best travel insurance south africa

Top Travel Insurances for South Africa You Should Know in 2024

Byron Mühlberg

Monito's Managing Editor, Byron has spent several years writing extensively about financial- and migration-related topics.

Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

At the very bottom of Africa, South Africa is a famous tourist destination that's known for its diverse landscapes, Table Mountain, the Kruger National Park with its Big Five, and rich cultural heritage such as traditional music and dance. Although travelling to South Africa can be an accessible holiday destination for many people, out-the-pocket healthcare costs in the country tend to be expensive, so it's a very good idea to arrive there with travel insurance under your belt.

Luckily, online global insurances (known as 'insurtechs') specialize in cost-savvy travel insurance to South Africa and other countries worldwide. Our list below explores the four services we believe provide the best deals for young travellers, adventurers, everyday holidaymakers looking for comprehensive but affordable coverage, and longer-term expats.

South Africa Insurance Profile

Here are a few of the many factors influencing the scope and cost of travel insurances for South Africa:

Best Travel Insurances for South Africa

• 01. Should I get travel insurance for South Africa? scroll down
• 02. Best medical coverage: VisitorsCoverage scroll down
• 03. Best trip insurance: Insured Nomads scroll down
• 04. Best mix for youth and digitial nomads: SafetyWing scroll down
• 05. FAQ about travel insurance to South Africa scroll down

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Do I Need Travel Insurance for South Africa?

No, there's currently no legal requirement to take out travel insurance for travel to or through South Africa.

However, regardless of whether or not it's legally required, it's always a good idea to take our health insurance before you travel — whether to SA or anywhere else. For what's usually an affordable cost , taking out travel insurance will mitigate most or all of the risk of financial damage if you run into any unexpected troubles during your trip abroad. Take a look at the top five reasons to get travel insurance to learn more.

With that said, here are the top three travel insurances for South Africa:

VisitorsCoverage: Best Medical Coverage

Among the internet's best-known insurance platforms,  VisitorsCoverage  is a pioneering Silicon Valley insurtech company that offers comprehensive medical coverage for travellers going abroad to South Africa. It lets you choose between various plans tailored to meet the specific needs of your trip to South Africa, including coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and travel disruptions. With its easy online purchase process and 24/7 live chat support, VisitorsCoverage is a reliable and convenient option if you want good value and peace of mind while travelling abroad.

• Coverage 9.0
• Quality of Service 9.0
• Pricing 7.6
• Credibility 9.5

VisitorsCoverage offers a large variety of policies and depending on your needs and preferences, you'll need to compare and explore their full catalogue of plans for yourself. However, we've chosen a few highlights for their travel insurance for South Africa:

• Policy names: Varies
• Medical coverage: Very good. Includes coverage for doctor and hospital visits, pre-existing conditions, repatriation, mental health-related conditions, and many others.
• Trip coverage: Excellent - but only available for US residents.
• Customer support: FAQ, live chat and phone support
• Pricing range: USD 25 to USD 150 /traveller /month
• Insurance underwriter: Lloyd's, Petersen, and others
• Best for: Value for money and overall medical coverage

Insured Nomads: Best Trip Coverage

Insured Nomads is another very good travel insurance option, especially if you're adventurous or frequently on the go and are looking for solid trip insurance with some coverage for medical incidents too. With Insured Nomads, you can choose the level of protection that best suits your needs and enjoy a wide range of benefits, including 24/7 assistance, coverage for risky activities and adventure sports, and the ability to add or remove coverage as needed. In addition, Insured Nomads has a reputation for providing fast and efficient claims service, making it an excellent choice if you want peace of mind while exploring the world.

• Coverage 7.8
• Quality of Service 8.5
• Pricing 7.4
• Credibility 8.8

Insured Nomads offers three travel insurance policies depending on your needs and preferences. We go through them below:

• Policy names: World Explorer, World Explorer Multi, World Explorer Guardian
• Medical coverage: Good. Includes coverage for doctor and hospital visits, pre-existing conditions, repatriation, and many others.
• Trip coverage: Good. Includes coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, lost or stolen luggage (with limits), adventure and sports activities, and many others.
• Customer support: FAQ, live chat, phone support
• Pricing range: USD 80 to USD 420 /traveller /month
• Insurance underwriter: David Shield Insurance Company Ltd.
• Best for: Adventure seekers wanting comprehensive trip insurance

SafetyWing: Best Combination For Youth

SafetyWing is a good insurance option for younger travellers or digital nomads because it offers flexible but comprehensive coverage at a famously affordable price. With SafetyWing, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you're covered for unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and more. In addition, SafetyWing's user-friendly website lets you manage your policy, file a claim, and access 24/7 assistance from anywhere in the world, and, unlike VisitorsCoverage, you can even purchase a policy retroactively (e.g. during a holiday)!

• Coverage 7.0
• Quality of Service 8.0
• Pricing 6.3
• Credibility 7.3

SafetyWing offers two travel insurance policies depending on your needs and preferences, which we've highlighted below:

• Policy names: Nomad Insurance, Remote Health
• Medical coverage: Decent. Includes coverage for doctor and hospital visits, repatriation, and many others.
• Trip coverage: Decent. Includes attractive coverage for lost or stolen belongings, adventure and sports activities, transport cancellation, and many others.
• Pricing range: USD 45 to USD 160 /traveller /month
• Insurance underwriter: Tokyo Marine HCC
• Best for: Digital nomads, youth, long-term travellers

How Do They Compare?

Interested to see how VisitorsCoverage, SafetyWing, and Insured Nomads compare as travel insurances to South Africa? Take a look at the side-by-side chart below:

Data correct as of 4/1/2024

FAQ About Travel Insurance to SA

Travel insurance typically covers trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost or stolen luggage, travel delay, and emergency evacuation. Some travel insurance packages also cover medical-related incidents too. However, remember that the exact coverage depends on the insurance policy.

No, you'll not be required to take out travel insurance for South Africa. However, we strongly encourage you to do so anyway, because the cost of healthcare in South Africa can be high, and taking out travel insurance will mitigate some or all of the risk of covering those costs yourself if you need medical attention during your stay.

Yes, medical travel insurance is almost always worth it, and we recommend taking out travel insurance whenever visiting a foreign country. Taking out travel insurance will mitigate some or all of the risk of covering those costs yourself in case you need medical attention during your stay. In general, we recommend VisitorsCoverage to travellers worldwide because it offers excellent value for money and well-rounded travel and medical benefits in its large catalogue of plans.

Health insurance doesn't cover normal holiday expenses, such as coverage for missed flights and hotels, but in case you run into medical trouble while abroad, it may cover some or all of your doctor or hospital expenses while overseas. However, not all health insurance providers and plans offer coverage to customers while abroad, and that's why it's generally best to take out travel insurance whenever you travel.

Although there's overlap, health and travel insurance are not exactly the same. Health insurance covers some or all of the cost of medical expenses (e.g. emergency treatment, doctor's visits, etc.) while travel insurance covers non-medical costs that are commonly associated with travelling (e.g. coverage for missed flights, stolen or lost personal belongings, etc.).

The cost of travel insurance depends on several factors, such as the length of the trip, the destination, the age of the traveller, and the level of coverage desired. On average, travel insurance can cost anywhere between 3% and 10% of the total cost of the trip.

A single-trip travel insurance policy covers a specific trip, while an annual one covers multiple trips taken within a one-year period. An annual policy may be more cost-effective for frequent travellers.

Yes, you can sometimes purchase travel insurance after starting your trip, but it is best to buy it before the trip begins to ensure maximum coverage. If you do need to buy insurance after you've started your trip, we recommend VisitorsCoverage , which offers a wide catalogue of online trip and medical insurance policies, most of which can be booked with immediate effect. Check out our guide to buying travel insurance late to learn more.

Yes, you can most certainly purchase travel insurance for a trip that has already been booked, although we recommend purchasing insurance as soon as possible aftwerwards to ensure all coverage is in place before your journey begins. Check out our guide to buying travel insurance late to learn more.

See Our Other Travel Insurance Guides

Looking for Travel Insurance to Another Country?

See our recommendations for travel insurance to other countries worldwide:

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For your holidays in South Africa and abroad

Travel insurance for south africa.

South Africa is renowned for its stunning wildlife safaris, vibrant cities, and breathtaking scenery. From the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town to the vast savannas of Kruger National Park, there's something to captivate every traveler's imagination. Now, as you plan your journey to this enchanting destination, it's crucial to consider your travel insurance needs. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about travel insurance for South Africa, ensuring you have a worry-free and enjoyable trip.  

• What should your Travel insurance cover for a trip to South Africa? 

How Does Travel Insurance for South Africa Work?

• Do I need Travel Insurance for South Africa? 

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for South Africa?

Our suggested axa travel protection plan, what types of medical coverage does axa travel protection plans offer, are there any covid-19 restrictions for travelers to south africa, traveling with pre-existing medical conditions , what should your travel insurance cover for a trip to south africa.

At a minimum, your travel insurance should cover trip cancellation, trip interruption and emergency medical expenses. When it comes to international travel, the US Department of State outlines key components that should be included in your travel insurance coverage. AXA Travel Protection plans are designed with these minimum recommended coverages in mind.  

• Medical Coverage   – The top priority is making sure your health is in order. With AXA Travel Protection, you can have access to quality healthcare during your trip overseas in the event of unexpected medical emergencies.    
• Trip Cancellation & Interruptions  – Assistance against unexpected trip disruptions can dampen the mood, AXA Travel Protection offers coverage against unforeseen events.   
• Emergency Evacuations and Repatriation   – In situations where transportation is dire, AXA Travel Protection offers provisions for emergency evacuation and repatriation.   
• Coverage for Personal Belongings  – AXA offers coverage for your belongings with assistance against lost or delayed baggage.   
• Optional Cancel for Any Reason  – For added flexibility, AXA offers optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, allowing you to cancel your trip for non-traditional reasons.  Exclusive to Platinum Plan holders. 

In just a few seconds, you can get a free quote and purchase the best travel insurance for South Africa.

Imagine indulging in South Africa's savory braais and exotic street food. However, after enjoying a delicious meal, you fall ill with food poisoning. In need of urgent medical attention, your travel insurance may cover unexpected health emergencies, including food-related illnesses. With AXA, you can enjoy South Africa's cuisine with confidence.

Here’s how travelers can benefit from an AXA Travel Protection Plan:  

Medical Benefits: 

• Emergency Medical Expenses: Should you fall ill or have an accident during your trip, your policy may offer coverage for medical expenses, including hospital stays and doctor's fees. 
• Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: In case of a serious medical emergency, your policy may include provisions for evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or repatriation. 
• Non-Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation : In non-medical crises (e.g., political unrest), your policy may cover evacuation or repatriation, subject to policy terms. 

