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The 5 Best Family Travel Insurance Plans

best family travel insurance usa

Travelex Insurance Services »

best family travel insurance usa

Allianz Travel Insurance »

best family travel insurance usa

Seven Corners »

best family travel insurance usa

World Nomads Travel Insurance »

best family travel insurance usa

AIG Travel Guard »

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

  • Rating Details
  • Travelex Insurance Services
  • Allianz Travel Insurance

The best travel insurance plans can provide you with considerable peace of mind, but the real value comes into play when you wind up using your coverage. Hassles like flight delays, lost luggage and unexpected injuries can be stressful and traumatic, yet travel insurance can reimburse you for the financial costs associated with these mishaps.

If you are planning to travel with your entire family in tow, you already know that the stakes are higher and the potential for losses even greater. For example, you'll want to make sure children traveling with you have travel medical insurance as well as coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions.

You'll need to compare the best family travel insurance plans of 2023 if you want to find the right one for you and ensure each of your dependents is covered by your policy. U.S. News has compiled this guide to the best of the best when it comes to companies offering family travel insurance, since these top picks make it easy and affordable to add children to your plan.

  • Seven Corners
  • World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • AIG Travel Guard

Best Family Travel Insurance Plans in Detail

Travel Select plan offers complimentary coverage for children 17 and younger

Primary coverage with no deductibles

Travel Select only includes up to $50,000 in protection for emergency medical expenses (optional upgrade available)

Meager policy limits ($200) for delayed baggage and sporting equipment

  • Trip cancellation protection worth up to 100% of prepaid travel expenses (up to $50,000)
  • Trip interruption coverage worth up to 150% (up to $75,000)
  • Up to $2,000 ($250 per day) in coverage for trip delays
  • $750 for missed connections
  • $50,000 for emergency medical and dental expenses
  • $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • $1,000 in insurance for baggage and personal effects

Single-trip travel insurance plans include free coverage for children ages 17 and younger

Allianz offers annual travel insurance plans for families

Not all plans cover kids for free

Get coverage for up to 10 people in a single policy

Generous policy limits for emergency medical expenses and evacuation

Kids aren't covered for free

Emergency dental coverage is capped at $750

  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of prepaid trip costs
  • Trip interruption coverage up to 150%
  • Trip delay coverage up to $2,000 ($250 per day)
  • Up to $1,500 in protection for missed tours or cruise connections ($250 per day)
  • Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses
  • Up to $1 million in protection for emergency evacuation

Includes coverage for up to seven children on a single policy

Provides coverage for more than 200 adventure activities and sports

No free travel coverage for kids with paid adults

No option to customize coverage with CFAR protection

  • Up to $100,000 in emergency medical insurance
  • $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
  • $3,000 in insurance for lost baggage and belongings
  • $10,000 in insurance for trip cancellation

Free coverage for one child 17 or younger with each paying adult relative on the plan

Choose from three tiers of travel protection based on your needs

Travel medical expense coverage is low ($15,000) with Essential plan

Essential plan also has low limits for baggage delays ($200) and lost or stolen luggage ($750)

  • Up to 100% in coverage for trip cancellation
  • 150% in coverage for trip interruption
  • $1,000 in baggage insurance
  • $300 in protection for baggage delays
  • $50,000 in insurance for emergency medical expenses
  • $500,000 in protection for medical evacuation

Family Travel Insurance: Coverages You'll Need

As you compare the best travel insurance plans for families, you might be wondering which types of coverage are most important. Ultimately, that depends on the cost of your trip, where you're traveling and the travel issues you worry about the most.

Frequent traveler Linda L. Adkins of Spokane, Washington, says she purchases travel insurance for every trip since her U.S.-based health insurance policy doesn't apply when her family travels overseas. She worries not only about emergency medical expenses that could come into play, but also about the high costs of medical evacuation if a family member needs to be transported a long distance or even back to the U.S.

Adkins has also endured scenarios where her luggage was temporarily lost by an airline while traveling internationally, and she says her delayed baggage benefit was useful when it came to purchasing clothing and toiletries. "I spent almost $100 per day for three days in a row while we waited for our bags," she says.

Adkins saved her receipts and received reimbursement through her travel insurance provider's baggage delay benefit.

U.S. News recommends having the following types of coverage (at a minimum) in place for every trip with kids:

  • $50,000-plus in primary insurance per traveler for emergency medical expenses
  • Coverage for COVID-19
  • $100,000-plus in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
  • Adequate protection for trip delays and lost or delayed baggage

Frequently Asked Questions

Credit card travel insurance can provide coverage for families, although the types and amounts of protection you receive can be limited. As an example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card comes with trip cancellation coverage for up to $10,000 per person and up to $20,000 per covered trip, as well as lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per passenger if the cardholder or an immediate family member has their luggage lost by a common carrier.

Fine print with the card also states that trip delay coverage can apply if common carrier travel gets delayed by more than six hours or requires an overnight stay, and that both the cardholder and their family members can be reimbursed up to $500 per ticket for incidental travel expenses including meals and lodging.

For credit card travel insurance to apply, the cardholder needs to pay for common carrier travel for all of their family members with the credit card in question. In other words, simply carrying a travel credit card with travel insurance benefits won't be enough.

Travel insurance plans are built to cover every person listed on the application for coverage. This means you can apply for travel insurance as an individual or as a family who wants all members covered under a single plan.

That said, some travel insurance plans are superior for families since they offer free coverage for dependents. Others offer comprehensive travel insurance policies that provide broad coverage for groups up to 10 people.

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 she has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg – who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states – in their family media business.

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These are the 4 best family travel insurance plans

Find coverage that fits your family's travel plans with these four companies..

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Family vacations are a special time, and ensuring they go smoothly is essential to making memories that will last forever. Travel insurance is one way to ensure that any bumps in the road can be smoothed over, from a lost bag to an injury abroad.

CNBC Select reviews the best travel insurance plans for families based on coverage, cost and plan variety. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best family travel insurance companies.)

Best family travel insurance  

  • Best for families with young children : Allianz   
  • Best for affordability : Faye   
  • Best for CFAR coverage : Travel Insured International  
  • Best for cruises : Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  

Best for families with young children 

Allianz travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

10 travel insurance plans make it possible to customize your coverage. For families, Allianz's OneTrip Prime package covers children age 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

24/7 assistance available

  • Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable trip payments if you have to cancel your trip for one of the covered reasons stated in your plan documents. 
  • Limited coverage for risky sports

Who's this for? Allianz is great for families with young children as its OneTrip Prime travel insurance policy offers free coverage for children ages 17 or under when traveling with a parent or grandparent. Though this benefit isn't available to Pennsylvania residents, it could help families with younger children lower the cost of their travel insurance coverage.  

Standout benefits:  Allianz's cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage has an enhanced version available that can cover up to 80% of trip expenses if you have to cancel for a reason that's not covered.  

[ Jump to more details ]  

Best for affordability 

Faye travel insurance.

Faye offers travel insurance with a convenient online buying experience and an app with real-time travel alerts. It's one simple plan includes coverage for common issues, like trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses and trip delay coverage. It also offers coverage for pre-existing medical conditions when plans are purchased within 14 days of an initial trip deposit.

  • Covers Covid like any other medical condition
  • CFAR is available for up to 75% of trip costs for an additional cost.
  • Additional coverage options like vacation rental damage coverage and pet care coverage.
  • Not all benefits are available in all states.

Who's this for?  Faye travel insurance stands out for families on a budget. Its policies start at just $4.64 per day (for 14 days) for domestic trips and $5.16 per day (for 14 days) for international trips. It's also great for those who want a completely digital experience and would rather manage a policy through an app than an agent or by phone.

Standout benefits:  Faye's intuitive interface makes it easy to get travel insurance coverage on your own time, and quotes are available entirely online. On top of the standard trip delay, cancellation and interruption coverage, you can purchase CFAR coverage, coverage for adventure and sports activities and a pet care add-on, which can cover illness or injury for your pet when traveling with you, or extra kenneling costs if your trip is delayed if you leave your pet at home.  

Best for CFAR coverage 

Travel insured international travel insurance.

Travel Insured International has two simple travel insurance plans — the Worldwide Trip Protector and Worldwide Trip Protector Gold. Its plans are affordable and offer the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

  • Optional CFAR coverage and interruption for any reason coverage
  • Medical coverage can be lower than other options

Who's this for?  Travel Insured International could be a great fit for families looking for the flexibility of a CFAR addition to ensure they'll be covered for any reason they need to cancel. The company's wide variety of reasons for cancellation includes coverage for school year extensions with all plans.  

Standout benefits:  Travel Insured International's Worldwide Trip Protector can cover all children 17 and under for free when traveling with related adults.  

Best for cruises  

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has multiple plans to cover vacations from luxury travel to adventure travel. The brand's LuxuryCare offers the highest limits of travel insurance coverage offered by the company. Quotes and policies are available online.

  • Wide variety of policies available
  • Strong financial strength rating by AM Best
  • Cancel for any reason only provides reimbursement for up to 50% of non-refundable trip payments

Who's this for?  Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers cruise-specific packages for families setting sail on a cruise.  

Standout benefits:  Cruise plans include coverage for missed connections and unique challenges you could face on a cruise vacation, like cruise disablement and diversion. 

More on our top family travel insurance companies 

Allianz offers 10 different travel insurance policies for travelers and trips of all types, including single-trip and multi-trip coverage. It also offers quotes and claims online, making the experience simple.  

CFAR coverage available?  

Yes, up to 80% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs 

24/7 assistance?  

[ Return to summary ]  

While relatively new to the space, Faye's travel insurance plans combine affordability and easy access. Policies are backed by the United States Fire Insurance Company.  

Yes, up to 75% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs 

Travel Insured International 

Travel Insured International has been offering travel insurance for over 25 years. It has two tiers of coverage (available in most states) that can help you meet all your travel protection needs.  

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection 

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers several tiers of travel protection and insurance, including packages specifically designed for road trips and cruises. Its strong A++ financial strength rating also helps it stand out against the competition.  

Up to 50%, only available on LuxuryCare packages 

Does travel insurance cover family members?  

Generally, you can insure your whole family on one travel insurance plan, so you won't have to buy separate plans for every traveler. Your travel insurance plan will cover every person listed on the policy.  

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to a death in the family? 

In many cases, travel insurance can help you recoup the cost of your vacation if you have to cancel due to a death in your family. However, you'll want to carefully read your policy's definition of a family member, as not everyone in your life could be included.  

Bottom line

A family vacation can be a big investment, so it's important to protect yourself in case anything goes awry. Having a travel insurance plan that's easy to access, provides 24/7 support and fits your specific travel concerns and budget can help ensure your trip will go smoothly.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select? 

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance products. To research the best travel insurance companies, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen travel insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel insurance companies. 

Our methodology  

To determine the best travel insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of travel insurance companies and compared them based on various factors. 

While narrowing down the best travel insurance companies, we focused on the number of plans available, the availability of 24/7 assistance to access while traveling, coverage for Covid-19, the availability of cancel for any reason coverage, and financial strength (which measures a company's ability to pay on contracts) using A.M. Best ratings. We also considered family-friendly features, such as the inclusion of children on policies for free with parent's coverage, and reasons for cancellation, including school year extension as a reason for cancellation.  

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for travel insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.  

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money , and follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.  

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The Best Family Travel Insurance Plans of 2024

Find the best travel insurance policies to protect you and your loved ones on your adventures.

in under 2 minutes

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Charlotte Whitaker is a content writer and PR professional currently writing for clients in the travel, tourism and recruitment industries. Coverage highlights for her PR clients include publications such as National Geographic, Forbes, Travel+Leisure, TimeOut and CNN. When she’s not writing, you can find her traveling to the next destination on her bucket list or relaxing in the countryside of the north of England, which she calls home.

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

If you are traveling as a family, you can protect your international vacation with travel insurance. Travel insurance helps you recover nonrefundable expenses such as airfare, hotel reservations and excursions if you’re forced to cancel your trip or leave early due to an emergency. Travel insurance can also help your family cover the cost of lost baggage and emergency medical expenses.

According to our research on costs and coverage,  Travelex, Berkshire Hathaway and Nationwide are the top three family travel insurance options.

Faye Logo

Compare the Best Travel Insurance for Families

Ready to start comparing travel insurance providers for families? The following are our top choices for travel insurance coverage for families.

How We Ranked Family Travel Insurance Companies

To determine the best travel insurance providers for families, we looked at the following characteristics of each insurance provider.

