Understanding International Travel Insurance
Most domestic health insurance policies provide either limited or no coverage overseas. With limited exceptions, Medicare usually does not cover medical bills outside the United States. This leaves visitors open to hefty medical expenses should they become sick or injured while abroad. In a Kaiser Family Foundation 2023 research study, 25% of Americans with employer-sponsored health insurance said they lacked coverage for emergency care overseas. Moreover, the U.S. Travel Insurance Association approximates that medical evacuations could cost $100,000. These possible expenses emphasize the need for foreign travel insurance.
Types of International Travel Insurance
Different needs call for various kinds of international travel insurance, which come in several forms.
Comprehensive Plans: These bundle various coverages, including trip cancellation/interruption, medical expenses, medical evacuation, baggage loss/delay, and 24/7 assistance. They offer broad protection but are typically more expensive.
Travel Medical Plans: These focus primarily on medical emergencies abroad, covering hospital stays, doctor visits, and evacuations. They're cheaper than comprehensive plans but don't cover trip disruptions.
Medical Evacuation/Repatriation: This specialized coverage handles emergency transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility or back to the traveler's home country. It's crucial for travelers going to remote areas with limited healthcare access.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: This reimburses prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs if the trip is canceled or cut short for covered reasons (e.g., illness, severe weather, natural disasters).
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR): This add-on to some comprehensive plans offers partial reimbursement for trip cancellations regardless of the reason, providing greater flexibility but increasing the premium.
Comparing International Travel Insurance Providers
Based on a hypothetical 10-day trip to Italy costing $2,000 for a 40-year-old traveler, the following compares three top international travel insurance companies, showing their salient features and pricing. Age, trip length, destination, and coverage quantity affect prices and specifics. For the most accurate information, always compare quotes straight from suppliers or utilize a comparison tool.
HTH Worldwide: Offers comprehensive plans with high medical coverage limits. Their Economy plan (around $75 for the sample trip) is a cost-effective option for basic coverage.
Nationwide offers comprehensive plans with options for cruise insurance and coverage for pre-existing conditions. Their Essential plan costs around $76 for the sample trip.
AXA Assistance USA: Offers tiered plans (Silver, Gold, Platinum) with varying coverage levels. Their Silver plan (around $70 for the sample trip) is a budget-friendly choice for shorter trips.
Travel Insured International (C&F): Known for customizable plans and family-friendly options. Their Protector plan offers free coverage for children under 17.
Allianz Travel Insurance: Offers comprehensive plans with Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrades and coverage for one child under 17 for free with specific plans.
Seven Corners offers comprehensive travel and medical evacuation plans. It also provides CFAR upgrades and specialized coverage for adventure activities.
GeoBlue specializes in travel medical insurance, with high coverage limits and a network of international clinics. It offers medical-only plans for budget travelers.
Trawick International: Offers various plans, including comprehensive, medical-only, and evacuation plans, focusing on affordable options for longer trips.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Plan
Trip Length and Destination: Longer trips and destinations with high medical costs may require higher coverage limits.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Travelers with pre-existing conditions should check for waiver options and ensure adequate medical coverage.
Activities: Adventure activities often require specialized coverage that is not included in standard plans.
Budget: Balance the insurance cost with the potential financial risks of traveling uninsured.
Using Travel Insurance Comparison Websites
Websites such as Squaremouth, InsureMyTrip, TravelInsurance.com, and AARDY let you compare quotations from several travel insurance companies, helping you identify a plan that fits your budget and needs. Customer evaluations and ratings on these websites also provide insights into other visitors' experiences using different insurance providers.
