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United States Travel Insurance Requirements

Last updated: 03/07/2024

Do You Need Travel Insurance in the United States?

Traveling within the United States as a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident does not require travel insurance. With that said, the United States remains the destination for travel insurance among Squaremouth customers.

The main reason why so many travelers purchase travel insurance for domestic trips is to protect against the unexpected. The best travel insurance plans will provide reimbursement if you encounter delays, cancellations, medical emergencies, or luggage issues throughout your USA trip.

There are currently no travel insurance requirements for non-U.S. citizens visiting America. However, a tourist visa may be required depending on the country of origin.

How Much Does United States Travel Insurance Cost?

The cost of a trip insurance policy is determined by five key factors; the cost of your trip, your trip’s length, the age of the travelers on your policy, the type of policy you choose, and the amount of coverage the policy offers.

The cost of domestic travel insurance coverage is often cheaper than international plans.

On average, domestic travelers can expect to pay between $200-$250 for a single trip travel insurance policy.

The Best Travel Insurance Benefits for United States Travel

Whether you’re planning on exploring the concrete jungle of New York City or cruising the Pacific Coast Highway in California, trip protection can offer you peace of mind before and during your American adventure.

If you have an upcoming trip planned, we recommend comparing comprehensive travel insurance options that include the following benefits:

Trip Cancellation : Reimburses up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs in the event you are forced to cancel for a covered reason.
Trip Interruption : Reimburses up to 150% of your unused prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you need to end your trip early and return home for a covered reason.
Emergency Medical : Covers the cost of unforeseen medical expenses, such as hospital bills, x-rays, ambulance rides, and emergency dental services.
Medical Evacuation & Repatriation : Covers the cost of emergency medical evacuations in the event a treating physician deems it necessary for more adequate treatment.
Travel Delay : Can reimburse the cost of food, accommodations, and transportation if a flight is significantly delayed.
Baggage & Personal Item Loss : Provides reimbursement for luggage and personal items that go missing, get damaged, or are stolen at any point during your trip.
Baggage Delay : Provides reimbursement if you need to purchase toiletries, clothes, and other necessities if your luggage is delayed during transit.
Sports & Activities : Extends valuable travel health insurance benefits to travelers participating in extreme or inherently dangerous activities during their trip.
24 Hour Assistance Service : Most travel insurance providers offer 24/7 support to policyholders before, during, and after their trip in the event they have questions about their coverage.

Click here to get a quote for domestic travel insurance.

Understanding U.S. Travel Health Insurance Plans

Since most primary healthcare plans aren’t accepted overseas, travel medical benefits are extremely popular among international travelers. However, having travel health insurance for a domestic trip be equally as beneficial.

If you currently don’t have health insurance, travel medical coverage can cover the cost any unforeseen medical emergencies that occur while traveling.

A travel medical insurance plan can also be a smart option for travelers with limited health insurance or a plan with high deductibles. In this case, we recommend a policy with “primary” Emergency Medical coverage, as it pays out medical bills first.

Given the potential for high costs of healthcare in America, we recommend at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and at least $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.

Travel Tips for U.S. Vacations

Regardless of where you’re heading or how you’re getting there, it’s important to be prepared for whatever comes your way. Below are some general travel tips to consider when traveling within the USA .

Allow Time for the Unexpected

Even for frequent flyers, it’s hard to predict how early you should arrive at the airport the day of your departure. Checking road closures before you set off is advised.

TSA recommends allowing more than enough time for parking/shuttle transportation, checking a bag, going through security, and navigating to your gate. You can download the MyTSA app to check how busy your airport is expected to be on your day of travel.

Stay Organized

Travel plans are often made over extended periods of time. Keeping important documentation saved and easily accessible can reduce headaches down the road.

Below are a few examples of documents you should hold on to throughout your trip:
Booking confirmations
Any communication with an airline or travel supplier
Important contact information, such as your travel insurance company’s support line
Receipts, especially those that may be used in a claim
Physician notes and other documentation relating to medical care received before or during a trip

Do Your Research

Spend time researching your destination prior to your arrival. This can help you pinpoint the best restaurants, safest areas, and which parts of town to avoid.

The climate and weather conditions can also vary dramatically from one state to the next. Check online for any severe weather alerts so that you can alter your itinerary accordingly.

United States Travel FAQs

What are some “must visit” cities in the united states.

From coast to coast and beyond, the United States is home to some of the world’s most iconic cities. Below, in no particular order, is a list of some of the most popular destinations for travelers within the U.S.:

New York City, NY
Honolulu, HI
San Diego, CA
Washington, D.C.
Chicago, IL
Seattle, WA
Charleston, S.C.

What is the Best National Park in the United States?

Condé Nast Traveler recently released a list of The 25 Best National Parks in the US. Below are there findings for the top 10:

Yellowstone National Park
Denali National Park and Preserve
Great Sand Dunes National Park
North Cascades National Park
Yosemite National Park
Zion National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Crater Lake National Park
Acadia National Park

What is the Best Way to Travel Around America?

There are three primary options when it comes to traveling across the United States:

Flying: A common way to travel the U.S. is to book a flight. It is the fastest way to travel from point A to point B, but delays and cancellations are possible.

Driving: Offers the most flexibility and is the most cost-effective method of transportation. However, if time is constrained, there’s a limit to how much you can see and do.

Amtrak: The Amtrak is a train service that connects through major cities across the country. It can be a great way to see multiple cities, but can be expensive and has limited options.

United States Articles and Press Releases

Spending Trends: Cost of Travel Decreases Despite Historical Inflation Rates
U.S. Tourist Destinations Indicate Return to Normalcy This Spring Break

Helpful Resources

CDC Travel Advisory

Available Topic Experts for Media:

Squaremouth's destination information is free and available for use within your reporting. Please credit Squaremouth.com for any information used.

Squaremouth's topic experts are on hand to answer your questions. Contact a member of our team for media inquiries about Squaremouth Analytics or to schedule an interview.

Steven Benna, Lead Data Analyst: [email protected]

We're here to help!

Have questions about travel insurance coverage? Call us! 1-800-240-0369 Our Customer Service Team is available everyday from 8AM to 10PM ET.

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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How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

Barbara Marquand writes about mortgages, homebuying and homeownership. Previously, she wrote about insurance and investing at NerdWallet and covered personal finance for QuinStreet. Prior to that, she wrote for national consumer and trade publications on a wide range of topics, including business, careers and parenting. Her work has appeared in the Associated Press, MarketWatch, MSN Money, The New York Times, The Washington Post and many others.

