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The best travel insurance policies and providers

It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.

Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.

Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.

Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.

So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.

The best travel insurance providers

To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .

When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.

Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Preexisting conditions

Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
• You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Standout features

• The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
• You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
• Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.

See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.

Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:

• You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
• You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
• You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
• On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
• Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
• Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
• For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).

Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.

The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.

Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:

• You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
• You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
• Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
• Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
• American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.

Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.

The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.

In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.

Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.

Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.

• GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
• GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.

You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.

See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.

For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.

• Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
• iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.

See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.

Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
• All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
• The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
• Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
• Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
• For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.

Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.

See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
• You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
• You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
• Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
• You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
• Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.

World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.

• World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
• World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.

You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.

However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.

However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.

Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:

• Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
• Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
• Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
• Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
• Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
• Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
• Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.

Should I buy travel health insurance?

If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.

If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.

The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.

When and how to get travel insurance

For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.

However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.

You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.

Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.

Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.

For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.

If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

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Travel insurance

Best travel insurance companies of September 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 5:55 a.m. UTC Sep. 2, 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.
• PrimeCover : Best for trip interruption coverage.
• 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.

• 1,918 coverage details evaluated.
• 588 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 benefits and for baggage damage or loss. This means the travel insurance company will pay your claim first and then seek recovery from any responsible third party. Plans with secondary coverage may be cheaper, but for the amount of hassle you can save when filing a claim, I recommend looking for a plan with primary coverage.” 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.
• 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 want missed connections coverage for any trip, I recommend buying a plan like TravelSafe Classic. It offers up to $2,500 in missed connection coverage and doesn’t restrict this benefit to cruises and tours like many policies do.” 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 for trip interruption coverage

Why it’s the best

If you need to cut your trip short and head home early for a covered reason, PrimeCover Luxe has the best trip interruption coverage of all our top-rated plans. This top-tier travel insurance plan offers trip interruption coverage of up to 200% of your trip cost. You also have the option to add a rare “interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage upgrade for even more flexibility with your travel plans.

• Trip interruption coverage of up to 200% of total trip cost.
• Excellent $1 million emergency medical evacuation and $100,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Pre-existing medical condition waiver available if you buy travel insurance within 21 days of first trip deposit.
• Good primary medical coverage of $250,000.
• Luxe plan is the most expensive of our best-rated travel insurance plans.

There are no reviews online for PrimeCover yet as it is a relatively new product offering.

Heidi’s expert take: “PrimeCover Luxe is on the high end of cost in our rating, but it does offer robust coverage for the price. If you’re concerned about the money you’d lose if you had to end your trip early, it offers an “interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage option, which I don’t see very often. With IFAR, you can pull the plug on your trip for any reason and seek up to 60% reimbursement for any prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses you’ll lose.” 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, I recommend looking for a plan that will cover them for free, like Travelex. The number of children you can add to a Travelex 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: “Nationwide Choice Cruise 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 first. Since your health insurance won’t help you at sea, I recommend cruisers 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 condition 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 July 28, 2024 to Aug 27, 2024.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,918 coverage details and 588 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. 

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.

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.

Editor’s note: While our parent company has an interest in PrimeCover, this review was subjected to our team’s standard, rigorous editorial process, which remains independent of any influence from insurance companies, business relationships, affiliates or any other external parties.

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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The Best Travel Medical Insurance of 2024

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Seven Corners »

GeoBlue »

WorldTrips »

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coverage for preexisting conditions is available as an add-on

Easy to purchase as needed for individual trips

Relatively low limits for medical expenses

No coverage for trip cancellations or trip interruption

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

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Purchase comprehensive medical coverage worth up to $5 million

Coverage for families with up to 10 people

Low coverage amounts for trip interruption

Medical coverage options vary by age

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

Qualify for international health insurance with no annual or lifetime caps

Use coverage within the U.S. with select providers

Deductible from $500 to $10,000 can apply

Doesn't come with any nonmedical travel insurance benefits

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

High limits for medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation

Covers multiple trips over a period of up to 364 days

Deductible of $250 required for each covered trip

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

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

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

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9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

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Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Yes, in These 3 Scenarios

These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

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Best Annual Travel Insurance in 2024

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If you’re a frequent traveler, annual travel insurance may be something you’ve been considering. Unlike single-trip insurance, annual travel insurance plans can cover you for an entire year, no matter how often you’re on the road.

Let’s look at the best yearly travel insurance companies, why we choose them and the coverage you can expect.

Factors we considered when picking travel insurance companies

We used the following criteria when choosing which companies we thought were best:

Cost . Annual plans can be expensive — depending on the type of coverage you choose — so we wanted ensure that they stayed affordable. 

Types of coverage . Travel insurance for annual travelers can be limited in its coverage. We picked the ones with the broadest range of coverage for possible travel disruptions.

Coverage amounts . Annual trip insurance isn’t worth much if your limits are too low. Instead, we wanted plans with reasonable coverage amounts. 

Customizability . If your travels take you to different places, you’ll want the ability to customize your plan. The best annual travel insurance plans can provide this. 

» Learn more: What does travel insurance cover?

An overview of the best annual travel insurance

We gathered quotes from various travel insurance companies to determine the best annual travel insurance policies. In these examples, we used a year-long trip by a 22-year-old from Alabama. We indicated the main countries of travel as France and Malaysia, and when asked, put the total trip costs at $6,000.

The average cost for an annual travel insurance plan came out to $220. The plans ranged from $138-$386.

Let’s take a closer look at our top recommendations for annual travel insurance.

1. Allianz Travel

What makes Allianz travel insurance great:

Lower than average cost.

Provides health care and travel insurance benefits.

Includes rental car insurance up to $45,000. 

Here’s a snippet from our Allianz Travel insurance review :

“AllTrips Basic (annual plan) is suitable for those who would like emergency medical coverage while abroad but don't need trip cancellation and interruption benefits. The AllTrips Prime, Executive and Premier plans provide an entire year of comprehensive travel insurance benefits.

The Executive and Premier plans offer various levels of trip cancellation and interruption benefits. The Executive plan is specifically designed for business travelers since it offers protection for business equipment.”

2. Seven Corners

What makes Seven Corners great:

Offers up to $20,000 for acute coverage of pre-existing conditions. 

Includes up to $1 million for emergency medical evacuation. 

Optional add-on for adventure sport activities.

$0 deductible available. 

Here’s a snippet from our Seven Corners review :

“Seven Corners offers one annual policy called Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip. The policy can be customized depending on how long you plan to be away from home for any one trip. You can travel as much as you like during the 364 days, so long as any one trip doesn’t exceed the option selected — 30, 45 or 60 days.”

What makes IMG great:

Good customizability with medical evacuations and sports coverage. 

Low $250 deductible.

Includes coverage for semi-private hospital rooms. 

Here’s a snippet from our IMG review:

“Some policies provide emergency medical evacuation coverage, while others skip this benefit entirely. This benefit may be more important to you if you travel to a remote location or engage in physical activity such as trekking.

More comprehensive plans may include other benefits such as assistance with acquiring a new passport, reimbursing reward mile redeposit fees or coverage for pre-existing conditions. If these are something you’re interested in, be sure to check that your policy includes these options.”

4. Trawick International

What makes Trawick International great:

100% coverage for trip cancellation and trip interruption. 

Emergency medical evacuation included. 

Trip delay reimbursement coverage. 

Here’s a snippet from our Trawick International review :

“Trawick International is a comprehensive travel insurance provider that offers trip delay and cancellation insurance, baggage delay coverage, medical coverage and medical evacuation, rental car damage protection, and even COVID-19 coverage among its various policies.

Trawick covers trips for worldwide destinations, including for foreign nationals coming to the U.S.”

What does travel insurance cover?

You’ll find a wide variety of coverage types offered by travel insurance policies. This is true whether you're purchasing a single-trip or annual travel insurance plan. Here are some common types you can expect to find:

Accidental death insurance .

