling anywhere from 24 hours to a week or more before departure in order to be eligible for reimbursement.

Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Travel Insurance Companies

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to London.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to London.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (30%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (32%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (18%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

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Travel Insurance Policies and Quotes for 2023

Compare travel insurance quotes and find the best policy for you and your family.

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14 Best Travel Insurance Companies in November 2023

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that travelers need to be prepared for the unexpected — from a pandemic to flight troubles to the crowded airport terminals so many of us have encountered.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care or a policy that includes extreme sports, these are the best travel insurance providers to get you covered.

We looked at quotes from various companies for a 10-day trip to Spain in November 2023. The traveler was a 35-year-old woman from Illinois who spent $2,000 total on the trip, including airfare.

On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $74.07. The costs displayed below do not include optional add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage or pre-existing medical condition coverage.

However, depending on the plan, you may be able to customize at an added cost.

Top travelers insurance

Let’s look at our travel insurance recommendations for 2023.

Allianz Global Assistance

What makes Allianz Global Assistance great:

Annual and single-trip plans.

Plans are available for international and domestic trips.

Stand-alone and add-on rental car damage product available.

Why we chose it:

Allianz Global Assistance is a reputable travel insurance company offering plans for over 25 years. Customers can choose from a variety of single and annual policies to fit their needs. On top of comprehensive coverage, some travelers might opt for the more affordable OneTrip Cancellation Plus, which is geared toward domestic travelers looking for trip protections but don’t need post-departure benefits like emergency medical or baggage lost.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic coverage cost $91, about $17 above average.

Multiple types of insurance available.

All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.

More expensive than average.

Rental car protection only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

Travel Guard by AIG

What makes Travel Guard by AIG great:

Three comprehensive plans and a Pack N' Go plan for last-minute travelers who don't need cancellation benefits.

Flight protection, car rental, and medical evacuation coverage, as well as annual plans available.

Pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver available on all plan levels, as long as it's purchased within 15 days.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a variety of plans and coverages to fit travelers’ needs. On top of more standard trip protections like trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical coverage, the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available on certain Travel Guard plans, which allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and get 50% to 75% of your nonrefundable deposit back as long as the trip is canceled at least two days before the scheduled departure date.

At $75 for our sample trip, the Essential plan was about average.

Offers last-minute coverage.

Plan available for business travelers.

Car rental coverage is available as an add-on.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage available only for higher-level plans.

Enhancement bundles will up your coverage price.

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services

What makes USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services great:

Search comprehensive plan types by policy name, insurance needs and traveler type.

Medical and evacuation plans for international travel.

One annual plan with two levels of coverage to choose from.

USI's website makes searching for plans based on your specific needs easy. This can be helpful whether you’re specifically looking for a plan offering Cancel For Any Reason coverage, going on a cruise or taking an RV trip. The company also has medical plans designed specifically for students studying abroad, including visitors to the U.S.

Can add on a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver within 21 days of the date your initial trip deposit for higher-cost plans.

Offers a variety of plans for groups, students and visitors to the U.S.

Add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason and pre-existing condition waivers are not available on the lower-level plan.

Trip plan cost was higher than average.

Travel Insured International

What makes Travel Insured International great:

Comprehensive and medical-only plans.

Flight plans include coverage for missed and canceled flights and lost or stolen baggage.

Travel Insured International offers several customization options. For instance, pet owners might want to add on kennel coverage, which covers boarding costs if your trip is delayed. Traveling with expensive gear or attending an expensive concert/sporting event? Consider adding on coverage for electronic equipment and ticketed events.

Be sure to check which policies are available in your state. You will need to input your destination, residence, trip dates and the number of travelers to get a quote and see coverages.

Annual or single-trip policies are available.

Medical-only coverage a great option if you want to supplement trip interruption benefits you have from a credit card .

Cancel for work reason coverage available as an add-on for lower-level plan.

Many of the customizations are available only on the higher-tier plan.

Coverage cost came in above average at $95 for our sample trip.

World Nomads

What makes World Nomads great:

Comprehensive international travel insurance plans.

Coverage available for adventure activities, such as trekking, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Many travel insurance plans contain exclusions for adventure sports activities. If you plan to ski, bungee jump, windsurf or parasail, this might be a plan to consider.

Note that the Standard plan ($81 for our sample trip) provides less coverage than the higher-priced Explorer but can be a good choice for travelers who are satisfied with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $2,500 or less, do not need rental car damage protection, find the limits to be sufficient and do not need coverage for certain more adventurous activities.

The Standard plan covers up to $300,000 in emergency evacuation costs.

Plans automatically cover 200-plus adventurous activities.

No Cancel For Any Reason upgrades available.

No pre-existing medical condition waivers available.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

What makes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection great:

Two of the plans offer compensation for missed connections and higher thresholds for lost baggage.

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers available at no extra cost.

Plans available for travelers participating in extreme sports.

Under the direction of chair and CEO Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has been around since 2014. Its plans provide numerous opportunities for travelers to customize coverage to their needs.

At $57 for our sample trip, the ExtraCare Value (basic) plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers a low-cost option for coverage.

Even cheaper? Air travelers looking for inexpensive, less comprehensive protections might opt for a basic AirCare plan that includes fixed amounts for its coverage .

ExtraCare Value (basic) plan was among the least expensive we surveyed.

Speciality plans available for road trips, luxury travel, adventure activities, flights and cruises.

Company may reimburse claimants faster than average, including possible same-day compensation.

Multiple "Trip Delay" coverage types might make claims confusing.

Cheapest plan includes only fixed amounts for some of its coverages.

Travelex Insurance Services

What makes Travelex Insurance Services great:

Three comprehensive plans available.

Offers a post-departure plan geared exclusively toward disruptions after you leave home.

Two flight insurance plans available.

For starters, basic coverage from Travelex Insurance Services came in at $63, nearly 15% below average for our sample trip.

Travelex’s plans focus heavily on providing protections that are personalized to your travel style and trip type.

While the company does offer comprehensive plans that include medical benefits, you can also choose between cheaper plans that don’t provide cancellation coverage but do offer protections during your travels.

Easy to navigate between plan types and tiers on the website to choose the best option for your trip.

Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.

Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.

Few customization opportunities on the Basic plan.

Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, the Travel America plan covers only domestic trips.

Seven Corners

What makes Seven Corners great:

Comprehensive plans for U.S. residents and foreigners, including visitors and immigrants traveling to the U.S.

Cheap add-ons for rental car damage, sporting equipment rental or trip interruption for any reason.

Each Seven Corners plan offers several optional add-ons. Among the more unique is a Trip Interruption for Any Reason, which allows you to interrupt a trip 48 hours after the scheduled departure date (for any reason) and receive a refund of up to 75% of your unused nonrefundable deposits.

The basic coverage plan for our trip to Spain cost $75 — right around the average.

Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available for the cheapest plan.

Cheapest plan also features a much less costly Interruption for Any Reason add-on.

Basic plan includes COVID-19 coverage for expenses incurred when you get quarantined or when your trip is canceled or interrupted as a result.

Offers only one annual policy option.

Cheapest plan offers only secondary medical coverage.

What makes IMG great:

More affordable than average.

Many plans to choose from to fit your needs.

While some travel insurance companies offer just a handful of plans, with IMG, you’ll really have your pick. Though this requires a bit more research, it allows you to search for coverage that fits your travel needs.

IMG is also a good option for the budget-minded: The iTravelInsured Lite plan came to $59 for our trip to Spain — more than 20% below average.

Coverage available for adventure travelers.

Special medical insurance for ship captains and crew members, international students and missionaries.

Search results page indicates whether plans offer COVID-19 coverage.

Only one plan offers Cancel For Any Reason as an add-on.

Claim approval can be lengthy.

AXA Assistance USA

What makes AXA Assistance USA great:

Customization opportunities for rental car collision coverage and Cancel For Any Reason insurance.

AXA Assistance USA’s travel insurance policies are simple and easy to understand while providing adequate coverage at an affordable cost.

AXA’s basic coverage cost $69 for our example trip, which was slightly below average. Of course, if you add on Cancel For Any Reason or rental car coverage, be prepared to pay more, as is the case with any travel insurance add-on.

Rental collision can be added to the Gold and Platinum plans.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage can be added to the Platinum plan.

Lowest-cost plan includes some medical coverage.

Fewer add-ons are available for Silver-level policyholders.

Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available only for the highest-cost plan.

What makes AAA great:

Don't have to be a AAA member to get a policy.

Coverage provided by Allianz Global Assistance, which is a reputable company.