Sam Kemmis is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. In a previous professional life, he wrote comedy until a nomadic lifestyle and a lifelong obsession with saving money turned his attention to travel rewards. He is no longer funny. His work has been featured by The Associated Press, The Points Guy and Fast Company. He has spoken about travel rewards at CardCon, the Altitude conference and AwardWallet's "Award Travel 101" podcast. He is based in Ojai, California, and teaches mindfulness meditation because that's what you do in Ojai.

Elina Geller is a former Travel Writer at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs and travel insurance. Her passion for travel rewards began in 2011 when she flew first class to London and Amsterdam on British Airways and used hotel points to stay in both cities. In 2019, Elina founded TheMissMiles, a travel rewards coaching business. Elina's work has been featured by AwardWallet. She’s a certified public accountant with degrees from the London School of Economics and Fordham University.

Mary Flory leads NerdWallet's growing team of assigning editors at large. Before joining NerdWallet's content team, she had spent more than 12 years developing content strategies, managing newsrooms and mentoring writers and editors. Her previous experience includes being an executive editor at the American Marketing Association and an editor at news and feature syndicate Content That Works.

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

Table of Contents

What travel insurance covers

How much does travel insurance cost, types of travel insurance, how to get travel insurance, what to look for in travel insurance, best travel insurance comparison sites, which insurance company is best for travel insurance, when to skip travel insurance, travel insurance, recapped.

Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more.

Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions, depth of coverage, your age and add-ons.

You can get it through credit cards or third-party companies, & can shop on travel insurance comparison sites.

Before buying, evaluate risks, know existing coverage, obtain quotes online and review policy details warily.

Skip it if you buy flexible airfare and hotels, already have coverage or only book refundable activities.

Booking travel always carries some degree of uncertainty. Travel insurance provides a safety net so you can step out with confidence. You may not need travel insurance for inexpensive trips, but it can provide a sense of security when you prepay for pricey reservations, a big international trip or travel during cold and flu season, which can be unpredictable.

According to insurance comparison site Squaremouth, travelers in 2023 spent an average of $403 for comprehensive coverage, compared to $96 for medical-only policies. Comprehensive plans typically cost between 5% and 10% of the insured trip cost.

Since that price tag is no small amount, it helps to know how to shop smart for travel insurance. Here's how to find the right travel insurance plan for you and your next adventure.

Depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for, the chart below will help you determine what to look for when selecting a policy:

Depending on the policy, travel insurance reimburses you or offers services when something goes awry. There’s even coverage for the worst-case scenario: if you die in an accident while traveling. Accidental death coverage pays your beneficiary a lump sum in that case.

Before you buy, take a little time to get familiar with different types of travel insurance products, how it’s priced, and what it covers and excludes. If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, you’ll want to make sure that the policy you select covers coronavirus-related emergencies. Usually, the more thorough the coverage, the more it will cost.

Travel insurance costs vary depending on:

Length and cost of the trip: The longer and more expensive the trip, the higher the policy cost.

Cost of local health care: High health-care costs in your destination can drive up the price of trip insurance.

Medical conditions you want covered: Conditions you already have will increase the cost of travel insurance coverage.

Amount and breadth of coverage: The more risks a policy covers, the more it will cost.

Your age: Generally the older you are, the higher the price.

Any optional supplement you add to your policy : Cancel For Any Reason , Interrupt For Any Reason and more.

Keep these factors in mind when considering different travel insurance options.

You’ll find a wide selection of travel protection plans when you shop for a policy.

Typically, travel insurance is sold as a package, known as a comprehensive plan, which includes a variety of coverage.

Here are seven of the most common types of travel insurance:

Travel medical insurance

These plans provide health insurance while you’re away from home. Although in some ways these policies work like traditional health plans, generally you cannot use travel health insurance for routine medical events. For example, a routine medical checkup is usually not covered. In addition, these policies often include limitations on coverage and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

Although most travel insurance plans cover many recreational activities, such as skiing and horseback riding, they often exclude adventure sports, such as skydiving or parasailing, or competition in organized sporting events. You may need to buy a special travel policy designed for adventure or competitive sports.

International travel insurance

Most likely, your U.S.-based medical insurance will not work while you’re traveling internationally, and Medicare does not provide any coverage once you leave the United States outside of a few very specific exemptions. If you plan on traveling abroad, purchasing travel medical insurance could make a lot of sense.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay

Trip cancellation coverage reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if the tour operator goes out of business or you have to cancel the trip for one of the covered reasons outlined in the policy, such as:

Your own illness.

The illness or death of a family member who’s not traveling with you.

Natural disasters.

Trip interruption insurance covers the nonrefundable cost of the unused portion of the trip if it is interrupted due to a reason outlined in the policy.

Trip delay coverage reimburses you for expenses such as lodging and meals if you’re delayed during a trip (e.g., your flight gets canceled due to weather ).

Many package policies cover all three. These policies are different from the cancellation waivers that cruise lines and tour operators offer, the Insurance Information Institute says. Waivers are cheap, ranging from $40 to $60, and often include restrictions. For example, according to the institute, waivers might not refund your money if you cancel immediately before departure. Waivers are technically not insurance policies.

Some companies offer additional layers of coverage at extra cost. “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage will reimburse a large part of the trip cost, no matter why you back out. And some companies let you pay extra to cover pre-existing conditions if you cancel for medical reasons.

Some insurers and comparison sites let you customize a policy by choosing types of coverage a la carte. For example, TravelInsurance.com is a comparison site that provides quotes from different providers.

Baggage and personal belongings

How does lost luggage insurance work? This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if you experience a baggage delay for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

Your renters or homeowners insurance may cover personal belongings while you are traveling. It’s best to review your homeowners insurance policy to determine the level of coverage it provides so you do not end up paying for a benefit you already have.

» Learn more: Baggage insurance explained

Emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation

This coverage pays medical expenses if you get sick or injured on a trip . Medical evacuation coverage pays for transporting you to the nearest hospital, and medical repatriation pays for flying you to your home country.

» Learn more: Can I get travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

24-hour assistance

This service is included with many package plans. The insurer provides a 24-hour hotline that you can call when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, finding lost luggage, or locating a doctor or lawyer.

Generally, travel insurance companies do not cover sports or any activity that can be deemed risky. If you’re thinking of incorporating adventurous activities into your vacation, choose a plan that includes adventure sports coverage.

Most travel insurers cover a wide array of services, but the specific options vary. Some plans include concierge services, providing help with restaurant referrals, tee time reservations and more. Many services also offer information before the trip, such as required vaccinations. The only way to know what’s included is to read the policy.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance

This coverage pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member, if you die in an accident while on the trip. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies also pay a portion of the sum to you if you lose a hand, foot, limb, eyesight, speech or hearing. Some plans apply only to accidental death in a plane.

