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The 5 Best International Travel Insurance Companies for 2024
U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.
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The 5 Best International Travel Insurance Companies for 2024
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 International Travel Insurance Companies.
With demand for international travel still on the rise, buying travel insurance makes more sense now than ever before. Having an international travel policy in place will ensure you won't lose the money you spent if your trip is canceled or interrupted for reasons beyond your control – or if your bags are delayed or lost entirely by your airline or cruise line.
Other protective benefits come from the best international travel insurance policies as well, including travel medical coverage for unexpected medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. You may even find that the destination you plan to visit requires travel insurance, although most countries have dropped travel insurance requirements they initially put in place due to the pandemic.
U.S. News editors compared more than 20 of the top providers to find the best travel insurance companies for trips around the world. If you're hoping to secure the best international travel policy for your needs this year, the policies outlined below provide a solid foundation for you to start your research.
While many countries began mandating travel insurance for visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, most have loosened entry requirements and dropped this condition by now. Countries that still require international visitors to have travel insurance include the following:
Antarctica: Travel medical insurance is generally required by cruise lines and tour operators for trips to Antarctica, with a standard minimum of $100,000 in emergency medical and evacuation coverage.
Ecuador: You do not need travel insurance to visit the country of Ecuador, but you do need insurance with medical coverage to visit the Galápagos Islands.
Qatar: Travelers visiting Qatar for more than 30 days are required to have a travel insurance policy that is approved by the country's Ministry of Public Health.
Saudi Arabia: Visitors to Saudi Arabia from eligible countries must pay for an eVisa, and the cost includes compulsory travel insurance coverage.
International travel insurance works the same as travel insurance for domestic trips. These plans include various coverage options and coverage limits, and a deductible may or may not apply. Travelers can choose to purchase international travel insurance for a single trip or multiple trips; long-term plans for expats and missionaries are available from some providers.
While travel insurance policies can include a broad range of coverages, the main protections you'll want for international trips include the following:
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage: This type of protection can reimburse you for prepaid travel expenses when a trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason beyond your control.
Baggage delay insurance: This coverage can pay for incidental expenses that occur when your bags are delayed for a specific period of time (usually six hours or longer).
Lost luggage coverage: This protection can replace your luggage and your belongings or reimburse you for costs if your bags are lost by a common carrier.
Rental car insurance: This type of insurance may provide primary coverage when you rent an eligible rental car.
Emergency medical and dental coverage: This type of insurance will pay for emergency medical treatment or dental expenses that may arise during your trip.
Emergency evacuation coverage: This protection can pay for emergency transportation costs when you're sick or injured during your trip.
Also note that many travelers booking an international trip choose to purchase travel insurance that offers cancel for any reason protection, so they can cancel a trip for any reason at all, even if they just decide they don't want to go. That said, adding CFAR coverage to your policy will make your travel insurance plan more expensive. Most plans also have limits on how much of your prepaid travel expenses can be refunded, which are usually capped between 60% to 80% of your trip costs.
While coverages offered through international travel insurance plans tend to be broad, keep in mind that this type of insurance won't cover every situation that could arise. Some common issues that are not covered by international travel insurance plans include:
Acts of war
Claims due to air or water pollution
Claims due to natural disasters
Epidemics not specifically included in coverage
Extreme, high-risk sports
Government regulations or proclamations
Nuclear radiation and contamination
Terrorist events
Travel bulletins or alerts
Many travel credit cards offer international travel insurance benefits, but you should know that these coverages have some limitations. For example, travel insurance plans from credit cards never provide meaningful amounts of coverage for medical emergencies or dental emergencies. You also have to pay for each trip with your travel credit card for coverage to apply.
The best international health insurance plan depends on factors like the length of your trip, where you're traveling and how much coverage you need. While you can take the time to get quotes from several different companies, websites like TravelInsurance.com and Squaremouth make it easy to compare coverage details, limits and pricing among several providers all in one place.
The cost of international travel insurance varies and can depend on your age, the length of your trip, your total trip cost and other factors. Consider getting multiple travel insurance quotes through TravelInsurance.com to get an idea of the cost of coverage for your upcoming travel plans.
Allianz Travel Insurance offers a range of plans that can work well for international trips, whether you want to lock in travel insurance for a single trip, multiple trips or an entire year. You can purchase a comprehensive international travel plan through Allianz that includes all the major coverages you would expect, or opt for specialized coverage for international medical expenses, car rentals and more.