Baggage Benefits: 

• Luggage Delay: If the airline delays your checked baggage, your policy might offer reimbursement for essential items like clothing and toiletries. 
• Lost or Stolen Luggage: In the unfortunate event of permanent loss or theft of your luggage, your policy may offer reimbursement for its value, assisting you in replacing your belongings. 

Pre-Departure Travel Benefits: 

• Trip Cancellation: You may be eligible for reimbursement if you cancel your trip due to a sudden illness or injury. 
• COVID-19 Travel Insurance: Coverage is available for trip cancellation and medical expenses related to COVID-19, subject to policy terms and conditions. 
• Trip Delay: If your flight faces delays due to unforeseen circumstances, you may have coverage for additional expenses such as meals and accommodations. 

Post-Departure Travel Benefits

• Trip Interruption: In case of an unexpected event, you could be eligible for reimbursement for the unused portion of your trip.
• Missed Connection: If you miss a connecting flight due to delays or cancellations, this coverage may help with expenses like rebooking fees and accommodations.

Additional Optional Travel Benefits 

• Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver) : Exclusive to Gold & Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit gives travelers extra coverage on their rental car against damage and theft. 
• Cancel for Any Reason: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders; this optional benefit gives travelers more flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason outside of their standard policy. 
• Loss Skier Days : Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate some costs associated with pre-paid ski tickets that you or your traveling companion cannot use due to specified slope closures. 
• Loss Golf Days: Exclusive to Platinum plan policy holders, this optional benefit offers reimbursement to mitigate the expenses linked to prepaid golf arrangements that you or your travel companion are unable to utilize due to specified golf closures.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for South Africa?

While South Africa doesn't require travel insurance, we highly recommend securing a policy before your trip. A good travel insurance can protect your finances, especially considering the significant expenses involved in visiting the region.

Why? There are several reasons:  

Medical Emergencies: Given the potential risks of accidents or illnesses while exploring South Africa's diverse landscapes, coverage for emergency medical expenses is crucial. Insurance offers travelers’ access to necessary healthcare without worrying about overwhelming costs.

Lost Baggage: Airlines sometimes mishandle baggage, and the last thing you want is to be without your essentials in an unfamiliar place. Travel insurance offers to cover the cost of replacing necessary items, allowing you to continue on.

Trip Cancellation : With South Africa's unpredictable weather and occasional political unrest, trip cancellations may occur. Coverage for trip cancellation may offer reimbursement for prepaid expenses due to unforeseen circumstances.

In general, travel insurance costs about 3 – 10% of your total prepaid and non-refundable trip expenses. The cost of travel insurance depends on two factors for AXA Travel Protection plans:

• Total Trip cost:  The total non-prepaid and non-refundable costs you have already paid for your upcoming trip. This includes prepaid excursions, plane tickets, cruise costs, etc. 
• Age:  Like any other insurance type, the correlation is rooted in increased health risks associated with older individuals. It's important to note that this doesn't make travel insurance unattainable for older individuals. 

With AXA Travel Protection, travelers to South Africa will be offered three tiers of insurance:  Silver,   Gold  and  Platinum . Each provides varying levels of coverage to cater to individual's preferences and travel needs. 

AXA presents travelers with three travel plans – the Silver,   Gold  and  Platinum Plan   , each offering different levels of coverage to suit individual needs. Given that South Africa hospitals often do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare, we genuinely recommend travelers to consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for the crucial coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses.

The Platinum Plan is your go-to choice if you're looking for extra coverage for South Africa’s experience. "Cancel for Any Reason" offers greater flexibility for those unexpected twists in your travel plans and the "Rental Car (Collision Damage Waiver)" offers assistance when you're out exploring South Africa's stunning landscapes in a rental car.  

AXA covers three types of medical expenses:

Emergency medical

Emergency evacuation & repatriation

Non-medical emergency evacuation & repatriation  

Emergency medical: can cover unexpected incidents such as broken bones, burns, sudden illnesses, and allergic reactions.

Emergency evacuation and repatriation: Can cover your immediate transportation home in the event of an accidental injury or illness.

Non-medical emergency evacuation and repatriation: Can cover evacuation assistance for leaving a destination urgently due to non-medical reasons. This could include events like natural disasters or civil unrest.  

No. Travelers visiting South Africa are no longer obligated to present vaccination certificates or recent negative PCR test results upon entry.  

Traveling with preexisting medical conditions can complicate your plans, but with AXA Travel Protection, we're here to support you during your trip. Our Gold and Platinum   Plans offer coverage for preexisting medical conditions. The Platinum plan is our highest-offered choice for travelers who want our highest coverage limits and optional add-ons,

What does this mean for you? If you've got a medical condition that's been hanging around, you can qualify for coverage under our Gold and Platinum plan with a pre-existing medical condition , so long as it’s within 14 days of placing your initial trip deposit and in our 60 day look back period. We're here to make sure you travel with ease, no matter your health situation.  

1.Can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight?

You can buy travel insurance even after your flight is booked.  

2.When should I buy Travel Insurance to South Africa?

It's advisable to purchase travel insurance for your trip as soon as you have made your initial trip deposit (prepaid and non-refundable trip costs.) AXA Travel Protection offers coverage as soon as you purchase your protection plan. We can give coverage against unforeseen events before you leave for your trip. Additionally, our policies offer coverage for preexisting medical conditions and Cancel for Any Reason if you purchase your protection within 14-days of making your initial trip deposit.  

3.Do Americans need travel insurance in South Africa?

Travel insurance is not a mandatory requirement for visiting South Africa. However, purchasing a policy before your trip is highly recommended to cover unforeseen events such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage.  

4.What is needed to visit South Africa from the USA?

When traveling to South Africa, American citizens must have a passport valid for at least 6 months. Besides the valid passport, only need a return ticket for a 90-day stay is needed.  

5.What happens if a tourist gets sick in South Africa?

If you become sick in South Africa, travelers with AXA Travel Protection can contact the AXA Assistance hotline 855-327-1442 . Contact information is typically provided within the insurance documentation. Please ensure to read through your policy details and information.

Disclaimer: It is important to note that Destination articles are for editorial purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. Specifics of travel coverage for your destination will depend on the plan selected, the date of purchase, and the state of residency. Customers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of their policy. Contact AXA Travel Insurance if you have any questions.  AXA Assistance USA, Inc.© 2023 All Rights Reserved.  

AXA already looks after millions of people around the world

With our travel insurance we can take great care of you too

Get AXA Travel Insurance and travel worry free!

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Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip.

Best Travel Insurance Companies in South Africa

Owning a good quality travel insurance policy gives peace of mind when you’re on a trip. You can throw any fears overboard and thoroughly relish that long-awaited, much-deserved holiday, knowing that you’ll be financially covered if anything goes wrong.

In this post, we’ll tell you which companies offer the best travel insurance for South Africans, and what stands out about their travel insurance packages. All of these providers are favorites among local travelers… but they feature different benefits.

FNB Travel Insurance

FNB’s travel insurance package is simple and covers the essentials. They offer:

• R10 million cover for medical expenses.
• A personal liability cover of up to R2.5 million.
• Cover in the event of accidental death, total permanent disablement, cancellations, delays, situations involving pre-existing medical conditions, and lost, stolen or damaged baggage.

They have a special package for clients between 71 and 85 years of age.

Top benefit: the high amounts they’ll payout in the case of a medical emergency.

Visit their website .

Call: 086 149 0100

ABSA Travel Insurance

ABSA also boasts some automatic, basic cover for clients who use their ABSA credit card to purchase their air tickets. You can order a “top-up” cover to gain full insurance. This will cover:

• Trips up to 184 days long
• Hazardous activities
• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Medical emergencies
• Personal accidents
• Baggage loss or theft
• Legal expenses
• Wrongful detention
• Loss of money
• Loss of passport

Clients between 70 and 74 years get to enjoy a special package.

Top benefit: cover is more comprehensive than other banks offer.

Visit their website.

Call: 086 122 7284

Email: [email protected]

Standard Bank Travel Insurance

If you have a Standard Bank credit, VISA or cheque card, you get automatic, limited travel insurance for up to 90 days. Or, you can pay extra to enjoy full coverage. Here’s what Standard Bank travel insurance will pay out for:

• Trips lasting up to 180 days
• Medical emergencies, including those caused by acts of terrorism
• Death or permanent total disability
• Visit by a family member during an emergency
• Return of stranded child or travel companion
• Baggage delay
• Travel delay
• Legal fees to third parties

Top benefits: they provide excellent help for a medical emergency or if someone becomes stranded.

Call: 086 111 4494

AIG Travel Insurance

AIG is a US-based insurance company that’s been operating in South Africa for nearly fifty years. They offer several different packages. The most basic one covers:

• Trip cancellation
• Trip interruption
• Baggage loss or delay
• Pre-existing conditions
• Medical evacuations
• Car rentals
• 24-hour assistance

Deluxe packages may include options like pet insurance, security evacuation and dental emergencies.

Top benefits: large global reach, loads of variation regarding the package you can purchase.

Pick a package and fill out an online questionnaire to receive a quote.

Call: 086 010 0491

Allianz Travel Insurance

According to their website, Allianz offers insurance plus risk consultancy to a wide variety of clients across many countries. They have a range of unique travel insurance policies, including one tailored for clients who want to travel in Europe’s Schengen region and one for travelers who will be enjoying winter sports.

Here’s what their popular Single Trip Travel Insurance will cover:

• Trip cancellations, delay or curtailment
• Emergency medical expenses
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Repatriation of mortal remains
• Dental expenses
• Hospital cash
• Emergency family travel
• Loss of personal money
• Baggage delay and loss
• Personal accident or disability
• Permanent total disablement
• Missed departure
• Personal liability

Top benefits: highly comprehensive coverage, specialised insurance packages tailored for unique situations.

Call: 087 195 0581

Email: [email protected]

Discovery Travel Insurance

As a health insurance provider, Discovery will pay out for medical emergencies while you’re traveling, if you’re subscribed to certain plans. They’ll only cover medical emergencies and won’t payout if you’ve been traveling for over 90 days or have an emergency relating to a pre-existing condition.

Top benefit: this coverage is automatic on most Discovery medical insurance plans, so if you have an account with Discovery, you may already be covered for medical emergencies when travelling.