This coverage may be duplicative if you already have sufficient life insurance, which pays out whether you die in an accident or from an illness. You may also already have accidental death and dismemberment insurance through work, so it's best to check your policies to ensure you’re not overpaying.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's guide to life insurance

Rental car coverage

Rental car insurance pays for repairing your rental car if it’s damaged in a wreck, by vandals or in a natural disaster. The coverage doesn't include liability insurance, which pays for damage to other vehicles or for the medical treatment of others if you cause an accident and are held responsible.

Ask your car insurance company whether your policy will cover you when renting cars on the trip. U.S. car insurance policies generally don’t cover you when driving in other countries, except Canada.

Car insurance requirements are complex because they vary among countries. You can usually purchase liability insurance from the rental car company. Learn about car insurance requirements by searching for auto insurance by country on the U.S. Embassy website .

» Learn more: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

A note about single vs. long-term policies

Single trip insurance plans are a great option for those going on a single trip for a specific length of time (e.g., a two-week vacation) and then returning home. The price of the policy is usually determined by the cost of the trip.

Long-term travel policies cover you for multiple trips, but there are limitations to how long you can be away from home, if you can return home during your travels and how many trips you can take. In addition, trip cancellation and interruption coverage is either not offered or capped at a dollar amount that can be significantly below the total cost of all the trips taken during the covered period.

Long-term travel insurance plans — often called 'multi-trip' or 'annual travel insurance' — are a suitable option for those who travel often and are satisfied with the amount of trip cancellation coverage for all the trips they take over the duration of the policy.

» Learn more: How annual (multi-trip) travel insurance works

Below, we include how to obtain travel insurance, along with the pros and cons of each option.

Some credit cards offer trip cancellation and rental car insurance if you use the card to book the trip or car.

When you book a trip with your credit card, depending on the card you use, you may already receive trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

» Learn more: 10 credit cards that provide travel insurance

Here are a handful of credit cards that offer varying levels of travel insurance coverage for purchases made with the card.

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

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

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

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

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

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

• Travel accident: Up to $500,000.

• Rental car insurance: Up to $75,000.

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

• Travel accident: Up to $1 million.

• Rental car insurance: Up to the actual cash value of the car.

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

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

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

Terms apply.

Pros: Coverage is free.

Cons: You can’t customize the insurance to meet your needs. Most credit cards offer secondary car rental insurance, which pays for the costs not covered by your regular car insurance plan.

Travel agents and travel reservation sites

You can buy travel insurance when you book your flight, hotel and car rental.

Pros: Buying is as quick and easy as clicking “yes” when you book reservations. Coverage is inexpensive.

Cons: You can’t customize the coverage.

» Learn more: Airline travel insurance vs. independent travel insurance

Travel insurance comparison sites

You can compare different policies and review quotes at once based on the trip search criteria you’ve input into the search form. Examples include marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs and compare policies and pricing in one place.

Cons: Comparing multiple policies takes time.

Travel insurance companies

You can purchase travel insurance directly from an insurance provider.

Pros: You can choose a policy that fits your needs. Many travel insurer websites also offer information to help you understand the coverage.

Cons: You’ll need to go to multiple websites to compare coverage and pricing.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Keep these tips in mind when you’re considering a trip insurance policy.

Evaluate the financial risks you face when traveling. Can you bear those costs yourself, or do you want insurance?

Examine what coverage you already have: Does your credit card offer travel insurance? Do you have renters or homeowners insurance to cover belongings? What is the deductible? Will your health plan cover you in all the locations where you travel?

Get quotes for trip insurance online. Choose a package of the benefits you need and compare prices for similar coverage among carriers.

Narrow your choices and then read the policy fine print to understand what’s covered, what’s excluded and the limits on coverage. You may find that the lowest-priced policy is too restrictive and that paying a little more gets you the coverage you need. Or you might find that the cheapest, most basic policy fits the bill.

If you don’t know which provider to go with, it makes sense to browse a list of plans on a travel insurance comparison site. These online marketplaces will often include plans from the best travel insurance companies along with customer reviews.

Squaremouth

Compare plans from more than 30 providers.

Over 86,000 customer reviews of insurers.

Under its Zero Complaint Guarantee, Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner) will remove a provider if any customer complaint isn't resolved to its satisfaction.

Has a filter option to see policies that provide COVID-coverage.

TravelInsurance.com

Compare plans from 13 providers.

See good and poor customer ratings and reviews for each insurer when you receive quotes.

“Learning Center” includes travel insurance articles and travel tips, including important how-to information.

Quotes provided from each provider include a link to COVID-19 FAQs, making it easy for customers to review what’s covered or not.

InsureMyTrip

Compare plans from more than two dozen providers.

More than 70,000 customer reviews.

“Anytime Advocates” help customers navigate the claim process and will work on behalf of the customer to help with appealing a denied claim.

Includes a link to plans that offer COVID coverage.

Compare plans from 11 providers.

Search coverage by sporting activity, including ground, air and water sports.

Many types of plans available for students, visiting family members, new immigrants, those seeking COVID quarantine coverage and more.

Compare different insurance plans from 35 providers.

Over 5,600 customer reviews on Trustpilot, with an average 4.9 stars out of five.

Formerly known as AardvarkCompare, AARDY includes a “Travel Insurance 101” learning center to help customers understand various policies and benefits.

Quote search results page includes COVID-coverage highlighted in a different color to make it easier for customers to review related limits.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care, COVID coverage or a policy that includes extreme sports, these providers have you covered.

Our full analysis and more details about each organization can be found here: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Today .

Allianz Global Assistance .

Travel Guard by AIG .

USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services .

Travel Insured International .

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Seven Corners .

AXA Assistance USA .

There are a few scenarios when spending extra on travel insurance doesn't really make sense, like:

You booked flexible airline tickets.

Your hotel room has a good cancellation policy.

It's already included in your credit card.

You haven't booked any nonrefundable activities.

» Learn more: When you don't need travel insurance

Yes, especially for nonrefundable trips and travel during the COVID-era. Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or have travel insurance from your credit card, you shouldn't travel without having some sort of travel protection in place to safeguard you and your trip. Travel insurance can protect you in case of an unexpected emergency such as a canceled flight due to weather, a medical event that requires hospitalization, lost luggage and more.

There are many good travel insurance policies out there and a policy that may be great for you may not be good for someone else. Selecting the best plan depends on what coverage you would like and your trip details.