  • Complementary children’s coverage: Select travel insurance providers offer complementary coverage for children with the purchase of an adult policy. We rated these providers highly in our review as many families will include children in travel plans.
  • Cost: Next, we compared the cost of coverage for family-oriented policy choices offered by each provider. Companies with more affordable policies for a variety of traveler ages scored higher than those with more expensive plans.
  • Coverage options: Travel insurance providers with more policy and add-on choices offer customers higher levels of customization. We ranked these providers above those with more limited plan offerings.
  • Types of coverage: Insurance providers with multiple types of coverage included in each plan scored higher than those with more limited benefits. For example, we considered baggage benefits , travel delay compensation, medical evacuation coverage and more.
  • Reimbursement limits: We prioritized recommending companies with higher maximum reimbursement limits for major policy components like trip interruption coverage and lost bags.

Top 6 Travel Insurance Plans for Families

Below is our list of the best travel insurance companies for all-inclusive resort vacations:

  • Travelex : Our pick for budget travelers.
  • Berkshire Hathaway:  Our pick for luxury travelers.
  • Nationwide Travel Insurance:  Our pick for cruise travel.
  • Generali Global Assistance:  Our pick for emergency assistance.
  • Allianz Global Assistance:  Our pick for concierge services.
  • AXA Assistance USA:  Our pick for leisure travelers.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

Travelex

Pros and Cons

Why we picked travelex for families.

Travelex is our top-rated choice for family travel insurance thanks to its all-inclusive Travel Select policies. Travel Select plans include coverage for one child under the age of 17 with the purchase of an adult travel insurance policy. You could save up to 50% on coverage by purchasing a plan with Travelex if you have an equal number of children and adults traveling together.

If your family will be traveling as a group of adults, consider Travelex’s Travel Basic policy option, which is available from $60 for low-cost trips. This policy includes a host of general coverages competitive with other travel insurance providers, ranging from up to $15,000 in emergency medical coverage, $150,000 in emergency evacuation coverage and $500 in trip delay benefits. This can be a viable budget option for families looking for affordable individual protections.

Add-On Options

If you want to expand the coverage of your travel insurance plan, Travelex has the following upgrades:

  • Additional medical coverage
  • CFAR (cancel for any reason)
  • Car rental collision
  • Adventure sports cover
  • Flight accidental death and dismemberment

Based on quotes we obtained, a family of four going on a week-long, $8,000 vacation to Mexico should expect to pay $200  for a Travelex plan.

To learn more: Travelex travel insurance review

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Why We Picked Berkshire Hathaway

If your family is traveling together, you could have a higher-value vacation that you need to insure. While most insurance providers place caps on the total trip cost they will reimburse, Berkshire Hathaway offers luxury coverage with higher-than-average limits. With the Berkshire Hathaway LuxuryCare plan, you can protect each traveler with up to $100,000 in individual cancellation protection — ideal for high-value international travel.

Berkshire Hathaway’s policies are a bit more expensive than competitors, which means premiums for families will be higher as well. However, its plans are also more inclusive, with up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage and up to $2,000 for trip delay expenses. Berkshire Hathaway also offers unique plans for adventure travelers and cruise-goers, with specific coverages outfitted to your planned excursions.

Berkshire Hathaway’s LuxuryCare plan covers most travel expenses, such as in a medical emergency. Add-ons are available, but this level of coverage is comprehensive for international travel for families.

Based on quotes we obtained, a family of four going on a week-long, $8,000 vacation to Mexico should expect to pay  $168 for a Berkshire plan.

Generali Global Assistance

Generali Global Assistance

Why We Picked Generali Global Assistance

If you plan to visit an international destination with young children and you want to add another layer of safety, consider a travel insurance policy from Generali.

Generali Global Assistance is our top choice for international travel assistance, as all of its plans include 24/7 multilingual travel assistance that can help you while abroad. This can be a major benefit if you’re traveling to an area where you do not speak the primary language spoken, especially with young children. We also suggest considering Generali’s plans if you are looking for extra assistance planning your family’s trip, as all plans come with complimentary concierge pre-trip assistance.

  • Rental car damage on standard insurance plan, up to $25,000 per person per plan
  • Trip cancellation for any reason on premium travel insurance plan

Based on quotes we obtained, a family of four going on a week-long, $8,000 vacation to Mexico should expect to pay $359 for a Generali plan.

To learn more: Generali Global Assistance travel insurance review

Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz Global Assistance

Why We Picked Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz is another top selection for families looking for free children’s coverage with adult travel insurance. The company’s OneTrip Prime policy option includes free coverage for children under the age of 17. However, you must purchase adult coverage and plan to travel with the child. Like Travelex’s family coverage, this could potentially save up to 50% on insurance costs for family vacations.

The OneTrip Prime policy is one of Allianz’s most comprehensive and inclusive options, with up to $100,000 in trip interruption coverage, $50,000 in emergency medical protections and $1,000 for lost baggage. This policy also includes a few unique inclusions, including up to $500 in last-minute travel itinerary changes.

The following add-on options come with Allianz Global Assistance:

  • Winter sports and ski insurance
  • Cancel anytime upgrade

Based on quotes we obtained, a family of four going on a week-long, $8,000 vacation to Mexico should expect to pay  $250 for a Allianz plan.

To learn more: Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance review

AXA Assistance USA

AXA Assistance USA

Why We Picked AXA Assistance

If you are planning to travel with your family to a remote area or partake in outdoor activities, consider AXA’s travel insurance policies . In the event of a medical evacuation or illness, AXA will arrange complimentary return transportation for a travel companion or unattended minor. In the event of a sudden medical emergency that leaves a minor unattended, AXA will arrange an escort to accompany the child and ensure their safe return home. This can be a major benefit and offer peace of mind if you’re a parent traveling alone with a minor child.

  • CFAR coverage available on the platinum plan
  • Collision damage waiver available on gold and platinum plans

Based on quotes we obtained, a family of four going on a week-long, $8,000 vacation to Mexico should expect to pay $276 for a AXA plan.

To learn more:   AXA travel insurance review

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Travel insurance policies often offer a range of coverage options for families traveling together. These include the following:

Trip Cancellation or Interruption Coverage

Trip cancellation coverage refers to circumstances that may force you to cancel a vacation before departure. Trip interruption coverage applies when you may have to cut your vacation short because of unforeseen circumstances. Most insurance policies cover you in both cases.

Medical Coverage

Medical coverage reimburses you for medical costs should you have to pay for a medical emergency or need medical attention. Reimbursable events can include basic health care treatment, ambulance fees or repatriation costs in the event of a death. The maximum limit of coverage varies among insurance policies.

Baggage Loss, Delay and Damage Coverage

Most insurance policies give coverage if your luggage is delayed, lost or stolen on your family vacation (as long as the event isn’t your fault or is out of your control). The maximum coverage you can receive depends on the travel insurance policy.

If possessions within your baggage are particularly expensive or if together they add up to a high dollar amount, you may want your family insurance policy to have a larger coverage limit for baggage. You can also take out single-item coverage for something specific if it’s that valuable.

Does Standard Travel Insurance Cover Family Members?

Standard travel insurance policies cover you and your family members. The difference between standard travel insurance and family insurance is that family insurance typically covers families of two adults with at least one and up to eight children under 18.

With family travel insurance, you are offered peace of mind that your insurance policy has been crafted with families in mind to cover your needs.

Common Add-Ons

Common add-ons for travelers and families can include:

  • Winter sports coverage: For those hoping to ski or snowboard and partake in winter sports activities
  • Cruise coverage: For groups who will be venturing on cruises during their vacation
  • Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage : A financial backstop if you  must cancel your vacation outside of the policy guidelines

How Much Does Travel Insurance for Families Cost?

The cost of travel insurance for families will depend on the number of family members, the location of the trip, the trip duration, and the total cost. The table below compares costs for basic coverage for a family of four going on a week-long $8,000 vacation to Mexico:

Is Family Travel Insurance Worth It?

Family travel insurance is necessary if you invest a lot of money for a grand family vacation. Knowing that you have comprehensive cover for every member of your party makes it more convenient for travels when you want protection from a range of eventualities.

With a range of family travel insurance policies available, families have ample choices to find a policy that matches their trip, coverage needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you travel separately on family travel insurance.

Some family policies let you travel separately, but you should check with your insurance provider and your policy terms to see if you’re covered.

Is it better to buy travel insurance as a group or individual?

Buying family and group travel insurance is much more convenient and easier to insure everyone on a trip. Group coverage is also likely to be less expensive than purchasing individual policies for every group member. Children sometimes get included for free in family policies.

Does credit card travel insurance cover a family?

You may have insurance to cover your whole family from the credit card you use to book your trip. This is something that varies by bank. You’ll need to talk to your credit card issuer to ask about travel coverage.

Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Travel Insurance Companies for Families

  • A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
  • A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
  • A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
  • A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
  • A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
  • A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
  • A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
  • Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
  • Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
  • Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
  • Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

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

More Resources:

Lake Como, village Bellagio, Italy. Senior couple weekend getaway having rest on the bench by spectacular lake Como in Italy. Sunny day scenery. Tourists admiring view on popular tourist attraction.

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Travel Insurance

Best travel insurance companies of March 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

Heidi Gollub

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

Updated 6:53 a.m. UTC March 14, 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 analysis of cost and coverage options. Use this rating to compare top travel insurance plans and find the best match for your next trip.

Best travel insurance companies of 2024

  • WorldTrips: Best travel insurance .
  • Travel Insured: Best for emergency evacuation .
  • TravelSafe: Best for missed connections .
  • Aegis: Best for traveling with a pet .
  • Travelex: Best for traveling with kids .
  • 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 analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product 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.

Travel insurance quotes comparison

Top-rated travel insurance companies , best travel insurance.

WorldTrips

Top-scoring plans

Medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, what you should know.

Two WorldTrips plans top our rating of the best travel insurance: Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier.

The Preferred plan is more affordable and provides $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage, with an optional upgrade to primary coverage. Atlas Journey Preferred is also the best travel insurance for cruises .

For a little extra, you can buy the Premier plan, which gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage. This is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority.

Pros and cons

  • Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of the 5-star travel insurance plans.
  • Atlas Journey Premier has $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
  • Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
  • Each plan includes travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
  • 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
  • No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Best for emergency evacuation

Travel insured.

Travel Insured

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector travel insurance offers $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. If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, consider the Worldwide Trip Protector plan.

  • 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 only available for cruises and tours.

Best for missed connections

TravelSafe

If you’re worried that missed connections could disrupt your trip, it’s worth considering TravelSafe. Some travel insurance companies only provide missed connection coverage for cruises and tours, but TravelSafe doesn’t impose that restriction.

  • 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 the top-scoring travel insurance plans.
  • No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
  • Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Best for traveling with a pet

Aegis

Go Ready Choice by Aegis has the most affordable travel insurance of the top-scoring companies in our rating. It offers basic coverage limits with optional add-ons, such as a Pet Bundle that includes pet medical, pet kennel and pet return benefits.

  • Cheapest of the top-scoring travel insurance plans.
  • Optional pet bundle adds pet medical expense and pet return 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.

Best for traveling with kids

Travelex

If you’re traveling with children age 17 or younger, you’ll appreciate not having to pay extra for their coverage when you buy a Travel Select plan from Travelex Insurance Services.

  • 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.

Best for add-on coverage options

AIG

Travel Guard Preferred from AIG allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades. 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.

  • 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.

Best for cruise itinerary changes

Nationwide

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion. It 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.

  • 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.

Compare the best travel insurance companies of 2024

Methodology

Our travel 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:

  • Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
  • 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.

What does travel insurance cover?

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 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. 

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 insurance 

As soon as you buy a travel insurance plan that includes trip cancellation insurance , you’re covered if you need to call off your trip because of a reason listed in your policy. These reasons generally include 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. 

If you cancel your trip for a covered reason, you can expect to be reimbursed for 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses. 

For even greater flexibility, some travel insurance plans offer a “ cancel for any reason ” (CFAR) upgrade. This optional coverage allows you to pull the plug on your trip for any reason at all, as long as you do so at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure. 

Adding CFAR coverage will increase the cost of your plan and it’s important to note that this coverage typically only reimburses 50% or 75% of your expenses, depending on the policy. 

Travel delay insurance

Once your trip is underway, inconvenient delays can be expensive. Travel delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses you incur after a certain waiting period, such as five hours. If your travel is delayed longer than that time because of a reason in your policy, such as severe weather, your benefits can cover needs like airport meals, transportation and even overnight accommodation. 

This coverage usually has daily limits as well as a maximum limit. For example, a travel insurance plan may provide trip delay coverage of up to $150 per day with a $2,000 maximum.

Trip interruption insurance

If you need to end your trip early — again, for a reason listed in your policy — trip interruption insurance comes into play. 

Say a close family member back home is involved in an accident and you need to rush back to be by their side. Trip interruption benefits 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 insurance

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 senior travel insurance provides ample travel medical coverage because Medicare does not cover health care outside of the U.S., except in very limited circumstances. 

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. 