Call: 086 099 8877

Santam Travel Insurance

Santam is a locally based insurance provider who knows how to care for their South African clients. Santam travel insurance may cover:

• 24-hour emergency assistance
• Journey cancellation or curtailment
• Repatriation
• Accidental death or disablement
• Loss of luggage, documents or cash
• Hostage situations
• Wrongful arrest
• Travel supplier insolvency

Top benefit: they’re local but offer more travel insurance coverage than local banks.

Get a quote .

Call: 011 521 4000

Email: [email protected]

Bryte Travel Insurance

Bryte may be a new name in the insurance and risk management industry, but the Bryte team is wonderfully capable and accomplished. When it comes to travel insurance, Bryte offers a variety of packages, including a plan specific to teens, and a plan for people traveling within South Africa. Their premium package covers:

• Emergency medical expenses, including those arising from terrorism or hazardous activities
• Medical evacuation
• Optical and dental expenses
• Hospital cash and refund of emergency telephone charges
• Holiday disruption
• Death and permanent total disability
• Cash transfer advice
• Embassy and consular referral
• Visit by family member
• Legal assistance and fees to the third party
• Assistance for spouse or travel companion on a cruise
• Burial, cremation or return of mortal remains plus coffin expenses
• Trip cancellation, postponement or curtailment
• Baggage theft, loss, damage or delay
• Certain valuables
• Bank card fraud
• Theft of money, cheques, bank cards, money orders, passports or travel documents
• Travel delays and alternative travel, with ticket upgrades in the case of long delays
• Missed connection with additional car parking and lounge access
• Missed event or activity
• Hijack, kidnap and wrongful detention
• Natural disaster evacuation and accommodation
• Identity fraud
• Certain additional expenses
• Missed port or cabin confinement

Top benefit: packages are tailored, comprehensive and highly practical.

Apply online .

Browse this informative brochure.

Call: 086 000 1121

Hollard Travel Insurance

Hollard is another large, privately owned local insurer. Children are insured for free, and they offer group discounts. They cover:

• Any of the 31 pre-existing medical conditions named on their list .
• 101 different sports and activities
• Cruise travel
• Trip cancellations
• Late flights
• Missed connections
• Theft or damage to belongings
• Legal liability
• Poor weather
• Delayed luggage
• Accidental death
• Permanent disability
• Unexpected terrorist attacks

Top benefits: they offer wonderfully comprehensive coverage, free kids’ coverage and group discounts.

Get a travel insurance quote.

Call: 086 145 5738

Email: [email protected].

MoneyToday South Africa is a financial website aims to assist consumers with comprehensive information on personal finance, loans, insurance, investment opportunities, financial guides, tips and comparison of a large number of finance and insurance companies on the South African market.

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South African Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for the whole family

Whilst you are traveling, Allianz Travel provides travel insurance to safeguard you and your family. Our wide range of travel insurance options extends from simple Schengen visa coverage to exclusive annual multi-trip covers. 

Total Coverage!

Allianz travel insurance covers you and your family when traveling. We provide several types of coverage, including accident, illness, injury, sickness, trip interruption, baggage loss or damage, delays, and so much more. 

Allianz Travel offers you the freedom to explore the world with confidence, knowing that Allianz Travel has one of the following travel insurance plans to protect you:

Very easy and fast. Thank you

Popular products, schengen travel.

If you are travelling to the Schengen Zone, then this policy enables you to obtain your Visa, in addition to offering emergency medical cover, whilst you are travelling.

From R 147*

Single trip insurance.

Perfect for individuals or families travelling worldwide for a single trip. Protect you or your family as well as your holiday with our great value Single Trip Travel Insurance.

From R 233**

Annual trip insurance.

Planning on going away more than once this year, then an Annual Trip Policy offers you great value cover for all of your trips, the best cost effective solution all year long.

From R 1887***

  Sports Cover  

* Schengen Travel - Price based on a 30 year old travelling up to 3 days within a Schengen Destination.

**Travel Standard - Price based on a 30 year old travelling up to 3 days within Worldwide excluding USA & Canada geographical zone.

***Travel Schengen Annual multi-trip  - Price based on a 30 year travelling to the Schengen space

****Travel Standard with Sport Cover - Price based on a 30 year old travelling up to 3 days within Worldwide excluding USA & Canada geographical zone

For more information about our optional products prices please refer to the products page.

The Travel Insurance Experts

When you are insured with AGCS SA, you have access to a global network of travel experts.  Our travel insurance underwriters have a vast amount of experience and local knowledge about the destinations, cultures and risks of many different countries. This means that we can design a comprehensive cover for your specific needs while understanding the unique challenges faced by people traveling to more remote or exotic locations around the world.

7 Best South Africa Travel Insurance Plans for US Citizens in 2023

Updated on June 16, 2023 by Matthew H. Nash – Licensed Insurance Agent

• SwiftScore Our SwiftScore is a unique and proprietary insurance ranking system objectively comparing key metrics which are most important to South Africa travelers. Learn more at the end of this page.

STARTING PRICE FOR 2-WEEK TRIP TO THE SOUTH AFRICA

CAN YOU CANCEL YOUR TRIP FOR ANY REASON? 

BEST POLICY FOR

Fast Claims

• Super fast claims via their 100% digital platform with a helpful mobile app
• Faye makes it easy to add-on coverage for vacation rentals, adventure/extreme sports, pet emergencies, and “cancel for any reason” at competitive prices
• Underwritten by Crum & Forster, Faye is known for its exceptional customer support, with 4.8/5 stars on Trustpilot

BEST  WEBSITE FOR

Comparing Policies

• Compare dozens of the best South Africa travel insurance policies from all the major providers in one place
• Easily filter for the features you want and get support from their award-winning customer service team
• Founded in 2013, TravelInsurance.com has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers find affordable insurance coverage

• SwiftScore Our SwiftScore is a unique and proprietary insurance ranking system objectively comparing key metrics which are most important to travelers. Learn more at the end of this page.

Travelers Aged 55+

• Pre-existing medical conditions are covered for a reasonable fee and they offer “cancel for any reason” as an add-on
• $2,000 COVID quarantine coverage available w/ Safe Travels Voyager plan
• Founded in 1998 and underwritten by Nationwide and GBG Insurance

BEST WEBSITE FOR

Filtering Plans

• This comparison website has the most comprehensive filters especially for Covid-19 which helps you search for the specific benefits you need
• They have “Zero Complaint Guarantee” which promises a fair claims process
• Established in 2003, Squaremouth has consistently been recognized for it’s exceptional customer service

BEST POLICY FROM

An Established Brand

• Well rounded, inexpensive travel insurance plans from an established and top rated global insurance company
• AXA has plans that cover pre-existing conditions and their “Platinum” plan covers “cancel for any reason” with an optional add-on. They also offer helpful 24/7 Worldwide Travel Assistance Services
• Founded in 1959 and underwritten by Nationwide

Family Travel

• Their “Trip Interruption for any Reason” feature allows you to get a 75% reimbursement for any additional expenses if you decide to go home early from your trip
• They have a variety of insurance products to suit any travel needs
• Founded in 1993 and underwritten by Nationwide Insurance

Long-term Travel

• Ideal for digital nomads and long-term travel, available to anyone anywhere
• Scored lower because short-term travel coverage isn’t as robust as competitors
• Founded in 2018 and is underwritten by Lloyds of London

CAN YOU CANCEL YOUR TRIP FOR ANY REASON?

South Africa travel insurance FAQs

How do i find the best travel insurance provider.

The great news is that you can choose from 22 well-reputed travel insurance providers on website makes it easy to determine which provider offers a policy that meets all of your insurance needs. I like WithFaye.com as they are selective about the companies they feature on their platform. They also have helpful filters to sort and sift through policies and direct customer support from the providers.

Is it too late to purchase trip insurance once my South Africa trip has begun?

It’s always wise to purchase your trip insurance in advance, but you can still buy an insurance policy while on vacation. Be aware that any plan you purchase will only apply for the remainder of your trip and does not apply retroactively. Therefore, it will not cover events or emergencies prior to the date of purchase.

Is South Africa safe to visit?

While millions of tourists visit South Africa every year, it is known for having high crime levels, particularly in townships and large cities. Therefore, traveling vigilantly and learning about South Africa in advance of your trip will help you explore and move about the country much more safely. I recommend visiting the Department of State’s South Africa Travel Advisory page for more in-depth safety and travel information.

How long will it take my South Africa travel insurance provider to process my claim?

This differs from one provider to another and from one claim to the next. If you file the claim correctly and submit the requested documentation, you can expect reimbursements to take as long as 6 to 8 weeks. That said, travel insurance companies process many of their claims much faster.

What are the most common reasons travel insurance claims get rejected? Is there any recourse?

The most typical reasons for companies to reject claims include the policy’s benefits did not extend to the claim filed, the person filing the claim did not follow procedure, or the insured individual did not accurately disclose their total trip costs or any pre-existing medical conditions. Should they reject your claim initially, your insurer will notify you of potential recourse.

How do you define and calculate “total trip costs” when applying for South Africa travel insurance?

Travel insurance providers determine Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits using your “total trip cost.” As a result, you must calculate this amount accurately or risk forfeiting any benefits your policy affords you. To do so, total up the full cost of your trip’s prepaid, non-refundable expenses, including airfare, cruise fare, ground transportation, hotels, retreat costs, or tickets for lessons, activities, entertainment, and tours. Factor in all expenses that you prepaid and would not be refunded 100% should you need to cancel your trip in addition to any cancellation penalties, even if no prepayment was required. When entering your “total trip cost” on your travel insurance policy application, round up to the next dollar. Rounding down or stating that your total trip cost is less than it is so that you can get a lower-priced policy will invalidate your benefits.

If my camera is not stolen, but I forget it on a train or plane, will trip insurance cover it?

More often than not, travel insurance plans offer little coverage when it comes to electronics, typically $500 or less per item. So always read the full details of any policy you’re considering purchasing to determine whether your camera would fall under coverage.

How do baggage loss benefits work?

If your luggage or any individual belongings are destroyed, lost, stolen, or damaged during your South Africa vacation, your insurer will most likely reimburse you up to the Maximum Benefit Amount as stated in your policy. This includes any personal effects you check with a travel supplier, common carrier, or hotel. Your provider will deduct the responsible party’s amount from your total payout and reimburse you the difference. There are many facets of baggage loss benefits to understand. The first is that the Maximum Benefit Limit listed in your policy applies on a per-person basis. A Maximum Benefit is the highest dollar amount your trip insurance provider will reimburse should your or your insured travel companion’s luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged.