AAA travel insurance plans are provided by Allianz Global Assistance. However, AAA policies include exclusive features like SmartBenefits, which provide payments on delayed bags without purchase receipts, missed port of call that covers expenses associated with the ship’s changing or missing a scheduled stop and rental vehicle return should an illness prevent you from doing it yourself.

TripProtect Basic plan’s cost came in below average.

Can add on a rental car damage protector plan.

Limited customization options compared with some other companies.

No Cancel For Any reason coverage offered.

What makes Tin Leg great:

A multitude of plan options for lots of budget ranges.

Option to add Cancel For Any Reason coverage to some plans.

Tin Leg’s Basic plan came in at $64 for our sample trip, knocking about $10 off the average basic policy cost. Note that you’ll pay a lot more if you shop for the most comprehensive coverage, and there are eight plans to choose from for trips abroad.

The multitude of plans can help you find coverage that fits your needs, but with so many to choose from, deciding can be daunting.

The only real way to figure out your ideal plan is to compare them all, look at the plan details and decide which features and coverage suit you and your travel style best.

Adventure sports-specific coverage is available.

In addition Cancel For Any Reason, some plans offer cancel for work reason coverage.

Specific”cancel for COVID-19 sickness” coverage explicitly mentioned for all plans.

Plans have overlap that can be hard to distinguish.

Only one plan includes Rental Car Damage coverage available as an add-on.

What makes TravelSafe great:

Rental car damage coverage add-on is available on both plans.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage available on the TravelSafe Classic plan.

Selecting your travel insurance plan with TravelSafe is a fairly straightforward process because there are only two to choose from. The company’s website also makes it easy to visualize how optional add-on elements influence the total cost, displaying the final price as soon as you click the coverage.

However, at $89, the Basic plan was among the more expensive for our trip to Spain.

Includes coverage for fees incurred when you have to redeposit points or miles used to book your trip.

Optional add-on protection for business equipment or sports rentals.

Above-average cost for basic plan.

Multitrip or yearlong plans aren’t available.

HTH Insurance

What makes HTH Insurance great:

Medical-only coverage and trip protection coverage.

Lots of options for group travelers.

HTH offers single-trip and multitrip medical insurance coverage as well as trip protection plans.

At $74 for our sample trip, the TripProtector Economy policy fell right on the average mark for plans we reviewed.

You can choose to insure group trips for educators, crew, religious missionaries and corporate travelers.

Includes direct pay option so members can avoid paying upfront for services.

Travel Medical plans cover travelers up to 95 years old.

A 24-hour delay is required for baggage delay coverage on the TripProtector Economy plan.

No waivers for pre-existing conditions on the lower-level plan.

Factors we considered when picking travel insurance providers

We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight:

Breadth of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered plus the range of their standard plans. 

Depth of coverage: We considered two data points to get a sense of how much each company pays out for common travel issues — the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: By looking at the costs for basic coverage across multiple companies, we determined an average cost for shoppers to benchmark plan prices against.

Customizability: While standard plans can cover a lot of ground, sometimes you need something a little more personal.

Types of travel insurance

As you shop for travel insurance, you’ll find many of the same coverage categories across numerous plans.

Trip cancellation

This covers the prepaid costs you make for your trip in cases when you need to cancel for a covered reason. This coverage helps you recoup upfront costs paid for flights and nonrefundable hotel reservations.

Trip interruption

Trip interruption benefits generally involve disruptions after you depart. It helps reimburse costs incurred for flight delays, cancellations and plenty of other covered disruptions you might encounter during your travels.

This coverage can cover the costs for you to return home or reimburse unexpected expenses like an extra hotel stay, meals and ground transportation.

Trip delay coverage helps cover unexpected costs when your trip is delayed. This is another coverage that helps offset the costs of flight trouble or other travel disruptions.

Note that many policies have a total amount a traveler can claim, with caps on per diem benefits, too.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to recoup some of the upfront costs you paid for a trip even if you’re canceling for a reason not otherwise covered by your standard travel insurance policy.

Typically, adding this protection to your plan costs extra.

Baggage delay

This coverage helps cover the costs of essential items you might need when your luggage is delayed. Think toiletries, clothing and other immediate items you might need if your luggage didn’t make it on your flight.

Many travel insurance plans with baggage delay protection will specify how long (six, 12, 24 hours, etc.) your luggage must be delayed before you can make a claim.

Lost baggage

Used for travelers whose luggage is lost or stolen, this helps recoup the lost value of the items in your bag.

You’ll want to make sure you closely follow the correct procedures for your plan. Many plans include a maximum total amount you can claim under this coverage and a per-item cap.

Travel medical insurance

This covers out-of-pocket medical costs when travelers run into an emergency.

Because many travelers’ health insurance plans don’t cover medical care overseas, travel medical insurance can help offset out-of-pocket health care costs.

In addition to emergency medical coverage, many plans have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage for costs incurred when you must be taken to a hospital or return to your home country because of a medical situation.

What does travel insurance cover?

Most travel insurance plans cover many trip protections that can help you be prepared for unexpected travel disruptions and expenses.

These coverage are generally aimed at protecting the money you put into your trip, expenses you incur because of travel trouble and costs incurred if you have a medical emergency overseas.

On top of core coverages like trip cancellation and interruption and travel medical coverage, some plans offer add-on options like waivers for pre-existing conditions, rental car collision damage waivers or adventure sports riders. These usually cost extra or must be added within a specified timeframe.

What’s not covered?

Typical travel insurance policies offer coverage for many unforeseen events, but as you research to select a plan, consider your needs. Though every plan differs, there are some commonly excluded coverages.

For instance, you typically can’t get coverage for a named storm if you bought the coverage after the storm was named. In other words, if you have a trip to the Caribbean booked for Sept. 25 and on Sept. 20 a hurricane develops and is named, you generally won’t be able to buy a travel insurance plan Sept. 21 in hopes of getting your money back.

Many plans also don’t cover activities performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any extreme sports. If the latter applies to you, you might want to consider a plan with specific coverages for adventure-seekers.

For numerous plans, a few other situations don’t qualify as an acceptable reason to cancel and make a claim, such as fear of travel, medical tourism or pregnancies (unless you booked a trip and bought insurance before you became pregnant or there are complications with the pregnancy). This is where a Cancel For Any Reason add-on to your coverage can be helpful.

You can also run into trouble if you give up on a trip too soon: a minor (or even multihour) flight delay likely isn’t sufficient to cancel your entire trip and get reimbursed through your plan. Be sure to review what requirements your specific plan has when it comes to canceling a trip, claiming trip interruption, etc.

How much does it cost?

Travel insurance costs vary widely. The final price of your plan will fluctuate based on your age, length of trip and destination.

It will also depend on how much coverage you need, whether you add on specialized policies (like Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing conditions coverage), whether you plan to participate in extreme sports and other factors.

In our examples above, for instance, the 35-year-old traveler taking a $2,000 trip to Spain would have spent an average $80 for a basic plan to get coverage for things like trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, etc. That’s about 4% of the total trip cost — lower than average.

If there were multiple members in a traveling party or if they were going on, say, a rock-climbing or bungee-jumping excursion, the costs would go up.

On average, travel insurance comes to about 5% to 10% of the trip cost. However, considering many of the plans reimburse up to 100% of the trip cost (or more) for disruptions like trip cancellation or interruption, it can be a worthwhile expense if something goes wrong.

Do I need travel insurance?

It depends. Consider the following factors that might affect your decision: You’re young and healthy, all your bookings are refundable or cancelable without a penalty, your flights are nonstop, you’re not checking bags and a credit card you carry offers some travel protections . In that case, travel insurance might not be necessary.

On the other hand, if you prepaid a large chunk of money for a nonrefundable African safari, you’re going on a Caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane season or you’re going somewhere where the cost of health care is high, it’s not a bad idea to buy a travel insurance plan. Here’s how to find the best travel insurance coverage for you.

If you’re thinking of booking a trip and not planning to buy travel insurance, you may want to consider at least booking refundable airfare and not prepaying for hotel, rental car and activity reservations. That way, if something goes wrong, you can cancel without losing any money.

How to choose the best travel insurance policy

Selecting the best travel insurance policy comes down to your needs, concerns, preferences and budget.

As you book, take a few minutes to consider what most concerns you. Is it getting stranded because of flight trouble? Having the ability to cancel for any reason you see fit without losing money? Getting sick or injured right before departure and needing to postpone the trip? Injuring yourself or falling ill while overseas?

Ultimately, you want a plan that protects you, your money and the large investment in your trip — but doesn’t cost too much, either.