| Provider | Best For | Plan Name (Example) | Trip Cancellation | Trip Interruption | Travel Delay | Missed Connection | Baggage Loss/Damage | Baggage Delay | Medical Expense | Medical Evacuation | Pre-existing Conditions Waiver | Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) | Other Notable Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz Travel Insurance | Pre-existing Medical Condition Protection & Families with young children | OneTrip Prime | Up to $100,000 | Up to $150,000 | Up to $800 | Up to $500 per trip | Up to $1,000 | Up to $300 | Up to $50,000 | Up to $500,000 | Available with select plans | Available (80% reimbursement) | 24/7 assistance, concierge services, rental car coverage upgrade, kids under 17 free on some plans |
| International Medical Group (IMG) | International Travelers & Seniors | iTravelInsured Travel LX | 100% of trip cost | 150% of trip cost | Up to $250/day, $2,000 max | $500 | $2,500 | $500 (12+ hour delay) | Up to $500,000 | $1,000,000 | Available | Available (75% reimbursement) | Covers travelers up to 99, 24/7 assistance, various plan options including for seniors |
| John Hancock Insurance Agency | Comprehensive Coverage & Seniors | Silver | 100% of trip cost | 150% of trip cost | $150/day, $750 max | $750 | $1,000 | $500 | Up to $100,000 | Up to $500,000 | Available | Available (75% reimbursement) | High coverage limits, 24/7 travel assistance, 14-day refund (most states) |
| Nationwide | Cruises | Choice Cruise | 100% of nonrefundable trip cost | 150% of nonrefundable trip cost | $750 | $500 | $2,500 | $500 (8+ hours) | $100,000 | $500,000 | Available (if purchased within 14 days of trip) | Available with Prime Plan (75% reimbursement) | Specialized cruise plans, free quotes, flexible plans |
| Travel Guard (AIG) | Specialized Coverages & Customization | Preferred | Up to 100% of trip cost | Up to 150% of trip cost | $200/day, up to $800 (after 5 hours) | $1,000 (after 3 hours) | Up to $1,000 | Up to $300 | Up to $50,000 | Up to $500,000 | Available (if purchased within 15 days) | Optional add-on (50% reimbursement) | Various upgrades available (car rental, lodging), medical bundle upgrade available |
| Seven Corners | International Travel Medical, CFAR | Trip Protection RoundTrip Choice | 100% Trip Cost* | 150% Trip Cost* | $1,500 ($150/day) | $750 | $1,500 | $500 (6+ hours) | $250,000 | $500,000 | Available | Available (75% reimbursement) | Various plan options, upgrades for baggage, sports |
| Trawick International | Affordable International, Travel Medical | Safe Travels Voyager | 100% of Trip Cost | 150% of Trip Cost | $2,000 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $750 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | Available | Available | 24/7 assistance, various plan options |
| Tin Leg | Pre-existing Conditions | Economy | 100% of trip cost (up to $20,000) | 150% of trip cost | $500 | $100 | Up to $500 | $200 | Up to $20,000 | Up to $100,000 | Available with most plans | Available (75% reimbursement) | Sports & activities coverage, various plan options |
| GeoBlue | Medical-only coverage | Voyager Choice | Not Covered | Post-Departure Trip Interruption up to $1,000 | $750 | Up to $200 (min. three hours) | $500 | $250 | Up to $500,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Available | Not Covered | 24/7 assistance, large provider network |
| Faye | Trip delay coverage & Affordability | Single Trip Plan | Up to trip cost | 150% of trip cost | $300/day, $4,500 max | Up to $200 (min 3 hours) | $2,000 | $500-$750 | $50,000- $1,000,000 | $250,000-$500,000 | Available | Available (75% reimbursement) | Digital claims process, add-ons available |
| World Nomads | Adventure Sports | Explorer | Up to $10,000 | 150% of trip cost | Up to $500 | Up to $500 | $3,000-$5,000 | $100/day, $500 max | Up to $100,000 | Up to $500,000 | Available with Explorer and Epic plans | Available (75% reimbursement) | Covers 200+ adventure activities, can purchase after departure |
| Travel Insured International | Families | Worldwide Trip Protector Platinum | 100% of trip cost | 150% of trip cost | $2,000 ($200/day) | $1,000 | $2,500 | $750 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | Available | Available (75% reimbursement) | Kids free with some plans, job loss is covered reason for cancellation |