Typical problems tourists may experience while traveling in Iceland and how to avoid them:

Travelers are susceptible to typical illnesses they may contract at home, including the flu, pneumonia or a cold. Chronic lower respiratory infections are also a possibility. Unlike most countries on the African continent, South Africa is a yellow fever-free zone. Malaria and dengue fever are also non-existent in most of the country. Still, you will have to be careful in northeastern KwaZulu Natal and some parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. You’ll need to take extra precautions in those areas from May through September. Get to a hospital immediately if you experience any symptoms, such as high fever, nausea, chills, and body aches. Another rather unpleasant illness contracted via mosquito bites is Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis). When an infected mosquito bites a human, it deposits larvae. These larvae then move to the lymph nodes and grow into worms. This results in itchiness and swelling of specific areas on the body, most frequently the legs, groin and genitalia. Extreme pain and disability are potential side effects. Seek treatment from an infectious diseases specialist. Lastly, do your best to avoid heatstroke/sunstroke. Stay hydrated and do not drink alcohol in hot, humid, sunny weather. If you develop a fever but cannot sweat and experience severe mood swings, seek medical care immediately, as it can be fatal. South Africa’s major cities tend to have a good standard of healthcare, but if you want to be assured of excellent care, opt for a private hospital. Steer clear of public hospitals or those out in remote areas. Don’t forget to have a South Africa travel insurance plan in place before you leave home on vacation, though. If you’re ever in doubt about where to seek medical help, consult your hotel concierge, the US Embassy, or the nearest Consulate . Your travel insurance provider can also assist you in this and even arrange for transport to the appropriate hospital if there is a medical emergency. It’s worth noting that you will be expected to pay for any care and treatments you receive before leaving the hospital. Some hospitals may even require a deposit before care is administered.

American tourists in South Africa have a few things to be mindful of to avoid accidents. The first is driving-related since they must adjust to driving on the opposite side of the road. The second is dealing with strong currents or undertows. Third, always visit beaches monitored by trained lifeguards and ask them for advice before getting in the water. Finally, the last type of accident tends to occur when visitors are involved in extreme sports or adventure activities, such as scrapes, broken bones and twisted ankles.

Unfortunately, muggings and armed robberies are relatively common in South Africa, especially in the larger cities and townships. Violent crime, including carjackings, is high throughout the country, so be extra cautious. If you are eager to explore on foot, do so with an organized tour. Also, be aware of people trying to scam you out of money at ATMs. For more information, please see our Safety section towards the end of this article.

Emergency resources for South Africa

Phone numbers.

112 from any phone should connect you with emergency services, regardless of whether you have an international roaming plan or a local SIM card. For specific issues, you can also dial 100 for the police, 1090 for women’s emergencies, 101 for medical emergencies and 108 for fire and rescue services.

US embassy or consulate details

You can find the United States Embassy in South Africa in Pretoria and consulates in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. Please visit their website if you need more information on citizen services or opening hours, location, and contact information. For those looking to be extra cautious, enrolling in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Program allows you to register your South Africa trip with the Embassy. The benefits include receiving travel advisories about your trip and facilitating smooth communication between you and your family should an emergency arise.

Other local knowledge that is helpful for travelers

Accommodations.

With rampant theft and violent crime throughout the country, particularly in cities, it’s best to stay at resorts or hotels instead of booking a vacation rental. Hotels and resorts offer a much higher level of security than most rentals, and their staff can provide a wealth of advice and information about where to go, how to get there safely, etc. One major thing to remember when booking a hotel or resort is that the country experiences rolling blackouts daily, usually for a few hours each day. You will want to stay in places with generators, but instead of asking them directly whether they have one, ask, “How do you handle load-shedding?”

Adventure Activities & Extreme Sports

With such a dynamic and rich natural environment, South Africa is the world’s adventure and extreme sports capital. Almost any outdoor activity you can think of is possible. Whether learning to surf at Muizenberg Beach in Cape Town, skiing in the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains, swimming with seahorses in Knysna, or hiking the Otter Trail in Tsitsikamma, kayaking in Northern KwaZulu Natal or skydiving in Durban, a trip to South Africa will always be exciting. Since there is so much to do and see in South Africa, booking your activities in advance is always a good idea.

Communication

If staying in touch with friends and family or having access to the internet around the clock is essential during your time in South Africa, you can choose from several options or a combination. The first and simplest is to use WiFi only and communicate with loved ones via email and online calling or messaging apps. Free WiFi is most commonly available in hotels and shopping malls and less frequently in restaurants and shops. Even less so in rural areas. That said, depending on free WiFi is the best choice for those who don’t mind “switching off” during their vacation. The second is to purchase a local SIM card and prepaid phone package from a major mobile carrier such as MTN , Vodacom , or C Cell upon arriving in South Africa. While prepaid SIM cards are readily available throughout the country, not all shops understand how to activate the cards for tourists, as the government requires a local address. Therefore, purchase yours at the airport before heading to your accommodation to keep things as easy as possible. Vendors at airports know how to handle this effortlessly. You must show your passport as part of the SIM activation process. Unlike US prepaid phones, incoming calls to your South African number will not use up your call time. And don’t forget to buy a prepaid data package to get online whenever you want. The last but most costly option is to purchase an international roaming plan from your mobile phone service provider in the US. Unfortunately, not all companies will have a roaming plan available for South Africa, so check with your carrier. If so, request that the package be added to your phone plan for your specific trip dates. A potential upshot of this is that friends and family back home will have a much easier time keeping in touch with you and vice versa. While in South Africa, remember to switch off your background data in your phone’s settings, or you risk inadvertently running up a massive phone bill.

South Africa’s currency is the Rand (ZAR or R), and each rand is divided into 100 cents. Bank notes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 rands. As for coins, they come in 1, 2 and 5 rands and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents. South Africa is part of a “Common Monetary Area,” which means Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini also accept ZAR. ATMs abound throughout the country, especially in or near grocery stores, shopping malls, and in front of banks. Be sure to use ATMs associated with prominent South African banks to get the lowest transaction fees, usually R25 or R50. Independent cash machines can charge up to 10 times more. Withdrawing cash using your American debit card will help you snag the best exchange rates, even when factoring in fees. Just remember to notify your bank in the US of your travel dates and destination so that they don’t block your card. You will also need to know your PIN for all debit and credit cards you intend to use in South Africa, so learn yours before you leave home. With an ever-growing tourist industry, credit cards have become widely accepted throughout the country, particularly in more urban and densely-populated areas. Mastercard/Maestro and Visa are the most common card issuers. In addition, Americans will find that a limited number of businesses accept Discover or American Express. Nevertheless, having some cash on hand is always a good idea.

Food & Drink

National cuisine in South Africa is loosely defined, and one dish rarely stands out as typical of the country. Preferred cuisines vary throughout, depending upon where in SA you are, but one thing is for sure: this is a country of meat lovers. Nearly every meal involves meat and veggies, and if not meat, exquisite fish or seafood takes its place. An everyday staple throughout South Africa is mielie pap, or pap, (pronounced “pup”), a maize porridge, much like polenta. It is a popular breakfast dish sweetened with brown sugar. Pap can be eaten throughout the day with meat or vegetable-based sauces. Often treated like a national sport, everyone in South Africa barbecues. It is known locally as braai, short for braaivleis, meaning “meat grill” in Afrikaans. Braai is a vital cornerstone of South African culture through which friends, family and neighbors come together to barbecue, socialize and enjoy life. South Africans eat well between slabs of steak, boerewors (“farmer’s sausage”), and potatoes and squash wrapped in foil with onions and tossed on the fire. They also drink well, as braai are known for being events of serious beer consumption. Another popular style of cooking is potjiekos (“pot food”) or boerekos (“farmer’s food”), a meal cooked in a cast iron cauldron. The former is done outside over an open fire. In contrast, the latter is done indoors. After eating one of these meals, expect a spike in cholesterol, as they’re usually rich in butter and sugar. However, the most exotic food in South Africa hails from Cape Town, known as Cape Malay cuisine. Cape cuisine is deeply tied to the Muslim immigrant communities from Madagascar, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia. Tamarind, vinegar, cloves, nutmeg and chili powder, are typical ingredients. So whether you’re eating braised lamb, semi-sweet or fish curries or salt and pepper steak hand pies, Cape Malay food is a must-try. You can find great restaurant options in the Bo-Kaap area of Cape Town. Other popular must-try foods include bobotie, Gatsby, fish and chips, koeksisters, roosterkoek, melktert, bunny chow, biltong and droëwors.

Getting Around

Before you get out and explore, consider using Google Maps as a GPS for getting around. Download it using your hotel’s WiFi to conserve your mobile data. Then, when you need step-by-step directions, you won’t need an internet connection or mobile data. When researching their trip to South Africa, tourists notice that there are 3 capital cities, each with different functions: Cape Town is legislative; Bloemfontein is judicial; and Pretoria serves as the executive capital. Since it is such a large country, considerable planning is necessary to ensure you get around South Africa as efficiently and smoothly as possible. Traveling between major cities by plane is best if you need to save time. Air carriers such as AirLink , Kulula and FlySafair will be your best bet for domestic flights. Be sure to plan your transport from your destination’s airport to the city center as they are often quite a distance. While flying sometimes seems the most efficient choice, you pass up on a sightseeing opportunity by doing so. Renting a car or campervan or traveling by bus, train, tour bus or mini-buses will give you a much better feel for South Africa as a country and present you with countless photo-ops. The modes of transport also provide a wide range of comfort, from very basic to luxurious. If you prefer luxury, high-end travel via train between cities, make your reservations well in advance with Blue Train. Known as the “moving five-star hotel on wheels,” the Blue Train has old-world air and elegance, making several-day train rides feel like a pleasure rather than a chore. For more affordable but still comfortable train travel, you can purchase your tickets for Johannesburg and Queenstown or Johannesburg and Musina through the Shosholoza Meyl website . They also offer a Premier Classe option, which provides more comfort than the standard train cars. However, to be safe, book short train trips during the day and reserve a private cabin whenever you travel by night. Despite being a sizable country, South Africa’s towns and cities are well-linked by bus. Traveling by bus is an affordable option for people needing more flexibility in their adventures. Buses are clean, comfortable, and safe, and long-haul buses come with onboard bathrooms and air conditioning, but do not expect WiFi. You can easily book tickets via the websites of the two major bus companies Translux and Intercape . Tour bus companies also offer another way to explore South Africa and offer ticket prices that cater to various budgets. Check out Oasis Overland and Bazbus for more information on pricing and their different tour routes, including hop-on and hop-off passes from the latter. If you wish to get out into nature and visit the national parks, renting (“hiring”) a car or motorhome, known as a campervan in South Africa, will be your best bet. The parks tend to have well-maintained, paved roads, so you don’t necessarily need a vehicle with all-wheel drive, but if you wish to explore the wild areas where the Big Five roam, all-wheel drive is a must. Drive South Africa and Tread Lite offer affordable 4×4 rentals and camping gear for reasonable rates. They can also be great resources for planning your wilderness adventures. For standard car rentals, Avis, Budget, Thrifty or Tempest Keep in mind that they drive on the left side of the road in South Africa. Local mini-buses, known as “taxis” in South Africa, are probably the cheapest option, but they are over-crowded, recklessly driven, and uncomfortably. While they link every corner of South Africa, they do not offer fixed, reliable schedules, lack obvious stops to catch them, and rarely have space for luggage. To remain safe in the larger cities, stick to taking taxis arranged by your hotel or resort or e-hailing a ride from Uber or Bolt. See the Safety section below for more information.

