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If you’re planning your next vacation or trip out of the country, be sure to factor in travel insurance. Unexpected medical emergencies when traveling can drain your bank account, especially when you’re traveling internationally. The best travel insurance companies for international travel can step in to provide you with peace of mind and financial protection while you’re abroad.
Best International Travel Insurance
How we rate the best international travel insurance »
Compare the Best International Travel Insurance Companies
As a general rule, the most important coverage to have in a foreign country is travel medical insurance, as most US health insurance policies don’t cover you while you’re abroad. Without travel medical coverage, a medical emergency in a foreign country can cost you. You’ll want trip cancellation and interruption coverage if your trip is particularly expensive. And if you’re traveling for an extended period of time, you’ll want to ensure that your policy is extendable.
Here are our picks for the best travel insurance companies for international travel.
Best overall: Allianz
Allianz Travel Insurance
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AM Best Financial Strength Rating
A+
- Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
- Doesn’t increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
- Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
- Concierge included with some plans
- Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors’ policies
- Plans don’t include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
Product Details
- Single and multi-trip plans available
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
- Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans
Allianz Travel Insurance offers the ultimate customizable coverage for international trips, whether you’re a frequent jetsetter or an occasional traveler. You can choose from an a la carte of single or multi-trip plans, as well as add-ons, including rental car damage, cancel for any reason (CFAR), adventure sport, and business travel coverage. And with affordable pricing compared to competitors, Allianz is a budget-friendly choice for your international travel insurance needs.
The icing on the cake is Allyz TravelSmart, Allianz’s highly-rated mobile app, which has an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars on the Google Play store across over 2,600 reviews and 4.8 out of five stars from over 22,000 reviews on the Apple app store. So, you can rest easy knowing that you can access your policy and file claims anywhere in the world without a hassle.
Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.
Best for exotic trips: World Nomads
World Nomads Travel Insurance
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AM Best Financial Strength Rating
A-
- Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
- Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
- You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
- If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
- Doesn’t offer coverage for travelers older than 70
- No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
Product Details
- Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
- 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
- Trip protection for up to $10,000
- Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
- Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
- Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)
World Nomads Travel Insurance offers coverage for over 150 specific activities, so you can focus on the adventure without worrying about gaps in your coverage.
You can select its budget-friendly standard plan, starting at $79. Or if you’re an adrenaline junkie seeking more thrills, you can opt for the World Nomads’ Explorer plan for $120, which includes extra sports like skydiving, scuba diving, and heli-skiing. And World Nomads offers 24/7 assistance, so you can confidently travel abroad, knowing that help is just a phone call away.
Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.
Best for trip interruption: C&F Travel Insured
C&F Travel Insured
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AM Best Financial Strength Rating
A
- Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
- Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
- Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
- Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
- Medical coverage is only $100,000
- Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
Product Details
- C&F’s Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.
C&F Travel Insured offers 100% coverage for trip cancellation, up to 150% for trip interruption, and reimbursement for up to 75% of your non-refundable travel costs with select plans. This means you don’t have to worry about losing your hard-earned money on non-refundable travel costs if your trip ends prematurely.
Travel Insured also stands out for its extensive “reasons for cancellation” coverage. Unlike many insurers, the company covers hurricane warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Read our C&F Travel Insured review here.
Best for medical-only coverage: GeoBlue Travel Insurance
Best for medical-only coverage
GeoBlue Travel Insurance
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AM Best Financial Strength Rating
A-
- A subsidary of Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Offers strong medical plans as long as you have a regular health insurance plan, but it doesn’t have to be through Blue Cross
- Offers long-term and multi-trip travel protection
- Multiple complaints about claims not being paid or being denied
- Does not provide some of the more comprehensive coverage like CFAR insurance
- Buyers who do get claims paid may need to file multiple claim forms
GeoBlue Travel Insurance offers policies that covers emergency medical treatments when you’re abroad. While GeoBlue lacks trip cancellation coverage, that allows it to charge lower premiums than the other companies on this list.
GeoBlue plans can cover medical expenses up to $1 million with several multi-trip annual plans available. It offers coinsurance plans for trips within the U.S. and 100% coverage for international trips. It also has a network of clinics in 180 countries, streamlining the claims process. It’s worth noting that coverage for pre-existing conditions comes with additional costs.
Read our GeoBlue Travel Insurance review here.
Best for family coverage: Travelex Travel Insurance
Travelex Travel Insurance
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- Options to cover sports equipment
- Option to increase medical coverage
- Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
- Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
- Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
- Optional “adventure sports” bundle available for riskier activities
- Only two insurance plans to choose from
- Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
- Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
- Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage
Product Details
- Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
- Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
- Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000
Travelex Travel Insurance offers coverage for your whole crew, perfect for when you’re planning a family trip. Its family plan insures all your children 17 and under at no additional cost. The travel insurance provider also offers add-ons like adventure sports and car rental collision coverage to protect your family under any circumstance. Got pets? With Travelex’s Travel Select plan, you can also get coverage for your furry friend’s emergency medical and transportation expenses.
Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review here.
Best for long trips: Seven Corners
Seven Corners Travel Insurance
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- Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
- Available in all 50 states
- Prices are higher than many competitors
- Reviews around claims processing are mixed
Product Details
- Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
- Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
- Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available
Seven Corners Travel Insurance offers specialized coverage that the standard short-term travel insurance policy won’t provide, which is helpful if you’re embarking on a long-term trip. You can choose from several plans, including the Annual Multi-Trip plan, which provides medical coverage for multiple international trips for up to 364 days. This policy also offers COVID-19 medical and evacuation coverage up to $1 million.
You also get the added benefit of incidental expense coverage. This policy will cover remote health-related services and information, treatment of injury or illness, and live consultations via telecommunication.
Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here.
How to Find the Right International Travel Insurance Company
Different travelers and trips require different types of insurance coverage. So, consider these tips if you’re in the market to insure your trip.
Determine your needs
Your needs for travel insurance will depend on the type of trip you’re taking. You’ll need to consider your destination and what you’ll be doing there, either business, leisure, or adventure traveling. Policies covering adventure sports and activities will cost more. Longer, more expensive trips will also cost more.
Research the reputation of the company
When researching a company, you’ll want to closely review the description of services. You’ll want to see how claims are handled, any exceptions, and limitations.
You’ll also want to look at the company’s customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, BBB, and Squaremouth, as this will provide insight on the quality of customer service and the claims process. You should also take note of whether companies respond to customer reviews.
Compare prices
You can get quotes through a company’s website or travel insurance aggregators like InsureMyTrip and VisitorsCoverage. You’ll need to be prepared to provide the following information about your trip:
- Trip destination(s)
- Travel dates
- Number of travelers
- Traveler(s) age/birthday
- State of residence
- Total trip cost
For companies that offer travel medical insurance, you’ll also want to play around with the deductible options, as they can affect your policy premium.
Understanding International Travel Insurance Coverage Options
Travel insurance can be confusing, but we’re here to simplify it for you. We’ll break down the industry’s jargon to help you understand what travel insurance covers to help you decide what your policy needs. Bear in mind that exclusions and limitations for your age and destination may apply.
Finding the Best Price for International Travel Insurance
Your policy cost will depend on several factors, such as the length of your trip, destination, coverage limits, and age. Typically, a comprehensive policy includes travel cancellation coverage costs between 5% and 10% of your total trip cost.
If you’re planning an international trip that costs $4,500, you can expect to pay anywhere from $225 to $450 for your policy. Comparing quotes from multiple providers can help you find a budget-friendly travel insurance policy that meets your needs.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed International Travel Insurance Companies
We ranked and assigned superlatives to the best travel insurance companies based on our insurance rating methodology. It focuses on several key factors, including:
- Policy types: We analyzed company offerings such as coverage levels, exclusions, and policy upgrades, taking note of providers that offer a range of travel-related issues beyond the standard coverages.
- Affordability: We recognize that cheap premiums don’t necessarily equate to sufficient coverage. So, we seek providers that offer competitive rates with comprehensive policies and quality customer service. We also call out any discounts or special offers available.
- Flexibility: Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. We highlight providers that offer a wide array of coverage options, including single-trip, multi-trip, and long-term policies.
- Claims handling: The claims process should be pain-free for policyholders. We seek providers that offer a streamlined process via online claims filing and a track record of handling claims fairly and efficiently.
- Quality customer service: Good customer service is as important as affordability and flexibility. We highlight companies that offer 24/7 assistance and have a strong record of customer service responsiveness.
We consult user feedback and reviews to determine how each company fares in each category. We also check the provider’s financial rating and volume of complaints via third-party rating agencies.
Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.
International Travel Insurance FAQs
The best insurance policy depends on your individual situation, including your destination and budget. However, popular options include Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, and Travel Guard.
You should pay attention to any limitations regarding covered cancellations, pre-existing conditions, and adventure activities. For example, if you’re worried you may have to cancel a trip for work reasons, ensure that you’ve worked at your company long enough to qualify for cancellation coverage, as that is a condition with some insurers. You should also see if your destination has any travel advisories, as that can affect your policy.
Typically, your regular health insurance won’t cover you out of the country, so you’ll want to make sure your travel insurance has adequate medical emergency coverage. Depending on your travel plans, you may want to purchase add-ons, such as adventure sports coverage, if you’re planning on doing anything adventurous like bungee jumping.
Travel insurance is worth the price for international travel because they’re generally more expensive, so you have more to lose. Additionally, your regular health insurance won’t cover you in other countries, so without travel insurance, you’ll end up paying out of pocket for any emergency medical care you receive out of the US.
You should purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after making payment on your trip. This makes you eligible for add-ons like coverage for pre-existing conditions and CFAR. It also mitigates the chance of any losses in the days leading up to your trip.
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