For example, World Nomads offers a comprehensive travel insurance policy that has excellent coverage for adventure sports. Allianz provides coverage for trips of varying lengths of time through its single trip plans and multi-trip plans. Some providers offer add-on options like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance. If you’re not sure which plan to go with, consider looking at trip insurance comparison sites like Squaremouth or Insuremytrip.

Yes, you can. However, it's better to purchase it sooner rather than later, ideally right after booking your trip because the benefits begin as soon as you purchase a policy.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your trip cancellation benefits to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

Most comprehensive travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and dental, medical evacuation, trip delay and lost luggage coverage. Many plans offer COVID coverage, but you’ll always want to check to ensure that the policy you choose provides that benefit if you’re traveling during these times. Some plans may also allow you to add features like Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

However, the coverage provided by the credit cards is usually lower than if you purchased a standalone policy. Review the travel insurance benefits on your credit card and check that the limits are adequate before foregoing from purchasing a separate plan.

Let’s say you’re going on a trip in a month and a week before departure, you fall and break your leg. If you’ve purchased a travel insurance policy, you can use your

trip cancellation benefits

to get your nonrefundable deposit back.

It depends which credit card you have. Premium travel cards like the

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

offer travel insurance benefits if you book a trip using your card or points.

Unpredictability is one of the mind-opening joys of travel, but travel insurance should contain no surprises. The time you spend to understand your options will be well worth the peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a single or a long-term policy, each travel insurance option offers different strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right policy depends on your trip needs, your budget and how important various benefits are to you.

Keep reading

If you want to dig in deeper to world of travel insurance, these resources will point you in the right direction.

What is travel insurance?

How much is travel insurance?

Is travel insurance worth it?

What does travel insurance cover?

Does travel insurance cover COVID?

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: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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

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

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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

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℠.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

June 1, 2020

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova; North Korea; Russia; Israel

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Use this tool to calculate all purchases like ski-lift passes, show tickets, or even rental equipment.

Get a Quote

Last-minute cancellations. Travel delays. Rental car accidents. When the unexpected happens, you can rely on Allianz Travel Insurance to help make things right.

Whether you're planning a road trip, camping getaway or vacation rental, a OneTrip plan can help you journey there — and back — with confidence.

Get affordable protection for all your trips — family vacations and weekend getaways alike — for a full 365 days.

Enjoy peace of mind on your next road trip. Get robust rental car coverage for a fraction of what you'll typically pay at the rental counter.

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If you were referred by a travel agent, enter the ACCAM number provided by your agent.

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Plan Start Date

Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Because your trip is too important to leave to chance. For a small fraction of your trip costs, you can count on travel insurance to save the day when things go awry.

If you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason, travel insurance can reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. Without insurance, you could lose the money you paid for your vacation rental, car rental, hotel, flights and more.
If you experience a covered medical emergency , travel insurance can help ensure you get high-quality care and reimburse you for covered medical costs. Without insurance, you may have to pay out of pocket.
If your rental car gets damaged, lost or stolen , travel insurance can pay for the loss. Without insurance, you could get hit with a huge bill.
If you face an unexpected crisis, travel insurance connects you to 24-Hour Hotline Assistance for expert help and advice. Without insurance, you’re on your own.
If your travel plans are affected by COVID-19, many of our travel protection plans now include the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, which adds covered reasons to select benefits for certain losses related to COVID-19 and any future epidemic. Benefits vary by plan and by state of residence, and are not available in all jurisdictions. Learn more in our COVID-19 FAQ .

Allianz - Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?

WHICH PLAN IS RIGHT FOR ME?

OneTrip Travel Insurance Plans

If you're the type who plans one big getaway a year, a OneTrip plan can offer benefits to help you breathe easier -- like trip cancellation, luggage protection, emergency medical benefits, and more. And all plans come with 24-Hour Assistance in case you need expert travel help along the way.

Annual Travel Insurance Plans

Frequent traveler? An AllTrips annual travel insurance plan may be a great fit. You can get the protection you need for all the trips you take in a full year -- domestic or international, leisure or business -- all under one convenient plan.

Rental Car Insurance Plans

If you're hitting the road in a rental car, OneTrip Rental Car Protector can provide primary protection for covered collision, loss, and damage, along with 24- hour emergency assistance. It's an affordable alternative to using your personal insurance, or overpriced options at the rental counter.

Why go with Allianz Travel Insurance?

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

We're Protecting You

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

We're There For You

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

We're Built For You

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

What our customers say

Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at 800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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How Much is Travel Insurance?

On This Page

Key takeaways

What’s the average cost of travel insurance in 2024?

Factors that impact the cost of travel insurance, examples of cost fluctuations based on trip details, how much should i spend on travel insurance, faq: cost of travel insurance.

Recommended articles

Our top picks for travel insurance

Seven corners, generali global assistance.

As we’ve seen above, prices fluctuate depending on your trip details and how much coverage you want.

Travel insurance typically reimburses you for the total cost of your trip. As a result, this is one of the main factors that decide how much travel insurance costs. The reality is, more expensive trips require travel insurance premiums on the higher end, whereas budget-friendly vacations are typically much less expensive to insure. As an added example, some travel insurance plans like trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for anywhere from 100% to 150% of your total trip costs. In these cases, it only makes sense that the cost of the insurance plan is higher.

Trip length

The length of your trip impacts travel insurance costs since you need coverage for more days. Also, the longer the trip the higher the possibility of something going wrong. This means that the insurance company must assume a greater risk. You’ll typically pay a lot more for a trip in Spai n that lasts two weeks, for example versus just one week. Likewise, you’ll typically pay higher premiums for multi-trip or annual travel insurance plans versus one-off plans.

Age of traveler

The age of the traveler is an important factor in determining travel insurance costs. Senior travelers have an increased probability of falling ill or injuring themselves which means more medical expenses, which makes purchasing senior travel insurance crucial. In light of this, some travel insurance companies have an age limit to their policies.

Amount of travelers

Insuring a family or a large group inevitably costs more than insuring a solo trip. After all, more travelers in your group means there are more opportunities for things to go wrong which can lead to a higher payout from the insurance company. Despite this, some travel insurance providers, such as Travelex , offer free coverage for children ages 17 and under who are on the same plan as their parents or grandparents.

Type of plan

The type of travel insurance plan you buy can also affect the overall cost. For example, opting for a comprehensive travel insurance plan is more expensive than opting for medical coverage only or a cruise travel insurance plan specifically designed to cover potential risks on a cruise. You typically won’t get perks like baggage insurance, coverage for travel delays, or trip cancellation insurance when you forgo a comprehensive plan, but it can reduce the overall cost of your travel insurance policy. Therefore it’s important to consider what types of coverage you deem essential for your trip.