Many travel insurance plans cover medical treatment for COVID-19, but not all do. The best COVID travel insurance has generous emergency medical and emergency medical evacuation benefits. 

When comparing plans to find the best medical travel insurance for international trips, check to see if the coverage is primary. If the travel medical insurance coverage is secondary, you will need to file a claim with your health insurance before you can file a travel insurance claim.

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. 

Depending on your location and medical condition, emergency transportation could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Our top-scoring travel insurance plans all offer coverage of $1 million. 

Baggage delay coverage

If you arrive safely at your destination but your bags do not, this coverage can help. After a certain waiting period, such as six or 12 hours, this coverage will reimburse you for necessities you may need while waiting for your bags to arrive. Be sure to save your receipts and look at your coverage limit, as some caps are low, like $200. 

Baggage loss and personal effects coverage

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. If you’ll be traveling with your laptop or other valuables, read your policy carefully to make sure they’re covered. 

What travel insurance doesn't cover

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.

Most travel insurance companies offer a free look period when you buy a policy. Take this time — which might be anywhere from 10 to 21 days — to carefully review the plan’s coverages and exclusions, and request a full refund if it doesn’t meet your needs.

“For trip cancellation coverage, travel insurance plans will only cover you for very specific covered reasons listed in a plan’s description of coverage,” said Stan Sandberg, co-founder and CEO of TravelInsurance.com. “If an event is not listed as a covered reason, it won’t be covered unless the consumer opts for a ‘cancel for any reason’ policy.”

“Cancel for any reason travel insurance” upgrade

For the greatest flexibility to cancel, consider adding “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage to your travel insurance plan. This will increase the cost of your policy, but will typically reimburse you for 75% of your trip expenses if you decide to cancel your trip. 

A CFAR upgrade also usually has a number of requirements, such as buying it within seven to 14 days of making your first trip payment and insuring the full amount of your travel costs. But, it will give you the freedom to cancel your trip for any reason, as long as you do so at least two days before your scheduled departure. 

Adding CFAR coverage typically increases the cost of your travel insurance plan by 50%.

Make sure you’re covered: Best COVID travel insurance  

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 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 to be policies with at least $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

What is the best travel insurance? 

The best travel insurance for international travel is sold by WorldTrips , according to our analysis. Two WorldTrips plans — Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier — top our rating of the best travel insurance. But the best travel insurance for you depends on the trip you are planning and the coverage areas that are most important to you. 

Make sure you’re covered: WorldTrips travel insurance review

Best travel insurance for cruises

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

Best travel insurance for COVID

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 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 travel insurance cost is 5% to 6% of your trip costs.

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on how expensive your trip is, how many benefits the insurance provides and the age of the covered travelers.

Here are average costs per trip by travel insurance plan, based on our analysis of rates.

Travel insurance cost examples

Average travel insurance costs are based on rates for seven trips with a variety of traveler ages, trip costs and destinations. Travel insurance plans have different levels of included benefits, which can account for price differences.

What affects travel insurance 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.

How travel insurance works

“Typically, travelers are expected to pay their expenses out of pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement,” said Clark. “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.”

How to get travel insurance

To buy travel insurance, you’ll need to submit an online application with information about yourself and your trip, such as your name, age, permanent address, destination, travel dates and total trip cost per person. Since the application is simple, you can easily get quotes from multiple companies on your own. 

Even easier, you can get multiple quotes by submitting a single application online through a travel insurance comparison site like Squaremouth.

How to choose which travel insurance is best for you

When shopping for travel insurance, consider the coverages that are most important to you. For example:

  • Travel medical insurance. If you need travel health insurance for international travel, you’ll want a high limit for medical expenses, such as doctor and hospital bills, ambulance, X-rays and medicine. The best travel insurance for seniors includes ample travel medical insurance because Medicare generally does not pay for health care outside of the U.S.
  • Emergency medical evacuation. If you’re planning a trip to a remote destination, make sure your travel insurance plan has high limits for emergency evacuation. Squaremouth suggests $50,000 to $100,000 of medical evacuation coverage for most trips but recommends $250,000 for travel to remote locations.

You’ll also want to consider common exclusions , such as:

  • Adventure sports. Many travel insurance plans exclude coverage for risky activities such as skiing and scuba diving. Read the fine print of a policy to see what is excluded, or look for a travel insurance company that specializes in covering adventure sports trips, such as World Nomads.
  • Named storms. If a hurricane is named before you buy travel insurance, it’s too late to buy coverage and cancel your trip because of the storm.
  • Normal pregnancy. Normal pregnancy typically isn’t covered by travel insurance. If you get pregnant after you buy travel insurance, you may be covered for pregnancy-related reasons, but you’ll need to provide medical proof that pregnancy started after your purchased travel insurance. 
  • Pre-existing medical conditions. If you have dealt with a health issue — even allergies or asthma — look closely at this common exclusion. Travel insurance plans typically have look-back periods, which could be 60, 90 or 180 days before you bought the policy. If you had symptoms during that time, your claim could be denied if your condition flares up while you’re traveling. If you’re shopping for the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, look for plans that offer a pre-existing medical condition waiver. You’ll be eligible for this waiver if you meet specific terms, such as buying travel insurance within days of making your first trip deposit and insuring the full value of your trip.

When to buy travel insurance

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after making your first nonrefundable travel payment, whether it’s for a plane ticket, hotel stay, cruise or excursion. Like other types of insurance, your policy needs to be in place before something goes wrong. It won’t cost you any extra to buy travel insurance far in advance of your trip, and it will cover a longer period of time.

“Purchasing a travel insurance policy at the time of making an initial trip payment offers travelers the most peace of mind,” said James Clark, spokesperson for Squaremouth.

“Knowing they are protected if unforeseen events such as medical emergencies, inclement weather, natural disasters and other trip disruptions occur allows travelers to approach their trip with less worry and more confidence.”

You’d have a hard time buying travel insurance before booking anything because you’d have nothing to insure, Clark said. “With that said, travelers are able to purchase a policy and make modifications, such as updating travel dates or adding expenses to the insurance policy, as they continue to make their travel arrangements.” 

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 condition waiver or to buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade.

Where to 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 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.

Using a travel insurance marketplace that will give you quotes for multiple policies is a great way to compare coverage options and pricing to find the best policy for your trip. Buying a policy directly from a travel provider is convenient and might be fine, but it might not meet your needs. 

“If a traveler is heading to the Caribbean with the intention of going scuba diving, it’s unlikely that the policy offered by the airline would cover that activity,” Clark said. “Shopping around for insurance opens the door to other policy providers that may offer a policy that checks all of a traveler’s boxes.”

In addition, while flight insurance , which may be offered through a partnership with a travel insurance provider like AIG or Allianz, may cover travel delays and cancellations, it might not protect you if you get sick during your trip, Clark said. “We highly recommend travelers read the policy’s fine print before making a purchase so they know what’s covered,” he added.

Top 10 travel destinations

Americans are changing the way they travel and this includes buying travel insurance when they might have skipped it in the past.

Here are the top destinations travel insurance customers are traveling to — and how much they’re spending on these trips — according to Feb. 2024 data from Squaremouth.

Source: Squaremouth. Based on travel insurance purchased from Jan. 14 to Feb. 13, 2024.

Travel insurance trends in 2024

Here are some key travel insurance trends in 2024:

  • As spending on trips continues to rise , so will the price of travel insurance policies.
  • People are planning trips further in advance and purchasing 2024 travel insurance earlier, making them eligible for perks like cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage and a pre-existing conditions exclusion waiver.
  • Emergency evacuation, medical coverage and trip interruption remain top concerns for travelers, increasing the search for comprehensive travel insurance plans with more robust coverage — even if it costs more.

“As Americans continue to spend more on vacations, they have more to lose if they need to cancel or return home early. A travel insurance policy is an efficient and cost-effective way to protect that financial investment for trips in 2024,” said InsureMyTrip senior vice president Suzanne Morrow.

Best travel insurance FAQs

WorldTrips has the best trip insurance, according to our analysis. Two of its plans — Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier — 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.

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.

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

  • Spirit Airlines scrubs 60% of its Wednesday flights, says cancellations will drop ‘in the days to come.’
  • ‘Just a parade of incompetency’: Spirit Airlines passengers with ‘nightmare’ stories want more than apology, $50 vouchers
  • ‘This is not our proudest moment’: Spirit Airlines CEO says more flight cancellations expected this weekend
  • Hurricane Irma: Flight cancellations top 12,500; even more expected
  • Is an annual travel insurance policy right for you?
  • How 2020 and COVID-19 changed travel forever – and what that means for you
  • COVID-19 or delta variant have you ready to scrap your trip? Here’s how to cancel like a pro
  • Sunday: Snow is over, but flight cancellations top 12,000
  • After nearly 13,000 Harvey cancellations, Irma is new threat to airline flights
  • What’s the difference between travel insurance and trip ‘protection’?
  • How to choose the right travel insurance for your next vacation
  • Travel insurance can save the day
  • Angry passengers brawl after Spirit cancels flights
  • What to do when travel insurance doesn’t work
  • How lockdowns, quarantines and COVID-19 testing will change summer travel in 2021
  • Travelers will pay and worry more on summer vacation this year. But they won’t cancel
  • How to find a hotel with COVID testing and quarantine facilities wherever you travel
  • Yearning to travel in 2022? First, figure out your budget – then pick a destination
  • Pro tips for surviving a long flight during a pandemic: Get the right mask, bring a pillow
  • Want to steer clear of contracting COVID-19 on your next vacation? Follow these guidelines
  • Post-pandemic travel: Is it OK to ask another passenger’s vaccine status or request they mask up?
  • These days, forgetting these important travel items could cost you thousands of dollars
  • International travel hacks: When to book flights and hotels, how to deal with COVID-19 rules
  • Traveling post-coronavirus: How do you book your next trip when so much remains uncertain?
  • The COVID-19 guide to holiday travel – and the case for why you shouldn’t go this year
  • Should you travel during the holidays? Americans struggle with their decision
  • ‘There’s still pent-up demand’: What you should know about fall travel
  • Planning for life after coronavirus: When will we know it’s safe to travel again?
  • ‘Busiest camping season’: Travelers choose outdoor recreation close to home amid COVID-19 pandemic
  • Considering a camping trip this summer? Tips to make sure your gear is good to go
  • RVing for the first time? 8 tips for newbies I wish I’d known during my first trip
  • Five myths about travel agents
  • Should I buy travel insurance?
  • Is travel insurance stacked against you?
  • Five myths about travel insurance and terrorism
  • These eight things could get your travel insurance claims rejected
  • There’s a good chance that your credit card already gives you some kind of travel insurance coverage
  • How to avoid a hotel cancellation penalty
  • Change fees and travel insurance continue to rise

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Amy Fontinelle

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience helping people make informed decisions about their money, whether they’re refinancing a mortgage, buying insurance or choosing a credit card. As a freelance writer trained in journalism and specializing in personal finance, Amy digs into the details to explain the products and strategies that can help (or hurt) people seeking greater financial security and wealth. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Capital One, MassMutual, Investopedia and many other outlets.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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The best travel insurance policies and providers

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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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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).

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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.

best family travel insurance usa

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

best family travel insurance usa

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?

best family travel insurance usa

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?

best family travel insurance usa

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?

best family travel insurance usa

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

best family travel insurance usa

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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For the Frequent Traveler: The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

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For the Frequent Traveler: The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

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If you take multiple trips every year, insuring each one can be a hassle. There are forms to fill out, comparison shopping over and over again, and then remembering the policy documents for each specific trip. And then there’s the risk you might forget to take out travel insurance for one of your trips.

Plus, those costs add up. There must be a better way.

Enter annual travel insurance. Also known as multi-trip travel insurance, taking out an annual policy covers you for a whole year of travel. Not only is it simpler, it may be cheaper than taking out multiple single-trip policies. But is it right for you?

Annual travel insurance policies aren’t exactly the same as the trip insurance you’d buy for a weeklong holiday with your family. Here are the best annual travel insurance policies, what they do and don’t cover, and how to decide whether taking out a yearly policy might be right for you.

The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies

GeoBlue Travel Insurance annual plan comparison chart

GeoBlue offers 2 Trekker plans for annual coverage, which are unique in several ways. These plans cover preexisting conditions, COVID-19, and all travel outside the U.S.

However, they don’t cover any trips inside the U.S. or provide any coverage for canceled, delayed, or interrupted trips. Instead, these are travel medical insurance plans . With the GeoBlue Trekker Choice plan , you’ll get higher maximum payouts in all categories and pay a lower deductible ($100). However, note that this is still secondary coverage .

You’ll get unlimited access to telemedicine and coverage for trips up to 70 days in length . Additionally, coverage is available up to age 95, which isn’t offered on most other policies.