Medical coverage. If your priority is having adequate medical coverage abroad, you might want to look for plans with high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation.

Complex travel itinerary. If your itinerary has lots of flight connections, prepaid hotels and deposits for activities you can’t get back, prioritizing a plan with the best coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions may land at the top of your list.

Travel uncertainty. If you’re on the fence about a trip and have nonrefundable reservations, you may want to select a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason coverage option, which can help you recoup about 50% to 75% of the costs. This helps provide peace of mind, placing the decision on whether to travel entirely in your hands.

Car rentals. If you’re renting a car, a collision damage waiver is often worth looking into.

What are the top travel destinations in 2023?

The following 10 places are the top insured destinations in 2023, according to Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner):

The Bahamas.

Costa Rica.

Antarctica.

In 2022, travelers spent about 25.53% more on trips than they did before the pandemic.

As of June 2023, NerdWallet analysis determined travel prices are 14% higher than pre-pandemic. Each statistic makes a strong case for protecting your travel investment as you plan your next trip.

More resources for travel insurance shoppers

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for travel insurance.

What is travel insurance?

CFAR explained.

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance.

No, it doesn’t necessarily get more expensive the longer you wait to purchase. However, as you put off buying insurance, you may lose access to potential plans and coverage options.

In general, buying travel insurance within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

But, generally, many plans do allow you to buy coverage quite close to your departure date.

To get the most out of your travel insurance plan, buy it soon after making your initial prepayment or deposit to ensure you have access to the biggest menu of plans possible.

Select a plan that’s comprehensive enough to cover the travel scenarios you’re most concerned about or likely to encounter but not too expensive or laden with protections you’d never likely need.

Whatever your coverage, thoroughly review the plan so you understand what’s covered and what’s not, plus how to adhere to the plan’s rules for making a claim.

Travelers frequently use phrases like “trip insurance” and “travel insurance,” as well as “trip protection,” interchangeably, but they do mean different things, according to Stan Sandberg, founder of insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com.

Trip insurance, or trip protection, generally refers to predeparture (or preevent) coverage if you need to cancel. You may see these plans sold by airlines, online travel agencies or even ticketed event sellers.

“You could refer to it as the portion that protects the investment in the trip,” Sandberg says.

A travel insurance plan typically includes that — plus more comprehensive benefits to protect you during your trip, from medical coverage to trip delay and lost baggage protections, and many more elements, depending on the plan.

Though travel insurance is typically not required for international trips, your personal circumstances will play a key role in whether it’s a good investment.

For instance, young, healthy travelers with few prepaid trip expenses embarking on a relatively risk-free trip may not see a need to buy a plan.

Older travelers with complicated itineraries who are visiting destinations where they could potentially fall ill or get injured — or who could encounter bad weather or some other disrupting factor along the way — may want to buy coverage.

Consider a few key questions:

How well would your health insurance plan cover you if you needed to visit a hospital overseas?

How much did you prepay for a hotel or rental car?

How much money would you be out if weather or some other flight issue derailed your itinerary?

Could you afford an unexpected night in a city where you have a connecting flight?

Do you already have a credit card that provides some travel protections?

Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether you need travel insurance for your international trip.

In general, buying travel insurance

within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit

for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

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 2023 , 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

on Chase's website

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

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

1x-5x Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.

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

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.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Travel Insurance

Best travel insurance companies November 2023

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 2:22 p.m. UTC Nov. 1, 2023

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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 .

Travel Insured, TravelSafe and WorldTrips are the best travel insurance companies, according to our analysis. 

We evaluated 53 plans to determine the best travel insurance companies based on cost and coverage options. Use this rating to compare top travel insurance plans and find the best match for your next trip. 

Best travel insurance companies of 2023

• Travel Insured : Best travel insurance
• TravelSafe : Best for missed connection coverage
• WorldTrips : Best for extension of travel insurance coverage
• AXA Assistance USA : Best for baggage and personal items coverage
• Nationwide : Best for tour and cruise missed connection coverage
• Seven Corners : Best “cancel for any reason” travel insurance
• Arch RoamRight : Great for customer satisfaction
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection : Great for hurricane and weather coverage
• Cat 70 : Great for lower-cost medical and evacuation coverage
• Generali Global Assistance : Best for trip interruption coverage
• HTH Worldwide : Great for travelers with layoff concerns
• IMG : Great for comprehensive travel insurance coverage
• John Hancock Insurance Agency : Great for transportation problems
• Tin Leg : Great for travel insurance value
• Travelex Insurance Services : Great for family-friendly travel insurance pricing
• Trawick International : Best senior travel insurance
• USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services : Great for high-level travel insurance coverage

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

• 2,332 coverage details evaluated.
• 385 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact checking.

Travel insurance comparison: Best rates and plans

Top-rated travel insurance companies , best travel insurance, travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

Covers covid, medical & evacuation limits per person, what you should know.

This top-scoring travel insurance plan offers the highest level of both medical and non-medical evacuation benefits of the plans we evaluated. With Worldwide Trip Protector you’ll get $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, consider the Worldwide Trip Protector plan.

Pros and cons

• Strong travel insurance benefits overall for the price.
• Best-in-class 75% “cancel for any reason” upgrade available.
• Better-than-most 75% “interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
• Relatively low emergency medical coverage of $100,000.
• “Interruption for any reason” coverage kicks in 72 hours into your trip, not 48.
• At $1,000 per person, lost baggage and personal items coverage isn’t the best.

Best for missed connection coverage

If you’re worried that missed connections could disrupt your trip, it’s worth considering TravelSafe. Some companies only provide missed connection coverage for cruises and tours, but TravelSafe doesn’t impose that restriction.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• Top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Most expensive 5-star plan.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Best for extension of travel insurance coverage

WorldTrips’ Atlas Journey Preferred policy offers an extension of coverage benefit that’s almost three weeks longer than that of any other company we evaluated, and this extension includes medical quarantine coverage.

• Cheapest of the 5-star plans.
• Very good travel delay and missed connection coverage.
• Optional “cancel for any reason” coverage of 50% or 75%.
• Emergency medical coverage is secondary, with optional upgrade to primary.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage.

Best for baggage and personal items coverage

Axa assistance usa.

If you travel with expensive items, AXA Assistance USA’s Platinum policy may be the best way to cover them — unless your homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance or credit card has comparable coverage.

• Excellent lost baggage coverage of $3,000 per person.
• Covers lost ski and golf days due to bad weather.
• 12-hour wait before travel or baggage delay coverage applies.
• Missed connection coverage applies only to cruises and tours.

Best for tour and cruise missed connection coverage

Top-scoring plans

Nationwide’s Cruise Choice and Cruise Luxury plans provide best-in-class coverage for missed connections — $2,500 per person after only a three-hour delay — when you’re taking a cruise or tour. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.

• Cruise travel insurance that covers port of call itinerary changes made by cruise line before departure, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Great missed connection coverage of $2,500 per person.
• Includes pre-paid excursion reimbursement benefit of $500 with Cruise Choice plan or $1,000 with the Luxury Cruise plan.
• Superior baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• “Interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
• Excellent 75% “cancel for any reason” upgrade available with Cruise Luxury plan, but you must buy it within 14 days of your first trip deposit.
• Lower medical travel insurance limits and coverage is secondary.
• Hurricane and weather delay coverage kicks in after 24 hours, not 12.
• Employment layoff coverage requires three years of continuous employment.

Best “cancel for any reason” travel insurance

Seven corners.

Seven Corners’ RoundTrip Choice plan offers the best “cancel for any reason” travel insurance upgrade and also has an exceptional $500,000 in medical insurance for travel. If you’re looking for international medical travel insurance with primary coverage, this plan is worth considering.

• Terrific primary medical coverage and medical evacuation coverage.
• Superior baggage delay and lost baggage coverage.
• Stellar 75% “interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
• Policy is on the pricier side; consider RoundTrip Basic for significant savings.
• Hurricane and weather delay coverage kicks in after 48 hours, not 12 or even 24.
• Missed connection coverage limited to cruises and tours.

Great for customer satisfaction

Arch roamright.

Arch RoamRight is a smaller company, but it has a high customer satisfaction rating on Squaremouth, an online travel insurance comparison site, based on more than 2,000 reviews.

• Excellent non-medical evacuation coverage of $100,000 per person.
• Good extension of coverage.
• Decent missed connection coverage of $750 per person after a three-hour delay.
• No “cancel for any reason” coverage.
• Relatively low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 per person.