Baggage delay and lost luggage insurance .

Cancel for Any Reason insurance .

Emergency evacuation insurance .

Medical insurance .

Rental car insurance .

Trip cancellation insurance .

Trip delay insurance .

Trip interruption insurance .

How to choose the best annual travel insurance policy

While we’ve highlighted some of the best annual travel insurance companies, the truth is that the best plan for you isn’t going to be the best plan for someone else. If you’re interested in buying annual travel insurance, you’ll want to collect a variety of quotes to see which policy best fits your needs.

This may mean opting for a plan that covers pre-existing conditions or one that specifically includes high-risk activities. Or, if you’re in a country where health care is notoriously expensive, you may want to choose a policy with higher maximums.

Many credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance .

Whatever the case, do your research first and review all the plan details before making your purchase.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

If you want to buy annual travel insurance

Annual travel insurance can be a great option if you’re often out of town. With such a wide range of policies available, selecting a plan that fits your needs is easy. We’ve done some of the work for you by choosing the best annual travel insurance companies, all of which made the top of the list for their cost, customizability, types of coverage and plan maximums.

Like any travel insurance policy, the cost of your plan is going to vary. Factors that may affect the cost of your annual travel insurance include your age, where you’re going, how long you’ll be traveling, your policy maximums and whether preexisting conditions are included.

Although not all travel insurance providers offer annual travel insurance, many of them do. We’ve gathered together the five best, including Allianz Travel, World Nomads, Seven Corners, IMG and Trawick International.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

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

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

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

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

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

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

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

MarketWatch Guides is a reviews and recommendations team, independent of the MarketWatch newsroom. We might earn a commission from links in this content.  Learn More

The Best Travel Insurance Companies

• Based on the MarketWatch Guides team’s comprehensive review of over two dozen travel insurers and 49 different policies, the best travel insurance company is Travelex.
•  Travel insurance policies offer reimbursement if your trip gets canceled for a covered reason, you incur emergency medical bills, and for other situations such as missed flights or baggage delays.
•  According to our survey of 1,000 travel insurance policyholders nationwide, 97% of respondents claim travel insurance is worth the cost.

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best travel insurance companies

The Best Travel Insurance of 2024

After reviewing dozens of travel insurance providers operating throughout the U.S., the following are our top recommendations:

• Travelex Insurance: Our top pick
• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best for baggage coverage
• AIG Travel Guard : Best for families
• Faye : Best cancel for any reason coverage
• WorldTrips : Most affordable comprehensive coverage
• Generali Global Assistance : Best for trip interruption coverage
• Seven Corners : Best for visitors to the U.S.
• AEGIS : Best for immediate reimbursement
• Travel Insured International: Best for evacuation coverage

How We Ranked the Best Travel Insurance Providers

To rank the best travel insurance providers, we took a closer look at each provider’s ratings calculated using our comprehensive travel insurance methodology . This process involved considering the cost, coverage timelines and amounts, and customer service and reviews. We also awarded each provider a superlative based on key strengths identified by our team.

Read more about the providers we’ve chosen as best in the sections below.

Best Travel Insurance Companies Reviewed:

Why We Picked Travelex

We chose Travelex as our overall pick for the best travel insurance company thanks to its above-average scores in all rating categories across our methodology. In addition, the provider has made several of our top travel insurance lists. This includes best travel insurance for families , as Travelex includes children under 17 for free with the purchase of an adult policy. However, note that the provider’s Travel Basic plan lacks this extended coverage for children.

Travelex also topped our list of best long-term travel insurance providers with its Travel Select policy, which can cover travelers for up to a year abroad with no primary health insurance requirement. While our research found that most providers with long-term policies don’t offer trip cancellation or cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, Travelex’s Travel Select plan does, making it stand out compared to other insurers with this type of travel insurance plan.

Pros and Cons

Customer reviews and ratings.

Travelex holds a 4.4 out of 5-star rating on Squaremouth with over 2,000 confirmed customer reviews.

How Travelex Scored in Our Methodology:

Coverage and Cost

Travelex’s base plan, the Travel Basic coverage, includes 100% protection for both trip cancellation and interruption. It also includes $15,000 worth of emergency medical coverage, $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage and $500 for lost baggage. Travelex’s Travel Select plan extends additional coverage, such as sporting equipment delay benefits of $200 and you can include kids with your policy.

Travelex offers the following add-ons for the Travel Select policy:

• CFAR coverage (50% reimbursement)
• Medical expense extension (extends coverage to $50,000)
• Adventure sports waiver for medical expenses coverage
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) extension (extends coverage to $25,000)

*Higher medical and evacuation coverage limits are available on other policies. Contact the company to learn more. 

Our research team obtained premium costs for eight unique traveler profiles and found that Travelex’s average trip cost is $202.

Nationwide Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Nationwide

We named Nationwide as the best for baggage coverage thanks to its generous limits across several plans. It offers $2,000 for lost or damaged baggage and $600 for delayed luggage through its most comprehensive standard plan. It also provides $2,500 for lost or damaged baggage and $1,000 for baggage delays through its cruise-specific Luxury Cruise policy.

Nationwide’s unique cruise insurance policies is why the company tops our list of best cruise insurers . Few providers offer plans tailored explicitly for cruises, but Nationwide offers three to fit various budgets and traveler needs. Some standout coverages for cruises with these plans include missed prepaid excursion coverage, itinerary change coverage and more.

Nationwide has a 4 out of 5-star rating from 600 verified customers on Squaremouth .

How Nationwide Scored in Our Methodology:

Nationwide offers three levels of cruise coverage: the Universal, Choice and Luxury cruise policies. As the names suggest, each tier covers varying levels of cruise expenses. For example, the Universal policy covers $500 worth of expenses related to missed connections while the Luxury policy offers $2,000.

Nationwide offers the following add-ons for its cruise coverage:

• AD&D benefits
• CFAR coverage (up to 75% of trip costs)
• Vendor financial default coverage
• Interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage
• Pre-existing conditions waiver
• Rental car collision damage

In addition to cruise coverage, Nationwide also offers the following two travel insurance plans, which include standard baggage and cancellation insurance.

After gathering quotes from Nationwide using our sample traveler profiles, we found the average cost of a policy is $206.

AIG Travel Guard

Why We Picked AIG

We chose AIG Travel Guard as the provider best for families, as it offers free coverage to children under 17 with the purchase of an adult policy. Our research shows the cost of a policy from AIG is $237, around 16% more than the average overall cost calculated by our team. However, the free coverage for children can make it a better value overall for some travelers.

We appreciate how AIG provides a unique Medevac plan with up to $5 million in medical evacuation coverage, which could benefit adventurers traveling to remote locations lacking medical infrastructure. It also provides coverage for last-minute travels through its Pack N’ Go policy, providing immediate trip and medical protections alongside 24-hour emergency travel services.

While AIG Travel Guard lacks customer ratings through Squaremouth, the provider holds accreditation and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, it also has a 1 out of 5-star customer review rating.

How AIG Scored in Our Methodology:

AIG’s primary travel insurance product is its international travel plans, which provide 100% trip cancellation insurance, up to $1,000 in trip delay coverage, up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage and other benefits commonly found with competitors. It also offers two unique policy options: the quick approval Pack-N-Go plan and an annual plan for frequent flyers.

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

It also offers the following add-ons:

• CFAR coverage (up to 50% reimbursement)
• Missed connection benefit ($150)

*Higher medical and evacuation coverage limits are available on other policies. Contact the company to learn more.

According to our research on travel insurance costs across dozens of providers, we found the average price of a travel policy from AIG Travel Guard is $237.