The GeoBlue Trekker Essential plan offers the same pros and cons as the Choice plan. The main differences are the lower maximum payout values and the higher deductible ($200 instead of $100). You also won’t get the Choice plan’s lost baggage and personal effects coverage, which can provide up to $500 per trip. Again, this secondary medical insurance policy is only valid on trips outside the U.S.

Trawick International Safe Travels Annual Basic page banner

Trawick International offers 2 annual plans, and the Safe Travels Annual Basic plan is more economical. You’ll have coverage for everything you expect in a trip insurance policy , such as 100% coverage for trip cancellation or interruption (up to a $2,500 annual maximum) and coverage for delays, lost luggage, delayed luggage, and even medical expenses. To make up for the lower cost of the plan, coverage limits are lower than what you’ll find elsewhere . However, if you want peace of mind while traveling, you can get it for a year and cover trips up to 30 days in length.

While Trawick International’s Safe Travels Annual Deluxe plan offers higher maximum coverage limits than the Basic plan, its maximum payouts for medical and evacuation benefits are lower than what you’ll find with competitors . Where this plan shines is in the coverage for change fees, lost deposits on tours, and coverage for lost items if an airline misplaces your luggage.

You’ll be covered for up to $300 per trip for prepaid excursions, up to 100% of your trip cost (with an annual maximum of $5,000) for trip cancellations or interruptions, and up to $150 per item and $750 per trip for personal effects. After signing up for a plan, you’ll also get a 10-day free look period.

If you want an annual plan with a low price tag , this could be what you’re looking for. The Allianz Travel AllTrips Basic plan covers you for unlimited trips up to 45 days each over the course of a year. Coverage includes emergency medical, emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss and delays, travel delays, rental car theft and damage, and travel accident coverage.

However, there’s a fair list of exclusions from this plan . That includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, missed connections, and change fees. As the name implies, you’ll get basic coverage at a basic price.

Allianz AllTrips annual plan options

The Allianz Travel AllTrips Prime option covers 365 days of trips, though the maximum trip length is just 45 days. While you’ll get coverage for all the standard travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, delays, and baggage mishaps, there are limits you should know about with this plan.

The travel accident coverage, which applies to death or the loss of a limb, maxes out at $25,000 per trip, baggage delay maxes out at $200, and baggage loss or damage maxes out at $1,000. The maximum coverage for emergency medical is $20,000, and costs can exceed that quickly in a true emergency.

However, this is a decent option if you want a fair amount of coverage across numerous categories without a high price tag.

For those worried about expensive business equipment or losing points and miles, this plan has you covered. On top of higher maximum payouts in categories such as trip cancellation, emergency medical transportation, or travel delays, you’ll also get rental car damage and theft coverage, change fee coverage, and reimbursement for renting business equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed during a trip.

Moreover, you can be reimbursed up to $500 to cover fees for reinstating your points and miles if a covered trip is canceled or interrupted. The Allianz Travel AllTrips Executive plan also provides coverage for preexisting medical conditions if you meet certain criteria and buy at least 14 days before the first trip.

Allianz AllTrips Premier start quote page

Allianz also has a customizable AllTrips Premier plan , allowing you to choose between several payout tiers for trip cancellation and interruption. You’ll pay more when choosing higher maximums, but this allows you to choose exactly what you want in coverage and not pay for more than you need. Another positive is coverage for preexisting medical conditions if you meet certain criteria and buy your policy at least 14 days before your first trip.

You’ll also get rental car damage and theft coverage , $500,000 of emergency medical transportation coverage, $50,000 of emergency medical, and coverage for travel delay expenses after a delay of 6 hours or more. The baggage delay coverage is up to $2,000, but it requires a delay of 12 or more hours. The maximum trip length allowed is 90 days.

The AIG Travel Guard Annual Travel Insurance plan isn’t available to Washington state residents. Still, it provides coverage for trip interruption, trip delay, lost baggage, delayed baggage, and missed connections, as well as both medical and security evacuation, accidental death and dismemberment, and travel medical expenses. However, the coverage limit for dental is just $500, and the maximum coverage for travel medical expenses is just $50,000. Those are lower limits than other plans. Additionally, trip cancellation isn’t included.

However, Travel Guard has some strengths. Trip delay coverage applies for up to 10 days and requires a delay of just 5 hours, and the missed connection benefit applies after just 3 hours. You get a “free look” period of up to 15 days to cancel for a refund, so long as you haven’t started your trip or filed a claim. Maximum coverage for any particular trip is 90 days.

ASI Affinity Voyager annual plan

USI Affinity’s Voyager plan has a Silver and Gold option , and pricing is easy to determine from the chart. Simply find your age bracket and the associated cost. The key differences between the plans are in the higher maximum payouts for nearly every coverage type with the Gold plan, other than emergency dental and accidental death and dismemberment. However, the Gold plan also includes coverage types the Silver plan doesn’t: political and natural disaster evacuation, airline ticket change fees, and trip interruption. However, trip cancellation isn’t included with either plan .

The maximum trip length is 90 days, and coverage for Silver and Gold plans lasts for 364 days. An unlimited number of international and domestic trips are covered, and you’re covered for trips as little as 100 miles from home. That’s a lower requirement than most other plans (which tend to require 150 miles).

This plan is ideal for those who don’t live in the U.S., as other plans on this list are only available to U.S. residents and citizens. While the plan technically lasts for 364 days, Seven Corners’ Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip plan is customizable. It lets you choose a maximum trip length of 30, 45, or 60 days and include or exclude coverage for the U.S. Note U.S. citizens and residents cannot add coverage for inside the U.S.

Seven Corners also provides coverage for travelers aged 14 to 75 years, though maximum payouts decrease in some categories for those aged 65 and older. If you receive medical care in the U.S., Seven Corners will pay 90% of the first $5,000 of covered expenses and 100% of the cost afterward. You’re covered 100% outside the U.S. Note that coverage doesn’t apply to your home country (which includes the U.S. if you’re a citizen, even if you live in another country) and isn’t available in Antarctica, Cuba, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Russia, Syria, or Ukraine.

We considered another plan. Here’s why this annual travel insurance policy didn’t make our “best of” list.

IMG Patriot Multi-Trip International : For trips inside the U.S., you may be on the hook for 20% of your medical expenses if you visit a provider outside IMG’s PPO network. Additionally, the maximum trip length is 30 days, and coverage limits are quite low in multiple categories. These include $50,000 for emergency medical evacuation and $10,000 for political evacuation, a maximum of $50 per item and $250 overall for lost luggage, a $100 maximum for dental treatment, and $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment 24/7 coverage.

Annual travel policy plans vary considerably. Most provide secondary medical insurance, so you may need to submit to your other coverage (home healthcare plan, credit card insurance provider, etc.) first and then submit to your travel insurance provider for any remaining expenses or deductibles. If you won’t have other coverage, you may want to look for a plan that provides primary health coverage instead. Also, understand that most plans provide reimbursement, so you would pay out of pocket for overseas hospital visits and then submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement after the fact.

What Is Annual Travel Insurance?

Annual travel insurance covers you for many trips over the course of a year (or sometimes 364 days). Rather than needing to buy a travel insurance policy for each trip separately — which can add up — you can buy a single policy that covers all your trips for the next year. It’s important to understand the terms of these policies, though. Some may require buying coverage in advance, such as 14 days before your first trip, while that requirement normally doesn’t exist on single-trip travel insurance.

It’s also important to note which types of trips and destinations are covered by your policy — and which aren’t. Look for how far from home you must travel to be covered and whether domestic trips are included. Moreover, consider what benefits you’re looking for. These can vary from medical-only to all the bells and whistles, such as baggage delay and medical evacuation. Once you know the type of coverage you want, you can find a policy or policies that align with your needs, helping you narrow down your options to conduct a more effective comparison.

Annual travel insurance works as an umbrella policy, covering all your trips during the policy period. You don’t need to inform the policy provider about each trip’s start and stop dates or destinations. You simply buy a policy, and then you’re protected for every trip that meets the conditions while your policy is in effect. Some regions may be excluded from coverage, and you may be subject to a maximum trip length.

Trip length is an important element to pay attention to. Annual travel insurance doesn’t cover you for a year-long trip. It covers you for a year for many small trips within that time, typically up to 30 or 45 days per trip. If you’re looking for a plan to cover you during a year-long trip to another country, you should look for specialized plans for study abroad, mission work, or other situations that apply to you. Traveling full-time? You may need a policy geared toward digital nomads and backpackers.

You should buy your annual travel insurance policy as soon as you know you’ll have multiple trips in the next year and determine that the cost of insuring each alone would be higher than that of a single multi-trip plan. What’s the break-even point on that cost? It depends on the coverage you want.

Considering that single-trip plans can sometimes be found for $10, yet an annual trip is likely to cost $150 or more per adult, you’d need 15 trips to justify the annual policy. However, that’s not really an apples-to-apples comparison, as a $10 basic travel insurance policy won’t provide as much coverage as you’re likely to find on even the most basic of annual policies.

It’s also not just about the number of trips you take but the types of trips, the complexity of the trips, and money at risk in nonrefundable costs. The more of these you foresee in your next year of travels, the more likely an annual plan would be good for you.

Couple reviewing financial documents

We already highlighted that annual policies don’t cover traveling nonstop for a year due to their restrictions on the maximum trip length. Annual travel insurance policies also restrict how far you must travel for coverage to kick in. Driving to the next town over may be a trip in your kids’ eyes, but it’s probably not far enough for your travel insurance to kick in.

While coverage varies by policy, you’ll typically have coverage for sickness, accidental death and dismemberment, lost or delayed luggage, trip cancellation, and possibly injuries during skiing or snowboarding. However, it’s important to read the terms of each policy because coverage maximums and inclusions vary widely. Some policies only provide medical coverage, while others offer robust coverage across the board.

Each policy specifies a maximum trip length. How trips longer than that are treated can vary. Most policies won’t cover any expenses related to a trip longer than the maximum trip length. Suppose you take a trip of 41 days on a policy with a maximum of 40 days. In that case, claims for delayed luggage or medical expenses may be rejected when the claim evaluator asks for your trip confirmation details.

However, GeoBlue covers the first 70 days of any particular trip. If something goes wrong during that time, you’re covered. You’re on your own for anything that happens on days 71 or beyond. Still, you’re covered on those first 70 days, despite taking a longer trip.

If you foresee long trips in the future, make sure you understand these rules.

For some travelers, yes, annual travel insurance is worth it. For others, it’s not.

Annual travel insurance is worth it when it costs less than what you’d pay to insure each trip individually. It’s also worth it if you think you might forget to purchase some of those individual policies throughout the year and would prefer to be done with them for another 365 days.

However, annual travel insurance isn’t worth it if you only take a few trips a year, they’re mostly domestic, and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses. If you’re traveling within the U.S. with your standard health insurance policy in effect and you have credit cards that provide trip insurance for delays or cancellations, that coverage may be sufficient.

Family playing at the beach with snorkel

Costs will vary by your home state, age, and number of people included in the policy. Here are the “starting at” costs for our best annual travel insurance policies, sorted from lowest to highest:

Yes and no. Using a credit card to pay for your trip can provide some built-in protections. However, you should be mindful of annual maximums on any policy. You may run into limitations such as a maximum of 2 claims per 12-month period or similar exclusions. If you take many trips, that could be an issue.

To better understand what is and isn’t covered, check out our complete guide to credit card insurance .

To choose the right policy, look beyond the cost alone. Rather than immediately choosing the cheapest policy, find the policy or policies that provide the coverage types you want with payout maximums that cover your travel plans for the next year — both confirmed bookings and likely plans.

Consider your coverage needs. Will you be carrying expensive items such as scuba equipment for a trip to the Galapagos or top-notch camera lenses for a bird-watching tour in Papua New Guinea? How many extreme sports will you participate in?

Conversely, how many “never heard of this airline before” flights will you take to get off the beaten path? These are flights where you may be worried about cancelations that lead to extra costs or a misplaced suitcase.

Consider the types of trips you’ll take and the up-front money at risk if something goes wrong or you get delayed, then look at which plans align with your travels. From there, choose the best plan that aligns best with your needs, which may or may not be the cheapest one.

As an annual travel policy holder myself, I promise you that having the right plan is important when you wind up in a remote hospital in Tanzania with malaria.

Woman Sick in Bed Sneezing

Annual travel insurance isn’t right for everyone. However, it makes sense for those who travel often and could save money by taking out a single policy instead of many separate policies. It also makes sense if you’d prefer to avoid filling out paperwork numerous times throughout the year for each trip.

Annual travel insurance policies aren’t great for those who tend to travel closer to home, don’t have major nonrefundable travel expenses, or need to customize coverage for each trip because their travels tend to vary. For example, you might need different coverage for a backcountry ski trip with friends versus a 2-hour drive with your family.