Great for hurricane and weather coverage

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway’s LuxuryCare trip insurance provides hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time, whereas most competitors’ coverage doesn’t kick in until there’s been a delay of 12 to 48 hours.

• Good missed connection coverage of $500 per person after a three-hour delay.
• First-rate baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel delay coverage after five hours provides $200 per day, up to $2,000 per person.
• Optional “cancel for any reason” coverage of 50%, not 75%.
• $100,000 emergency medical coverage could be improved.
• Second most expensive of our top-rated plans.

Great for lower-cost medical and evacuation coverage

Cat 70’s Travel Plan is tied for the third-lowest price of all our top plans, but it has far higher emergency medical coverage than many higher-rated plans. While some of those plans offer $1 million in evacuation coverage, Cat 70’s $500,000 coverage is still very good.

• Terrific “cancel for any reason” coverage upgrade of 75% available.
• Good extension of coverage that includes medical quarantine.
• Provides some coverage for sports and activities.
• Baggage delay coverage of just $200 per person requires a 24-hour wait.
• Travel delay and baggage loss coverage limited to $500 per person.

Best for trip interruption coverage

Generali global assistance.

Medical and evacuation limits per person

Generali Global Assistance’s premium plan offers trip interruption coverage of up to 175% of your trip cost. Most top-rated competitors offer a maximum of 150%.

• Decent missed connection coverage of $1,000 per person after a three-hour delay.
• Solid baggage loss coverage of $2,000 per person.
• Baggage must be delayed for 12 hours before benefits kick in.
• Optional “cancel for any reason” coverage of 60%, not 75%.
• Missed connection coverage only applies to cruises and tours.

Great for travelers with layoff concerns

Hth worldwide.

Along with a couple of other policies, HTH’s TripProtector Classic offers the most generous layoff coverage available. You’re eligible if you’ve been continuously employed for at least a year, with no waiting period.

• Pre-existing conditions can be covered if you buy a TripProtector Classic plan within 21 days of your first trip deposit.
• Best-in-class financial default coverage after only a 10-day wait.
• No “cancel for any reason” upgrade available (but the company’s pricier Preferred plan offers it).
• No “interruption for any reason” upgrade available.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Great for comprehensive travel insurance coverage

Two IMG plans tie with a 4-star rating. The iTravelInsured Travel LX plan has more options and higher coverage limits for those who can afford it, while the iTravelInsured Travel SE plan is more budget friendly. Both are good options for health insurance for travel abroad, with generous emergency medical benefits.

• Both plans provide excellent travel delay and hurricane and weather coverage.
• LX plan offers an optional 75% “cancel for any reason” upgrade.
• LX also offers 75% “interruption for any reason” coverage if you buy it before you make your final trip payment.
• SE plan’s price on the lower end of our top-rated travel insurance policies.
• Missed connection coverage caps out at $500 per person.
• LX plan is the highest-priced of our top-rated travel insurance policies.
• The more affordable SE plan doesn’t offer “cancel for any reason” or “interruption for any reason” upgrades.

Great for transportation problems

John hancock insurance agency.

John Hancock Insurance Agency’s silver plan has solid coverage for baggage and personal item loss, baggage delay and travel delay.

• High $1,000 specific items limit for personal item loss.
• Lower emergency medical coverage limit than many leading competitors.
• No option to purchase “interruption for any reason” coverage.

Great for travel insurance value

For the amount of coverage you get, Tin Leg’s Gold and Adventure plans are competitively priced.

• “Cancel or any reason” upgrade available.
• Adventure plan covers hundreds of activities like snowboarding, skydiving, surfing and waterskiing.
• Gold plan hurricane and weather coverage kicks in only after a 48-hour delay.
• Adventure plan has 80% lower medical coverage but costs 75% more.

Great for family-friendly travel insurance pricing

Travelex insurance services.

If you’re traveling with children age 17 or younger, you’ll appreciate not having to pay extra for their coverage when you buy a Travel Select plan from Travelex Insurance Services.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• Robust travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person ($250 per day) after five hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Excellent “cancel for any reason” coverage upgrade of 75% available.
• Low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 per person, but you can upgrade for an additional $50,000.
• Non-medical evacuation is not included.
• Baggage delay coverage of $200 requires a 12-hour delay.

Best travel insurance for seniors

Trawick international.

Trawick International’s Safe Travels First Class policy is the top-scoring plan in our ratings of the best travel insurance for seniors , best travel insurance for cruises and the best COVID travel insurance . This plan offers affordable insurance for all travelers on a budget.

• Decent missed connection coverage of $1,000 per person for cruises and tours, after a three-hour delay.
• Employment layoff coverage requires five continuous years of employment.
• Emergency medical coverage is secondary, not primary.

Great for high-level travel insurance coverage

Usi affinity travel insurance services.

While it doesn’t offer the best coverage in most categories among competitor plans we reviewed, USI Affinity Travel Insurance’s Ruby plan offers medium- to high-level coverage at a competitive price.

For example, it offers travel insurance with medical coverage of $250,000 per person which is primary insurance (not secondary to your health care coverage like some travel insurance plans). It also provides $500,000 in emergency evacuation and repatriation, while some plans offer half that amount.

• Good emergency medical primary coverage of $250,000 per person.
• Middling baggage delay and baggage loss coverage.
• No coverage if you need to cancel your trip for work reasons.

Compare the best travel insurance companies of 2023

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 42 aspects of 53 policies to find the best travel insurance plans. We used data provided by Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison provider. For travel insurance companies offering more than one travel insurance plan, we shared information about the highest-scoring plan (or two, in case of a tie).

The factors we scored out of a possible 100 points include the following.

Cost: 30 points. We scored the average cost for each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.

Medical expenses: 15 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with travel medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 15 points.

Medical evacuation: 15 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 15 points.

“Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave travel insurance plans with the option of a “cancel for any reason” upgrade 5 points.

Trip interruption travel insurance: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance plans that offer trip interruption reimbursement of 150% or more.

Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in at 6 hours or less.

Baggage delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with baggage delay benefits that kick in at 12 hours or less.

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 5 points. We gave policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if purchased within a required timeline 5 points.

Non-medical evacuation: 5 points. If a policy provides coverage for non-medical evacuation, such as for political or security reasons, we gave it 5 points.

Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.

Employment layoff: 5 points. Travel insurance policies that allow you to cancel your trip because of layoff at a company where you have worked for one continuous year were scored 5 points. If a plan requires that you had the job for more than a year to qualify, no points were given.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans which scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Why some companies didn’t make the cut

Travel insurance companies selling policies at above-average cost when compared to competitor plans may not have scored enough points to make the cut. Plans with low limits for medical expenses and medical evacuation were also less likely to receive top scores.

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance covers your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs — as well as extra money you may need to spend due to unforeseen circumstances and emergencies — both before and during your trip.  

Travel insurance coverage varies by plan, but in general travel insurance covers costs associated with these problems: 

• Bankruptcy of a travel company, such as your airline or tour operator. 
• Dangerous weather conditions .
• Delayed and lost luggage.
• Illness or death in your family that requires you to stay home or cut your trip short.
• Illness that needs medical attention.
• Injury requiring medical evacuation.
• Jury duty. 
• Travel delays and missed connections.
• Theft of your personal belongings while traveling.
• Unexpected job loss. 

A comprehensive travel insurance plan bundles several types of travel insurance coverage, each with its own limits. To ensure you have adequate financial protection for your trip, your travel insurance policy should include the following travel insurance coverages.

Trip cancellation insurance 

As soon as you buy a travel insurance plan that includes trip cancellation insurance , you’re covered if you need to call off your trip because of a reason listed in your policy. These reasons generally include unexpected illness, injury or death of you, a family member or a travel companion, severe weather, jury duty and your travel supplier going out of business. 

If you cancel your trip for a covered reason, you can expect to be reimbursed for 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses. 

For even greater flexibility, some travel insurance plans offer a “ cancel for any reason ” (CFAR) upgrade. This optional coverage allows you to pull the plug on your trip for any reason at all, as long as you do so at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure. 

Adding CFAR coverage will increase the cost of your plan and it’s important to note that this coverage typically only reimburses 50% or 75% of your expenses, depending on the policy. 

Travel delay insurance

Once your trip is underway, inconvenient delays can be expensive. Travel delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses you incur after a certain waiting period, such as five hours. If your travel is delayed longer than that time because of a reason in your policy, such as severe weather, your benefits can cover needs like airport meals, transportation and even overnight accommodation. 