Coverage limits

Every travel insurance policy comes with a limit to how much the company will pay when you make a claim. The lower the limit, the less the plan will cost. A good example of this is travel medical insurance and medical evacuation insurance which usually make up the bulk of your travel insurance cost. These types of coverage typically have higher payout limits than other categories such as baggage insurance. Opting for less coverage will lower your overall cost, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. When opting for cheap travel insurance we always recommend maintaining robust coverage limits.

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions aren’t usually covered by travel insurance plans, but if they are, the policy tends to cost more than a standard policy. If you want coverage for pre-existing conditions you typically have to purchase a waiver for an extra fee ‘X’ days after making your initial trip deposit. (The amount of days depends on the company.) In the eyes of insurance companies, those with pre-existing conditions are more likely to need medical assistance while abroad. Therefore, plans that cover pre-existing conditions are usually more expensive.

Deductible amount

A deductible is the amount of money you must pay toward a claim before the insurance will start to pay out. Some travel insurance plans have a deductible, but this is always the case. Opting for a higher deductible can lead to a lower overall cost , whereas choosing a lower deductible or no deductible means paying more. Always read the fine print to ensure there are no surprise charges.

Add-ons & additional coverage

Travel insurance policies offer all kinds of add-ons that can cause the cost of coverage to skyrocket. Some of the most popular add-on coverages include cancel for any reason travel insurance (CFAR), interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage, rental car coverage, insurance for sports equipment, and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Just one of these could increase your travel insurance policy by around 50%, so beware of add-ons if you are trying to keep costs down.

To help you understand these concepts better, we worked through some real-world examples and compared a range of travel insurance quotes for various trips, ages, and types of plans.

Then, we found the average cost of travel insurance based on the following variables:

Total trip cost
Age of the travelers
Type of coverage

1. Average cost of travel insurance by trip cost

Using the LA Times Compare tool, we got quotes for a seven-night trip with costs ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.

The chart below shows how much the average trip cost for one person (age 35) impacted premiums in 2023:

We received travel insurance quotes for all the top providers to prepare this analysis, and we weren’t surprised to find that more expensive trips required higher travel insurance costs overall.

As you can see from the chart above, the cost of a vacation will greatly impact the premiums each insurance company charges. Still, we found that average travel insurance costs for all trips worked out to approximately 5% to 6% of the trip cost, on average.

2. Average cost of travel insurance by age

To give you an idea of the average cost of travel insurance as it pertains to age, we compared plans for a seven-night trip costing $2,500 for one traveler.

We got quotes using the LA Times Compare tool for the same trip parameters, only altering the age of the traveler from 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 65, and 75.

The chart below provides an overview of the average cost of travel insurance by the age of the traveler:

As you can see from the study above, the travel insurance premium for a $2,500 trip ranges from 4% of the trip cost for travelers ages 20 to 30 up to 8% of the trip cost for a 65-year-old and 12% of the total trip cost for a 75-year-old. Therefore, it’s safe to say that age matters to travel insurance providers, although this is more true for people 60 years old or older.

Travel insurance companies price premiums based on the level of risk they’re taking for each covered trip, and it’s not surprising that it’s riskier to insure older travelers who are more likely to experience a medical event.

3. Average cost of travel insurance by type of coverage

While it’s difficult to answer how much is travel insurance, across different providers with different coverage options and limits, we got quotes for different plans from several top providers to give you an idea.

The chart below shows how much you would pay for travel insurance that covers a seven-night vacation for a total cost of $3,000 if you went with a budget plan, mid-tier coverage, or premium travel insurance:

Based on this study, it’s clear to see that the type of insurance policy you choose impacts the total cost, whether you opt for budget travel insurance, a middle-tier plan, or comprehensive coverage with exceptional limits.

4. Average cost of travel insurance with add-ons

As we mentioned earlier, add-ons can significantly increase the cost of travel insurance policies.

To give you a concrete example of this, we chose to study the cost of travel insurance plans with cancel for any reason insurance (CFAR) added to the policy.

Cancel for any reason travel insurance that lets you cancel a trip and be reimbursed for 50% to 80% of your prepaid trip expenses. This coverage can be used for any reason at all, even if you simply change your mind and decide to stay home.

The chart below shows how much two adult travelers would pay for some travel insurance plans for a seven-night trip with a total cost of $5,000.

While having CFAR coverage can be beneficial for travelers who are not entirely sure of their trip plans, this optional add-on can cause travel insurance premiums to increase by anywhere from 38% to 65%. Ultimately, we found that the average cost of adding CFAR to a policy equals approximately 48.6% of the premium.

You should aim to spend 6% or less of the total cost of your trip when searching for travel insurance. Anything less than 5% is considered a great price.

As an example, this means that travel insurance for a $5,000 vacation should cost between $250 and $300 – approximately.

If we follow this same rule, the cost of travel insurance for a $2,500 trip should be between $125 and $150, and premiums for a $15,000 trip should cost you between $750 and $900.

While these numbers are based on industry standards and internal research, our research did find some exceptions to this rule.

For example, travel insurance premiums tend to increase for:

Older travelers
Plans with higher coverage limits
Plans that cover more than one traveler

People over the age of 60 can expect to pay the most. Plans that cover more than one traveler also cost more in general, as do travel insurance plans with higher coverage limits.

If you are hoping to get the best deal on travel insurance, you should take the time to compare at least three or four travel insurance plans side-by-side. Not only should you compare plans based on the types of coverage offered and the policy limits, but you’ll want to look at your out-of-pocket expenses, too.

From there, you’ll want to make sure your plan covers every conceivable issue you may run into, from missed connections to the contraction of COVID-19. With some research and planning, you can purchase coverage that puts travel-related issues aside so you can enjoy a worry-free trip.

You can get a free quote using our tool below. Simply enter your dates and destination to get a customized quote.

What is the approximate cost of travel insurance?

Travel insurance costs approximately 5% to 6% of the total cost of your trip. Based on travel insurance sales data from 31 different providers over the past year (from April 9, 2022 – April 9, 2023), the average cost of travel insurance for US travelers is $283 per trip . The average trip lasted 16 days and cost around $6,003.

Is it worth paying for travel insurance?