Why We Picked Faye Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Faye

We chose Faye as the best option for CFAR coverage because it offers 75% reimbursement of total trip costs at a budget-friendly price for many travelers. After gathering quotes for a $4,000 weeklong trip to France, we found that adding CFAR coverage only cost an additional 31% of our Faye policy premium. Our research has found that most providers charge 50% or more of your premium to add this protection.

Faye tops several of our best travel insurance lists, such as best travel insurance for seniors and best group travel insurance . It provides $250,000 worth of primary medical coverage and a pre-existing conditions waiver that can benefit seniors with chronic illnesses. In addition, its convenient and quick online process makes it easy to sign up for a group travel policy in less than 10 minutes.

Faye lacks customer reviews and a customer rating through Squaremouth. However, it holds a 4.7 out of 5-star rating from over 800 customer reviews on Trustpilot.

How Faye scored in our methodology:

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

Optional Add-Ons 

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

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

We obtained quotes for various trips and sample traveler profiles as outlined in our review methodology, and Faye’s average trip cost is $256.

WorldTrips Travel Insurance

Why We Picked WorldTrips

WorldTrips earned the designation of most affordable comprehensive coverage from our research team. We gathered quotes for each of the provider’s three plans and found that the highest tier, Elevate, was 17% cheaper than the average cost of a policy calculated using our sample traveler profiles. This plan includes perks such as $250,000 in emergency medical coverage, $1 million in medical evacuation protection, $50,000 in accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, and more.

Additional coverage add-ons offered by WorldTrips include CFAR, interruption for any reason (IFAR), adventure sports, rental car damage and pet care, further rounding out the provider’s comprehensive trip and medical benefits.

WorldTrips currently holds a 4.3 out of 5-star rating from over 400 verified customers on Squaremouth .

How WorldTrips Scored in Our Methodology:

WorldTrips offers the Escape, Explore and Elevate plans through its Atlas Journey line, which are single-trip, comprehensive insurance policies. The provider also has specialized plans for group travel, travelers looking for an annual policy, digital nomads and more.

WorldTrips provides the following options as add-ons with most plans:

• CFAR coverage
• Adventure sports coverage
• IFAR coverage
• Rental car damage and theft

After gathering quotes from WorldTrips using our sample trips and traveler profiles, we found the average cost of a policy is $157.

Generali Global Assistance

Why We Picked Generali Global Assistance

We named Generali Global Assistance as the best provider for trip interruption coverage. It provides up to 175% reimbursement for trip interruptions through its Premium plan, whereas most insurers only offer up to 150% in their highest plan tiers. While Generali isn’t the cheapest provider out of our top provider picks, it still comes in at less than the average cost of travel insurance by a few dollars.

Generali Global Assistance also offers 24/7 concierge-level services from multilingual representatives, which may prove helpful if you travel to an area where you cannot speak the primary language. In addition, you’ll find rental car and sports equipment coverage as standard through the provider’s higher-tier plans — coverage that most providers only offer as add-ons.

Generali Global Assistance has a 4.3 out of 5-star rating from over 4,500 reviews on Squaremouth .

How Generali Global Assistance Scored in Our Methodology:

Generali offers three plan tiers: Standard, Preferred and Premium. The Standard Plan includes a variety of benefits, including 125% trip interruption coverage, $150 per day toward delay-related expenses, $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage, $50,000 worth of medical coverage and more. Preferred and Premium plans extend benefits included with the Standard Plan and add some extras — like sports equipment coverage and rental car collision insurance.

Generali offers the following add-on options:

• Rental car damage
• CFAR coverage (up to 60% reimbursement)

Based on cost data calculated using sample trips and various traveler profiles, we found the average cost of a travel insurance policy from Generali Global Assistance is $201.

Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Seven Corners

Seven Corners earned the superlative of best for visitors to the U.S., including for visitors to the country and parents . The Travel Medical Basic plan can cover groups of up to 10 non-U.S. residents and non-U.S. citizens, making it ideal for families and solo travelers alike. With coverage extendable up to a year and a medical maximum of $1 million for travelers up to 69, this plan is ideal for those hosting parents from abroad.

Note that maximum medical coverage levels drop to $100,000 for travelers aged 70 to 79 and $10,000 for those 80 years or older. In addition, coverage for pre-existing conditions isn’t available for travelers 80 years and older. Despite this, many providers won’t cover senior travelers beyond a certain age, so we appreciate that Seven Corners has no age limit.

Seven Corners currently holds a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from almost 4,000 customer reviews through Squaremouth .

How Seven Corners Scored in Our Methodology:

Seven Corners doesn’t just offer travel medical plans for travelers visiting the U.S. — it also offers an annual plan that provides a wide range of coverages, including:

• $5,000 in trip interruption protection
• $1 million in medical and healthcare coverage
• $25,000 worth of AD&D coverage
• $100 per day in trip delay benefits (with a maximum of two days)
• $50 worth of coverage for each lost bag, up to $500

It also includes extra benefits for items such as lost travel documents and baggage delays but does not cover trips within the U.S. Policies include a range of deductibles between $0 and $500. However, selecting a lower deductible will come with a higher premium.

Seven Corners also offers coverage for single trips in the U.S. and abroad, known as its RoundTrip Basic and RoundTrip Choice plans.

You can purchase the following add-ons to enhance travel insurance coverage with Seven Corners:

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

Based on quotes gathered using several sample traveler profiles, the average cost of a travel insurance policy from Seven Corners is $206 — on par with the overall average cost calculated by our team.

Aegis Travel Insurance

Why We Picked AEGIS

We named AEGIS as best for immediate reimbursement thanks to its short claims processing time. You can open a claim easily by phone, email, live chat or web form, and you can check the status online without contacting a customer service representative. AEGIS states that most claims take about a week or so to process fully.

AEGIS offers seven different policies to suit a variety of traveler needs. These include a policy solely offering trip cancellation and interruption benefits, a plan for travelers taking a cruise, and two annual, multi-trip policies. We also found that plans through AEGIS cost around 32% less than the average travel insurance cost calculated by our team.

AEGIS has a 4.1 out of 5-star overall review rating from over 1,000 customer reviews on Squaremouth .

How AEGIS Scored in Our Methodology:

We appreciate how AEGIS offers a variety of plans to suit different traveler needs. Its Pandemic Travel Insurance Plus Plan provides primary medical coverage, comprehensive trip benefits and CFAR coverage as a standard protection — not an add-on. You’ll also find coverage that exclusively provides trip cancellation and interruption benefits.

In addition, AEGIS offers a plan tailored to travelers taking a cruise, with missed connection benefits and itinerary change coverage. If you’re looking for annual multi-trip coverage, AEGIS provides two plans that cover multiple trips over the course of a year.

Single-trip policies sold by AEGIS include the Go Ready Choice Plan and VIP Travel Plan.

Add-on coverages provided through an AEGIS policy include:

• Increased maximum limit for medical coverages
• Increased limit for evacuation and repatriation
• Additional AD&D coverage
• Pre-existing condition waiver
• Higher baggage compensation limits

After averaging the cost of a travel insurance policy through AEGIS using our sample traveler profiles, we found the average cost of a policy with the company is $155.

Travel Insured International

Why We Picked Travel Insured International

Based on our comprehensive review, we named Travel Insured International as the best provider for evacuation coverage. While most travel insurance companies offer coverage for emergency medical evacuations and repatriation, this provider takes its protection one step further by providing up to $150,000 for political, security and natural disaster evacuations. However, note that Travel Insured International only includes this coverage through its highest plan tier.

Travel Insured International provides two single-trip policies and one annual, multi-trip plan for travelers to choose from. We appreciate how the insurer’s multi-trip policies start at a flat rate of $94 for adults and $64 for children for a year’s worth of coverage, which may benefit frequent world travelers who’d like to bring their family along on trips.

Travel Insured International earned a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from almost 3,500 reviews on Squaremouth .