Look at what annual policies do and don’t cover and see if these align with your travel goals and needs. Then, consider the prices for the plans that align well with your situation. After taking an informed look, you should have a good idea of whether an annual policy is right for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is yearly travel insurance worth it.

For some, yes. For others, no. Annual travel insurance is worth it when the cost is less than what you’d pay to insure each trip separately or you would prefer to just sign up once then be done for a year. However, annual travel insurance isn’t worth it if you only take a few, mostly domestic, trips a year where your healthcare coverage works, and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses.

How much does annual trip insurance cost?

Costs vary greatly depending on the type of coverage you want. Annual travel insurance plan costs range from $140 to $500 for a single person. If you take a lot of trips, the cost can be worth it over the course of a year, but each person’s situation is different.

When should I take out annual travel insurance?

You should buy your annual travel insurance policy as soon as you know you’ll have multiple trips in the next year and that the cost of insuring each alone would be higher than the cost of a single multi-trip plan. What’s the break-even point on that cost? It depends on the coverage you want. Look at the different types of coverage and your expected costs for insuring each trip separately, then see if it makes sense for you.

Does annual travel insurance automatically renew?

It varies by policy provider, but some companies have an auto-renew feature to ensure you don’t have gaps in coverage.

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

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4 Best Travel Insurance for the USA in 2024

Home | Travel | North America | United States | 4 Best Travel Insurance for the USA in 2024

Choosing the right travel insurance for the United States can be a bit tricky. After all, it depends on several factors like your age, the purpose of your trip, and how long you’ll be visiting the U.S. You can even find policies for U.S. citizens who are living abroad and coming back to the States for a visit.

However, if you’re looking for insurance for U.S. residents traveling within the country or coverage for Americans traveling abroad, you should read our guides on domestic travel insurance and travel insurance for Americans .

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Best Travel Insurance for the USA in 2024

When it comes to the best travel insurance for parents visiting the USA , those studying abroad in the United States, individuals coming here for work, and tourists, there are a few great options. I’ll tell you upfront that Heymondo is the overall best holiday insurance for the USA . It offers single-trip and multi-trip insurance plans, making it a great option for all kinds of travelers.

Plus, Heymondo is the only tourist health insurance in the USA that pays your medical expenses upfront instead of having you pay out-of-pocket and file a claim to get reimbursed. This is imperative in a country like the United States, where healthcare is incredibly costly. If you decide to go with Heymondo, click our link below to get a discount on Heymondo insurance .

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5% OFF your travel insurance

Of course, there are other good USA travel insurances on the market. SafetyWing is the second-best choice and a cheaper alternative to Heymondo. I’ll cover these companies and more in this guide, including what your policy should cover, so keep reading.

Best insurance for travel to the U.S. in 2024

If there’s a country where having travel insurance is essential, it’s the United States. However, finding the best travel insurance for the USA isn’t always straightforward since it depends on the reason for your trip. Maybe you’re only visiting for a few weeks, or perhaps you’ve come here to work or study abroad. Don’t worry because this guide will help you choose the perfect coverage plan for your needs.

In a nutshell, these are the 4 best U.S. travel insurance companies :

  • Heymondo , the best travel insurance for the USA
  • SafetyWing , a cheap travel insurance to the USA
  • IMG Global , another good travel insurance for visitors to the USA
  • Trawick International , the best U.S. travel insurance for students

Cost of travel health insurance for the USA

Before we delve into the best travel insurance companies for the U.S. , here is a pricing chart to help you quickly compare each option. Remember, the cost of travel health insurance for the USA depends on various factors like the duration of your trip, your age, how much coverage you want, and whether you’re purchasing medical-only insurance.

For this USA travel insurance comparison , I used the example of a 30-year-old British citizen visiting the U.S. for two weeks, with a trip cost of $2,500:

While SafetyWing is the cheapest USA travel insurance , it has a $250 deductible and limited travel-related benefits.

Heymondo costs a bit more than IMG Global and Trawick International , but it offers excellent medical expense coverage, which is super important for the USA. Also, it’s the only American travel insurance that pays your medical bills upfront , so you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket and file a claim for reimbursement.

For us, it’s worth spending a bit more for a much higher amount of coverage, but you can decide for yourself after reading about each of these companies below .

1. Heymondo , the best travel insurance for the USA

Whether you’re taking a short vacation, studying abroad for a few months, or starting a new job here, Heymondo is the best travel insurance for visitors to the USA .

There are several reasons why Heymondo travel insurance is one of the best options on the market. First of all, they have a variety of plans, including single-trip insurance, annual multi-trip insurance , and medical-only travel insurance.

Heymondo, travel insurance for the united states

Not only that, but Heymondo is the only travel insurance company that pays your medical expenses upfront instead of making you pay for it yourself and then file a claim for reimbursement. This is especially important in the United States, where healthcare expenses are through the roof.

Another advantage of Heymondo is its excellent price-to-coverage ratio. Whenever we’ve compared U.S. travel insurance , Heymondo has always come out on top for offering competitive prices while matching or even exceeding similar insurances’ coverage.

We’ve had a great experience using Heymondo on all our most recent trips. Not having to deal with the hassle of paying out-of-pocket for accidents and injuries has been amazing, and the 24/7 customer support app has been wonderful in helping us stay informed and calm in emergencies. Our family always buys Heymondo’s medical insurance for USA visitors whenever they come to see us, and they love it, too.

This is easily one of the best travel insurance companies of 2024 , so if you want to purchase a policy, use our link below to get a discount on Heymondo .

2. SafetyWing , a cheap travel insurance to the USA

If you’re on a budget, SafetyWing is the best choice for cheap travel insurance to the USA . It offers a good amount of medical-related coverage, which is crucial in a country like the United States, where even a simple doctor’s visit can be expensive.

Whether you’re traveling for pleasure, work, or studying, SafetyWing is one of the overall best medical-only travel insurance options. Its plans are specifically tailored for travelers who want comprehensive medical coverage (hospital stays, ambulance transportation, emergency dental service, etc.) Plus, there is the option to automatically renew your plan every month until you choose an end date, so you never have to travel without coverage.

SafetyWing, travel insurance for usa trip

While this is one of the best tourist health insurances for the USA , it doesn’t have as many travel-related benefits. It also has a $250 deductible , so you’ll be responsible for paying that amount yourself before medical benefits kick in.

As an alternative, Heymondo has medical-only travel insurance for USA visitors , as well as comprehensive plans for health- and travel-related coverage. Moreover, there is a $0 deductible with Heymondo, and the company pays your medical bills upfront, so you don’t have to file a claim and wait for reimbursement.

3. IMG Global , another good travel insurance for visitors to the USA

IMG Global is another USA visitors travel insurance worth looking into. This company has a wide range of plans to appeal to different types of travelers. For example, you can find a policy if you’re a U.S. expat coming back to the States for a visit, a foreign exchange student in the U.S., a parent visiting your child in the USA, a remote worker, or a tourist.

Patriot America Plus is one of IMG Global’s policies and a good choice for those looking for one of the best comprehensive USA travel insurance plans. It includes a high amount of emergency medical expense coverage, as well as accidental death, evacuation, natural disaster coverage, and lost luggage protection. There is even coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions for travelers under age 70.

IMG Global, best medical insurance for visitors to usa

The Patriot Exchange Program is a USA health insurance for international students , particularly those who meet the US J1 and J2 visa requirements. This plan covers many medical expenses, including hospital room and board, physician visits, prescriptions, urgent care, emergency room visits, and more.

It’s also worth noting that IMG Global is known as one of the best trip cancellation insurance companies, and it has excellent Cancel-For-Any-Reason insurance . I recommend getting a quote since prices vary depending on your choice of deductible and how much maximum coverage you want.

4. Trawick International , another great holiday insurance for the USA

Speaking of studying in the U.S. , Trawick International is another one of the best international travel insurances for students .

For example, the International Student and Scholar Medical Evacuation and Repatriation plan is designed for students who want to save money and just have coverage for emergency evacuation to their home country.

There is also the Collegiate Care plans, which include the Essential, Enhanced, Elite, and Exclusive tiers. They range in terms of maximum coverage limits and deductibles, but they all offer health-related benefits like emergency medical expense coverage, accidental death, and evacuation. You can also choose your deductible ($0, $100, $250, $500, $1,500).

Trawick International, american health insurance for visitors

Another one of Trawick International’s American health insurances for visitors is the Safe Travels Voyager plan. It includes your choice of deductible, $500,000 in emergency medical expense coverage, $2,000,000 for evacuation and repatriation, $5,000 for trip interruption, and a $1,000 baggage loss benefit. However, this policy doesn’t include trip cancellation coverage.

A company that does include trip cancellation benefits is Heymondo . Its long-term travel insurance is suitable for students on a budget as well as remote workers, American expats, and tourists. For just a bit more money, you can get a higher amount of coverage with no deductible and no need to pay anything out of pocket since Heymondo pays your medical bills upfront.

Is travel insurance for the United States mandatory?

Having travel insurance isn’t a requirement for entering the United States, but it’s a very good idea to get a USA travel insurance policy.

If you’re worried about the cost of USA travel health insurance , consider that American healthcare is super expensive. An insurance policy pretty much pays for itself after just one trip to the doctor or urgent care center. It’s much better to pay upfront for USA tourist travel insurance than shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for medical attention.

To give you a better idea of the average cost of medical care in the U.S., here is a chart with some of the most common services:

The average cost for an urgent care visit in the United States without insurance is $175 . That’s more than twice the amount of the USA visitors medical insurance plans in this article. I’d say it’s definitely worth investing in a policy!

Even if you’re on a strict budget, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that can give you the protection you need without breaking the bank.

What should U.S. travel insurance cover?

Before you buy travel insurance for the USA , it’s important to know what your policy should include. Below, you’ll find the must-have coverage you should look for when comparing USA travel insurance :

Emergency medical expense coverage

First, emergency medical expense coverage is crucial, especially considering the steep price of U.S. healthcare and services. Don’t risk paying out of pocket for a trip to an urgent care center or hospital! With this benefit, you’ll be covered for those doctor visits, as well as tests and treatments, depending on the policy terms.

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Evacuation and repatriation

This type of coverage is important if you need to return to your home country for treatment after falling seriously ill. All the best travel medical insurance for USA visitors includes this benefit.

Trip cancellation, interruption, and delays

Whether it’s a cancelled flight or an illness that disrupts your trip, this type of benefit will make sure you’re covered. If you want this type of coverage, make sure you get a USA travel insurance policy with travel-related benefits, not just medical.

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Baggage loss, theft, or damage

Replacing clothes and toiletries can get expensive, so a policy with baggage loss coverage can help you replace your precious items without shelling out your own money.

FAQs – Travel insurance for the United States

Finally, here are some common questions about travel insurance for the USA :

Is travel insurance for the USA worth it?

Absolutely. Having travel insurance for the United States is totally worth it since just one doctor’s visit could end up costing you a ton of money.

Is travel insurance for the USA mandatory?

No, travel insurance for the USA is not mandatory, but I highly recommend it, especially since healthcare in the United States is incredibly expensive.

Can a tourist get health insurance in the USA?

Yes. Tourist health insurance in the USA is available from several companies, such as the ones in this article.

The best travel medical insurance for visitors to the USA should include coverage for emergency medical expenses, evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation/interruption, and baggage loss.

What’s the best travel insurance for USA visitors?

Overall, the best travel health insurance for the USA is Heymondo . It has a $0 deductible, a great price-to-coverage ratio, and no upfront, out-of-pocket medical payments.

What happens if you get sick while visiting the USA?

If you get sick while visiting the U.S. and you need to go to the emergency room, an urgent care clinic, or doctor, you’ll have to present your insurance. Depending on your insurance policy, your medical expenses may be covered or partially covered.

How much does travel health insurance in the USA cost?

You can find cheap travel insurance for the USA for as little as around $40 a week. The price depends on things like your age, the duration of your trip, and the amount of coverage you need.

Can you buy insurance for your trip to the USA after arriving in the United States?

Yes, but it may take a day or two for the coverage to go into effect, so if you get sick during the interim, you won’t be covered.

In conclusion, having travel insurance for a trip to the USA is always a good idea. Plus, there are USA holiday insurance plans for any kind of trip, traveler, and budget.

We consider Heymondo to be the overall best insurance for travel to the USA . With its affordable prices and extensive coverage, it’s a great value for money. It’s also the only insurance that pays your medical expenses upfront, so you don’t have to cover the cost of ridiculously priced healthcare and then file a claim for reimbursement.

If you decide to go with Heymondo, don’t forget to take advantage of our Heymondo discount code below.

Of course, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below if you have any other questions about travel insurance for visitors to the USA . I’d be happy to help you out!