For international trips, the OneTrip Prime plan is a top choice: It includes key benefits like trip cancellation or interruption protection as well as coverage for emergency medical situations and emergency transportation. Coverage for preexisting conditions can be added to the plan provided you purchase it within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. Children ages 17 and younger also get covered for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent, making it a great option for family travel insurance.
This plan comes with the following included benefits and coverage limits:
Trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000
Trip interruption coverage up to $150,000
Emergency medical coverage up to $50,000
Emergency medical transportation coverage up to $500,000
Trip change protector coverage worth up to $500
Baggage loss and damage coverage up to $1,000
Baggage delay coverage up to $300 (12-hour delay required)
Travel delay coverage up to $800 ($200 per day)
Individuals planning an international trip can also customize their insurance by adding on cancel for any reason coverage. CFAR protection lets travelers call off their trip if they decide not to go for any reason, and this coverage from Allianz can get you reimbursed up to 80% of nonrefundable costs.
AIG Travel Guard offers three main international travel insurance plans to choose from with varying limits that can suit your needs best: the basic Essential plan, the mid-tier Preferred plan and the comprehensive Deluxe plan. Basic coverage options in every plan include trip cancellation and interruption coverage, luggage protection, baggage delay coverage, coverage for travel medical expenses, and Medevac protection for emergency medical evacuations. That said, you can also customize your coverage with some of their plans by adding cancel for any reason coverage, rental car protection, lodging expense protection and coverage for preexisting medical conditions.
With the most affordable Essential plan, you can secure the following coverages for your international trip:
Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost
Trip interruption coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost
Baggage coverage worth up to $750
Up to $200 in coverage for baggage delays
Travel medical expense coverage worth up to $15,000
Up to $150,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
Generali Global Assistance is a top provider for international trips due to its robust protections and limits for emergency medical expenses. This provider offers three different tiers of travel insurance coverage: the basic Standard plan, the mid-tier Preferred plan and the Premium plan. Each tier offers similar coverages, yet the limits are higher for Preferred and Premium plans.
For international trips, consider the Premium travel insurance plan from Generali. This tier of coverage includes the following:
Trip cancellation coverage up to 100% of the trip cost
Trip interruption coverage up to 175% of the trip cost
Travel delay coverage up to $1,000 per traveler ($300 daily limit)
Up to $2,000 per person in baggage protection
Up to $2,000 in coverage for sporting equipment
Up to $500 per person for baggage delays
Up to $500 per person for sporting equipment delays
Up to $1,000 per person in protection for missed connections
Up to $250,000 per person in coverage for emergency medical and dental procedures
Up to $1 million in coverage for emergency assistance and transportation
Up to $25,000 per person in rental car coverage
Up to $100,000 per plan in accidental death and dismemberment coverage
The Premium tier of travel insurance from Generali can also be customized with coverage that lets you cancel your trip for any reason and get 60% of your prepaid travel expenses back.
World Nomads is a good option for international travelers who love adventure sports since this company intentionally provides coverage for more than 200 activities like scuba diving, mountain biking, bungee jumping, surfing, skiing and more. World Nomads also lets you tailor your travel insurance to your needs, but every plan includes coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions, emergency accidents and sickness, travel delays, delayed or lost baggage, and rental cars. Plans also include 24-hour travel assistance services, which can help you coordinate alternate travel arrangements or medical care if something goes wrong during your trip.
You can also customize your World Nomads coverage based on how much protection you need for a specific trip. This is due to the two main coverage options World Nomads has to offer: the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. If you want the best medical coverage for adventure travel you can buy with this provider, opt for the Explorer Plan to receive the following:
Up to $10,000 in coverage for trip cancellation
Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses
Up to $500,000 in protection for emergency medical evacuation
Up to $3,000 in protection for damage or theft to your bags or gear
Other included benefits in this plan can vary based on your state of residence, so make sure to get a free quote to find out your specific coverage options and costs.
GeoBlue offers international travel medical insurance that applies specifically to health care expenses incurred outside your home country. Travelers can buy coverage for a single trip or multiple trips at once, but you can also purchase extended insurance for international travel that lasts at least three months.
The company's single-trip Voyager Choice plan is likely the best option for an international trip that requires travel health insurance coverage. Not only does this plan include coverage for single trips that last up to 182 days, but it also comes with your choice of medical limits and deductibles up to a maximum of $1 million for emergency medical expenses. The Voyager Choice plan even covers preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation, provided individuals already have a current U.S. health plan. Better yet, travelers have the freedom to choose any international doctor or facility for services based on their needs.
Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has covered travel and travel insurance for more than a decade. Johnson 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. On a personal level, her family uses an annual travel insurance policy from Allianz. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg – who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states – in their family media business.
U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.