Travel insurance is worth it if you don’t have other types of insurance in place to cover the cost of incidents while traveling. The added expense of buying travel insurance can be well worth it if you run into a costly issue during your vacation. A lot of times, US health insurance does not work abroad. As an example, a conservative estimate for the cost of medical evacuation while traveling is around $25,000. However, this cost increases exponentially if you are overseas and need to be sent home, or are traveling in remote locations. Without travel insurance, you would be forced to pay for this cost out-of-pocket.

Who should get travel insurance?

Seniors, families, pregnant travelers , and those with pre-existing health conditions are prime examples of people who should buy travel insurance. However, there are some situations where travel insurance is essential for everyone. If you’re traveling overseas where your traditional health insurance coverage will not apply, even across the border in Canada , for example, travel insurance is the only way to ensure your medical expenses are covered.

Not only that, but trip insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs relating to hotels and flights you booked, missed connections, and medical expenses you rack up overseas. These costs can easily exceed the cost of travel insurance premiums, sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars. Keep in mind that flight insurance booked through an airline may not cover extra expenses such as medical complications.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19 related issues?

Since COVID-19 has become commonplace, most travel insurance companies cover it the same as any other illness. This typically includes treatment or hospitalization from getting sick. Some travel insurance companies even cover doctor-ordered quarantine if you come down with COVID-19 during a covered trip and will cover the costs of extending your stay if you are forced to quarantine.

All travel insurance policies highlighted on our site include additionally COVID-19 travel insurance . If you are shopping elsewhere, make sure to read over the fine print before you select a plan as not all travel insurance policies offer this coverage.

Is travel insurance a one-time fee?

Some companies may offer options for paying in installments, but typically, travel insurance is a one-time fee that you pay upfront before going on your trip. Multi-trip travel insurance or annual travel insurance plans can cover more than one trip per year and may offer installment payments. However, most people buy a single travel insurance policy before each trip and a one-time fee.

What percentage of trip cost is travel insurance?

According to our research, travel insurance costs between 5% to 6% of the total trip cost for most travelers. All things considered, this is a small price to pay for peace of mind and being able to enjoy a worry-free trip.

About the Author

Holly D. Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer who covers topics like insurance, investing, credit and family finance. As a leading voice in the travel and loyalty space, Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries over the last decade.

The author has also written extensively on the power of household budgeting, and she even co-authored a book on the topic. Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love was originally published in 2017, and it teaches families how to use zero-sum budgeting to reach their financial goals. She is also the co-owner and founder of the family finance and travel website, ClubThrifty.com.

Johnson’s 10+ years of writing have focused on helping families make important financial decisions at each stage of their lives. The author also applies the financial principles she teaches to her own life, and she is currently on track to retire in her late 40’s with her partner. She currently lives in Central Indiana with her husband and children, and she is a regular contributor for Bankrate, CNN, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report Travel and many other notable publications.

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8 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Worth the Cost

Trawick International »

World Nomads Travel Insurance »

AXA Assistance USA »

Generali Global Assistance »

Seven Corners »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

IMG Travel Insurance »

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 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

Trawick International
World Nomads Travel Insurance
AXA Assistance USA

There are plenty of smart ways to save money on your travel plans, but refusing to buy travel insurance isn't necessarily one of them. Not having travel insurance can mean being on the hook for exorbitant medical bills or costs for emergency transportation if you become sick or injured during your trip. You could also face significant financial losses if your trip is delayed or your bags are lost or stolen, and without travel insurance you won't have a third party to rely on for assistance.

Buying affordable travel insurance makes more sense than skipping this coverage altogether, so read on to find out which companies offer the cheapest plans and all the protections you can get for a low cost.

How We Chose the Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies

To determine the cheapest travel insurance companies, U.S. News created sample traveler profiles for three separate eight-day trips to different destinations (the Cayman Islands, Spain and California) at a range of price points ($6,500, $10,500 and $8,500, respectively). We used that information to get quotes for the cheapest option for 100% trip cancellation coverage for each trip. We then calculated the average cost of the trips.

The travel insurance companies that made our ranking have a high credit rating and offer the lowest average cost, outlined below. (Note: The sample average costs are not price quotes from U.S. News. To find a travel insurance price quote, use the "View plans" link to enter your trip details and find more information.)

Generali Global Assistance
Seven Corners
Allianz Travel Insurance
IMG Travel Insurance
Trip cancellation coverage (up to $30,000) for 100% of the insured vacation
Trip interruption coverage (up to $30,000) for 100% of the insured vacation
Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000 ($150 per day for delays of 12 hours or more)
$750 in coverage for lost and damaged luggage; $200 for baggage delays
Up to $500 in coverage for missed connections of three hours or more
Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage ($750 sublimit for emergency dental)
Up to $200,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
Up to $2,500 of trip protection for cancellation or interruption
Up to $1,000 in coverage of lost, stolen or damaged baggage; up to $750 for baggage delays on your outward journey
Up to $100,000 in emergency medical insurance; $750 dental sublimit
Up to $300,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
24-hour travel assistance services

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Up to 100% coverage for trip cancellation and interruption
Up to $500 in coverage for trip delays ($100 per day)
Up to $500 in coverage for missed connections
Up to $25,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses
Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
Up to $750 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $200 for baggage delays
Up to $10,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
Up to $25,000 in coverage for common carrier AD&D
Coverage up to 100% of the insured vacation for trip cancellation
Up to 125% of the insured vacation cost for trip interruption
Travel delay coverage worth up to $1,000 per person ($150 per person daily limit)
Up to $1,000 per person for lost, damaged or stolen bags; $200 per person for baggage delays
Up to $500 per person for missed connections
Up to $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency assistance and transportation
AD&D coverage for air travel worth up to $50,000 per person ($100,000 per plan)
Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000
Trip interruption coverage up to 100% of the cost of the trip
Trip delay coverage worth up to $600 (for six-hour delays; $200 limit per person per day)
Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $500
Baggage delay coverage worth up to $500 (for six-hour delays; $100 per day)
Missed cruise or tour coverage worth up to $500 ($250 per day)
Emergency accident and sickness medical coverage worth up to $100,000 (secondary coverage)
Up to $750 in emergency dental coverage
Up to $250,000 in protection for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per traveler
Trip interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per traveler
Travel delay coverage worth up to $300 ($150 per day)
Luggage loss and damage protection up to $500 per traveler
Baggage delay coverage worth up to $200 per day
Emergency medical and dental coverage up to $10,000 ($500 for dental expenses)
Emergency medical transportation coverage worth up to $50,000
24-hour hotline assistance
Up to 100% in coverage for trip cancellation
Trip interruption benefit worth up to 125% of the trip cost
Up to $500 for travel delays per person ($125 daily maximum per person)
Up to $750 for lost, damaged or stolen bags ($250 maximum per item)
Up to $150 in luggage delay coverage
Up to $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of trip cost (up to $10,000)
Trip interruption coverage up to 100% of trip cost
Up to $500 in coverage for travel delays (five-hour delay required; $100 daily limit)
Coverage worth up to $1,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage ($250 per item)
Coverage worth up to $200 for baggage delays of 12 hours or more
Up to $250 in coverage for airline reissue or cancellation fees
Up to $250 in coverage for reinstatement of frequent traveler awards
Emergency medical and illness coverage worth up to $10,000
Up to $500 in coverage for emergency dental expenses
Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
AD&D coverage worth up to $10,000
Travel assistance services

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.