Stay safe, and have a great trip to the States!

best family travel insurance usa

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Viaje Costa Oeste en 10 días - Mejor Ruta para ver Parques Nacionales de Estados Unidos Monument Valley

2 replies on “ 4 Best Travel Insurance for the USA in 2024 ”

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Any ideas for Death Valley and Alabama Hills photo tour?

What are your suggestions for a Yosemite trip?

Thank you, Renate

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Hi Renate, Our Death Valley & Alabama Hills photo tour is actually going on now! But you can sign up for next year 🙂 We also have an awesome guide on things to do in Yosemite , so I suggest checking it out!

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Passing Thru Travel

Passing Thru Travel

Travel Insurance 2024 – 10 Things You Need to Know – Choosing the Right Policy for International Trips

Posted: February 20, 2024 | Last updated: February 20, 2024

<p><strong>Traveling internationally is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its share of uncertainties. Choosing the right travel insurance is one of the most important steps in planning your trip. Travel insurance can protect you from many unexpected circumstances, from medical emergencies and trip cancellations to lost luggage and flight delays. This guide will explore ten different travel insurance offerings, helping you make an informed decision for your next international journey.</strong></p>

Traveling internationally is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its share of uncertainties. Choosing the right travel insurance is one of the most important steps in planning your trip. Travel insurance can protect you from many unexpected circumstances, from medical emergencies and trip cancellations to lost luggage and flight delays. This guide will explore ten different travel insurance offerings, helping you make an informed decision for your next international journey.

<p><span>World Nomads is widely acclaimed for its flexibility and comprehensive coverage, catering especially to adventurous travelers. Their policies often include activities that other insurers typically exclude, such as scuba diving, skiing, and hiking. Coverage extends to medical emergencies, trip cancellation, interruption, and baggage loss. They also provide tech gear coverage, a bonus for digital nomads. Their 24/7 emergency assistance is a key feature for those traveling to remote destinations.</span></p> <p><b>Insider’s Tip: </b><span>Check their activity list to ensure your adventure sport is covered.</span></p>

World Nomads

World Nomads is widely acclaimed for its flexibility and comprehensive coverage, catering especially to adventurous travelers. Their policies often include activities that other insurers typically exclude, such as scuba diving, skiing, and hiking. Coverage extends to medical emergencies, trip cancellation, interruption, and baggage loss. They also provide tech gear coverage, a bonus for digital nomads. Their 24/7 emergency assistance is a key feature for those traveling to remote destinations.

Insider’s Tip: Check their activity list to ensure your adventure sport is covered.

<p><span>Allianz Global Assistance offers a variety of plans, allowing travelers to choose a policy that best suits the nature and budget of their trip. Their offerings range from basic emergency medical coverage to more comprehensive plans including trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage loss, and emergency medical transportation. Their annual plans are economical for frequent travelers. The 24/7 assistance service is invaluable for dealing with emergencies or unexpected changes in travel plans.</span></p> <p><b>Insider’s Tip: </b><span>Consider their multi-trip annual plans if you travel frequently.</span></p>

Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz Global Assistance offers a variety of plans, allowing travelers to choose a policy that best suits the nature and budget of their trip. Their offerings range from basic emergency medical coverage to more comprehensive plans including trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage loss, and emergency medical transportation. Their annual plans are economical for frequent travelers. The 24/7 assistance service is invaluable for dealing with emergencies or unexpected changes in travel plans.

Insider’s Tip: Consider their multi-trip annual plans if you travel frequently.

<p><span>Travelex is renowned for its user-friendly policies, providing essential coverage like trip cancellation, interruption, medical expenses, and evacuation. They have a particular focus on family travel, with children under 17 covered at no extra cost under a parent’s policy. The Travel Select plan stands out for its upgrade options, allowing travelers to add coverage for adventure sports, additional medical coverage, and car rental protection.</span></p> <p><b>Insider’s Tip: </b><span>Their Travel Select plan is highly customizable with upgrades.</span></p>

Travelex Insurance Services

Travelex is renowned for its user-friendly policies, providing essential coverage like trip cancellation, interruption, medical expenses, and evacuation. They have a particular focus on family travel, with children under 17 covered at no extra cost under a parent’s policy. The Travel Select plan stands out for its upgrade options, allowing travelers to add coverage for adventure sports, additional medical coverage, and car rental protection.

Insider’s Tip: Their Travel Select plan is highly customizable with upgrades.

<p><span>AXA Travel Insurance offers a range of plans, including single-trip, multi-trip, and annual plans, each with varying levels of coverage. They cover medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and baggage loss, and offer additional options like “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage. Their plans are known for high coverage limits and the option to add adventure sports coverage, making them a versatile choice for different types of travelers.</span></p> <p><b>Insider’s Tip: </b><span>Look into their “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage for ultimate flexibility.</span></p>

AXA Travel Insurance

AXA Travel Insurance offers a range of plans, including single-trip, multi-trip, and annual plans, each with varying levels of coverage. They cover medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and baggage loss, and offer additional options like “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage. Their plans are known for high coverage limits and the option to add adventure sports coverage, making them a versatile choice for different types of travelers.

Insider’s Tip: Look into their “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage for ultimate flexibility.

<p><span>IMG specializes in medical travel insurance, ideal for travelers prioritizing health coverage. Their plans range from basic medical coverage to comprehensive policies that include evacuation, trip cancellation, and adventure sports. They also offer unique plans for travelers such as expats and missionaries. The inclusion of pre-existing conditions and their global network of hospitals make them a strong contender in medical travel insurance.</span></p> <p><b>Insider’s Tip: </b><span>Their global network of hospitals can be particularly useful.</span></p>

IMG (International Medical Group)

IMG specializes in medical travel insurance, ideal for travelers prioritizing health coverage. Their plans range from basic medical coverage to comprehensive policies that include evacuation, trip cancellation, and adventure sports. They also offer unique plans for travelers such as expats and missionaries. The inclusion of pre-existing conditions and their global network of hospitals make them a strong contender in medical travel insurance.

Insider’s Tip: Their global network of hospitals can be particularly useful.

<p><span>Seven Corners stands out for its flexibility and range of plan options. They offer medical coverage, trip cancellation, and interruption insurance, with unique features like the ability to choose your medical facility abroad. Their RoundTrip plans are particularly beneficial for trip cancellation, offering reimbursement for trip costs due to unforeseen cancellations.</span></p> <p><b>Insider’s Tip: </b><span>Their round-trip plans are great for trip cancellation coverage.</span></p>

Seven Corners

Seven Corners stands out for its flexibility and range of plan options. They offer medical coverage, trip cancellation, and interruption insurance, with unique features like the ability to choose your medical facility abroad. Their RoundTrip plans are particularly beneficial for trip cancellation, offering reimbursement for trip costs due to unforeseen cancellations.

Insider’s Tip: Their round-trip plans are great for trip cancellation coverage.

<p><span>Travel Guard by AIG offers a comprehensive range of travel insurance plans. Their offerings include medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss, and flight insurance. The Gold Plan is notable for its family-friendly coverage, offering coverage for children at no additional cost, making it an excellent option for family vacations.</span></p> <p><b>Insider’s Tip: </b><span>Their Gold Plan is ideal for families traveling with children.</span></p>

Travel Guard by AIG

Travel Guard by AIG offers a comprehensive range of travel insurance plans. Their offerings include medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss, and flight insurance. The Gold Plan is notable for its family-friendly coverage, offering coverage for children at no additional cost, making it an excellent option for family vacations.

Insider’s Tip: Their Gold Plan is ideal for families traveling with children.

<p><span>HTH Worldwide is known for its high medical coverage limits and extensive network of medical providers worldwide. They cover various medical services, including pre-existing conditions and medical evacuation. Their plans also cater to students and expatriates. The mobile app, which helps find local healthcare providers, is a notable feature for travelers in unfamiliar destinations.</span></p> <p><b>Insider’s Tip: </b><span>Use their mobile app to find qualified medical care internationally.</span></p>

HTH Worldwide

HTH Worldwide is known for its high medical coverage limits and extensive network of medical providers worldwide. They cover various medical services, including pre-existing conditions and medical evacuation. Their plans also cater to students and expatriates. The mobile app, which helps find local healthcare providers, is a notable feature for travelers in unfamiliar destinations.

Insider’s Tip: Use their mobile app to find qualified medical care internationally.

<p><span>Cigna Global is a leader in international health services, offering extensive medical insurance coverage. Their customizable plans allow travelers to add modules like vision and dental care. Their 24/7 customer support, providing assistance and guidance in medical emergencies, is a critical feature.</span></p> <p><b>Insider’s Tip: </b><span>They offer 24/7 customer support, which is useful for emergencies.</span></p>

Cigna Global

Cigna Global is a leader in international health services, offering extensive medical insurance coverage. Their customizable plans allow travelers to add modules like vision and dental care. Their 24/7 customer support, providing assistance and guidance in medical emergencies, is a critical feature.

Insider’s Tip: They offer 24/7 customer support, which is useful for emergencies.

<p><span>Generali Global Assistance provides traditional travel insurance coverage along with specialized services. Their plans cover trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and baggage loss, and offer concierge services. Their premium plans are ideal for sports enthusiasts, offering coverage for sporting equipment and adventure sports activities.</span></p> <p><b>Insider’s Tip: </b><span>Their premium plans offer coverage for sporting equipment.</span></p>

Generali Global Assistance

Generali Global Assistance provides traditional travel insurance coverage along with specialized services. Their plans cover trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and baggage loss, and offer concierge services. Their premium plans are ideal for sports enthusiasts, offering coverage for sporting equipment and adventure sports activities.

Insider’s Tip: Their premium plans offer coverage for sporting equipment.

<p><span>Choosing the right travel insurance policy is crucial for peace of mind on your international travels. Whether you prioritize medical coverage, trip cancellation insurance, or specific needs like adventure sports coverage, there is a policy to suit your travel style. Always read the fine print, understand the extent of the coverage, and consider any pre-existing conditions you might have. With the right travel insurance, you can embark on your international adventures knowing you’re well-protected against the unexpected.</span></p> <p><span>More Articles Like This…</span></p> <p><a href="https://thegreenvoyage.com/barcelona-discover-the-top-10-beach-clubs/"><span>Barcelona: Discover the Top 10 Beach Clubs</span></a></p> <p><a href="https://thegreenvoyage.com/top-destination-cities-to-visit/"><span>2024 Global City Travel Guide – Your Passport to the World’s Top Destination Cities</span></a></p> <p><a href="https://thegreenvoyage.com/exploring-khao-yai-a-hidden-gem-of-thailand/"><span>Exploring Khao Yai 2024 – A Hidden Gem of Thailand</span></a></p> <p><span>The post <a href="https://passingthru.com/travel-insurance-things-you-need-to-know/">Travel Insurance 2024 – 10 Things You Need to Know – Choosing the Right Policy for International Trips</a> republished on</span> <a href="https://passingthru.com/"><span>Passing Thru</span></a><span> with permission from</span> <a href="https://thegreenvoyage.com/"><span>The Green Voyage</span></a><span>.</span></p> <p>Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Song_about_summer.</p> <p><span>For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.</span></p>

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right travel insurance policy is crucial for peace of mind on your international travels. Whether you prioritize medical coverage, trip cancellation insurance, or specific needs like adventure sports coverage, there is a policy to suit your travel style. Always read the fine print, understand the extent of the coverage, and consider any pre-existing conditions you might have. With the right travel insurance, you can embark on your international adventures knowing you’re well-protected against the unexpected.

More Articles Like This…

Barcelona: Discover the Top 10 Beach Clubs

2024 Global City Travel Guide – Your Passport to the World’s Top Destination Cities

Exploring Khao Yai 2024 – A Hidden Gem of Thailand

The post Travel Insurance 2024 – 10 Things You Need to Know – Choosing the Right Policy for International Trips republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Song_about_summer.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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15 Best Family Vacation Spots in the US, From Cape Cod to Charleston

By Kimberly Wilson and Jamie Spain

Albuquerque NM

There is something extra special about enjoying a family vacation surrounded by all of your loved ones, but finding a location that appeals to everyone can feel like trying to solve a puzzle, especially when you start weighing in factors like affordability, transportation, dining options, and more. Luckily, you don't have to go too far to experience the trip of a lifetime thanks to all the amazing, kid-friendly destinations right here in the US. From touring museums in Chicago in between trips to The Bean and Crown Fountain, to splashing around on the beach in Maui after a surfing lesson, there are plenty of excellent kid-friendly destinations for the whole family reachable without a passport.