This coverage usually has daily limits as well as a maximum limit. For example, a travel insurance plan may provide trip delay coverage of up to $150 per day with a $2,000 maximum.    

Trip interruption insurance

If you need to end your trip early — again, for a reason listed in your policy — trip interruption insurance comes into play. 

Say a close family member back home is involved in an accident and you need to rush back to be by their side. Trip interruption benefits can reimburse you for any prepaid, nonrefundable payments you’ll lose by leaving early. It can also pay for a last-minute one-way ticket home. 

Travel medical insurance

Emergency medical benefits are especially important if you need international health insurance for travel outside of the country. Your domestic health insurance may provide limited coverage once you leave the U.S. 

The best senior travel insurance provides ample travel medical coverage because Medicare does not cover health care outside of the U.S., except in very limited circumstances. 

Travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, doctor visits, hospital stays, X-rays, lab work and prescription medication you may require while traveling. 

Many travel insurance plans cover medical treatment for COVID-19, but not all do. The best COVID travel insurance has generous emergency medical and emergency medical evacuation benefits. 

When comparing plans with medical travel insurance for international trips, check to see if the coverage is primary. If the travel medical insurance coverage is secondary, you will need to file a claim with your health insurance before you can file a travel insurance claim. 

Emergency medical evacuation

If you’re traveling to a remote area, or planning excursions such as boating to an island, emergency medical evacuation coverage is a good idea. This coverage pays to transport you to the nearest adequate medical facility if you are injured or sick while traveling. 

Depending on your location and medical condition, emergency transportation could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Our top-scoring travel insurance plans all offer coverage of $1 million. 

Baggage delay coverage

If you arrive safely at your destination but your bags do not, this coverage can help. After a certain waiting period, such as six or 12 hours, this coverage will reimburse you for necessities you may need while waiting for your bags to arrive. Be sure to save your receipts and look at your coverage limit, as some caps are low, like $200. 

Baggage loss and personal effects coverage

Baggage insurance can reimburse you if your bag never arrives, or if your personal belongings are stolen during your travels. Coverage limits apply here, as well as exclusions for certain items such as electronics. If you’ll be traveling with your laptop or other valuables, read your policy carefully to make sure they’re covered. 

What travel insurance doesn't cover

Travel insurance policies often exclude or limit “foreseeable” losses. Typical travel insurance exclusions include:

• Accidents or injuries caused by drinking or drug use.  
• Canceling your trip because you changed your mind.
• Ending your trip early because you changed your mind.
• Losses caused by intentional self harm, including suicide.
• Losses due to war, civil disorder or riots.
• Medical tourism.
• Medical treatment for pre-existing conditions.
• Mental health care.
• Natural disasters that begin before you buy travel insurance.
• Non-medical evacuation.
• Normal pregnancy. 
• Medical treatment related to high-risk activities.
• Routine medical care, such as physicals or dental care.
• Search and rescue.

Most travel insurance companies offer a free look period when you buy a policy. Take this time — which might be anywhere from 10 to 21 days — to carefully review the plan’s coverages and exclusions, and request a full refund if it doesn’t meet your needs.

“For trip cancellation coverage, travel insurance plans will only cover you for very specific covered reasons listed in a plan’s description of coverage,” said Stan Sandberg, co-founder and CEO of TravelInsurance.com. “If an event is not listed as a covered reason, it won’t be covered unless the consumer opts for a ‘cancel for any reason’ policy.”  

“Cancel for any reason travel insurance” upgrade

For the greatest flexibility to cancel, consider adding “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage to your travel insurance plan. This will increase the cost of your policy, but will typically reimburse you for 75% of your trip expenses if you decide to cancel your trip. 

A CFAR upgrade also usually has a number of requirements, such as buying it within seven to 14 days of making your first trip payment and insuring the full amount of your travel costs. But, it will give you the freedom to cancel your trip for any reason, as long as you do so at least two days before your scheduled departure. 

“This year, about 6% of travelers who bought travel insurance on squaremouth.com are purchasing a policy with the ‘cancel for any reason’ upgrade,” said James Clark, spokesperson for Squaremouth. “This is on par with pre-COVID levels, when ‘cancel for any reason’ was included in roughly 5% of all travel insurance sales.” 

According to Clark, CFAR sales fluctuated greatly during the pandemic. “At one point, almost 1 in 3 travel insurance customers opted to upgrade their policy to include CFAR,” he said. “Since then, CFAR sales have steadily returned to the norm.” 

Adding CFAR coverage typically increases the cost of your travel insurance plan by 50%.

Make sure you’re covered: Best COVID travel insurance  

How much travel insurance should I buy?

Travel insurance companies typically offer several plans with varying maximum limits. The higher the coverage limits, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. 

Squaremouth recommends the following coverage limits for international travel: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $50,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $100,000. 

If you’re going on a cruise, or to a remote location, Squaremouth recommends: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $100,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $250,000.

When evaluating travel insurance plans, our team of insurance analysts gave full points to plans with at least $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

What is the best travel insurance for international travel?

The best travel insurance for international travel is Travel Insured’s Worldwide Trip Protector plan, according to our analysis. But the best travel insurance for you depends on the trip you are planning and the coverage areas that are most important to you. 

Best travel insurance for cruises

The best cruise travel insurance is Trawick International’s Safe Travels First Class plan. This budget-friendly plan has top-notch medical evacuation coverage of $1 million.

Best travel insurance for COVID

The best COVID travel insurance is also the Safe Travels First Class plan sold by Trawick International. In addition to its stellar medical evacuation benefits, it has trip interruption coverage of 150% and offers an optional “cancel for any reason” upgrade that reimburses up to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses. 

Best travel insurance for “cancel for any reason” 

The best “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance is Seven Corners’ RoundTrip Basic. Adding CFAR coverage to a RoundTrip Basic plan only increases the cost by about 40%, which is lower than other plans we analyzed. For the extra cost, you get coverage of 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure. 

The best senior travel insurance is the Safe Travels First Class plan by Trawick International. It has high coverage limits for travel medical insurance, emergency medical evacuation and trip interruption, as well as a pre-existing conditions waiver if you insure the full amount of your trip within 14 days of your first trip deposit.

Is travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance may be a smart purchase if you’ve planned an expensive, nonrefundable trip. It can also be worth buying if you need health insurance for international travel.

“Almost all claims stem from cancellations, delays and medical emergencies,” said Clark. “These are major concerns for travelers, and the main reasons why most travelers buy travel insurance.”

According to Clark, travel delay was the most common claim in 2022, accounting for just over 24% of all claims. Clark said the top five most common claims last year were: 

• Travel delay: 24.04%
• Emergency medical: 21.73%
• Trip cancellation: 18.99%
• Trip interruption: 18.48%
• Baggage delay: 4.98%

Your credit card and your existing health insurance may provide the insurance you need. If not, dozens of travel insurance companies are competing for your business.

How much is travel insurance?

The average travel insurance cost is 5% to 6% of your trip costs.

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on how expensive your trip is, how many benefits the insurance provides and the age of the covered travelers.

Here are average costs per trip by travel insurance plan, based on our analysis of rates.

Travel insurance costs by insurance company plan

* Average travel insurance cost come from sample rates for five different trips with a range of traveler ages, destinations and trip lengths. Different levels of benefits can (but don’t necessarily) account for price differences. These average prices do not include CFAR coverage.

How travel insurance works

“Typically, travelers are expected to pay their expenses out of pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement,” said Clark. “However, there are medical situations in which a provider may be required to pre-authorize payment to make sure the policyholder receives the treatment they need.”

According to Clark, “Providers can pre-authorize payment for medical care and emergency evacuations. With that said, every circumstance is unique, and providers will handle each situation on a case-by-case basis.”

How to get travel insurance

To buy travel insurance, you’ll need to submit an online application with information about yourself and your trip, such as your name, age, permanent address, destination, travel dates and total trip cost per person. Since the application is simple, you can easily get quotes from multiple companies on your own. 

Even easier, you can get multiple quotes by submitting a single application online through a travel insurance comparison site like Squaremouth.

How to choose the best travel insurance policy

When shopping for travel insurance, consider the coverages that are most important to you. For example:

• Travel medical insurance. If you need travel health insurance for international travel, you’ll want a high limit for medical expenses, such as doctor and hospital bills, ambulance, X-rays and medicine. The best travel insurance for seniors includes ample travel medical insurance because Medicare generally does not pay for health care outside of the U.S.
• Emergency medical evacuation. If you’re planning a trip to a remote destination, make sure your travel insurance plan has high limits for emergency evacuation. Squaremouth suggests $50,000 to $100,000 of medical evacuation coverage for most trips but recommends $250,000 for travel to remote locations.