How Travel Insured International Scored in Our Methodology:

Travel Insured International offers two comprehensive single-trip insurance plans — Worldwide Trip Protector and Worldwide Trip Protector Edge. The provider also offers one annual, multi-trip policy.

Add-on protections offered by Travel Insured International include the following:

• Travel inconvenience benefits
• Optional electronic equipment protection
• Flight AD&D
• Pet kennel coverage

Based on quotes gathered using several different trip and traveler profiles, the average cost of a policy from Travel Insured International is $199.

Compare The Best Travel Insurance For International Trips

Comparing the costs of coverage offered by different providers can help you find the most affordable option for your travel insurance needs. See the table below for a direct cost comparison between the companies we’ve chosen as our top picks, as well as BBB ratings and notable coverage limits.

“When comparing plans across the same or various insurers, pay close attention to the benefits limits offered and make sure they offer the right amount of coverage you are looking for regarding certain unexpected events. For instance, if you invest $10,000 into a tour package, you may want to consider a trip cancellation limit that meets the value of the non-refundable trip cost.”

What Is the Best Travel Insurance?

The best travel insurance for you depends on factors such as your destination, travel needs and coverages that you deem most important in a policy. Read on to learn more about our top travel insurance picks for CFAR coverage, cruise protection, senior travelers and more.

Best “Cancel for Any Reason” Travel Insurance

We chose Faye as the best CFAR coverage provider, with Seven Corners and Travelex also making our list of top picks. While all three offer reimbursement of up to 75% of your total trip costs if you need to cancel for virtually any reason, Faye’s add-on only cost us an additional 31% of our premium when we got a quote for a $4,000 weeklong trip to France. Most providers offer this coverage at an extra 50% of your policy cost.

Based on our research, CFAR coverage is a time-sensitive benefit. This means purchasing a travel policy as soon as possible after booking your trip is essential if you want to buy this coverage. If you wait to buy, you risk losing the opportunity.

Best Cruise Insurance

Nationwide, Allianz Global Assistance and AIG Travel Guard topped our list of the best cruise insurance providers. Nationwide offers three plans tailored explicitly to cruisers, with benefits such as shipboard service disruption, prepaid excursion reimbursement and more. Allianz provides free coverage for children under 17, which could benefit families cruising together. AIG Travel Guard also made our list with non-flight AD&D coverage that protects policyholders if they lose their life or a limb on a cruise.

Best Travel Insurance For Seniors

We chose Faye, Travelex and Nationwide as the best senior travel insurance companies. Faye offers seniors primary medical coverage and a pre-existing conditions waiver, while Travelex allows seniors to upgrade to a Travel Select plan with additional medical and evacuation coverage. Nationwide also offers a pre-existing condition waiver for up to 21 days after your initial trip deposit.

If you’re between 60 and 80 years old and are looking for travel coverage, expect to pay more than younger customers. Based on quotes we gathered from dozens of travel insurers, the cost of a policy for senior travelers increases anywhere from 80% to 303% from the price of a policy for a 20-year-old.

Best Travel Medical Insurance

We chose Faye, International Medical Group (IMG) and GeoBlue as our top picks for the best travel medical insurance providers. Faye offers high medical coverage limits coupled with robust trip benefits, while IMG provides a wide variety of medical plans to suit many types of travelers. GeoBlue offers budget-friendly medical-only policies for those looking to forgo trip coverage.

How To Choose the Best Travel Insurance

Knowing what to look for when comparing travel insurance providers can help you pick the best plan for your needs. We encourage you to compare brand pricing and policies between multiple providers to help narrow down your available coverage options.

Asking yourself a few key questions can help further simplify your search for travel insurance. 

• Is this an important or pricey trip?: The value and price of a trip play a major role in travel insurance pricing. If you’re insuring a higher-value vacation, you may want to look for policies with higher overall coverage limits and travel interruption reimbursements. If you’re taking a budget vacation, you might see more value in an insurer that specializes in low-cost, affordable policies.
• Where are you going?: It is also good practice to consider a location’s available amenities and your itinerary when shopping for coverage. For example, if you’re traveling to a remote area with a less robust medical system than a city with many options, you could face a higher chance of needing emergency medical evacuation if you end up seriously injured. In this case, we recommend a policy with higher coverage limits on medical evacuation services.
• How are you getting to your destination?: If you’re taking a cruise, consider getting a quote from a travel insurance provider that offers cruise-specific coverage, such as Nationwide. While most travel insurance providers design policies to cover the basic risks associated with flying — such as lost luggage, missed connections, etc. — it is worth comparing options that include coverage specific to your trip. For example, those traveling for work may prefer Allianz Global for its business-centered plans.
• Do you have any health concerns?: When planning to travel, consider whether you could need medical services based on your health history and travel itinerary. In addition, companies often include COVID-19 treatment under standard emergency medical coverage, but it is best to read through coverage terms and conditions to confirm. Angela Borden, a product marketing specialist at Seven Corners , says: “Contact your insurance provider to be sure you fully understand the pre-existing conditions coverage for the plan you choose.”

“I recommend that every traveler gets a strong medical evacuation policy. When the worst-case scenario happens, you can get to a hospital of your choice at home. I really push this coverage for folks traveling in Mexico because it’s a short trip to a home hospital.”

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

The specifics of what is covered under your travel insurance policy will vary depending on the provider you select. The following are some of the most common types of coverage you are likely to find as you get quotes from the best travel insurance providers.

Is Travel Insurance Required?

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

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

Who Needs Travel Insurance?

While most people can benefit from some level of travel insurance coverage, consider a policy if you are planning any of the following:

International trips: Traveling internationally can expose you to unfamiliar healthcare systems, unpredictable events, and potential trip interruptions. Travel insurance offers financial protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and unexpected expenses that may arise in foreign destinations.

Regular vacations: If you frequently travel for business or leisure, an annual travel insurance policy can be a cost-effective solution. This policy provides continuous coverage for multiple trips, saving you time purchasing separate policies.

Senior travelers: If you are a senior traveler with Medicare, your health insurance excludes most medical care outside of the country. Travel insurance with medical expenses and evacuation coverage can financially protect you if you need care while away from home.

Adventure sports: Adventure enthusiasts planning to engage in activities like hiking, skiing or scuba diving may find travel insurance with adventure sports coverage beneficial. These policies can cover potential injuries and equipment losses, which you may be more likely to run into due to your itinerary. However, not all standard travel medical insurance covers injuries related to adventure sports.

If you are considering travel insurance, we suggest getting a few sample quotes to compare coverage. Getting a quote is free, takes only a few minutes and can provide more personalized insights into the cost of your upcoming travel plan.that U.S. citizens traveling overseas purchase a policy that covers unexpected medical bills while abroad.

When To Buy Travel Insurance

You can typically purchase a travel insurance policy up until the date of your departure, with some providers offering specialty plans that can cover you after you leave the country. However, there are benefits to buying a travel insurance policy soon after you make your first trip deposit.

You can only purchase certain add-on coverages and riders, such as CFAR coverage and pre-existing condition waivers, within a specific time frame from your first trip payment. For example, many insurers only allow you to qualify for a pre-existing conditions waiver if you purchase your policy two weeks or less from your first trip purchase. If you’re looking for specialty coverage like this, buying your policy as soon as possible is best practice.

“There are benefits to travelers who purchase far in advance of their trip, as they can take advantage of pre-trip benefits like trip cancellation. You never know what kind of unexpected events may arise and derail your trip plans before you even take off. Specific events coverage varies based on the insurance policy booked, but generally trip cancellation can cover events such as natural disasters and severe weather-related events, illness or injury that prevent you from traveling, and unannounced airline strikes.”