Whether you're planning a multi-generational family trip and are looking for fun for all ages, or are the parents of preteens hoping to engage them in interesting new pursuits, we've found some great options to choose from. Read on for 15 of the best family vacation spots in the US—nature lovers, city dwellers, history buffs, skiers, and beach bums will all find a little something to enjoy.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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Adventurous, nature-loving families will adore a dreamy vacation at Lake Tahoe . In the summer, it's the perfect destination for lake-life activities, from swimming and boating to jet-skiing and paddleboarding. When the weather starts to get cooler, ski season sets in, and excited families can spend winter break relaxing at one of the many ski resorts in between runs. If you're feeling adventurous, older kids will enjoy whitewater rafting or mountain biking, while those of all ages can enjoy the plethora of hiking, biking, and swimming spots dotted around the area. Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks is perfect for adrenaline seekers thanks to its zip lines, ropes courses, and elevated bridges.

Where to stay in Lake Tahoe:

  • For ski-in/ski-out: Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
  • For golfing and nature walks: Everline Resort & Spa
  • For seclusion: The Landing Resort

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Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Whether you're checking in for a winter break trip or booking a summer getaway, Jackson Hole has a little something for everyone. Adventurous families can go in the winter for the spectacular ski scene while summer-breakers can enjoy equally gorgeous vistas in the warm weather. The lush wilderness of the Jackson Hole Valley is home to Grand Teton National Park , and is just a short trip from Yellowstone , making it the perfect base to tour all the spectacular nature in the area. This is a particularly great trip for outdoorsy families who are interested in hiking, biking, and enjoying the surrounding flora and fauna. If you've had enough of the great outdoors, head to the town of Jackson to walk through the galleries, shops, and restaurants.

Where to stay in Jackson Hole :

  • For a budget-friendly option: The Lodge at Jackson Hole
  • For a rooftop terrace with a view: Cloudveil, Autograph Collection
  • For a stay in the heart of town: Hotel Jackson

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Charleston, South Carolina

The charming city of Charleston is a dream destination for foodies and architecture lovers alike. The brightly colored streets will pull you in, and the delicious barbecue , seafood, and southern cuisine will keep you there. From beautiful beaches to self-guided walking tours to afternoon tea at Hotel Bennett —a luxe experience your older ones won't soon forget—there's so much to do you'll have trouble fitting it all in. The Charleston Museum and Gibbs Museum of Art are both worth a visit, while those with a little more energy to expend will enjoy a trip to one of the water parks or playgrounds in the area. Take a horse-drawn carriage or a boat ride to see the city in style. The Charleston City Market and Charleston Farmers Market are both fun daytime activities for the whole family.

Where to stay in Charleston :

  • For a magnificent view: The Dewberry Charleston
  • For a central location: Charleston Place
  • For big groups: Adorable guesthouse rental

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Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks have long been a popular vacation spot for East Coasters, but they are having an even bigger moment right now thanks to the hit Netflix show of the same name. During the day, bask in the sun and enjoy a plethora of family-friendly beach activities from swimming and picnicking to more adventurous pursuits like kayaking and sailing. You can also take a turn on land and admire the view from one of the classic East Coast lighthouses, like the Currituck Beach Lighthouse , or explore the massive sand dunes. When the sun sets, gather the whole family and embark on a foodie mission to The Blue Point , where you can enjoy tasty Southern cuisine and fresh seafood.

Where to stay in the Outer Banks :

  • For a waterfront resort: Sanderling Resort
  • For sunset views: Two-bedroom beach house
  • For a great location: Private rental above the boardwalk

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Maui, Hawaii

While a trip to Hawaii may require a bit more planning depending on which coast you're coming from, it is well worth it. Older kids will love the chance to see aquatic wildlife and plants while snorkeling and enjoy a surfing lesson at one of the beginner breaks, like The Cove or Launiupoko. Between miles of beaches, lush rainforests, and picturesque cliffsides, this is the Hawaii that you'll see on the front of a postcard, complete with everything from the iconic plumeria flowers (often used in leis) to the bright blue waters. Check in to one of the many family-friendly beach resorts on Maui , and spend your days relaxing and enjoying island life. Visit the local shops, sneak in a hike or two, and take a tour through the Maui Tropical Plantation , where you can take the Tropical Express tram while learning more about the fruits, vegetables, and flowers grown on the farm.

Where to stay in Maui :

  • For a beachfront resort: Wailea Beach Villas Resort
  • For a massive pool: Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
  • For a low-key oceanfront experience: Outrigger Ka’anapali Beach Hotel

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Orlando, Florida

Home to more theme parks than you could ever hope to explore during one trip, Orlando has plenty to do for the whole family. The crowning jewel of the Floridian city is, of course, Disney World, home to Magic Kingdom , Epcot , Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, but don't overlook other nearby options, including SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Islands of Adventure . Beyond just amusement parks, there are a ton of other great activities to get up to in the area, including some beautiful golf courses, fun shops, and tasty restaurants for the whole family.

Where to stay in Orlando :

  • For an overwater bungalow in Disney: Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
  • For an animal escape in Disney: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • For a theme park-less getaway: JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
  • For an off-Disney stay with a kids program: Waldorf Astoria Orlando

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Washington, DC

Our country's capital is home to some absolutely spectacular free activities, which makes it a great trip destination for large families that want to get a lot done without having to spend an arm and a leg on tickets. The National Mall is a must-see, as are the bevy of other free activities, including all of the Smithsonian Museums like the National History Museum and the National Air and Space Museum, the United States Botanic Gardens , the Library of Congress , the National Arboretum , and the National Archives Building . If your little ones aren't yet history buffs, you can also bike the National Mall or Dupont Circle, or take a spooky ghost tour.

Where to stay in Washington, DC :

  • For history: The Jefferson
  • For unparalleled views: The Pendry Washington DC
  • For privacy and space: Three-bedroom in Dupont Circle

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Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City features all the excitement of a big metropolis without quite as much frenzied energy as you'll find in New York . Sitting right on Lake Michigan, the best time to visit Chicago is during the spring and summer before the frigid winters set in (although winter does bring the iconic Christkindlmarket and ice skating at Millennium Park). From the Shedd Aquarium and the Lincoln Park Zoo to the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium , there are so many exciting things to do and see in this city. Don't forget a trip to Millennium Park where kids can splash around in Crown Fountain or take funny pictures with The Bean.

Where to stay in Chicago :

  • For jaw-dropping views: The Peninsula Hotel
  • For a fun kids program: Viceroy Chicago
  • For a stellar location: LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton

Catalina Island CA

Catalina Island, California

Who says you have to hop on a flight to the Caribbean for an unforgettable island getaway? Located just 22 miles off the coast of Long Beach, and reachable only by ferry or helicopter, Catalina Island’s top selling point is its relative seclusion—and chances are, anything you’re looking for in a vacation, the island has it. You can go zip-lining 600 feet in the air or drive a biofuel-powered Hummer up into the mountains for a dose of adventure, or spend an afternoon with your feet in the sand at Descanso Beach Club , where the kids can splash around in the waves while parents stay shoreside with a cocktail. When it’s time to turn down for the night, Hermit Gulch Campground in Avalon is the ideal DIY option; though if you can’t live without a complimentary pair of slippers, there are always the bright, cheery rooms at Hotel Atwater .

Where to stay on Catalina Island:

  • For bright and colorful rooms: Hotel Atwater
  • For campers: Hermit Gulch Campground
  • For a plush stay: Bellanca Hotel

Albuquerque NM

Albuquerque, New Mexico

There’s a reason New Mexico is known as the “Land of Enchantment.” It's one of the best family vacation spots in the US because it's an ideal year-round destination, but also because there’s something to suit every preference. And Albuquerque, with its easy access to national parks like White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns, and unmatched mountain views, also offers plenty of opportunities for education: Stop in at the Albuquerque Museum , where the Only in Albuquerque exhibit traces the story of the city through local artifacts, or the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center , owned and operated by the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico, to learn about Pueblo Indian history and art. (You can also drive 15 minutes northwest of downtown to Petroglyph National Monument , where you can see upward of 17,000 etchings made by Puebloans on the area’s volcanic rock more than 400 years ago.) But we’d also recommend taking in the city from above: hop on the Sandia Peak Tramway , which stretches all the way up to the 10,378-foot crest of the Sandia Mountains, or book a hot air balloon ride with Apex Balloon Rides . Spend the night at El Vado Motel , a historic, recently renovated motel along the iconic Route 66 , for some welcome throwback kitsch.

Where to stay in Albuquerque :

  • For a historic motel: El Vado Motel
  • For a spot in Old Town: Hotel Chaco
  • For a unique experience on a farm: Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm

Hilton Head SC

Hilton Head, South Carolina

With miles and miles of white sandy beaches, biking trails, family-friendly resorts like the Omni Hilton Head , golf courses, and delicious Low Country cuisine and seafood (try the stuffed shrimp or fried oysters at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks ), it’s no surprise our readers have voted this southeastern getaway the number one US island for seven years in a row. But more than that, Hilton Head’s unique cultural history makes it an important educational destination, too. Learn about the country’s first self-governed town of formerly enslaved people at Mitchelville Freedom Park , or spend the day with local guide Sallie Ann Robinson, a sixth-generation Gullah native, on nearby Daufuskie Island , to immerse yourself in the area’s Gullah culture.

Where to stay in Hilton Head :

  • For resort life: Omni Hilton Head
  • For a private beach house: Two-bedroom townhouse
  • For a 7x Readers' Choice Award–winning stay: Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort

Moab UT

Pinned between two spectacular national parks, you’ll never run out of things to see in this city in southeastern Utah . One day, you can hike among the rock formations at Arches National Park or explore the mesas in Canyonlands National Park; and the next, you can book a rafting trip on the Colorado River with Western River Expeditions . And that’s hardly scratching the surface: There’s also canyoneering, mountain biking, and Hummer tours, plus the opportunity to spend a night under the stars with s’mores while glamping at Under Canvas Moab . Bring the family over to Moab Giants Dinosaur Park & Museum (many dinosaur bones have been found in the area) and spend an afternoon digging for fossils or following the Dinosaur Trail, where you can walk around life-size dinosaur replicas and see the tracks each one once left behind, back when they roamed the earth.

Where to stay in Moab :

  • For glamping: Under Canvas Moab
  • For modern amenities: Moab Resort
  • For easy access to national parks: Field Station Moab

Old Town Alexandria VA

Alexandria, Virginia

This quaint city on the Potomac River, just a 20-minute drive south of Washington, DC , is a great addition to any trip to the District. But there’s also plenty enough to do to make it worthy of a stand-alone trip, as our readers know—after all, they voted it one of the best small cities in the US this year. In the historic Old Town district, step back in time while walking along the cobblestone pathways of King Street, home to centuries-old architecture, or get a history lesson at the Alexandria Black History Museum . If you prefer to explore by sea, take a riverboat tour on the Potomac or hop on board Tall Ship Providence for a look at a replica of a navy ship from the 1770s. Spend a few nights at The Alexandrian, in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, where families can take a ride around town on the complimentary bikes and splash around in the heated indoor pool; come Saturday morning, you can mosey over one block to the Old Town Farmers' Market , which has been operating continuously at the site since 1753.

Where to stay in Alexandria:

  • For family-friendly activities: The Alexandrian
  • For historic charm: Morrison House Old Town Alexandria
  • For relaxation and tranquility: Lorien Hotel and Spa

Cape Cod MA

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod has remained a favorite of vacationing families for generations—and for good reason. From the moment you cross Sagamore Bridge (or Bourne Bridge—both connect the island to mainland Massachusetts), you, too, will be swayed by all it has to offer. The picturesque ocean views and fresh-from-the-water lobster rolls are just the beginning. For a dose of family fun, visit the historic, 48-foot-tall Nauset Lighthouse , which dates back to the 19th century and played an important role in the area’s maritime history, and spend the rest of the day communing with nature at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary , where kids can learn about the area’s wildlife and habitats on a 45-minute clue-filled quest. The Villages at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club , at the northern tip of the peninsula, has a massive pool, plus activities for kids of all ages, from oyster bed tours and tennis lessons to stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking on its very own Blueberry Pond.

Where to stay in Cape Cod :

  • For a quintessential New England summer: Red Jacket Beach Resort
  • For activities galore: Villages at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
  • For a nearby Nantucket escape: White Elephant Hotel Nantucket

Finger Lakes Region NY

Finger Lakes, New York

Covering over 9,000 square miles that wrap around 11 narrow blue lakes, New York’s Finger Lakes region is a natural marvel. It's the ultimate escape for families seeking a vacation filled with outdoor adventure, farm-to-table food (we love the restaurant at Elderberry Pond , which sits on its own farm, for a special, “we’re-on-vacation” lunch), and, when the season is right, ample leaf peeping opportunities. Spend a few nights at the recently opened Lake House on Canandaigua , just a five-minute walk from Canandaigua Lake State Marine Park. Not only is the hotel easy on the eyes, with its warm, breezy design; it also provides plenty of prime family time extracurriculars, including kite flying, bike riding, and arts and crafts activities like print-making and rock painting. Beyond hotel walls, the Strong National Museum of Play has plenty of interactive games for kids, like DanceLab and Imagination Destination, while the Corning Museum of Glass offers them a chance to create their very own glass-blown souvenir.