You’ll also want to consider common exclusions , such as:

• Adventure sports. Many travel insurance plans exclude coverage for risky activities such as skiing and scuba diving. Read the fine print of a policy to see what is excluded, or look for a travel insurance company that specializes in covering adventure sports trips, such as World Nomads.
• Named storms. If a hurricane is named before you buy travel insurance, it’s too late to buy coverage and cancel your trip because of the storm.
• Normal pregnancy. Normal pregnancy typically isn’t covered by travel insurance. If you get pregnant after you buy travel insurance, you may be covered for pregnancy-related reasons, but you’ll need to provide medical proof that pregnancy started after your purchased travel insurance. 
• Pre-existing medical conditions. If you have dealt with a health issue — even allergies or asthma — look closely at this common exclusion. Travel insurance plans typically have look-back periods, which could be 60, 90 or 180 days before you bought the policy. If you had symptoms during that time, your claim could be denied if your condition flares up while you’re traveling. If you’re shopping for the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, consider our top-scoring travel insurance plan, Worldwide Trip Protector. With this plan sold by Travel Insured, you may be eligible for a pre-existing medical condition waiver if you purchase your travel insurance within 21 days of your first trip deposit, insure the full value of all prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses and are medically able to travel at the time of buying the policy.

When to buy travel insurance

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after making your first nonrefundable travel payment, whether it’s for a plane ticket, hotel stay, cruise or excursion. Like other types of insurance, your policy needs to be in place before something goes wrong. It won’t cost you any extra to buy travel insurance far in advance of your trip, and it will cover a longer period of time.  

“Purchasing a travel insurance policy at the time of making an initial trip payment offers travelers the most peace of mind,” said Clark.

“Knowing they are protected if unforeseen events such as medical emergencies, inclement weather, natural disasters and other trip disruptions occur allows travelers to approach their trip with less worry and more confidence.”

You’d have a hard time buying travel insurance before booking anything because you’d have nothing to insure, Clark said. “With that said, travelers are able to purchase a policy and make modifications, such as updating travel dates or adding expenses to the insurance policy, as they continue to make their travel arrangements.” 

You can buy travel insurance up to the day before you leave on your trip, but waiting may cost you the opportunity to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver or to buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade.

Where to buy travel insurance

You can purchase travel insurance directly from any of several dozen travel insurance companies. You may also be able to purchase travel insurance through a travel agent, travel insurance broker, airline, cruise, hotel, rental car company or other provider you book a ticket with.

Using a travel insurance marketplace that will give you quotes for multiple policies is a great way to compare coverage options and pricing to find the best policy for your trip. Buying a policy directly from a travel provider is convenient and might be fine, but it might not meet your needs. 

“If a traveler is heading to the Caribbean with the intention of going scuba diving, it’s unlikely that the policy offered by the airline would cover that activity,” Clark said. “Shopping around for insurance opens the door to other policy providers that may offer a policy that checks all of a traveler’s boxes.”

In addition, while flight insurance , which may be offered through a partnership with a travel insurance provider like AIG or Allianz, may cover travel delays and cancellations, it might not protect you if you get sick during your trip, Clark said. “We highly recommend travelers read the policy’s fine print before making a purchase so they know what’s covered,” he added.

Average trip length and cost by age

Americans are changing the way they travel and this includes buying travel insurance when they might have skipped it in the past. Here is the average cost and length of trips that consumers in the U.S. have bought travel insurance for this year.

Source: Squaremouth. Average trip length and cost per traveler are based on travel insurance policies purchased by U.S. residents from Jan. 1 to Nov. 6, 2023.

The best travel insurance is offered by Travel Insured (Worldwide Trip Protector), TravelSafe (Classic) and WorldTrips (Atlas Journey Preferred). These are the three top-scoring plans in our review of 53 travel insurance policies.

The best travel insurance policy for you will depend on what type of coverage you need. With so many different policies and carriers, the policy that was best for your friend’s trip to California might not be ideal for your trip to Japan. If you’re buying travel insurance for international travel, you may be willing to pay more for higher coverage levels.  

Your U.S. health insurance may provide little or no coverage in foreign countries. Check with your health insurance company to see if you have any global benefits. If your health care does extend across the border, the benefits it provides abroad may not be the same benefits it provides domestically.

Medicare usually won’t pay for health care outside of the United States and its territories.

Even if your plan does cover international health care, you may have to pay out of pocket and file for reimbursement. If you wouldn’t be able to pay up front (or don’t want to take the risk), you’ll want travel medical insurance.

It’s also possible that doctors at your destination won’t accept your insurance and you’d be better protected with a travel insurance policy.

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip and making a nonrefundable payment — in other words, as soon as you’re at risk of losing money. This way, you’ll know the total cost that you need to insure and you’ll have the longest window to take advantage of your policy’s benefits if something goes wrong.

You can’t wait until something goes wrong and then buy travel insurance to get reimbursed for your loss. Travel insurance only covers unexpected losses.

Travel insurance companies are free to choose not to cover travel to certain countries. For example, you may find that certain trip insurance carriers don’t offer coverage if you’re headed somewhere with a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the U.S. State Department. Examples of such countries as of March 2023, include Venezuela, Iraq, Somalia, Haiti, Ukraine, Russia and about a dozen others. You may still be able to insure your trip to these countries with a high-risk travel insurance policy.

Another possibility is that your policy will not exclude travel to certain countries, but it will exclude certain risks that you’re more likely to encounter in Level 4 or Level 3 countries. For example, your policy may not cover losses related to declared or undeclared wars or acts of war or losses related to known or foreseeable conditions or events.

Some credit cards , such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , offer benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement when you use your card to pay for your trip.

Ask your credit card issuer for your card’s benefits guide to see what coverage you may have. Keep in mind that it may not cover all the risks you want to protect against, such as the cost of international health care or emergency medical evacuation .

Business travel insurance makes sense if you are self-employed and paying for your own travel expenses, or if you are traveling internationally and want medical coverage abroad.

You might also consider buying travel insurance for a business trip if your company won’t cover extra expenses if your flight is delayed or you need to head home early.  

Cruise travel insurance can help protect you financially if you need emergency medical care in a remote location, or if a delayed flight causes you to miss embarkation and you need to pay extra to catch up to your cruise.

Experts caution that travel insurance you buy through a cruise line may not be as comprehensive as plans you can buy directly from travel insurance companies.

Some travel insurance plans cover rental cars as an optional upgrade, for an additional cost. The 5-star rated travel insurance plans in our rating offer these optional rental car benefits:

• TravelSafe Classic — Car rental damage of $35,000.
• Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000.
• WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000 with a $250 deductible.

Travel insurance typically only covers a single trip, although your insured trip can have multiple destinations. 

If you’re looking to insure several trips in the same year, annual travel insurance may be a good option for you.

Editor’s Note: This article contains updated information from previously published stories:

• Spirit Airlines scrubs 60% of its Wednesday flights, says cancellations will drop ‘in the days to come.’
• ‘Just a parade of incompetency’: Spirit Airlines passengers with ‘nightmare’ stories want more than apology, $50 vouchers
• ‘This is not our proudest moment’: Spirit Airlines CEO says more flight cancellations expected this weekend
• Hurricane Irma: Flight cancellations top 12,500; even more expected
• Is an annual travel insurance policy right for you?
• How 2020 and COVID-19 changed travel forever – and what that means for you
• COVID-19 or delta variant have you ready to scrap your trip? Here’s how to cancel like a pro
• Sunday: Snow is over, but flight cancellations top 12,000
• After nearly 13,000 Harvey cancellations, Irma is new threat to airline flights
• What’s the difference between travel insurance and trip ‘protection’?
• How to choose the right travel insurance for your next vacation
• Travel insurance can save the day
• Angry passengers brawl after Spirit cancels flights
• What to do when travel insurance doesn’t work
• How lockdowns, quarantines and COVID-19 testing will change summer travel in 2021
• Travelers will pay and worry more on summer vacation this year. But they won’t cancel
• How to find a hotel with COVID testing and quarantine facilities wherever you travel
• Yearning to travel in 2022? First, figure out your budget – then pick a destination
• Pro tips for surviving a long flight during a pandemic: Get the right mask, bring a pillow
• Want to steer clear of contracting COVID-19 on your next vacation? Follow these guidelines
• Post-pandemic travel: Is it OK to ask another passenger’s vaccine status or request they mask up?
• These days, forgetting these important travel items could cost you thousands of dollars
• International travel hacks: When to book flights and hotels, how to deal with COVID-19 rules
• Traveling post-coronavirus: How do you book your next trip when so much remains uncertain?
• The COVID-19 guide to holiday travel – and the case for why you shouldn’t go this year
• Should you travel during the holidays? Americans struggle with their decision
• ‘There’s still pent-up demand’: What you should know about fall travel
• Planning for life after coronavirus: When will we know it’s safe to travel again?
• ‘Busiest camping season’: Travelers choose outdoor recreation close to home amid COVID-19 pandemic
• Considering a camping trip this summer? Tips to make sure your gear is good to go
• RVing for the first time? 8 tips for newbies I wish I’d known during my first trip
• Five myths about travel agents
• Should I buy travel insurance?
• Is travel insurance stacked against you?
• Five myths about travel insurance and terrorism
• These eight things could get your travel insurance claims rejected
• There’s a good chance that your credit card already gives you some kind of travel insurance coverage

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.

