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If you're planning your next vacation or trip out of the country, be sure to factor in travel insurance. Unexpected events such as lost luggage or medical emergencies can drain your bank account. Travel insurance steps in to provide you with peace of mind and financial protection while you're abroad.
Next Step: Compare rates on more than 100 travel insurance policies in minutes.
Whether you're a thrill seeker going on an adventure vacation, or a professional on a business trip, our guide will help you find the perfect travel insurance plan to fit your needs.
We've researched and compiled eight of the best travel insurance companies for international travel. Below you'll find coverage details, pricing, and unique features.
Travel insurance needs vary depending on your individual circumstance. Choosing an international policy calls for careful consideration of your budget and travel plans. Popular options include Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, and Travel Guard.
International health insurance and travel insurance serve different purposes. While both may cover medical expenses, international health insurance provides long-term health insurance for working abroad. Meanwhile, travel insurance offers short-term coverage for the duration of your trip.
Typically, your regular medical insurance won't cover travelling abroad, so you'll want to make sure you have adequate travel medical insurance. Depending on your plans, you may want to purchase additional coverage, such as cancel for any reason insurance and activity insurance if you're planning on doing anything adventurous like bungee jumping.
Allianz Travel Insurance
Whether you're a frequent jetsetter or an occasional traveler, Allianz Travel Insurance offers the ultimate customizable coverage for international trips. You can choose from an a la carte of single or multi-trip plans, as well as add-ons, including rental car damage, cancel for any reason (CFAR), adventure sport, and business travel coverage.
The icing on the cake is the highly-rated mobile app, which has a 4.7 out of 5 rating from over 1,800 reviews on Google Play and a 4.8 out of 5 rating from over 13,000 reviews on the Apple Store. So, you can rest easy knowing that you can access your policy and file claims anywhere in the world without a hassle. And with affordable pricing compared to competitors, Allianz is a budget-friendly choice for your international travel insurance needs.
Read our Allianz travel insurance review.
As an adventure traveler, things can go awry at any moment. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 specific activities, so you can focus on the adventure without worrying about gaps in your coverage.
You can select its budget-friendly standard plan, starting at $79. Or if you're an adrenaline junkie seeking more thrills, you can opt for the World Nomads' Explorer plan for $120, which includes extra sports like skydiving, scuba diving, and heli-skiing. And World Nomads offers 24/7 assistance, so you can confidently travel abroad, knowing that help is just a phone call away.
Read our World Nomads travel insurance review.
You shouldn't have to worry about losing your hard-earned money on non-refundable travel costs if your trip ends prematurely. That's why trip interruption coverage is a must-have for any traveler. Travel Insured offers 100% coverage for trip cancellation, up to 150% for trip interruption, and reimbursement for up to 75% of your non-refundable travel costs with select plans.
Travel Insured also stands out for its extensive "reasons for cancellation" coverage. Unlike many insurers, the company covers hurricane warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Read our Travel Insured review.
If you're planning a family trip, Travelex offers coverage for your whole crew. Its family plan insures all your children under 17 at no additional cost. The travel insurance provider also offers add-ons like adventure sports and car rental collision coverage to protect your family under any circumstance. Got pets? With Travelex's Travel Select plan, you can also get coverage for your furry friend's emergency medical and transportation expenses.
Read our Travelex insurance review.
If you're embarking on a long-term trip, you may need specialized coverage that the standard short-term travel insurance policy won't provide. You can choose from several plans, including the Annual Multi-Trip plan, which provides medical coverage for multiple international trips for up to 364 days. This policy also offers COVID-19 medical and evacuation coverage up to $1 million.
You also get the added benefit of incidental expense coverage. This policy will cover remote health-related services and information, treatment of injury or illness, and live consultations via telecommunication.
Read our Seven Corners travel insurance review.
As a senior, finding travel insurance that provides enough coverage can be challenging. Fortunately, John Hancock's travel insurance offers specialized plans that cater to your unique needs. With primary emergency accident and emergency sickness expense coverage and emergency medical evacuation coverage, seniors can rely on their coverage to get the medical help they need.
The company also offers a pre-existing condition waiver, which is especially essential for seniors with age-related conditions that need coverage. John Hancock also provides a 24-hour multilingual hotline for emergency assistance, ensuring seniors are never stranded in an emergency.
Read our John Hancock travel insurance review.
Planning a cruise getaway? Berkshire Hathway's WaveCare is designed to offer protection while you're at sea. This policy provides the standard travel insurance coverage, including trip interruption, flight delays or missed connections, and lost luggage.
You'll also receive cruise-specific coverage for things like if your cruise company goes bankrupt while you're on the trip, your ship experiences mechanical failures, your cruise line diverts from its scheduled course, or cancellation of pre-paid excursions. Additionally, Berkshire Hathaway is on standby with 24-hour emergency travel assistance if you lose vital travel documents, like your passports, while on a cruise.
Read our Berkshire Hathaway travel insurance review.
Different travelers and trips require different types of insurance coverage. So, consider these tips if you're in the market to insure your trip.
Determine your needs
Research the reputation of the company
Compare prices
Your policy cost will depend on several factors, such as the length of your trip, destination, coverage limits, and age. Typically, a comprehensive policy includes travel cancellation coverage costs between 5% and 10% of your total trip cost.
If you're planning an international trip that costs $4,500, you can expect to pay anywhere from $225 to $450 for your policy. Comparing quotes from multiple providers can help you find a budget-friendly travel insurance policy that meets your needs.
Travel insurance can be confusing, but we're here to simplify it for you. We'll break down the industry's jargon to help you understand what travel insurance covers to help you decide what your policy needs. Bear in mind that exclusions and limitations for your age and destination may apply.
Travel insurance coverage type | What is it? |
Medical coverage | Coverage for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains |
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage | Reimburses you for non-refundable prepaid expenses if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip due to a covered event |
Baggage coverage | Coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items during your trip |
Travel delay coverage | Compensates you for expenses related to trip delays such as meals, lodging, and other accommodations |
Emergency assistance services | Get 24/7 emergency assistance services like medical and travel assistance or concierge services |
Pre-existing medical conditions coverage | Medical coverage for conditions diagnosed before you purchased your policy |
Hazardous activities coverage | Coverage for high risk activities like extreme sports or adventure activities |
Coverage limits | The amount of coverage you'll receive for each category in your policy |
Deductible | How much you'll pay before you receive compensation for your claim |
We ranked and assigned superlatives to the best international travel insurance companies based on several key factors, including:
We consult user feedback and reviews to determine how each company fares in each category. We also check the provider's financial rating and volume of complaints via third-party rating agencies.