Where to stay in the Finger Lakes:

  • For proximity to a state park: Lake House on Canandaigua
  • For a modern boutique: Gould Hotel
  • For a dreamy, historic experience: Inns of Aurora Resort and Spa

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The Best Travel Insurance for Students

Alisha McDarris

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 does travel insurance for students cover?

How much does travel insurance for students cost, travel guard: best for budget travelers, world nomads: best for adventurers, allianz: best for premier travel benefits at a lower cost, geoblue navigator for students: best study abroad health insurance, more tips for purchasing study abroad travel insurance.

If you’re a student who’s planning to travel internationally or study abroad, it’s a good idea to go prepared with comprehensive student travel insurance. But where do you find plans tailored to your unique needs?

These companies offer some of the best options for travel insurance for students, whether you’re globe-trotting for a week, a semester or a whole year.

Student travel insurance can vary from plan to plan. But there are a few things you should look for whether you’re an exchange student, studying abroad or simply planning an international trip between classes.

Trip cancellation insurance : This coverage reimburses you for any prepaid, nonrefundable costs of your trip should you have to cancel for any unexpected circumstances covered by your selected policy. 

Travel medical coverage : If you become ill or get injured while traveling, travel medical coverage can help pay for medical expenses and even emergency travel back home.

Travel delay insurance : In the event of rescheduled or canceled flights that result in painfully long layovers, this coverage will reimburse you for personal items, food and lodging you may have to pay for as you wait for a rescheduled flight.

Delayed baggage : Just as it sounds, this coverage reimburses you for luggage (including necessities you might have to purchase while you wait for your luggage to arrive) if it’s delayed or lost by a travel provider in transit.

» Learn more: When to buy travel insurance

As with travel insurance for more general travelers, there are several factors that affect the cost of travel insurance for study abroad students and other young travelers, including:

Traveler age.

Overall trip cost.

Trip duration.

Specific coverage selected.

Because there are so many factors involved, and because every travel insurance company is different, it’s often wise to compare a number of plans to decide which is best for you and your travel plans. That said, these are some of the best student travel insurance options.

» Learn more: Best annual travel insurance this year

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Travel Guard by AIG

  • Offers last-minute coverage.
  • Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
  • Plan available for business travelers.
  • Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
  • Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.

What Travel Guard covers

There are several options available from Travel Guard for travel insurance for students studying abroad or simply exploring on break: Deluxe, Preferred and Essential.

They all include trip cancellation and interruption, medical coverage, and lost or delayed baggage insurance. Bonus: They even come with dental coverage. Add-ons like car rental coverage and “cancel for any reason coverage” are also available with some plans.

There is also an annual plan available, but coverage automatically expires if any single trip lasts longer than 90 days, so it wouldn’t likely be sufficient for more than a semester abroad.

Multiple price points for a wide range of coverage options.

Dental coverage included.

24/7 emergency assistance available with all plans.

If you plan on participating in adventure sports, the Adventure Sports Bundle is only available as an add-on on some Preferred and Deluxe plans.

» Learn more: Read our full review of Travel Guard

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World Nomads

  • Travelers can extend coverage mid-trip.
  • The standard plan covers up to $300,000 in emergency evacuation costs.
  • Plans automatically cover 200+ adventurous activities.
  • No Cancel For Any Reason upgrades are available.
  • No pre-existing medical condition waivers are available.

What World Nomads covers

Designed for independent, often more adventurous travelers, World Nomads offers several travel insurance options for students of any age.

While plans may seem more expensive than some other options, it’s important to remember that these plans include medical treatment and evacuation if you are injured while participating in some adventure sports. Plans also cover medical expenses, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss and delay, and include 24/7 travel assistance.

Many adventure sports are covered.

Some plans include car rental coverage.

Dental is covered.

Pre-existing conditions aren’t covered.

» Learn more: Best adventure sports travel insurance

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  • Annual or single-trip policies are available.
  • Multiple types of insurance available.
  • All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
  • More expensive than average.
  • CFAR upgrades are not available.
  • Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

What Allianz covers

A well-known travel insurance company, Allianz offers a number of travel insurance plans that may appeal to students.

All plans include epidemic coverage, trip cancellation and interruption, medical and dental coverage, baggage loss and delay, and 24-hour assistance. And premium plans tend to offer similar coverage as other insurance companies but at a lower price.

There’s also an annual plan available called AllTrips, but it doesn’t cover individual trips longer than 45 consecutive days.

Includes epidemic coverage (including for COVID-19).

Covers 100% of prepaid costs if you cancel your trip for a covered reason.

The cost to change flights or other transportation is covered on some plans if you have to change or cancel bookings because of a covered reason.

Rental car coverage not included on any plan.

» Learn more: NerdWallet's Allianz review

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  • Flexible deductible options.
  • Wide ranging medical coverage.
  • Low prices for medical only needs.
  • Lacks in traditional travel insurance coverage options such as trip Interruption, bag delays, etc.
  • Better when paired with travel credit card insurance coverage.

What GeoBlue covers

Designed for students staying in one place for more than a week or even a whole semester, GeoBlue’s Navigator for Students plan is perfect for students studying abroad who are more concerned with health care coverage than travel-related benefits.

It’s designed more like traditional health insurance with deductibles, monthly payment plans and unlimited annual maximums when it comes to medical care. It covers medical care inside and outside the U.S., making it a good overall health insurance if you plan to travel back and forth. Travel vaccinations, emergency medical transportation and repatriation are even covered.

What’s not covered are more typical travel-related expenses like lost baggage, delayed flights and trip cancellation. But the medical coverage is so comprehensive that if you want travel-specific coverage, you could opt to purchase a more budget-friendly plan for each specific trip.

Unlimited annual maximum for medical benefits.

Sliding payment scale to customize your deductible-to-monthly premium payments.

Preventive care is covered.

Dental and vision benefits are extra.

Coverage for most travel-related snafus isn’t included.

» Learn more: GeoBlue travel insurance review : Is it worth the cost?

The best travel insurance for students studying abroad or traveling between semesters or even on holiday breaks is insurance that’s best suited to you and your travel plans.

Before you hit “Add to cart,” compare several plans, make sure to read the fine print and understand what’s covered (and, just as importantly, what’s not ). Select a plan that offers the coverage required to help you feel safe, secure and protected wherever you roam.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

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

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on Chase's website

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

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

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 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 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

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.

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

best family travel insurance usa

IMAGES

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  2. Family Travel Insurance Ultimate Guide

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  4. The Best Family Travel Insurance (2023)

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  5. How To Buy The Best Family Travel Insurance

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  6. The Best Travel Health Insurance for Families

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COMMENTS

  1. The 5 Best Family Travel Insurance Plans

    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 ...

  2. Best Family Travel Insurance

    Overall, the average cost of a plan came out to $257.78, though one plan priced out far below the rest. Basic coverage cost. Recommended for. Allianz Travel. $453. Those with pre-existing ...

  3. 4 Best Family Travel Insurance Plans of 2024

    Best family travel insurance. Best for families with young children: Allianz. Best for affordability: Faye. Best for CFAR coverage: Travel Insured International. Best for cruises: Berkshire ...

  4. 11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in March 2024

    Best for emergency medical coverage. Allianz Global Assistance. Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions. Travel Guard by AIG. Best for those who pack expensive equipment. Travel ...

  5. 11 Best Travel Insurance Companies Of March 2024

    AXA Assistance USA - Best for Baggage. Generali Global Assistance - Great for Pre-Existing Medical Condition Coverage. HTH Worldwide - Best for Trip Interruption. Nationwide (Cruise Choice ...

  6. The Best Family Travel Insurance Companies

    Top 6 Travel Insurance Plans for Families. Below is our list of the best travel insurance companies for all-inclusive resort vacations: Travelex: Our pick for budget travelers. Berkshire Hathaway ...

  7. 10 Best Family Travel Insurance Plans for 2024

    6. Allianz. Allianz is one of the largest insurance providers in the world, and they have built a wide variety of plans to cover virtually any type of situation. You have many options if you purchase your family travel insurance from Allianz. The chances of you finding a plan that best suits your family are high.

  8. Best Travel Insurance Companies of March 2024

    Best travel insurance companies of 2024. WorldTrips: Best travel insurance. Travel Insured: Best for emergency evacuation. TravelSafe: Best for missed connections. Aegis: Best for traveling with a ...

  9. The best travel insurance policies and providers

    For a single trip, multiple trips or long term. Covered by most policies. $15/25. IMG. Single trip or multiple trips (travel insurance and travel medical insurance options are available). Waived under set conditions for travel insurance; covered but capped for single-trip travel medical insurance. $17/$94.

  10. Travel Insurance For Families

    The medical coverage in a travel insurance policy covers your family temporarily while traveling. It pays for emergency medical costs, for instance hospital and doctor bills, X-rays, lab work and ...

  11. 9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of March 2024

    Summary of Money's 9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of March 2024. Generali Global Assistance - Best for Emergency Support Services. HTH Travel Insurance - Best for Long-Term Insurance for International Travel. TravelInsurance.com - Best for Comparing Travel Insurance Quotes.

  12. Best Family Travel Insurance

    *price used for example. 1. Travelex, the best affordable travel insurance for a family. If you need the cheapest travel insurance for the family, look no further than Travelex.Their Travel Select plan is the most affordable travel insurance plan for families of all the ones I compared since children ages 1 to 17 are included at no additional premium if traveling with one paying adult.

  13. Family Travel Insurance Plan

    Your family travel insurance plan will cover any of the individuals on your policy. Benefit limits are listed at the maximum limit per insured. For example, if the plan lists $50,000 in medical expense coverage on your schedule of benefits, you will have up to $50,000 in coverage for each individual covered under the policy.

  14. How to Find the Best Travel Insurance

    Nerdy takeaways. Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, emergencies, trip interruptions, baggage, rental cars and more. Cost is affected by trip length, pre-existing medical conditions ...

  15. Discovering The Best Family Travel Insurance Plans

    Here are the best options for travel insurance for family: 1. Allianz Travel. If you're seeking the best family travel insurance plans, Allianz Travel Insurance stands out for its excellent trip insurance with comprehensive medical benefits. Specifically tailored for families, it offers family travel medical insurance covering pre-existing conditions.

  16. The 11 Best Annual Travel Insurance Policies in 2023

    Costs will vary by your home state, age, and number of people included in the policy. Here are the "starting at" costs for our best annual travel insurance policies, sorted from lowest to highest: Policy Name. Starting Price. Allianz Travel AllTrips Basic Plan. $138.

  17. The Best Annual Travel Insurance Of 2024

    The cost of a multi-trip policy will primarily depend on the coverage levels included and your age. Travelers. Average annual travel insurance cost. Two travelers age 30. $554. One traveler age 40 ...

  18. 4 Best Travel Insurance for the USA in 2024

    2. SafetyWing, a cheap travel insurance to the USA. If you're on a budget, SafetyWing is the best choice for cheap travel insurance to the USA. It offers a good amount of medical-related coverage, which is crucial in a country like the United States, where even a simple doctor's visit can be expensive.

  19. Best Travel Insurance for Visiting the USA

    Travelers to the U.S. need travel medical insurance to cover costs in case of illness or injury while visiting. Learn about options and choose what fits your needs.

  20. Cheap travel insurance

    Annual multi-trip travel insurance. This covers all trips taken during the period of time the policy covers. You can also get travel insurance to cover different people: Family travel insurance. Generally covers parents, and children who live with them. Couples' travel insurance. Covers the two named policyholders.

  21. 4 Best Annual Travel Insurance Options in 2024

    Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for: Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. No annual fee: Bank of ...

  22. Travel Insurance 2024

    IMG specializes in medical travel insurance, ideal for travelers prioritizing health coverage. Their plans range from basic medical coverage to comprehensive policies that include evacuation, trip ...

  23. How To Save Money On Travel Insurance If You're Over 60

    Some travel insurance companies offer reduced coverage for older travelers. For example, INF has policy maximums up to $250,000 for policyholders who are older than 70 to ease the concerns of ...

  24. 15 Best Family Vacation Spots in the US, From Cape Cod to Charleston

    For an overwater bungalow in Disney: Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. For an animal escape in Disney: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. For a theme park-less getaway: JW Marriott Orlando, Grande ...

  25. The Best Student Travel Insurance

    What Travel Guard covers. There are several options available from Travel Guard for travel insurance for students studying abroad or simply exploring on break: Deluxe, Preferred and Essential ...