When To Skip Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may only be worth it in some scenarios. For instance, if you booked your trip using a credit card that also offers travel insurance protection, you may not need coverage through an additional provider . We encourage you to check the details of your credit card coverage, if applicable, to ensure it aligns with your needs. If so, you can likely skip buying a separate travel insurance policy.

In addition, if you’ve booked your trip with flexible airline tickets or with a hotel that offers a flexible change or cancellation policy, you may not need a travel insurance policy. Also, travelers booking excursions or activities with refundable policies will likely not benefit from a travel insurance plan. 

Finally, note that if you’re a U.S. citizen traveling within the country and have insurance through a domestic provider, you likely will need travel insurance with medical coverage. However, your coverage may not extend abroad, notably if you have a government-issued plan. But if you have private insurance that covers emergency medical expenses abroad, you may not need to purchase a travel insurance plan.

Generally, we encourage you to consider your trip, the overall cost and the flexibility surrounding your reservations when deciding whether or not to skip purchasing a travel insurance policy.

“You don’t need to insure trip expenses if they’re already covered by someone else or if you are comfortable losing the money you paid for your trip if you must cancel or interrupt it.”

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

In our comprehensive review of the travel insurance market, our team found the average cost of travel insurance was about 3% to 5% of a trip’s total value. Based on the quotes our team gathered from multiple providers, the average cost across eight different traveler profiles came out to $206, with the average traveler paying between $95 and $316 for most trips.

To further understand the average travel insurance cost in relation to total trip value, we gathered multiple quotes from various providers for a 30-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip to France. See the table below for the average travel insurance cost based on the total cost of trips ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

Remember that your travel insurance costs will vary based on various factors. We encourage you to get a quote from at least three travel insurance providers before purchasing coverage to ensure you get the best price for your coverage needs.

The following chart outlines the average insurance cost for our top 10 companies from least to most expensive:

How We Found Our Cost Data

We calculated the average cost of travel insurance by gathering quotes from two dozen travel insurers using several unique trips and sample traveler profiles. This helped us to gain an understanding of costs for different people and scenarios. Weeklong trip details and sample profiles include:

After using each profile to gather quotes for different plans, we calculated the average cost of each provider and the individual policies offered. Note that your plan of choice may cost you more or less than our averages depending on factors unique to your travel needs. The best way to know how much a travel insurance policy will cost is to request quotes from multiple providers for your trip.

What Impacts the Cost of Trip Insurance?

Several factors can determine how much your travel insurance will cost, including age, total trip cost, plan type, add-ons, number of travelers, destination, company and trip length.

Where To Buy Travel Insurance: Best Travel Insurance Comparison Sites

Most travel insurers make buying a policy directly from their website simple, with many catering to a seamless online purchasing experience. For example, Faye lets you quickly buy a policy by answering a few simple questions about your trip and adjusting your coverage limit — checking out with a tailor-made plan in just a few minutes. You can also purchase a plan from aggregate sites that allow you to compare coverage from multiple providers simultaneously.

Travel insurance comparison sites are like a marketplace for travel insurance. You can compare multiple plans from competing providers all at once, making it easy for you to see the difference between coverage, cost, plan details and more. If you’d like to compare policies in this way, we recommend checking out travelinsurance.com and squaremouth.com .

TravelInsurance.com

Travelinsurance.com provides access to 14 travel insurance providers, allowing you to compare and contrast well-known brands such as Trawick International , World Nomads , Travelex, Generali Global Assistance and more. The aggregate site also promises to remove policies if its ratings drop below 4 out of 5 stars.

• Compare companies at once : No limit, but can only see five at a time
• Customer reviews : Over 100,000 5-star reviews
• Filter options : Price, insurance provider, customer ratings, number of reviews and more

Squaremouth

Squaremouth offers policies from 32 different travel insurance companies, including Tin Leg , GeoBlue , Berkshire Hathaway and more. The aggregator ensures that if you need to file a travel insurance claim, any provider you’ve purchased a plan from through Squaremouth will handle it fairly.

• Compare companies at once : No limit, but only can see five at a time
• Customer reviews : Over 150,000+ customer reviews
• Filter options : Emergency medical coverage, trip interruption, cruise, Schengen visa and more

Travel Trends for 2024

As the world continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry is slowly seeing a return to pre-pandemic levels. According to research from the U.S. Travel Association , domestic leisure travel is expected to fully return to pre-pandemic levels throughout 2024. Some of the factors contributing to travelers’ return to airports across the globe include:

• Easing international visa and travel restrictions
• Vaccine distribution and effectiveness
• Increased demand for travel following COVID-19 lockdowns

As the demand for travel increases, so has the sale of travel insurance. The travel insurance market size is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5% between 2022 and 2028 . Highly publicized stories of flight delays and cancellations occurring across the country are also contributing to public demand for travel insurance.

Top Purchased Travel Insurance Plans in 2024 So Far

We gathered data from travelinsurance.com from March 2024 to August 2024 to discover what plans were the most popular with travelers.  

Top Travel Destinations of 2024

To learn more about the top travel destinations of 2024 and the average price travelers paid for coverage, our team conducted a Pollfish survey in February 2024 consisting of 1,000 U.S.-based respondents.

Of those respondents, 46% said the last time they purchased travel insurance was for a domestic trip within the U.S. The remainder of our survey participants purchased a travel policy for an international vacation, with the following countries ranking among the most popular destinations:

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

While travel insurance is not required to enter countries in most parts of the world, it can be worth the cost to purchase some level of coverage. In our review, we found the average cost of travel insurance is less than 7% of what you can expect to pay for your vacation — but may provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in reimbursements if you experience an unexpected cancellation or delay. The medical expense coverage included with travel insurance is also an invaluable protection, as many health insurance policies exclude care provided outside of the U.S.

Survey Majority Say Travel Insurance Is Worth It

Over half of our survey respondents paid between $50 to $200 for their most recent travel insurance policy, with $200 to $300 being the second most commonly selected price range. In addition, 40% of respondents said they purchased travel insurance mainly to protect the cost of their trip. Trip cancellation coverage and medical were the next most popular reasons for buying a policy.

If you plan to travel in 2024, our team recommends purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Over 60% of survey participants agree with our sentiments, endorsing a policy that includes coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, baggage and more.

“Like any insurance policy, it's a lost cost until you really need it. Travel insurance offers narrow or broad range coverages that can really help when things don't go as planned. From Medical Evacuations to trip cancellation, it's worth investing in a policy."

Ask The Experts

What is most important to consider when evaluating travel insurance options?

"It's essential the plans are well-defined including specific activities and regions a traveler will visit. For instance, a vacation spent relaxing at a nearby resort requires different insurance coverage compared to a trip involving various activities across multiple countries. Insurance premiums are inherently linked to the level of risk involved, so it's wise for budget travelers to tailor their insurance based on their detailed travel plans. Moreover, the inherent risks of the destination must be considered. Higher-risk areas naturally have a greater likelihood of issues arising, and appropriate insurance should be in place to manage these risks. When assessing the risk factors of a destination, it's crucial to go beyond common knowledge and actively seek out information to accurately gauge the safety level of the destination."

"It’s important to understand what is not covered by a travel insurance policy. Most policies will not cover man-made disasters if your trip is canceled or interrupted. Other exclusions may include acts of war, participating in dangerous activities such as extreme sports, self-harm and foreseeable events. Read the policy carefully. One alternative to standard travel insurance is cancel-for-any-reason coverage.  However, the cancellation typically must occur within a preset number of days before the trip is to begin and is more expensive."

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance

Does travel insurance get more expensive closer to the trip.

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

When does travel insurance expire?

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

What does international travel insurance cover?

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

Does insurance still cover trips if you cancel right before your departure date?

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

Travel insurance premiums often increase as your departure date approaches, since the likelihood of last-minute interruptions or cancellations increases closer to your flight. It’s generally advisable to purchase travel insurance in advance to get access to the most favorable rates.