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience helping people make informed decisions about their money, whether they’re refinancing a mortgage, buying insurance or choosing a credit card. As a freelance writer trained in journalism and specializing in personal finance, Amy digs into the details to explain the products and strategies that can help (or hurt) people seeking greater financial security and wealth. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Capital One, MassMutual, Investopedia and many other outlets.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint lead 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.

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Travel insurance reviews you can trust, we ask all customers to review their experience.

Squaremouth compares travel insurance from every major provider in the United States. We back every policy we sell with our unique Zero Complaint Guarantee , our promise that every provider on our website will handle all claims fairly and honestly.

Every Squaremouth customer is invited to submit a travel insurance review about their experience with our providers. We combine these reviews with our sales data to provide an overall snapshot of each provider on squaremouth.com.

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To provide the most accurate representation of each provider, we only allow customers who have purchased a policy on our website to submit a travel insurance review. We publish all reviews - both positive and negative - about a provider’s performance before, during, and after a customer’s trip.

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We understand the importance of choosing a provider that has a reputation for handling claims fairly and honestly. For this reason, we give customers the ability to specifically view reviews from other customers who have filed claims, for every travel insurance provider on squaremouth.com. These reviews include useful information about the travel insurance claims process, including what was claimed for, how long the process took, and the result.

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Every travel insurance review left on our website is published exactly as it’s written, without any alterations. We only monitor for profanity and obscenity.

Our providers are able to comment on customer reviews about their performance, but reviews cannot be deleted. This ensures we’re sharing complete, unbiased information with our customers, to provide the most useful travel insurance ratings available.

Travel Insurance Provider Reviews & Ratings

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We ask for permission to request a review when a customer buys their policy. If this is granted, we email our customers one time to allow them to submit a review on the following:

Experience Before the Trip

We ask each customer to provide an overview of the insurance provider’s performance before their trip:

• Did the traveler have questions for customer service, make changes to their policy, or question how the documentation was presented?
• What was the quality of the service they received before they traveled?

Experience During the Trip

We ask each customer to rate their travel insurance provider’s performance during a trip:

• Did the traveler need help with lost luggage, an itinerary change, a medical emergency, or any other event?
• How did the provider help?

Experience Filing a Claim

If a claim was filed, we ask each customer how their provider handled their claim:

• How easy was it to file a claim?
• Was it completed in a timely manner?
• Was the traveler satisfied with the outcome?

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Customer reviews about squaremouth.

As of November 2023, Squaremouth has been reviewed by 48,937 customers on ResellerRatings.com and has an average rating of 5 stars.

I worked with 2 Customer Service Reps and both were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. My travel insurance needs have been met with extreme satisfaction! Thank you!

Joan from TX 08/14/2023

Piece of Cake

"I hate legal jargon and fine print. Squaremouth made it easy to compare coverage and costs. The “info" icons at each section answered any questions I had. I’m confident in the coverage I have and that I got a fair price."

Amy from CO 08/14/2023

Straightforward Site

"Website is easy to navigate; also easy to get a quote. Compare quotes feature a big plus. I especially like the "no complaints guarantee". I've used Squaremouth for all our travel insurance for a couple of years now."

Maria from CA 08/13/2023

"I heard about this site from a cruise group I'm in, and it was very easy to use. I feel like I had many choices, depending on how much coverage I wanted, and the purchase process was simple. Will use again!"

Kenneth from CT 08/13/2023

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Squaremouth is the number 1 rated finance and insurance company on third-party review website, ResellerRatings. Customer service has always been our number one priority at Squaremouth. We want to make sure we’re providing the best possible experience for our customers, every time, so we invite every customer to review their experience with us on ResellerRatings.com .

View Squaremouth’s profile on resellerratings.com .

Our multi-award-winning customer service team is available on LiveChat seven days a week from 8am to 10pm ET, to help customers quote and compare travel insurance to find the best policy for the trip for the lowest possible price. After each conversation, customers are able to leave a review of their experience.

Personal Finance

Best travel insurance companies for november 2023.

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more .

Planning to travel in 2023? You’re not alone. According to the U.S Travel Association , a trade group, travel has bounced back after the pandemic. Americans are forecast to spend $1.09 trillion on domestic and international travel in 2023. That's up from $722 billion in 2020 and close to the $1.17 trillion spent before the pandemic in 2019.

Travel has also become more expensive than ever , thanks to increased demand and price inflation. So if you are planning a big trip, you owe it to yourself to consider the financial protection of travel insurance. 

Compare the best travel insurance companies 2023

Our recommendations for the best travel insurance company for november 2023, best for adventure enthusiasts: travelex.

Travelex Travel Insurance

Policy cancellation.

The Travelex “Basic” plan provides $15,000 of medical and $10,000 of trip cancellation coverage. These coverage amounts are lower than those offered by other companies in our review. However, higher limits are available by selecting the company’s “Select” plan.  

Among its upgrade options, Travelex offers adventure sports coverage for those whose itinerary includes such adrenaline-rush activities as zip lining, skydiving, or mountain climbing. This coverage can be added to any Travelex plan. 

It’s also worth noting that Travelex is one of the highest-rated travel insurance providers on Trustpilot , having earned 4.3 out of five stars (as of Aug. 2, 2023). One recent reviewer noted, "I've always been skeptical of trip insurance and all the promises of straightforward claim processes, but I was blown away with how responsive, simple, and logical the Travelex was. I decline all trip insurance for any travel booking I do now and only use Travelex. Cheaper, more efficient, less red tape. What's not to love?” 

Best standard coverage package: Generali Global Assistance

Generali Global Assistance

Generali Global Assistance is a European company with insurance services focusing on travel and identity protection. Its “Standard” plan for travel insurance provides $50,000 of medical expense coverage and trip cancellation coverage for 100% of the insured value.  

The plan also includes travel delay, baggage damage, baggage delay, and missed connection coverage. Options such as rental car collision damage and upgrade plans allow you to travel with even more coverage. 

Generali has 3.5 out of five stars with Trustpilot (accessed Aug. 2, 2023).

Best for “cancel for any reason” coverage: AXA Travel Insurance

AXA Travel Insurance

Many American consumers may not immediately recognize AXA Travel Insurance , but the company is a multinational financial services giant headquartered in France.  Its “Silver” plan—AXA’s entry-level travel insurance offering—includes coverage for $25,000 of emergency medical expenses and 100% of the insured trip cost if the trip is canceled. Additional coverages include trip delay, missed connection, medical evacuation, and baggage coverage. 

The company’s “Platinum” plan provides “cancel for any reason” trip cancellation coverage. This means you can cancel your trip for any reason—personal, professional, medical, family, or other—and expect to receive reimbursement. This contrasts with standard trip cancellation coverage, in which the cancellation must be for one of the specific reasons stated in the policy contract. The “Platinum” plan also includes higher amounts of emergency medical expenses and other coverages.  

AXA has 3.2 out of 5 stars in its Trustpilot rating (accessed Aug. 2, 2023). 

Best for spontaneous travelers: AIG Travelguard

AIG is a leading global provider of insurance for both individuals and businesses. Its Travelguard “Essential” plan offers $15,000 of emergency medical coverage and trip cancellation coverage for 100% of the insured cost of the trip. Higher coverage amounts are available with the company’s “Preferred” and “Deluxe” plans. 

AIG Travelguard also offers its unusual “Pack N’ Go” plan, designed for last-minute travelers who don't need trip cancellation coverage. This plan includes up to $1,000 of trip interruption and $25,000 of medical expense coverage, along with coverages for trip delays, missed connections, and lost luggage.