South Africa has 11 official languages, though the most commonly spoken are Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and English. The latter is the lingua franca in urban areas, the media, and official government matters. That said, you may notice that South Africans speak English with a variety of accents–some thicker than others–and toss in random words from Afrikaans and other African languages. Outside of major cities, the language spoken will depend on where in the country you’re visiting. Afrikaans is a West Germanic language that developed due to the 17th-century Dutch colonizers. It is treated much like a dialect because people speak it but read and write in Dutch. Nowadays, there are two main branches of the Bantu languages in South Africa: Sotho-Tswana and Nguni. Every South African speaks at least one language from one of these two branches. Don’t be surprised if you hear South Africans say “sorry” a lot. It’s their version of “excuse me.” Here are some valuable words and phrases in Afrikaans to help you get around South Africa more smoothly:

• hello – hallo (ha-low)
• hello/how are you? – kunjani
• goodbye – totseins (tot-seens)
• please – asseblief (ah-she-bleef)
• thank you – dankie (dan-kee)
• you’re welcome – plesier (pleh-sier)
• excuse me – verksoon me (fer-skoen may)
• yes – ja (yawh)
• no – nee (nee-ah)
• Where is the toilet? – Waar is die toilet? (Var-iss-dee-toy-let?)
• the menu – die spyskaart (dee spays-kart)
• the check/bill – die rekening (dee reh-keh-ning)
• Do you speak English? – Praat jy Engels? (Praht yay en-nells?)
• How much does it cost? – Hoeveel kos dit? (Who-feel kos dit?)

Local Customs & Etiquette

When visiting this dynamic, diverse country, there are some things to remember to ensure you never appear rude or disrespectful. Examples include receiving anything given to you with two hands in a cupped position, never spitting in public, accepting refreshments offered to you if you visit a local’s home (particularly an Indian household) and never complimenting a particular item in someone’s home as they will feel obliged to give it to you. Depending on the people and area of your country, many South Africans can treat time rather loosely, so don’t be surprised if things don’t operate according to schedule. It doesn’t mean that things won’t happen—they will, but in their own time. If someone says, “now-now,” it means to do something immediately or very soon. Whereas “just now” means to do something in the near future but not now. Also, don’t be surprised if you see people shopping for necessities at red lights, street corners, and traffic lights. You’ll see everything from phone chargers and clothes hangers to home décor and sunglasses. It is such a big part of the culture that locals can tell which corner to find the item you’re looking for. If you’re in a car, it’s best to give the vendor a simple wave and a shake of the head ‘no’ so that you don’t have to open your window and risk a criminal approaching the car simultaneously. When it comes to eating, customs and etiquette vary in different South African cultures. Therefore, observing those around you is vital for learning what is appropriate. Public displays of affection, including holding hands, are not accepted in Muslim-majority communities and townships. These are standards they have for themselves, too, not just foreigners. Respecting this custom will spare you a lot of problems.

Most visitors to South Africa are there to go on safari. However, one common mistake many make is thinking they’ll need more time than they actually do. The sweet spot seems to be 4 days, giving you enough time to see a diverse range of wildlife and experience life at a remote safari lodge. In addition to the duration of your safari, you need to consider several other factors:

• Always book your safari with a reputable tour operator with a long, positive track record of safety and customer experience.
• You will need warm, casual clothes.
• Before booking your safari, ask the tour operator which lodge you will stay at. Research the lodge to be sure it meets your needs and expectations.
• Find out what your stay at the safari lodge includes.

Do they consider meals to be part of the package? Are other perks and amenities included, such as alcoholic drinks, spa treatments, guided bush walks, bird watching, and transportation to and from the lodge?

While it is safe to visit South Africa, the country has a high crime rate, so extra precaution and street smarts are needed. This means not carrying fancy camera gear around your neck or wearing expensive jewelry and watches. Leave your cell phone in your bag if you’re not using it, and keep your bag close to your body and in your line of sight at all times. Never leave valuables on restaurant tables and outside a shop or restaurant, do not open your wallet in public. Keep a few small bills in your pocket for tipping; otherwise, consider paying for everything else by card. Be aware that South African cities and townships are generally unsafe to walk around. Even if you’re only headed to a restaurant 5 minutes away, ask your hotel to arrange a taxi pick-up. That said, if you’re in Cape Town and stick to the city center, it can be safe to explore during the day. Tourists are highly advised to take taxis everywhere, and if you want to explore townships or cities other than Cape Town, joining an organized tour is highly encouraged. Whenever in doubt, ask the staff at your hotel for safety advice. There’s a lot to think about while driving in South Africa. Not only do you need to stay focused on driving on the opposite side of the road in the US, you also need to pay attention to your surroundings. Keep your doors locked and windows closed at all times. Carjackings or gunpoint robberies are known to occur, especially in cities at night. Therefore, driving at night is never a good idea. Recently, Kumbi Gate at Kruger National Park has become a common place to target people due to the slow-moving traffic. Avoid this area at all costs. Lastly, whenever parking your car, approach the nearest parking guard (wearing a reflective vest) and ask him to look after your vehicle. Mention that you will tip (ZAR 2-4) him upon your return. Keep all valuables with you or locked in your trunk. “Car jamming” frequently happens in South Africa. This is when thieves block the signal from your car remote, so always pull on the door handles to ensure it is locked. The most common scam related to ATMs involves someone offering to help tourists. Steer clear of any such people and find a new ATM. The safest places to withdraw cash using your American debit card will be the ATMs within bank branches since the staff regularly monitor the machines and area, and the chances of skimmers being installed are minimal. Members of the LGBTQ+ community will be pleased to know that South Africa is the most socially and culturally open-minded country on the African continent and the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. Just be aware that public displays of affection, regardless of whether you’re a same-sex or heterosexual couple, should be avoided in Muslim communities and townships.

As in the US, tipping is common in South Africa, especially in tourist-centric businesses, bars, cafés, and restaurants. Tipping the staff in hotels, serviced apartment buildings, salons, and spas is typical, as these all tend to be low-paying jobs. Rewarding good service with a 15% tip is adequate and 20% is an excellent way of acknowledging exceptional service. One aspect of tipping that Americans aren’t used to is being served by gas station attendants who fill your tank and wash your windows. A standard tip for them is ZAR 10-20.

Be aware that South Africa’s long had an energy crisis due to the failing power grid of the government-owned electric company, Eskom. Rolling blackouts are the norm every day, usually lasting for a few hours. South Africans refer to this as “load-shedding.” What time these blackouts occur will depend on where you are in the country. Check with your hotel’s front desk attendants or concierge for more information. We recommend making your reservations with establishments that have generators. See Accommodations section above. Another aspect of life in South Africa that may catch you off-guard is the extreme water shortage. Be mindful of your water consumption. People are using strategies to conserve water, such as not taking baths and long showers or leaving taps running while brushing their teeth and flushing toilets only after a bowel movement. These issues may only be minor inconveniences during your trip to South Africa. For example, you may have to plan a time to do your laundry instead of doing it on the fly. Either way, it’s always better to be forewarned!

What to pack for South Africa

Apart from Travel Insurance, we recommend you bring the following items for maximum health, safety, and enjoyment of your trip to South Africa.

A final note about travel insurance for the South Africa

I have spent dozens of hours researching travel insurance, including getting quotes and comparing coverage from all the most popular brands. Regardless of where you’re going I am confident that you will also find that WithFaye.com offers the best way to compare policies with the ideal combo of coverage and price.

I wish you and yours an incredible journey.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology

• Average price for a 2-week vacation based on a 35-year-old California resident traveling to the South Africa with a $3,500 trip cost
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• Key policy details including cancellation, interruption, emergency medical evacuation, and baggage & personal effects
• Ease of sign up
• Policy language clarity
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• Luxury Comprehensive
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• Inbound – For tourists visiting South Africa
• Cover for South African Residents traveling locally
• How to get the right travel insurance
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• 6 Policies that have Annual Multi-Trip (For frequent travelers)

Buy International Travel Insurance Online – South Africa

It is easy to get an instant quote and buy travel insurance online with our step-by-step quotation and purchase facility. It is safe, secure, and fully underwritten by Genric Insurance Company (Ltd) to give you peace of mind. Enjoy traveling knowing you are well covered for any medical emergency.

International Travel Insurance from South Africa

See our selections of cover for South African residents travelling internationally.

Local Travel Insurance in South Africa

Cover for residents and non-residents visiting South Africa.

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A guide to purchasing the best and most suitable cover fit for where you are traveling at the best price.

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What Is Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is security that protects against dangers and financial losses that could happen while travelling. The risks range from small inconveniences, like missing a flight link or having your luggage arrive late, to more serious problems, like getting hurt or getting sick.

Depending on the policy you choose, travel insurance can pay for a wide range of harms and losses, including:

Getting hurt or sick

Travel insurance can help protect you from medical costs that your regular health insurance will not cover while you are travelling. Most health insurance plans do not cover you fully in foreign countries, and some plans, like Medicare, do not cover you at all. Travel insurance works on top of your regular health insurance. If you get sick or hurt before or during your trip, it can help cover some of the costs.

Travel insurance can help pay for costs that come up because your stuff was lost or stolen. This is especially helpful if your bags get lost by a flight, since it can be hard to get them to pay for lost luggage. But in order to get the highest amounts, people must show receipts that show how much their lost bags and their items were worth. And some companies say you have to make the claim within 21 days.

Last-minute cancellations

Travel insurance can help pay for costs that come up if you have to cancel your trip. Most resorts and ship lines will not give you your money back in full if you have to cancel. If you cancel your trip more than two weeks before it starts, most places will charge you a cancellation fee. Many cruise lines will only give you a 25% refund or credit towards another ship. Most companies will not give you any money back if you cancel a trip less than two weeks before it starts. Unexpected things happen, so you want to be ready for anything.