What is the most common type of travel insurance?

The most common type of travel insurance is trip cancellation and interruption coverage, which reimburses you if you’re forced to cancel your trip or go home early. These coverages are included on almost every travel insurance policy, except medical-only plans.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

Our team created a scoring system to assess travel insurance providers based on cost, coverage, quality and service. We also collect sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the internet, to simulate an authentic customer experience. 

Here are the factors we take into consideration when reviewing providers, which we use as a scoring basis to then determine a five-star rating:

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old taking a $1,800 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• A 23-year-old taking a $4,000 trip to Europe (Italy, Spain, Ireland and Greece).
• Coverage Details (15%) : We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust travel protection earns full points, including coverage for baggage delay and loss, COVID-19, emergency evacuation and medical expenses, trip delays and cancellations, and more. Companies also receive points for featuring various add-ons such as accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items and more.
• Claim Eligibility and Time Constraints (12%) : Travel insurance providers enforce time constraints that outline when you can file a claim after a covered event. We give companies more points in this category for having shorter time limits for baggage and weather delays. 
• Cancellation and Interruption Coverage (12%) : Our team reads through each company’s coverage details and assigns points based on the coverage amount assigned to trip cancellations and interruptions. To earn full points in this category, a company must offer 100% or more coverage.
• Customer Service and Reviews (12%) : We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews and third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage (10%) : Companies earn points in this category for offering CFAR coverage, which allows you to cancel a trip for reasons outside your policy. In addition to offering coverage, companies received higher scores for meeting or exceeding the standard offering of 75% reimbursement. 
• Delay Coverage Amount (10%) : We also consider what a company offers for travel delays and baggage delays or loss, all of which can upend a trip. A company can earn 10% total between its travel and baggage delay coverage amounts.
• Credit Rating (5%) : Since credit ratings can help customers assess a company’s ability to meet financial obligations, our team considers AM Best ratings when scoring providers.
• Coverage Extras (4%) : In addition to standard coverage, we also research how many add-ons a company offers, which can help customers customize their plan. Companies can earn full points in this category for offering eight common travel insurance add-ons.

For more information about how we rate and review providers, read our full travel insurance methodology.

AM Best Disclaimer

More Travel Insurance Guides

• Best COVID-19 travel insurance companies
• Best cruise insurance plans
• Cheapest travel insurance
• Best group travel insurance companies
• Health insurance for visitors to USA
• Best senior travel insurance
• Best travel insurance for families
• Best student travel insurance plans
• Travel insurance for parents visiting USA
• Travel medical insurance plans
• How much does travel insurance cost?

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides. com .

MarketWatch Guides may receive compensation from companies that appear on this page.
The compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear, but it does not influence the recommendations the editorial team provides. Not all companies, products, or offers were reviewed.

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Where Kamala Harris Stands on the Issues: Abortion, Immigration and More

She wants to protect the right to abortion nationally. Here’s what else to know about her positions.

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By Maggie Astor

• Published July 21, 2024 Updated Sept. 12, 2024, 8:08 a.m. ET

Follow along with live updates and debate analysis on the Trump and Harris campaigns .

With Vice President Kamala Harris having replaced President Biden on the Democratic ticket, her stances on key issues will be scrutinized by both parties and the nation’s voters.

She has a long record in politics: as district attorney of San Francisco, as attorney general of California, as a senator, as a presidential candidate and as vice president.

Here is an overview of where she stands.

Ms. Harris supports legislation that would protect the right to abortion nationally, as Roe v. Wade did before it was overturned in 2022, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

After the Dobbs ruling, she became central to the Biden campaign’s efforts to keep the spotlight on abortion, given that Mr. Biden — with his personal discomfort with abortion and his support for restrictions earlier in his career — was a flawed messenger. In March, she made what was believed to be the first official visit to an abortion clinic by a president or vice president.

She consistently supported abortion rights during her time in the Senate, including cosponsoring legislation that would have banned common state-level restrictions, like requiring doctors to perform specific tests or have hospital admitting privileges in order to provide abortions.

As a presidential candidate in 2019, she argued that states with a history of restricting abortion rights in violation of Roe should be subject to what is known as pre-clearance for new abortion laws — those laws would have to be federally approved before they could take effect. That proposal is not viable now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe.

Climate change

Ms. Harris has supported the Biden administration’s climate efforts , including legislation that provided hundreds of billions of dollars in tax credits and rebates for renewable energy and electric vehicles.

“It is clear the clock is not just ticking, it is banging,” she said in a speech last year , referring to increasingly severe and frequent disasters spurred by climate change. “And that is why, one year ago, President Biden and I made the largest climate investment in America’s history.”

During her 2020 presidential campaign, she emphasized the need for environmental justice , a framework that calls for policies to address the adverse effects that climate change has on poor communities and people of color. She has emphasized that as vice president as well.

In 2019, Ms. Harris, then a senator, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, introduced legislation that would have evaluated environmental rules and laws by how they affected low-income communities. It would have also established an independent Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Accountability and created a “senior adviser on climate justice” within several federal agencies. In 2020, Ms. Harris introduced a more sweeping version of the bill. None of the legislation was passed.

Ms. Harris was tasked with leading the Biden administration’s efforts to secure voting rights legislation, a job she asked for . The legislation — which went through several iterations but was ultimately blocked in the Senate — would have countered voting restrictions in Republican-led states, limited gerrymandering and regulated campaign finance more strictly.

This year, she met with voting rights advocates and described a strategy that included creating a task force on threats to election workers and challenging state voting restrictions in court.

She has condemned former President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. In a speech in 2022 marking the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, she said that day had showed “what our nation would look like if the forces who seek to dismantle our democracy are successful.” She added, “What was at stake then, and now, is the right to have our future decided the way the Constitution prescribes it: by we the people, all the people.”

Economic policy

In campaign events this year, Ms. Harris has promoted the Biden administration’s economic policies, including the infrastructure bill that Mr. Biden signed, funding for small businesses, a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act that capped the cost of insulin for people on Medicare and student debt forgiveness.

She indicated at an event in May that the administration’s policies to combat climate change would also bring economic benefits by creating jobs in the renewable energy industry. At another event , she promoted more than $100 million in Energy Department grants for auto parts manufacturers to pivot to electric vehicles, which she said would “help to keep our auto supply chains here in America.”

As a senator, she introduced legislation that would have provided a tax credit of up to $6,000 for middle- and low-income families, a proposal she emphasized during her presidential campaign as a way to address income inequality.

Immigration

One of Ms. Harris’s mandates as vice president has been to address the root causes of migration from Latin America, like poverty and violence in migrants’ home countries. Last year, she announced $950 million in pledges from private companies to support Central American communities. Similar commitments made previously totaled about $3 billion.

In 2021, she visited the U.S.-Mexico border and said : “This issue cannot be reduced to a political issue. We’re talking about children, we’re talking about families, we are talking about suffering.”

More recently, she backed a bipartisan border security deal that Mr. Biden endorsed but Mr. Trump, by urging Republican lawmakers to kill it , effectively torpedoed. The legislation would have closed the border if crossings reached a set threshold, and it would have funded thousands of new border security agents and asylum officers. “We are very clear, and I think most Americans are clear, that we have a broken immigration system and we need to fix it,” Ms. Harris said in March .

Israel and Gaza

Ms. Harris called in March for an “immediate cease-fire” in Gaza and described the situation there as a “humanitarian catastrophe.” She said that “the threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel must be eliminated” but also that “too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.”

In an interview later that month , she emphasized her opposition to an Israeli invasion of Rafah, the city in southern Gaza to which more than a million people had fled. “I have studied the maps,” she said. “There’s nowhere for those folks to go, and we’re looking at about 1.5 million people in Rafah who are there because they were told to go there, most of them.”

