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Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.
Best Travel Insurance Companies
The best travel insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options for a wide range of people and needs. For this guide, we looked at coverage options, customizability, and the best companies for specific situations, such as preexisting conditions.
Here are Business Insider's picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2024.
Best Overall Travel Insurance
Nationwide Travel Insurance
Nationwide is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.
Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.
Read our Nationwide travel insurance review.
Best Travel Insurance Runner-Up
AXA Assistance USA
AXA offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.
While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.
Read our AXA Assistance USA travel insurance review.
Best Travel Insurance for Cruises
Travel Guard
AIG is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.
While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.
Read our AIG Travel Guard travel insurance review.
Best Travel Insurance for Reputation
C&F Travel Insured
While every travel insurance company has negative reviews about its claims process, C&F Travel Insured's claims process has a consistent stream of positive reviews. One customer wrote that C&F processed a claim within 48 hours. Additionally, C&F regularly responds to customer reviews within one business week, making reviews a consistent way to reach the company.
Additionally, in C&F's fine print, it mentions that any claims that take more than 30 days to pay out will begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.
C&F's reputation isn't the only thing to speak highly of. It offers an array of add-ons uncommon in the travel insurance industry, such as Interruption for Any Reason insurance and CFAR coverage for annual plans. C&F also offers discounts for children on its Protector Edge plan and free coverage on its Protector plan.
Read our C&F Travel Insured review.
Best Travel Insurance for Preexisting Conditions
Tin Leg Travel Insurance
Tin Leg is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Seven of Tin Leg's eight travel plans include coverage for preexisting conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
Thanks to coverage for preexisting medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.
Read our Tin Leg travel insurance review.
Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads
WorldTrips Travel Insurance
WorldTrips has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad, and backpackers.
However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.
Read our WorldTrips travel insurance review.
Best Travel Insurance for Affordability
Trawick International Travel Insurance
Trawick offers low premiums across its five plans, most of which offer coverage for preexisting conditions. You'll find robust medical travel insurance that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company also offers high medical evacuation coverage limits, up to $1,000,000.
Additionally, Trawick's Travel Safe plan allows you to build your own plan from scratch, meaning you don't have to pay for coverage you don't need.
Read our Trawick travel insurance review.
Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips
Travelex Travel Insurance
Travelex offers three plans:
- Travel Basic
- Travel Select
- Travel America
The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the U.S., but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.
While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the U.S. for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.
Read our Travelex travel insurance review.
Best for Adventure Traveling
World Nomads Travel Insurance
World Nomads distinguishes itself from others by covering over 300 sports and activities, from skydiving to golf. Additionally, its one of the few travel insurance companies that allow you to purchase after departing for your destination. However, you'll have a 72-hour waiting period before coverage kicks in.
That said, World Nomads doesn't have the highest coverage limits compared to its competitors on this list, travel medical insurance capping out at $100,000. It also isn't the most flexible provider, only providing two plans to choose from with no options for preexisting condition coverage. Yet, World Nomads still stands out for its sports coverage and post-departure coverage.
Read our World Nomads travel insurance review.
Introduction to Travel Insurance
Why Travel Insurance is a Must-Have
The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.
Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance
Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans, from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.
Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage
Travel Insurance for Medical Emergencies
Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about how much emergency medical care while traveling will cost, even in the most remote corners of the globe. This coverage will often come in tandem with emergency medical evacuation coverage.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits
Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. You may also look for cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason options, which will reimburse you for a percentage of your nonrefundable fees, but expands the covered reasons you can cancel a trip. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance companies here.
Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss
Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.
Support and Assistance Services
In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away. Also, check websites that field customer reviews like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and InsureMyTrip, to see how well a company responds to customer requests.
Choosing the Best Travel Insurance
Reputation and Reliability of the Travel Insurance Provider
A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.
Understanding the Policy's Fine Print
The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
For example, to get coverage for a canceled trip due to work, many travel insurance companies require that you've been with that company for at least a year.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering. While the ratings are important, you should also look at whether or not a company responds to customer complaints.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance
Knowing Your Policy Inside Out
Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy — what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. At the very least, you should have the terms readily available while you're on your trip.
Steps to Take When a Problem Arises
If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Your insurance company may even have a 24/7 assistance hotline that can walk you through an emergency during your trip, even issues that don't involve claims.
When a problem arises. you'll want to document as much as possible, in case you need proof when filing a claim. Ask for receipts and invoices when possible.
How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You
There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.
That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own.
An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.
How We Reviewed the Best Travel Insurance Companies
To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, Business Insider evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:
Guide Methodology: What We Considered
Policy Types
Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.
Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.
Cost
According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.
Convenience and Flexibility
Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.
Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.
Claims Handling
Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.
Ease of Use and Support
When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.
You can read more about how Business Insider rates travel insurance for even more details. And see our guide to the best travel insurance in California if you're traveling to that state, specifically.
Best Travel Insurance FAQ
Yes, travel insurance typically offers some coverage for canceled flights, but if this benefit is important to you, make sure you read the fine print of your policy to ensure it offers adequate reimbursement. If you think you may need to cancel your travel plans, consider purchasing cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance.
Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it.
Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include travel medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with pre-existing conditions, so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you.
The right amount of travel insurance depends on your trip, but $100,000 should be sufficient for most travel plans. You may want more coverage for travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage.
For adventure sports coverage, you'll want to look at World Nomads, which covers over 300 sports in its base plan.