Insurance that goes beyond your credit card

Some credit cards only cover a certain number of cancellations and interruptions per year and have other limits if they cover cancellations and interruptions at all. But few credit cards cover the most expensive travel risks, like hospital bills or emergency evacuations, which can be paid for by travel insurance.

READ more about Health Insurance for Travel in South Africa

What your trip insurance may not pay for

Even though there are many reasons to buy travel insurance, it is important to know that some things may not be covered. If you already have a health problem, look for a plan that lets you get out of paying for it. If you are going to a place where there is political unrest, check to see what your insurance covers if you need to stop your trip because of the problems. Some situations where a tour company goes out of business because of money problems are covered by travel insurance. Find out how that works before you book your trip.

What kind of trip insurance should you buy?

Before you look into travel insurance, you should think about why you might have to stop your trip. Will a weather-related delay drastically change your vacation? Is it possible that your school year will get longer or that you will have to go on a job trip instead? Are there wars happening in the country you are going to?  All of these are good reasons to cancel a trip or ask for insurance. But these things are not covered by all trip insurance.

Insurance you can cancel for any reason:

When you buy this insurance, if you get a hangnail and want to quit, you can. Most of the time, the insurance company does not need a reason. They only need you to cancel within the time limit, which is usually between 48 and 72 hours before you leave.

You will give up ease for a smaller amount of reimbursement. With cancel for any reason protection, you can get around 70% of your non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs back without giving a reason. You can sometimes buy this on its own or as an add-on to a more complete insurance.

Comprehensive trip insurance:

When most people think of trip insurance, this is the protection that comes to mind. The all-inclusive insurance typically covers delays, cancellations because of illness or death, lost luggage, and some medical costs for emergencies. Just read the small print to find out what it covers.

Making changes to your trip insurance

Within a certain amount of time after buying the insurance, if you find it does not meet your needs, you can get a full refund (maybe minus a small administrative fee). This gives you time to read the material carefully and make sure it gives you what you need. Most of the time, it takes 10 to 15 days. If you need to make a claim, it is best to know what the insurance covers and how claims work ahead of time, if possible.

When you book a trip that costs a lot, look into insurance at the same time. Some plans require you to buy travel insurance within a certain amount of time after making your first trip payment, like within 10 to 30 days.

Why You Need Travel Insurance

When planning a trip to a faraway place, it can be easy to forget about the risks. But if you do not have insurance, a small problem like getting sick or missing your flight could cost you everything.

If you do not have insurance, it could cost you a lot. So, you should get travel insurance before you book that trip.

Here are some very good reasons to buy trip insurance.

• Cancel for any reason rules let you cancel your trip for any reason, even if you have been planning it for a long time. You will get all of your money back if you have to cancel.
• Many plans also cover trip interruption, which means that you can get some of the money you spent on your trip back if you have to cut it short for a reason that is covered.
• A loss of baggage covering can help you get new things if yours are lost or stolen while you are travelling. This protection is often part of a full-coverage travel insurance policy.
• If you get sick or hurt while travelling, travel medical insurance will help you pay for your medical care. You do not want to miss out on this. Most of the time, your home insurance contract may not cover you when you vacation. If you get hurt while travelling, travel medical insurance can help pay for the cost of getting you back home or getting you treated in the country you are visiting. You can get policies that are designed to cover only rare events, or you can get policies that are made for digital nomads that help with everyday care.
• If your flight is delayed, cancelled, or you miss it, travel delay insurance can help you pay for the costs. Usually, a trip delay policy will pay for meals, lodging, transportation, and other costs that come up because of the wait. If you miss your flight or your link and do not have travel delay insurance, you may lose the money you paid to book your trips.
• We live in a new time when having cover for pandemics is not only smart, but necessary. Health advice changes, which could cause a trip to be cut short. Many countries now require you to have COVID-19 coverage to pay for any costs that might come up if you have to stay longer than planned. It is best to learn ahead of time what you need to travel, and then have a second plan in case something goes wrong.

Travelling can be fun, but you need to be ready for things that could go wrong. A travel insurance package can help you avoid unexpected costs and make your trip more enjoyable.

The best travel insurance will cover everything, from lost luggage to medical problems. Before you buy a policy, make sure to shop around and read the fine print.

1. Hollard Travel Medical Insurance

Hollard is large, privately owned local insurer that provides travel medical insurance with the bonus that children are insured for free. The offer group discounts and cover the following:

• Any of 31 pre-existing medical conditions.
• Over 100 sports and activities
• Cruise travel
• Medical emergencies
• Trip cancellations
• Late flights
• Missed connections
• Theft or damage to belongings
• Legal liability
• Poor weather
• Delayed luggage
• Accidental death
• Permanent disability
• Repatriation of mortal remains
• Unexpected terrorist attacks

2. ABSA Travel Insurance

ABSA also offers automatic, basic coverage for people who buy plane tickets with their ABSA credit cards. To get full protection, you can order a “top-up” cover that will also cover the following:

• Trips up to 184 days long
• Hazardous activities
• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Personal accidents
• Baggage loss or theft
• Legal expenses
• Wrongful detention
• Loss of money
• Loss of passport
• Clients between the ages of 70 and 74 years can opt for a special package that is even more comprehensive.

3. AIG Travel Insurance

Although AIG is a US-based insurance company, it has been operating in South Africa for about fifty years. They offer several different travel packages of which the most basic ones cover the following:

• Trip cancellation
• Trip interruption
• Baggage loss or delay
• Pre-existing conditions
• Medical evacuations
• Car rentals
• 24-hour assistance

The more expensive Deluxe packages include options like pet insurance, security evacuation and dental emergencies.

4. Standard Bank Travel Insurance

If you have a Standard Bank credit, VISA or cheque card, you will get automatic but limited travel insurance for up to 90 days if you pay your trip with the card. Or, you can buy extra travel medical insurance to enjoy full coverage.

Here’s what Standard Bank travel medical insurance will pay out for:

• Trips lasting up to 180 days
• Medical emergencies, including those caused by acts of terrorism
• Death or permanent total disability
• Visit by a family member during an emergency
• Return of stranded child or travel companion
• Baggage delay
• Travel delay
• Legal fees to third parties

Standard Bank is known that it provides excellent help for a medical emergency or if a client becomes stranded in a foreign country.

5. Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz offers travel medical insurance plus risk consultancy to a clients across many countries. They have a range of unique travel medical insurance policies, including one that is tailored for travellers who want to travel in Europe’s Schengen region and one for travellers who will be enjoying winter sports at their destination.

Here’s what Allianz Travel Insurance’s popular Single Trip Travel Insurance will cover:

• Trip cancellations, delay or curtailment
• Emergency medical expenses
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Dental expenses
• Hospital cash
• Emergency family travel
• Loss of personal money
• Baggage delay and loss
• Personal accident or disability
• Permanent total disablement
• Missed departure
• Personal liability

The company is known to provide highly comprehensive coverage and specialised insurance packages that are exclusively tailored for unique situations.

READ more about 5 Best Medical Insurance for International Travel in South Africa revealed

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does travel insurance to south africa cost.

Comprehensive Travel Medical Insurance South Africa can start from about R40 per day.

What is the meaning of travel insurance?

Travel insurance is designed to cover financial losses that could happen while traveling. The risks range from minor problems such as missed airline connections and delayed luggage to more serious issues including injuries or major illnesses.

Why do you need travel insurance?

Travel insurance protects your money if something goes wrong while you are moving or on vacation. It covers a wide range of things, from losing your bags to paying for medical care if you get sick or hurt.

What is included in travel insurance?

Travel Insurance covers different types of risks while travelling like unforeseen medical expenses, lost luggage, flight cancellations, and other losses that a traveller can incur.

Do you get travel insurance when you pay with credit card?

Yes, you get complimentary travel insurance when you pay your travel tickets with a Visa Platinum, Visa Signature, Visa Infinite, Visa Platinum Business and Visa Signature Business premium card.

When should you buy your travel insurance?

In general, you should buy coverage any time before the date your trip starts but it is always best to buy coverage as soon as you make your reservations.

You might also like to read more about the 5 Best Medical Aids for Foreigners Living in SA

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Travel Insurance

No matter where you travel in the world, you are always just a call away from the help you need. Traveling without travel insurance, opens you up to the risk of crippling medical expenses. TIC is South Africa’s largest travel insurance company and offer a wide range of products to cater for all travel requirements including:

- Worldwide 24-hour emergency assistance - International journey cancellation - Emergency medical cover as a result of COVID-19 - Pre-existing illness cover for travelers up to the age of 69 - Lost luggage, cash or documents (reported within 48 hours) - Children up to the age of 21 can share with parents free of charge

If you are in an accident or become ill during your trip you will enjoy the expert medical care and travel assistance you need. Make sure that you are covered while traveling so that you can have peace of mind on your holiday!

Make sure you're covered - Get Travel Insurance Now.

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Travel Insurance

Medical travel insurance, seniors travel insurance, europe travel insurance, worldwide travel insurance, coronavirus travel insurance, south africa travel insurance.

• Unlimited medical emergency expenses¹
• Up to £10K cancellation cover
• 24/7 emergency medical helpline

Covered 27 million+ travellers

Trusted for 20+ years

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Are you planning a trip to South Africa?

Before you buy travel insurance for your trip to South Africa, there are a few things to consider:

• How much medical coverage you have – No one wants to think about getting ill or having an accident abroad but, unfortunately, it does happen
• The cost of your trip – If you have to cancel, it’s important to know that you can get your money back
• The activities you’re likely to be doing – If you’re planning anything really extreme, you may need additional  extreme sports policy
• And don’t forget to check the  latest travel advice for South Africa from the FCDO

Our Coronavirus Travel Insurance is rated Superior by a leading UK Consumer Champion. All of our policies will cover you if you catch Coronavirus.

What is covered with travel insurance to South Africa?

As standard, our policies cover for  over 50 sports and activities , so you can get up to more on your holiday. We also offer a range of benefits, some of which include:

• Medical expenses and hospital benefit
• Personal accident and liability
• Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
• Abandoning your trip
• Delayed departure
• Accommodation cover
• Personal belongings and baggage
• Personal money, passport and travel documents
• Legal expenses

We’d like you to have the best possible holiday experience, so we’ve put together some important information that you might want to know before your trip to South Africa.

How much is travel insurance to South Africa?

Travel insurance for South Africa needn’t be expensive. The exact cost will depend on several factors, including the type of trip you’re taking and how long you plan to stay. We offer a range of cover levels to suit your budget and your holiday. Think about the cost of your trip and the value of your luggage, and make sure you pick a policy that will fully cover you if anything happens.

What is the best travel insurance for South Africa?