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

Holly Johnson

These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2024

Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations.

The 5 Best International Travel Insurance Companies for 2024

International travel insurance is a must-have for every trip abroad, and for more reasons than one.

Does My Health Insurance Cover International Travel?

Private health insurance typically doesn't cover international travel expenses.

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Travel insurance

Best travel insurance companies of June 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

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

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

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

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

Best travel insurance of 2024

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

Why trust our travel insurance experts

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

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

Best travel insurance companies

Best travel insurance.

Top travel insurance plans

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

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

See our full WorldTrips travel insurance review .

Pros and cons

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

Customer reviews

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

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

Best travel insurance for emergency evacuation

Travel insured international.

Top travel insurance plan

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

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

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

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

Best travel insurance for missed connections

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

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

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

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

Cheapest travel insurance

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

See our full Aegis travel insurance review .

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

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

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

Best travel insurance for families

Top-scoring plan

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

See our full Travelex travel insurance review .

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

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

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

Best travel insurance for add-on coverage options

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

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

See our full AIG travel insurance review .

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

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

Best travel insurance for cruise itinerary changes

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

Choice Cruise also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay when you’re taking a cruise or tour. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.

See our full Nationwide travel insurance review .

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

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

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

Compare the best travel insurance plans

Via Compare Coverage’s website

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

What is the best travel insurance?

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

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

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

Best travel insurance for cruises

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

Best travel insurance for COVID-19

The best COVID travel insurance is the Trip Protection Basic plan sold by Seven Corners . It is a relatively low cost travel insurance plan with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Best travel insurance for “cancel for any reason”

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

Best travel insurance for seniors

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

How much is travel insurance?

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

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on:

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

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

Looking to save? Discover cheap travel insurance options.

How much travel insurance should I buy?

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

Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends the following coverage limits for international travel:

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

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

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

When evaluating travel insurance plans, our team of insurance analysts considered the best medical travel insurance policies to have at least $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

When should I buy travel insurance?

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

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

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

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

Where can I buy travel insurance?

You can buy a travel insurance plan:

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

Travel insurance trends in 2024

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

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

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

Methodology

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

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

$3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 30.
$3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 70.
$6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 40.
$6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 65.
$15,000, 17-day trip to Italy for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
$15,000, 17-day trip to France for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
$15,000, 17-day trip to the U.K. for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
“Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

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

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

Best travel insurance FAQs

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

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

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

Trip cancellation . With trip cancellation insurance , you’re covered if you need to call off your trip because of a reason listed in your policy, such as unexpected illness, injury or death of you, a family member or a travel companion, severe weather, jury duty and your travel supplier going out of business.
Travel delay. Once your trip has started, travel delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses you incur after a minimum delay, such as five hours. It can cover needs like airport meals, transportation and even overnight accommodation.
Trip interruption. If you need to cut your trip early for a reason listed in your policy, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for any prepaid, nonrefundable payments you’ll lose by leaving early. It can also pay for a last-minute one-way ticket home.
Travel medical . Emergency medical benefits are especially important if you need international health insurance for travel outside of the country. Your domestic health insurance may provide limited coverage once you leave the U.S. The best travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, doctor visits, hospital stays, X-rays, lab work and prescription medication you may require while traveling.
Emergency medical evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote area, or planning excursions such as boating to an island, emergency medical evacuation coverage is a good idea. This coverage pays to transport you to the nearest adequate medical facility if you are injured or sick while traveling.
Baggage delay. After a certain waiting period, such as six or 12 hours, this coverage will reimburse you for necessities you need to buy to tide you over while you wait for your bag to arrive. Be sure to save your receipts and look at your coverage limit, as some caps are low, like $200.
Baggage loss. Baggage insurance can reimburse you if your bag never arrives, or if your personal belongings are stolen during your travels. Coverage limits apply here, as well as exclusions for certain items such as electronics.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medicare usually won’t pay for health care outside of the United States and its territories, so older travelers planning an international trip should look into the best senior travel insurance with robust medical benefits.

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

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

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

Travel insurance policies also frequently exclude certain risks that you’re more likely to encounter in Level 4 or Level 3 countries. For example, your policy may not cover losses related to declared or undeclared wars or acts of war or losses related to known or foreseeable conditions or events.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel Insured International — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000.
WorldTrips — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000 with a $250 deductible.

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

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

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

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

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

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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
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There’s a good chance that your credit card already gives you some kind of travel insurance coverage
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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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Introduction to AXA Travel Insurance

Coverage Options Offered by AXA
AXA Assistance USA Cost

AXA Customer Service Reviews

Compare axa travel insurance.

Why You Should Trust Us

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review 2024

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

Travel insurance is important because it can help cover the cost of unexpected medical expenses while you're traveling. It can also reimburse you for lost or stolen baggage, canceled flights, and other unforeseeable problems that may occur while you're away from home.

Simply put, there's a lot to consider.

But not all policies are created equal, and you must understand what you're covered for before you purchase a policy. This article will look in-depth at AXA Assistance USA travel insurance. We'll discuss the costs, coverage limits, exclusions, and more to help you make an informed decision about whether or not this particular travel insurance provider is right for you.

Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AXA Assistance USA is among the best travel insurance companies . It covers the fundamentals of travel insurance, with coverage for trip cancellations, medical expenses, and emergency medical/non-medical evacuation. With three plans, AXA also offers coverage for travelers with various budgets.

It's worth noting that many important add-ons aren't available for AXA's cheapest Silver plan, such as pre-existing condition coverage, rental car add-ons, and Schengen travel insurance. Cancel for any reason coverage is also only available for AXA's most expensive Platinum plan.

Coverage Options Offered by AXA

AXA Assistance USA offers three levels of coverage: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each plan comes with different protections and varying coverage limits, with the Silver being the most basic option and Platinum offering the most premium coverage.

Some policies might even include added coverage free of charge, such as a waiver for pre-existing conditions , which is free for Gold and Platinum plans as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your trip deposit.

