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Travel Insurance: Compare Plans & Get Covered in Minutes

One medical emergency abroad can cost $100,000+. Protect your trip and health with the right travel insurance — from just $22.

Plans from $22 · No obligation to buy · Instant comparison

$250K+

Potential medical evacuation cost

From $22

Lowest plan price per trip

4–8%

Of trip cost (typical plan)

24/7

Emergency travel assistance

Best Travel Insurance Companies 2026

We compare plans from the top-rated travel insurers. Pricing varies by trip cost, destination, and traveler age.

Allianz Travel

Most popular — 45M+ customers

4.6
Typical cost: 4–8% of trip
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Travel Guard (AIG)

Strong emergency medical & evacuation

4.5
Typical cost: 4–7% of trip
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Travelex Insurance

No per-person pricing on family plans

4.4
Typical cost: From $22/trip
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WorldTrips

Up to $1M medical evacuation

4.4
Typical cost: From $28/trip
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Seven Corners

Multi-trip annual plans available

4.3
Typical cost: From $30/trip
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Generali Global

Best cancel-for-any-reason option

4.5
Typical cost: 4–7% of trip
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IMG Global

Great for international students

4.3
Typical cost: From $25/trip
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Berkshire Hathaway TP

Top-rated claims satisfaction

4.6
Typical cost: 4–6% of trip
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*Prices vary significantly based on traveler age, trip cost, destination, and coverage level.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive travel insurance typically includes multiple protection types. Here's what each covers — and its limits.

✈️

Trip Cancellation

Reimburses prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you must cancel for a covered reason before departure.

✓ Covered reasons include:

  • Illness or injury of you/travel companion
  • Death in family
  • Natural disaster at destination
  • Jury duty or military deployment
  • Airline/cruise line bankruptcy

Not covered: Changing your mind, work reasons (unless CFAR)

🏥

Emergency Medical

Covers medical treatment costs if you get sick or injured while traveling. Critical if your health insurance doesn't cover you abroad.

✓ Covered reasons include:

  • Hospital stays and surgery
  • Doctor visits
  • Emergency dental treatment
  • Prescription medications
  • Medical evacuation home

Not covered: Pre-existing conditions (unless waived), routine care

🚁

Medical Evacuation

Pays for emergency transport to the nearest adequate medical facility or back to your home country. Can cost $50,000–$250,000 without insurance.

✓ Covered reasons include:

  • Air ambulance to hospital
  • Repatriation to home country
  • Medical monitoring during transport
  • Reunion of travel companions

Not covered: Non-emergency transport

⏱️

Trip Interruption

Covers costs if your trip is cut short mid-travel due to a covered reason. Includes unused trip portions and extra return travel costs.

✓ Covered reasons include:

  • Medical emergency
  • Death of family member at home
  • Natural disaster
  • Terrorism at destination
  • Travel supplier default

Not covered: Voluntary early return

🧳

Baggage & Personal Items

Reimburses lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal belongings during your trip.

✓ Covered reasons include:

  • Airline-lost luggage
  • Theft from hotel room
  • Damaged bags
  • Essential items if bags delayed 12+ hours

Not covered: Electronics often sub-limited; valuables may need riders

Trip Delay

Covers meals, accommodation, and transportation if your trip is delayed beyond a minimum threshold (usually 6–12 hours).

✓ Covered reasons include:

  • Weather delays
  • Mechanical airline issues
  • Strike actions
  • Natural disasters en route

Not covered: Delays under the minimum threshold

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Several factors determine your premium. Here's a breakdown of the main cost drivers.

Trip Cost

Most plans cost 4–10% of your total trip cost. A $5,000 trip typically costs $200–$500 to insure.

Traveler Age

Older travelers pay significantly more. A 70-year-old may pay 3–4x more than a 30-year-old for the same plan.

Destination

Trips to countries with expensive healthcare (US, Switzerland, Norway) or high-risk regions cost more to insure.

Trip Length

Longer trips cost more. Multi-month trips or annual plans work out cheaper per day than frequent single-trip policies.