She has said on multiple occasions that she supports a two-state solution.

Racial justice

Racial justice was a theme of Ms. Harris’s presidential campaign. In a memorable debate exchange in 2019 , she denounced Mr. Biden’s past work with segregationist senators and opposition to school busing mandates.

She has called for ending mandatory minimum sentences, cash bail and the death penalty, which disproportionately affect people of color.

Amid the protests that followed the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, she was one of the senators who introduced the Justice in Policing Act, which would have made it easier to prosecute police officers, created a national registry of police misconduct and required officers to complete training on racial profiling. It was not passed.

Her record as a prosecutor also came into play during her presidential campaign. Critics noted that as attorney general of California, she had generally avoided stepping in to investigate police killings.

Maggie Astor covers politics for The New York Times, focusing on breaking news, policies, campaigns and how underrepresented or marginalized groups are affected by political systems. More about Maggie Astor

I’m a licensed insurance agent who looked at insurance advice on Reddit. What I found surprised me.

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• • Personal Lines
• • Auto insurance
• • Home insurance

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At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of how we make money . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our Insurance Disclosure .

Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next.

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.

Our insurance team is composed of agents, data analysts, and customers like you. They focus on the points consumers care about most — price, customer service, policy features and savings opportunities — so you can feel confident about which provider is right for you.

• We guide you throughout your search and help you understand your coverage options.
• We provide up-to-date, reliable market information to help you make confident decisions.
• We reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible.

All providers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide. And we constantly review our criteria to ensure we’re putting accuracy first.

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The internet can be a wild and wonderful place. Reddit, especially, is often a great resource for niche interests or new skills. I (somewhat shamefully) peruse Reddit for all kinds of things. It’s helped me decide which litter to buy for my long-haired cat, find the best skincare products for my sensitive skin and uncover phone apps that help me focus. Personal finance subreddits (think of a subreddit as a topic-specific forum) are rife with advice on credit cards, investing and insurance. Some of the insurance advice I’ve come across on Reddit is pretty good, but some of it raised my eyebrows. Some of it is even straight-up illegal.

Insurance can be complicated. As a licensed agent, I understand that without a proper knowledge base, it can feel like you’re flying blind when trying to buy a policy. Rates for home and auto insurance have been trending up , so it’s also understandable that frustrated policyholders would poke around online for tips on how to score a better deal. To be clear, the only person you should really take ‘advice’ from about your home and auto insurance is your insurance company or a licensed agent. But since I know most people are prone to do a ‘quick Google search’ before all else these days, I went ahead and scoured the Reddit-verse for what I felt are some of the best — and worst — insurance tips from the ‘front page of the internet.’ Hopefully my research gives you a little understanding. And a starting point to help you realize you should just call your actual insurance agent.

Worst insurance advice on Reddit

Let’s start with the bad. Keep in mind that some of the ‘advice’ below is a little tongue-in-cheek, but still ill-advised. If nothing else, take it as a reminder that making important financial decisions based on the angry internet post of a stranger may not be the wisest course of action.

Insurance is a scam

“Insurance is the ultimate scam and im sure this is a popular opinion….And I understand insurance companies need to make money, however such a small percent of people actually end up using their insurance, to the point where the companies do not even need people to actually pay more, but just to penalize them and make them pay for their own mistakes themselves and still pay for insurance.” — Reddit User

“This probably isn’t super unpopular but let me explain why I think this. Even if you are never in a single car accident your entire life, you paid money every month for not return. If your house is never on fire, broken into, etc. You get nothing back.” — Reddit User

Why this is not helpful: I understand the frustration. Insurance is an expense that you don’t technically ‘use’ when you pay for it (or at least, you hope you don’t have to use it). But, just because you don’t always get a tangible ‘return’ like you would with a credit card or 401(k) doesn’t mean it’s an elaborate method for companies to dupe their policyholders.

Insurance is like a pool where everyone pays a little (your premium ) so that those who have contributed can get a lot if they need it when something specific happens (like funds to rebuild your home after a fire or to repair your car after an accident). An insurance contract transfers the bulk of the financial risk of rebuilding or repairing your home or car away from you and onto an insurance company. Your insurance policy also offers you liability insurance, which can help if you are at fault for a car accident or if your dog bites someone in your home.

So while it’s true you may not (even hopefully not) get that money back in the form of a claims payout, it’s equally true that if you find yourself needing extensive home repairs after a storm or a new engine after a flood, insurance could potentially save you from financial ruin.

I am currently in the middle of a homeowners insurance claim for roof damage that occurred during a hail storm. My insurance company approved full roof replacement, which included the removal and re-installation of solar panels, new structural and coding upgrades and other additional costs totaling over $30K. The solar panels alone added $11K to the overall project. As a single mom, it would be nearly impossible for me to come up with that cash on my own and insurance enabled me to get a new roof with very little money out of pocket. — Bankrate Staff Member

“Just get ____ [insurance company]”

“Wawanesa if you’re a good driver.” — Reddit User

“I’m only going to say this once…. Costco Costco Costco.” — Reddit User

Why this is not helpful: These may not seem like bad tips at first glance, but insurance is very personalized. While these companies may offer great policies at affordable prices to some, neither home nor auto insurance is a one-size-fits-all kind of product. Each insurance company has its own unique underwriting method, and rates will vary from provider to provider.

One insurance company may offer a cheaper rate to a driver with a speeding ticket, while another could calculate that ticket as a bigger risk and jack up their rate. Or, one home insurance provider may offer a fairly steep discount for new home purchases, while a different company may not offer much (or any) discount for it.

This is exactly why most insurance experts recommend comparing quotes across multiple providers before committing to a policy. Request the same coverage types and limits (this applies to home AND auto) so you can compare apples to apples. And do a little research on the companies, too. Maybe customer service is the most important to you, or you’re more focused on price. Decide what matters to you and find out what your potential provider is known for, then compare.

Fudge your personal details

“When you’re setting up your insurance policy, you’re asked ‘how many miles will you use driving this vehicle in a year?’ or some variation – the lower the number, the cheaper the policy. Most cases, insurance companies will not track your annual mileage, and you’re also able to switch policies as often as you’d like. Easy win.” — Reddit User

“Say you’re married. You don’t have to prove it and it’s a discount on insurance.” — Reddit User

“re-register your car in a much cheaper place, probably rural, or a different state.” — Reddit User

Why this is not helpful: This type of advice is tough to read. It’s never a good idea to lie to your insurance company to get a lower rate (or for any reason). In some states, this could even qualify as insurance fraud . You’ll likely also end up with a canceled policy and denied insurance claim.

In California (where I live), insurance fraud can be punishable with up to five years in prison and can be considered a felony. The California Department of Insurance states that insurance fraud can also carry a fine of up to $50,000 — a lot more than you could potentially save by lying to your insurance company. Exact punishments will depend on your state, but the principle is the same: Lying to your insurance company is a crime, and the consequences are real.

Plus, it’s usually not the type of lie you can get away with. Insurance companies are pretty savvy about verifying information that pertains to risk. Your insurance company may request an odometer reading to confirm your vehicle’s annual mileage. Or, if you use a telematics device, it’s possible for your insurer to see your mileage that way.

Full coverage car insurance is the same as minimum coverage

“Don’t ask for ‘full coverage,’ it doesn’t mean anything.” — Reddit User

Why this is not helpful: This is objectively false. A full coverage car insurance policy means much more robust financial coverage. While the definition may vary slightly between providers, full coverage typically includes comprehensive and collision coverage on top of your state’s minimum requirements. Many drivers ask for “full coverage” when they want financial protection for their own vehicle — not just the damage they cause if they are at fault for an accident.