Specialized Coverage Options

The plan you purchase will determine which add-ons are available. For example, those with a Platinum plan can add CFAR (cancel for any reason) coverage , allowing you to receive a full refund if you cancel your trip within 14 days of making the initial deposit.

Or, if you want extra protection for your rental car, depending on your AXA plan, you might be able to add a collision damage waiver (CDW). Policyholders with Gold plans can add $35,000 CDW, and those with Platinum plans can include $50,000 CDW.

If you're traveling within the Schengen Territory, which is made up of 27 European countries, you may be eligible for Schengen Travel Insurance, which covers you in all 27 countries. This option is only available for Gold and Platinum travelers and coverage lasts up to 90 days.

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Cost

The premium you pay will depend on various factors, including the age of the travelers, destination, and total trip costs. The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your travel costs.

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for the plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate AXA's coverage costs.

As of 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a weeklong, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following AXA travel insurance quotes:

AXA Silver: $83
AXA Gold: $107
AXA Platinum: $127

Premiums for AXA plans are between 2.7% and 4.2% of the trip's cost, well below the average cost of travel insurance. It's also relatively cheap compared to many of its competitors

AXA provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

AXA Silver: $109
AXA Gold: $128
AXA Platinum: $153

Once again, premiums forAXA plans are between 3.6% and 3.8%, below the average cost for travel insurance.

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following AXA quotes:

AXA Silver: $392
AXA Gold: $462
AXA Platinum: $550

Premiums for AXA plans are between 6.5% and 9.2%, which is roughly in line with the average cost for travel insurance. This is to be expected, as travel insurance is often more expensive for older travelers.

How to Purchase and Manage Your AXA Policy

The process of purchasing an AXA policy is simple. After obtaining your quote, you'll need to decide which of AXA's three plans you want to buy. When you pay for your plan, be prepared to provide additional personal information, like your birthday, phone number, and address.

Once you finalize your purchase, you'll have a 10-day free-look period, in which you can cancel your policy and get your money back.

How to File a Claim with AXA Travel Insurance

To file a claim with AXA Assistance USA, head to the claims forms online to find the appropriate form. Once you've filled out your form and gathered the required documentation, you can email them to [email protected] or send them by mail to:

AXA Assistance USA

On Behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies

P.O. Box 26222

Tampa, FL 33623

If you need assistance when filing claims, AXA's claims office can be reached at 1-888-957-5015 (within the U.S.) and 1-727-450-8794 (outside the U.S.). Office hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on Thursdays and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on all other weekdays.

AXA's U.S. branch has few reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau — just over 20 between the two sites. Its UK branch has over 1,100 reviews, most of which are overwhelmingly negative. However, the quality of AXA Travel Insurance UK isn't necessarily indicative of its U.S. coverage.

In fact, on SquareMouth, where the majority of AXA U.S.'s reviews, reviews are generally positive. It received an average of 4.22 stars out of five across over 900 reviews. Customers reported that adjusting an AXA policy was easy and the customer service team was responsive. However, reviews on the claims process was more mixed, with spotty communication and long wait times.

See how AXA travel insurance compares to top travel insurance providers.

AXA Assistance USA vs. AIG Travel Guard

When comparing AXA to Travel Guard , we'll look at the coverage levels from their mid-tier plans, the Silver plan and Travel Guard Preferred plan, respectively.

With Travel Guard Preferred plan, you'll get:

Trip cancellation coverage up to $150,000
Trip interruption coverage up to $225,000
Emergency medical coverage of $50,000
Coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $1,000
Travel delay coverage of up to $800

Comparing those Travel Guard coverages with AXA's Silver plan, you'll see that AXA's coverage limits are a bit higher. With AXA's Silver plan you'll get $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, for example. And the baggage loss coverage limit is up to $1,500.

If you're looking for greater coverage limits, AXA makes the most sense in this scenario. But premiums will also vary based on factors like the traveler's age, trip destination, and trip cost. So you'll have to run your own numbers to make a final decision.

Read our AIG Travel Insurance review here.

AXA Assistance USA vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz Travel Insurance provides single-trip and multi-trip insurance for travelers who want to go abroad for an extended period of time. And, like with all insurance, the various plans have varying degrees of coverage.

Allianz Travel Insurance's most popular single-trip option is the OneTrip Prime plan, which offers:

Trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000
Trip interruption coverage up to $150,000
Emergency medical coverage for $50,000
Coverage for baggage loss, theft or damage up to $1,000
Travel delay coverage up to $800

Looking at AXA's mid-tier Silver plan, you'll see that, again, AXA offers more coverage for emergency medical and baggage loss, theft, or damage than Allianz Travel Insurance. That said, if cost is an essential factor for you, you'll have to get quotes using your personal trip information to make an informed decision.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

AXA Assistance USA vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Already have a great travel credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum? Some of the standard coverages, such as rental car insurance, may be included in the card you already have. It's a good idea to research the terms of your credit card's travel protection before purchasing a separate travel insurance policy.

If you're driving to your destination and don't have any non-refundable trip expenses, the coverage from your credit card may be enough. Another time it might work is if you have health insurance covering you while abroad and you're in good health without worrying about possible medical costs.

It's essential to remember that credit card coverage is usually secondary. This means you'll have to file a claim with the other applicable insurance before filing a claim with your credit card company.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed AXA Assistance USA

We researched AXA by evaluating its travel insurance plans compared to other plans from the top travel insurance companies. The aspects we looked at included, but were not limited to, different coverage options, claims limits, what is covered, available add-ons, and extra services for policyholders.

What's important when choosing a policy isn't just the price — it's making sure you're getting adequate coverage that meets your needs without breaking the bank. Filing a claim should also be easy and stress-free if you ever have to use your policy.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

AXA Assistance USA FAQs

If you're diagnosed with COVID-19 before a trip and need to cancel, AXA may cover your expenses. Additionally, a COVID-19 diagnosis during a trip may be covered under AXA's medical expense, trip interruption, and trip delay benefits. Be sure to review your policy to ensure coverage details.

While you may extend your coverage in certain circumstances, such as extended hospitalization, and update your travel dates prior to your departure, you can't extend AXA travel insurance plans while you're traveling.

AXA's Gold and Platinum plans cover pre-existing medical conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. AXA's Silver plan does not cover pre-existing conditions and has a 60-day look-back period.

You can download AXA claims forms on its website and email them to [email protected].

AXA isn't the most flexible travel insurance company and isn't great at specializing, but it offers comprehensive general coverage. Its prices aren't significantly more expensive or cheaper than its competitors.

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