AIG promises quotes on its website in less than two minutes, making it easy to include Travelguard in your comparison shopping. Travelguard has 1.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot , though this is based on only 58 reviews (accessed Aug. 2, 2023). 

Best for families with young children: Allianz

Allianz Global Assistance (Allianz Travel) is a subsidiary of Allianz SE, the world’s largest diversified insurance company. Its “Basic” plan includes $10,000 of both trip interruption and emergency medical expense coverage. The company offers several plans with higher coverage, along with an “Emergency Medical” plan focused primarily on medical coverage. Allianz also offers several annual policy plans for those who intend to travel multiple times a year.

The company’s “OneTrip Prime” plan extends coverage for free to children under age 17 who are traveling with a parent or grandparent, making it ideal for family vacations. Allianz claims the plan is its most popular, with up to $100,000 of trip cancellation and $50,000 of emergency medical coverage.

Allianz earns 4.1 out of five stars in its Trustpilot rating (accessed Aug. 2, 2023), including 75% five-star reviews.

Best for luxury travel: Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway is one of the country’s largest companies (currently seventh on the Fortune 500). It’s also the parent company of auto insurance giant GEICO. 

Berkshire Hathaway’s “ExactCare Value” policy plan includes $15,000 of medical coverage and trip cancellation coverage of 100% of the insured value of the trip. The plan also includes coverage for lost baggage, baggage delay, trip delay, and emergency evacuation.  

Berkshire Hathaway offers a specialized insurance plan for luxury travel. This plan features higher medical and trip cancellation coverage limits, $2,500 worth of lost baggage coverage, $35,000 of car rental collision coverage, and 24/7 worldwide travel assistance. 

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance does not currently have a Trustpilot rating (accessed Aug. 2, 2023).

Best for cruises: Nationwide

Nationwide is one of the country's most recognizable insurance brands, with policies available for homes, cars, and businesses. The company also offers travel insurance. 

Its “Single-trip Essential” travel insurance plan provides $75,000 in medical emergency coverage. This is the most coverage of any of the companies in our review. Nationwide’s $10,000 limit for trip cancellation is lower than that of other plans, however. 

Higher limits are available with its “Prime” plan, along with a cancel-for-any-reason option that pays 75% of the insured trip cost. The plan also includes a variety of additional coverages, such as trip delay, baggage delay, emergency medical evacuation, and optional rental car coverage.  

Nationwide also offers a separate, specialized travel insurance policy for those embarking on cruises . Besides expected coverages such as trip cancellation and emergency medical, it covers itinerary changes, mechanical breakdown, and missed connections.

Nationwide has earned 1.9 out of 5 stars in its Trustpilot rating, based on only 42 reviews (Accessed Aug 2, 2023).

Best for amateur athletes: Tin Leg

Tin Leg travel insurance policy plans are underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway and other companies. Its “Economy” plan includes trip cancellation coverage at 100% of the insured cost and $20,000 of emergency medical coverage. The company offers a variety of additional travel insurance plans with varying levels of coverage. 

If you’re traveling to participate in a sports event and bringing your expensive gear, Tin Leg could be a great choice. Its “Economy” plan includes coverage for loss of, or damage to, sporting equipment (such as a bicycle or skis). It also reimburses your event registration fees if your trip is canceled or interrupted.  

Tin Leg has a Trustpilot rating of 1.9 out of 5 stars (accessed Aug 2, 2023), though this is based on only 13 reviews. 

Methodology

To develop our recommendations, we gathered information about several leading travel insurance providers from their websites and third-party reviews, where available. We focused on the range of essential coverages, including emergency medical coverage and trip cancellation coverage, along with the availability of 24/7 customer support during travel. Where it existed, we noted each company’s policy cancellation terms. 

We reviewed the most economical plan for each company that included both medical and trip cancellation coverage. We also noted optional coverages and upgraded plans that provide higher levels of coverage or specialty coverages for niche travel. 

This information is for comparison purposes only. Please verify policy details before purchasing. 

How to select the best travel insurance company

Follow these tips to choose the best travel insurance company for your needs. 

Determine your needs

Your travel insurance needs for a Caribbean cruise may differ significantly from those for a backpacking trip through the Swiss Alps. Your first step should be to outline your travel expense budget and list the activities in which you plan to participate (note that some policies include optional coverage for certain activities, such as adventure sports). Also, consider your health status, as some policies require you to pay extra for certain pre-existing health conditions. 

Investigate your travel insurance options

Check if you might already have some travel insurance readily available to you. Some credit card companies offer coverage if you use their card to pay for your trip. Coverage may also be available from a tour operator or an airline. You can also get recommendations from a travel agent or an independent insurance agent. 

Compare available features and coverage amounts

You'll discover that each travel insurance provider offers varying levels of standard coverage, such as trip cancellation and emergency medical expense, along with optional coverages. They typically also offer multiple plans (think "good," "better," and "best"). Review these and select a few providers that offer the coverages you need.  

Get quotes from multiple companies

As with any other type of insurance, travel insurance costs vary among companies. Check with at least three or four to ensure that you're getting the coverage you want at a price you can afford. 

Time STAMP: Travel is more expensive than ever. Protect your trip with travel insurance

Business and pleasure travel alike have bounced back from the pandemic. However, traveling has also become much more expensive, thanks to inflation and increased demand. If you plan to head to some far-off destination—whether by air, road, rail, or ship—consider buying travel insurance. A policy reimburses covered medical costs, trip interruption, and other snags that may befall your trip.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) 

How is your travel insurance cost determined.

Your travel insurance cost will vary based on the amount of coverage purchased, the number of travelers, the age of the travelers, and your trip destination. Travel insurance costs also vary by insurance company, underscoring the need to shop around for coverage.

Which travel insurance coverages are available?

Travel insurance policies typically include the following coverages. 

• Emergency medical expenses. This helps cover the cost of care if you or anyone insured by the policy has a medical emergency during your trip.  
• Trip cancellation. This covers the cost of your trip if it's canceled due to one of the reasons listed on the policy contract. You may also have an option for "cancel for any reason," which provides coverage if the trip is canceled, regardless of the reason why. 
• Trip interruption. This covers costs related to a shortening of your trip. These costs might include reimbursement of prepaid hotel bookings, airline change fees, or extra accommodations needed during your trip home. 
• Emergency medical transport. This covers the cost of transportation to the nearest medical facility if you have a medical emergency during your travel. 
• Luggage damage. This provides coverage if your luggage is damaged or lost during travel. 
• Travel delay. This covers costs associated with a significant delay to your travel, including additional accommodations and meals. 

I’m concerned about getting sick while traveling. What insurance should I look for?

If you’re concerned about getting sick, be sure to choose a policy that includes coverages such as emergency medical (which helps pay for your medical expenses) and emergency medical transport (which helps pay for transportation to a hospital). 

Do I need travel insurance for a cruise?

Travel insurance is worth considering for a cruise. As insurer Allianz notes, a policy can help you recoup costs if you need to cancel at the last minute, have a medical emergency while on board or at a stop (regular health insurance may not provide coverage outside of the U.S.), or if you miss the ship all together due to a delay by your airline.

Is there travel insurance for multiple trips?

If you’re planning to take multiple trips in a single year, you might want to consider multi-trip insurance (also called “annual” travel insurance). This type of policy typically provides trip interruption, emergency medical expense, trip delay, and other coverages at a price that’s less than buying a policy for each trip. 

How do I file a travel insurance claim?

If you need to file a travel insurance claim, call the insurance company. Each company has its own process for claim filing. You'll want to be sure you have the proper claim forms and understand what supporting documentation the company requires. Be sure to follow the company's instructions for submitting your claim request.  

How long does it take for a travel insurance claim to be paid?

It can take several weeks for a travel insurance claim to be paid. Be sure to watch for any follow-up requests from your insurer (such as requests for additional documentation) and respond promptly to avoid unnecessary delays.

Does my credit card offer travel insurance?

Some credit cards do offer varying levels of travel insurance, including trip interruption, medical expense, trip delay, and emergency evacuation coverage. Check your credit card terms and conditions or benefits statement to understand what coverage may be provided.

The card_name card offers one of the best portfolios of travel insurance benefits, including $100,000 of emergency transportation coverage, $2,500 of emergency medical and dental coverage, and up to $20,000 of trip interruption coverage.

The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.

Our independent ratings are the quick way to understand the quality of your insurance policy. Our experts choose between 30 and 100 features and benefits, against which every policy/product in the market is scored. Then apply a simple rating of 1 to 5, so you can see, at a glance, how they stack up. 

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