Our Black level policies offer the highest level of insurance for travel to South Africa. Black level policies include unlimited medical expenses, up to £10,000 of cancellation cover, and no excess to pay. We also offer Gold, Silver and Budget levels of cover, so you can choose the South Africa travel insurance that best fits your trip.

Is travel insurance mandatory for South Africa?

Travel insurance isn’t mandatory for entry into South Africa. However, it’s always advisable to buy insurance when travelling abroad. Medical treatment can be expensive in South Africa, and travel insurance comes with other benefits. These include cover for your belongings and if you have to cancel or cut short your trip.

Do I need a visa for South Africa?

As a UK citizen you don’t need to apply for a visa for South Africa if you’re going as a tourist or for business reasons. You’re allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days without a visa. If you’re looking to go for longer than that you’ll have to contact the South African embassy.

Can you help if I need medical treatment while in South Africa?

Yes – all our policies come with access to our 24-hour emergency assistance team, so there will always be someone here to help you if you become ill or are injured while abroad.

If you need emergency medical assistance just give our team a call any time, day or night.

Healthcare in South Africa

Public and private healthcare services are available in South Africa. Often doctors or hospitals will ask for immediate payment, so it’s important to make sure you have accessible funds and a travel insurance policy in place to cover potential medical treatments.

It’s also important to remember to speak to your GP at least four to six weeks prior to travel to check whether there are any vaccinations you may need.

You can find more information about  healthcare in South Africa here .

Did you know that…?

• The largest rough diamond in the world was discovered at the Cullinan Mine in South Africa in 1905, a 3107-carat whopper. It was cut into 105 diamonds, and the biggest two are part of the British crown jewels, set in the royal sceptre and crown.
• King Pie South Africa calls itself the biggest and most successful pie franchise in the world. It seems they’re not only leaders in pie. In 2005 they made a sausage roll measuring 111.11m, duly accorded world record status.
• Want a pot plant, but something that really lasts the distance? Head to South Africa and get yourself a prickly cycad. One brought back to Kew Gardens, Surrey, in 1775 is still going strong!
• Never any frost or snow, not too hot at 20°C average temperature, 320 days of sunshine a year and light showers for the flowers. It’s the weather at Mossel Bay, South Africa, regarded as one of the most temperate climates in the world. Perfect!
• In South Africa there is a law that prohibits members of the opposite sex sitting closer than 12 inches apart when in swim wear.
• The quagga was a type of zebra found in South Africa that became extinct in 1883. It was hunted for its meat and hide, which was half like a zebra, half donkey. DNA tests suggests it’s possible to breed it back to life!
• Of the 88 constellations used in modern astronomy, only one is named after a geographical feature. Mensa (meaning table in Latin) was named after Table Mountain in South Africa in 1763 by French astronomer Nicolas de Lacaille.
• Unlimited emergency medical expenses available on Black level policies.
• InsureandGo’s Gold achieved a Which? Best Buy.

• Best overall
• Best for exotic trips
• Best for trip interruption
• Best for medical-only coverage
• Best for family coverage
• Best for long trips
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best International Travel Insurance for June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

If you're planning your next vacation or trip out of the country, be sure to factor in travel insurance. Unexpected medical emergencies when traveling can drain your bank account, especially when you're traveling internationally. The best travel insurance companies for international travel can step in to provide you with peace of mind and financial protection while you're abroad.

Best International Travel Insurance

• Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic travel: World Nomads Travel Insurance
• Best for trip interruption coverage: C&F Travel Insured
• Best for medical-only coverage: GeoBlue Travel Insurance
• Best for families: Travelex Travel Insurance
• Best for long-term travel: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Compare the Best International Travel Insurance Companies

As a general rule, the most important coverage to have in a foreign country is travel medical insurance , as most U.S. health insurance policies don't cover you while you're abroad. Without travel medical coverage, a medical emergency in a foreign country can cost you. You'll want trip cancellation and interruption coverage if your trip is particularly expensive. And if you're traveling for an extended period of time, you'll want to ensure that your policy is extendable. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance companies for international travel.

Best International Travel Insurance Overall

Allianz travel insurance.

Allianz Travel Insurance  offers the ultimate customizable coverage for international trips, whether you're a frequent jetsetter or an occasional traveler. 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. And with affordable pricing compared to competitors, Allianz is a budget-friendly choice for your international travel insurance needs. 

The icing on the cake is Allyz TravelSmart, Allianz's highly-rated mobile app, which has an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars on the Google Play store across over 2,600 reviews and 4.8 out of five stars from over 22,000 reviews on the Apple app store. So, you can rest easy knowing that you can access your policy and file claims anywhere in the world without a hassle.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
• Single and multi-trip plans available
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
• Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Best International Travel Insurance for Exotic Trips

World nomads travel insurance.

World Nomads Travel Insurance  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 .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

Best International Travel Insurance for Trip Interruption

C&f travel insured.

C&F 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. This means you don't have to worry about losing your hard-earned money on non-refundable travel costs if your trip ends prematurely. 

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 C&F Travel Insured review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

Best International Travel Insurance for Medical Coverage

Geoblue travel insurance.

GeoBlue Travel Insurance offers policies that covers emergency medical treatments when you're abroad. While GeoBlue lacks trip cancellation coverage, that allows it to charge lower premiums than the other companies on this list. 

GeoBlue plans can cover medical expenses up to $1 million with several multi-trip annual plans available. It offers coinsurance plans for trips within the U.S. and 100% coverage for international trips. It also has a network of clinics in 180 countries, streamlining the claims process. It's worth noting that coverage for pre-existing conditions comes with additional costs. 

Read our GeoBlue Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. A subsidary of Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers strong medical plans as long as you have a regular health insurance plan, but it doesn't have to be through Blue Cross
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers long-term and multi-trip travel protection
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Multiple complaints about claims not being paid or being denied
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Does not provide some of the more comprehensive coverage like CFAR insurance
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers who do get claims paid may need to file multiple claim forms

Best International Travel Insurance for Family Coverage

Travelex travel insurance.

Travelex Travel Insurance offers coverage for your whole crew, perfect for when you're planning a family trip. Its family plan insures all your children 17 and under 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 Travel Insurance review .

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Best International Travel Insurance for Long Trips

Seven corners travel insurance.

Seven Corners Travel Insurance offers specialized coverage that the standard short-term travel insurance policy won't provide, which is helpful if you're embarking on a long-term trip. 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 .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Prices are higher than many competitors
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews around claims processing are mixed
• Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available

How to Find the Right International Travel Insurance Company 

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 

Your needs for travel insurance will depend on the type of trip you're taking. You'll need to consider your destination and what you'll be doing there, either business, leisure, or adventure traveling. Policies covering adventure sports and activities will cost more. Longer, more expensive trips will also cost more. 

Research the reputation of the company 

When researching a company, you'll want to closely review the description of services. You'll want to see how claims are handled, any exceptions, and limitations.

You'll also want to look at the company's customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, BBB, and Squaremouth, as this will provide insight on the quality of customer service and the claims process. You should also take note of whether companies respond to customer reviews.

Compare prices

You can get quotes through a company's website or travel insurance aggregators like InsureMyTrip and VisitorsCoverage. You'll need to be prepared to provide the following information about your trip:

• Trip destination(s)
• Travel dates
• Number of travelers
• Traveler(s) age/birthday
• State of residence
• Total trip cost

For companies that offer travel medical insurance, you'll also want to play around with the deductible options, as they can affect your policy premium. 

Understanding International Travel Insurance Coverage Options

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. 

Finding the Best Price for International Travel Insurance

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.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed International Travel Insurance Companies

We ranked and assigned superlatives to the best travel insurance companies based on our insurance rating methodology . It focuses on several key factors, including: 

• Policy types: We analyzed company offerings such as coverage levels, exclusions, and policy upgrades, taking note of providers that offer a range of travel-related issues beyond the standard coverages. 
• Affordability: We recognize that cheap premiums don't necessarily equate to sufficient coverage. So, we seek providers that offer competitive rates with comprehensive policies and quality customer service. We also call out any discounts or special offers available. 
• Flexibility: Travel insurance isn't one-size-fits-all. We highlight providers that offer a wide array of coverage options, including single-trip, multi-trip, and long-term policies.
• Claims handling: The claims process should be pain-free for policyholders. We seek providers that offer a streamlined process via online claims filing and a track record of handling claims fairly and efficiently. 
• Quality customer service: Good customer service is as important as affordability and flexibility. We highlight companies that offer 24/7 assistance and have a strong record of customer service responsiveness. 

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. 

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

International Travel Insurance FAQs

The best insurance policy depends on your individual situation, including your destination and budget. However, popular options include Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, and Travel Guard. 

You should pay attention to any limitations regarding covered cancellations, pre-existing conditions, and adventure activities. For example, if you're worried you may have to cancel a trip for work reasons, ensure that you've worked at your company long enough to qualify for cancellation coverage, as that is a condition with some insurers. You should also see if your destination has any travel advisories, as that can affect your policy. 

Typically, your regular health insurance won't cover you out of the country, so you'll want to make sure your travel insurance has adequate medical emergency coverage. Depending on your travel plans, you may want to purchase add-ons, such as adventure sports coverage, if you're planning on doing anything adventurous like bungee jumping.

Travel insurance is worth the price for international travel because they're generally more expensive, so you have more to lose. Additionally, your regular health insurance won't cover you in other countries, so without travel insurance, you'll end up paying out of pocket for any emergency medical care you receive out of the US.

You should purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after making payment on your trip. This makes you eligible for add-ons like coverage for pre-existing conditions and CFAR. It also mitigates the chance of any losses in the days leading up to your trip. 

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Travel insurance

Best travel insurance companies of June 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 2:16 p.m. UTC June 7, 2024

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

WorldTrips is the best travel insurance company of 2024 , based on our in-depth analysis of travel insurance policies. Its Atlas Journey Elevate plan gets the top score in our rating because of the extensive coverage it provides for the price. It offers best-in-class emergency medical and evacuation benefits, as well as high limits for baggage insurance.

Best travel insurance of 2024

• WorldTrips : Best travel insurance.
• Travel Insured International : Best for emergency evacuation.
• TravelSafe : Best for missed connections.
• Aegis : Cheapest travel insurance.
• Travelex : Best for families.
• AIG : Best for add-on coverage options.
• Nationwide : Best for cruise itinerary changes.

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our travel insurance experts evaluate hundreds of insurance products and analyze thousands of data points to help you find the best trip insurance 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.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Best travel insurance companies

Best travel insurance.

Top travel insurance plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, why it’s the best.

If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel , WorldTrips’ Atlas Journey Elevate plan gives you $250,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage. This plan is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority. It also has $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage. 