Coverage Level

Basic plans start around $22. Comprehensive plans with CFAR can cost 10–12% of trip cost.

Pre-existing Conditions

Waiving pre-existing condition exclusions typically adds 30–50% to the premium but is worth it for chronic conditions.

Sample Costs by Trip Value & Traveler Age

Estimates for a 10-day international trip, standard comprehensive coverage

Trip CostAge 30Age 50Age 65Age 75+
$1,500$60$90$165$270
$3,000$120$180$330$540
$5,000$200$300$550$900
$10,000$400$600$1,100$1,800

*Estimates only. Actual premiums vary by plan and provider.

When Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

Buy Immediately After Booking

Purchasing within 10–21 days of your first deposit unlocks the widest protection: pre-existing condition waivers, CFAR eligibility, and financial default coverage if your airline or cruise line goes bankrupt.

Before a Crisis Is Declared

Once a hurricane is named, a pandemic declared, or a travel advisory issued, you can no longer buy coverage for that specific event. Insurance must be purchased before the threat is known to cover it.

At Minimum, Before Departure

Even buying the day before you leave provides medical and evacuation coverage. Trip cancellation protection obviously can't help at that point, but medical coverage alone can save you from catastrophic expenses abroad.

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

You likely need it if...

  • Traveling internationally (health insurance rarely covers you abroad)
  • Your trip costs $1,000+ in non-refundable expenses
  • You have pre-existing medical conditions
  • Traveling to a remote destination or for adventure activities
  • You're elderly or traveling with elderly companions
  • Booking a cruise (weather delays and medical evacuations are expensive)
  • Your destination has a travel advisory

×You may not need it if...

  • ×Cheap domestic trip with fully refundable bookings
  • ×Your credit card already provides sufficient trip cancellation and medical coverage
  • ×Traveling to a country with reciprocal healthcare (e.g., EU citizens in Europe)
  • ×Short weekend trip with minimal non-refundable expenses

Travel Insurance FAQs

Is travel insurance worth it?
For most international trips costing over $1,000, travel insurance is worth it. A single medical evacuation abroad can cost $50,000–$250,000. Trip cancellation coverage alone can save thousands if you get sick before departure. For cheap domestic trips, it's less critical.
What does "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) mean?
CFAR is an optional upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason — not just covered reasons — and receive 50–75% of your prepaid costs back. It typically adds 40–60% to your premium and must be purchased within 14–21 days of your initial trip deposit. This is the most flexible coverage available.
Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?
Most modern travel insurance plans now treat COVID-19 like any other illness. If you test positive before departure and must cancel, trip cancellation coverage applies. Medical coverage applies if you get sick abroad. However, fear of COVID or destination-specific mandates are not covered unless you have CFAR.
When should I buy travel insurance?
Buy as soon as you make your first trip deposit — typically within 10–21 days to access the broadest pre-existing condition waivers and CFAR options. Buying at the last minute still provides coverage but may exclude pre-existing conditions and certain time-sensitive benefits.
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Most plans exclude pre-existing conditions by default, but many offer a waiver if you: (1) buy insurance within 14–21 days of your first trip deposit, (2) insure 100% of your prepaid costs, and (3) are medically able to travel at time of purchase. Always read the waiver terms carefully.
What's not covered by travel insurance?
Common exclusions include: knowingly traveling against government advisories, pre-existing conditions (without a waiver), extreme sports injuries (without a rider), mental health conditions, pandemic restrictions, and trip cancellations due to work obligations (unless you have CFAR).
Do I need travel insurance if I have a credit card with travel benefits?
Credit card travel benefits are usually secondary coverage and often capped at low limits ($5,000–$10,000 trip cancellation, $5,000 medical). Dedicated travel insurance provides primary coverage with much higher limits and broader protection. For international trips, dedicated insurance is strongly recommended.
How much does travel insurance cost?
For most travelers, expect to pay 4–8% of your total trip cost. A $3,000 trip might cost $120–$240 for a basic plan and $300–$360 for comprehensive coverage. Age is the biggest variable — seniors can pay 2–4x more than younger travelers for the same trip.

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