Collision coverage , generally speaking, covers the costs of repairing your own vehicle if you’re found at fault for an accident. Comprehensive coverage can help with a slew of other potential losses, like vehicle theft and weather damage.

It is also true that full coverage means a price hike compared to minimum coverage. Average rate data shows that, as of August 2024, full coverage car insurance costs $2,329 per year for full coverage, while minimum coverage averages $633. But, with full coverage comes broader financial protection. Like with most things insurance, talk to your agent to see how much coverage is right for you. But understanding some basic insurance concepts could help make that conversation more productive.

Change your gender

“Legally change your gender” — Reddit User

Why this is not helpful: This one had me scratching my head. Let me back up, though. It’s true that there is some difference between average rates for males versus average rates for females. But why? A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that men are statistically more likely to engage in risky driving behavior like not wearing a seat belt, driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding. So, to account for the added risk of insuring a male driver, many car insurance companies charge men higher rates than women.

Now here’s the ‘but.’ Since lots of factors play into your rate, all of the above may not make much difference anyway. According to average rate data from August 2024, a 40-year-old man with a clean driving record only paid about 4 percent more than his female counterpart for a full coverage policy. While it’s true that younger drivers may see more of a disparity in rates between genders, it’s still a rather lengthy step to take if the sole purpose is your car insurance.

Best insurance advice on Reddit

Now for the ‘good’ advice. I can’t stress enough that the only person you should truly be taking insurance advice from is your actual insurance agent (and if you don’t have one, consider getting one!). But I did find some sound tips that any insurance expert is likely to get behind.

Much of this ‘better’ advice loosely follows the principle that the simplest solution is often the best one. Like I said earlier, insurance is already a complex thing. Creating obstacles to get a cheaper rate often just makes it harder and more frustrating. But there are some simple things you can do that might make navigating your car or home insurance a bit easier.

Talk to your insurance agent

“Call up your agent/broker and ask them to explain the policies to you. no offense intended, but it’s clear the data is overwhelming to you. that’s fine! millions of people don’t understand their policy and coverages but a 15 minute call will save them untold amounts of stress trying to learn basic insurance concepts while handling a massive house fire” — Reddit User

Why this is helpful: A thousand times, yes. This is probably the number one piece of insurance advice I could offer someone (and already have several times in this article). A licensed insurance agent doesn’t know where your insurance knowledge begins and ends. They are not only well-versed on all the ins and outs of home and auto insurance, but they are also familiar with the insurance company or companies they work with and its unique policies. They, not Reddit or Google (or even me), are the ones who can answer your unique-to-you insurance questions with certainty.

If you have questions about your policy, aren’t sure how much coverage you need or don’t know where to begin, setting up time to chat with a licensed agent in person or over the phone could make a world of difference — and save you some financial headaches down the line. Talk to them!

Read your policy

“Mine is easy, read your policy. You pay to much money over the course of your life to not even know what you’re covered for on a bare minimum scale.” — Reddit User

Why this is helpful: As an addendum to my favorite piece of advice (talk to your insurance agent), I couldn’t agree more with this one. I’ve come across dozens of Reddit comments from angry policyholders about how their claim was denied. But, a lot of the time, it turns out that they weren’t covered for the damage in the first place. For instance, without flood insurance , your home isn’t financially protected from damage caused by a flood. Or, with just minimum coverage car insurance, you won’t be covered for your own vehicle repairs if you were at fault for an accident. Looking at the finer print of your policy can help you understand how it works to protect you and may even help you identify potential coverage gaps.

If you sit down to read your home or auto policy and find yourself intimidated, circle back to that most golden piece of advice: talk to your insurance agent. They’ll help you read the policy. You can even ask them questions about it and run through scenarios with them.

“This happened with my homeowners insurance. Went up 100% from last year. I just shopped it, had them all send me quotes, loaded them up in Chatgpt to analyze them and tell me which was the best price vs coverage. Saved 2k per year” — Reddit User

Why this is helpful: This one intrigued me. I have to admit that this isn’t something I’ve ever thought of, but I think it could be a great way to review and compare quotes . The only thing I would add is to follow up with a licensed insurance agent (that golden rule) to make sure you’re understanding your quotes correctly. I can’t say I’d recommend using AI tools as the sole arbiter of anything, but leaning on the advanced technology available to most of us today could be a great way to get a better handle on your insurance quotes before you speak with an agent.

One caveat to this: don’t rely solely on AI any more than you’d rely solely on Reddit. Both are simply tools where you might (or might not) find some basic information or opinions. Talk to a licensed agent and make sure you’ve got the right coverage at the right price — and that you understand it!

Set up automatic payments

“Set your payment to auto pay and make sure that account has money.” — Reddit User

Why this is helpful: I like this one because it’s simple. Insurance lapses have the potential to increase your rate, so paying your insurance bill on time is critical. In some cases, an insurance lapse could even place you in a higher risk category (which, whether it’s home or auto insurance, could raise your rates down the road).

Opting into automatic payments is super simple with most carriers and might be a great way to get peace of mind that you won’t miss a payment. Plus, some insurers even offer small discounts for auto-pay (usually around 5 percent). Do you know who you can ask about that? Your insurance agent. If you do go the auto-pay route and link your insurance payment to a credit card, make sure that the card remains active throughout your policy.

Check your dwelling limit regularly

“The most important thing is having an adequate dwelling coverage to rebuild your home”. — Reddit User

Why this is helpful: While this only applies to home insurance, I can’t stress this enough. Your dwelling insurance limit, which pays to repair or rebuild your home’s structure, is one of the most important parts of your home insurance policy. In most cases, your other structures, personal property and additional living expenses coverages are calculated as a percentage of your dwelling limit. So, if your dwelling limit is too low, it could domino into other parts of your policy.

So why would your dwelling limit be too low? One of the most common reasons is inflation . When the cost of construction materials and labor is high, it increases the cost of rebuilding your home. For instance, instead of $250,000, maybe it now costs $300,000 to rebuild your home from the ground up.

To avoid being underinsured, maybe set aside time to speak with a (you guessed it) licensed agent about 30 to 60 days before your policy renews to make sure you’re completely covered. You might also want to talk to your agent about whether an inflation guard or extended dwelling endorsement is available. An extended dwelling endorsement can add an additional 25 to 50 percent to your total dwelling limit, in case your original dwelling limit isn’t high enough to cover the cost of your claim. An inflation guard endorsement, on the other hand, automatically adjusts your coverage limits to keep pace with inflation.

“You should be pulling quotes every 6 months, even if you have a bundled offer for other insurance types. There’s no bonus for loyalty these days, and you may be leaving hundreds on the table. Especially relevant if your insurer gives you a hefty raise at renewal.” — Reddit User

Why this is helpful: While this advice is pretty solid, there is one important hitch. Many insurance companies do offer discounts for loyalty, like if you’ve had your policy with the same company for a certain number of years. That said, if your rates keep climbing with that insurer, you may not want to wait around for a discount. Making a habit of shopping around before your policy renews might help you lock in lower rates. Shopping doesn’t necessarily mean you need to switch companies, but just collecting quotes can help you better gauge what’s out there price-wise.

I think a lot of people do tend to shop around for their auto policies, but this tip may be even more helpful for homeowners, whose home insurance bill may be wrapped up in their mortgage payments. Take a look at your mortgage statement and see what you are paying for home insurance, then shop around and see if there is something better for you out there. Just don’t forget to tell your mortgage company if you switch providers.

The bottom line

Reddit can be a great place to see what others think about their car and home insurance, but don’t take everything at face value. Advice that suggests you lie to your insurance company, that insurance is “out to get you” or something of that ilk probably isn’t sound guidance. Take what you see on Reddit with a grain of salt, and if you have questions about your insurance policy, the best thing to do is check with a licensed insurance agent — not take advice from someone you’ve never met.

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