See our full WorldTrips travel insurance review .

Pros and cons

• $250,000 in primary medical coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Primary damage or loss baggage coverage of $500 per item, up to $2,500.
• 5 optional upgrades, including pet care, adventure sports and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Customer reviews

WorldTrips has a rating of 4.27 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 428 reviews of policies purchased through the travel insurance comparison site since 2008. 

Heidi’s expert take:   “WorldTrips offers primary coverage for emergency medical expense and for baggage damage or loss. This means the insurer will pay for your claim first and then seek recovery from any responsible third party, such as your health insurance provider, airline or homeowners insurance company (if your belongings are stolen). Travel insurance with secondary medical coverage might be cheaper, but then you’d have to file claims with third parties yourself, before you could turn to your travel insurance for help.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for emergency evacuation

Travel insured international.

Top travel insurance plan

If you’re traveling to a remote area, consider Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector. It has the best travel insurance for emergency evacuation of travel insurance policies in our rating. This top travel insurance plan provides up to $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits.

• Only plan in our rating that offers $150,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person is only available for cruises and tours.

Travel Insured International has a rating of 4.39 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 3,402 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   “The Worldwide Trip Protector plan provides rare non-medical evacuation benefits of up to $150,000. If you’re traveling to an area at risk of a political, security or national disaster, this emergency evacuation coverage could help get you back to safety.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe offers good travel insurance for missed connections , with $2,500 in missed connection coverage for each person on the plan.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of our best-rated travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage option.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

TravelSafe has a rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,506 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you miss out on prepaid vacation plans because you didn’t make a connecting flight, you’ll be glad for the $2,500 missed connection coverage. Some policies only provide missed connection coverage for cruises and tours, but TravelSafe Classic doesn’t impose that restriction.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Cheapest travel insurance

Go Ready Choice by Aegis has the most affordable travel insurance of the best-rated travel insurance companies in our rating. This is based on the average cost of seven international trips of varying lengths and values for travelers of different ages.

See our full Aegis travel insurance review .

• Cheapest of our best trip insurance plans.
• Pet care benefit of $500 under travel delay benefits.
• Low emergency medical and evacuation limits.
• Low missed connection benefit of $500 per person for cruises and tours only.
• Low baggage and personal items loss benefit of $500 per person.

Aegis has a rating of 4.06 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,111 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2013.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you’re looking for a  budget travel insurance policy , Go Ready Choice may fit the bill. It has comparably low coverage limits, but if you have health insurance that will cover you on your trip, its $50,000 in secondary medical coverage may be sufficient.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for families

Top-scoring plan

Travelex Insurance Services has the best travel insurance for families because you can add kids aged 17 and younger to your Travel Select plan at no additional charge.

See our full Travelex travel insurance review .

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• Robust travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 per person.
• Non-medical evacuation is not included.
• Low baggage delay coverage of $200 requires a 12-hour delay.

Travelex has a rating of 4.43 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 2,048 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Heidi’s expert take:   “If you’re traveling with kids, a Travelex policy will cover them, too. The number of children you can add to your policy is unlimited and they’ll get travel protection at no additional cost.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for add-on coverage options

Travel Guard Preferred from AIG allows you to customize your policy with a host of available upgrades, making it the best traveler insurance for add-on options . These include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings.

There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million. This is a good option if you’re looking for foreign travel health insurance.

See our full AIG travel insurance review .

• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Heidi’s expert take: “You can add riders to your AIG travel insurance policy to maximize your coverage. Choose from these bundles: adventure sports, medical, pet, quarantine, security and wedding. You may also want to add “cancel for any reason” coverage and rental vehicle damage coverage.”  Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Best travel insurance for cruise itinerary changes

Nationwide’s Choice Cruise is good travel insurance for cruises . It has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion.

Choice Cruise also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-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.

See our full Nationwide travel insurance review .

• Benefits for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” upgrade available.

Nationwide has a rating of 4.02 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 570 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2018.

  Heidi’s expert take: “This plan has protections for cruisers when it comes to prepaid expenses. But its emergency medical coverage is secondary, which means you’d have to file medical claims with your health insurance company first. Since U.S. health insurance won’t help you at sea, you may want to look for cruise travel insurance with primary medical coverage instead.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

Compare the best travel insurance plans

Via Compare Coverage’s website

Heidi’s expert take: “Here are my tips on how to buy travel insurance that gets you the most coverage for the lowest price: Buy early . Getting travel insurance within two weeks of making your first trip deposit may qualify you for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions, and it won’t cost you any extra.  Look for primary emergency medical coverage . If you buy a plan with secondary coverage, you’ll have to file a claim with your health insurance first, even if you know it will be denied.  Don’t overinsure . Calculate the value of only your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses that are not already covered by other insurance (like credit card travel insurance or health insurance, if your coverage extends to where you are traveling). Even if this value is $0, you can still buy travel insurance for the travel medical insurance benefits, and you’ll only be paying for the insurance you need.  Understand exclusions . If you are planning to go scuba diving, for instance, make sure this adventure activity is not excluded from a policy’s coverage. If so, you may need to pay for a rider or shop for another plan that offers the coverage you need.” Heidi Gollub, Managing Editor of Insurance, USA TODAY Blueprint

What is the best travel insurance?

The best travel insurance for international travel is sold by WorldTrips, according to our in-depth trip insurance comparison.

The best travel insurance plan for you will depend on the trip you are planning and the coverage areas that are most important to you.

• Best cruise travel insurance
• Best COVID travel insurance
• Best “cancel for any reason” travel insurance
• Best senior travel insurance

Best travel insurance for cruises

The best cruise travel insurance is Atlas Journey Preferred sold by WorldTrips . This plan offers solid travel insurance for cruises for a low rate.

Best travel insurance for COVID-19

The best COVID travel insurance is the Trip Protection Basic plan sold by Seven Corners . It is a relatively low cost travel insurance plan with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage 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’ Trip Protection 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.

Best travel insurance for seniors

The best senior travel insurance is the Gold plan sold by Tin Leg . It is an affordable travel insurance plan with travel medical primary coverage of $500,000 and a pre-existing conditions waiver if you insure the full amount of your trip within 14 days of your first trip deposit.

How much is travel insurance?

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

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on:

• The cost of your trip.
• Your destination.
• The length of your trip. 
• The ages of travelers being insured.
• Your state of residence.
• The travel insurance policy you choose.
• The total coverage amounts in your policy.
• Any travel insurance add-ons you select. 

Here are average travel insurance rates for a 30-year-old female who is insuring a 14-day trip to Mexico.

Looking to save? Discover cheap travel insurance options.

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, a travel insurance comparison site, 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 considered the best medical travel insurance policies to have at least $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage. 

When should I buy travel insurance?

The best time to buy travel insurance is within two weeks of making your first nonrefundable travel payment, whether it’s for a plane ticket, hotel stay, cruise or excursion. 

Travel insurance costs the same whether you buy it early or last minute, and buying it early has added benefits: 

• You may be able to add on “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , an upgrade that is typically only available for a limited time after you’ve started paying for your trip. 
• You may qualify for a pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver, meaning your pre-existing conditions will be covered by travel insurance. This waiver is generally added to your policy automatically, provided you buy the travel insurance within a certain window after your first trip deposit.
• You will be covered over a longer period of time for unforeseen events that could cause you to cancel your trip, such as medical emergencies, inclement weather and natural disasters. 

Expert tip: 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 conditions exclusion waiver or to buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade.

Where can I buy travel insurance?

You can buy a travel insurance plan:

• Online. Visit a travel insurance company’s website to buy a policy directly or use a comparison website like Squaremouth or Travelinsurance.com to see your options and compare plans. You may also be able to purchase travel insurance online through an airline, cruise, hotel, rental car company or other provider you book a ticket with.
• In person. A travel agent or insurance agent may be able to assist you in buying travel insurance.

Travel insurance trends in 2024

Americans are changing the way they travel and this includes buying travel insurance when they might have skipped it in the past. As spending on trips continues to rise , travelers have more to lose if their plans are disrupted. 

Based on travel insurance quote requests on the Squaremouth website last month, these are the main benefits travelers are looking for in a travel insurance policy.

*Source: Squaremouth.com. Travel insurance quote filter usage from April 28 to May 28, 2024.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance of 2024. For companies with more than one travel insurance plan, we shared information about the highest-scoring plan.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 30.
• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 70.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 40.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 65.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to Italy for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to France for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to the U.K. for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 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 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance 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.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

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

If you’d like to dig in deeper, head over to our travel insurance ratings methodology page.

Best travel insurance FAQs

According to our analysis, WorldTrips has the best trip insurance. Two of its plans — Atlas Journey Explore and Atlas Journey Elevate — get 5 stars in our rating.

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 looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, you may be willing to pay more for higher coverage levels.

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 . With trip cancellation insurance , you’re covered if you need to call off your trip because of a reason listed in your policy, such as 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. 
• Travel delay. Once your trip has started, travel delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses you incur after a minimum delay, such as five hours. It can cover needs like airport meals, transportation and even overnight accommodation. 
• Trip interruption. If you need to cut your trip early for a reason listed in your policy, trip interruption insurance 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 . 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 travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, doctor visits, hospital stays, X-rays, lab work and prescription medication you may require while traveling. 
• 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. 
• Baggage delay. After a certain waiting period, such as six or 12 hours, this coverage will reimburse you for necessities you need to buy to tide you over while you wait for your bag to arrive. Be sure to save your receipts and look at your coverage limit, as some caps are low, like $200. 
• Baggage loss. 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.  

“Typically, travelers are expected to pay their expenses out of pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement,” said James Clark, spokesperson for Squaremouth. “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.”

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 insurance 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. 

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.

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 and ask how they work. 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, so older travelers planning an international trip should look into the best senior travel insurance with robust medical benefits. 

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 can decline to cover travel to certain countries. For example, you may find that some trip insurance companies don’t offer coverage to countries with a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the U.S. State Department. 

Travel insurance policies also frequently 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 companies in our rating offer these optional rental car benefits:

• Travel Insured International — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000.
• WorldTrips — 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.

Travel insurance may be required, depending on the country you plan to visit. But it’s smart to consider buying a travel insurance policy for international travel, even when it is not required. A good travel insurance policy can protect you financially if you need emergency medical assistance when traveling, or if you need to cut your trip short and buy a last-minute plane ticket home because an immediate family member is ill. 

Wondering if travel insurance is worth it? What travel insurance covers

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
• How to avoid a hotel cancellation penalty
• Change fees and travel insurance continue to rise

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

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