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The Best Travel Medical Insurance of 2024

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Seven Corners »

GeoBlue »

WorldTrips »

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 Travel Medical Insurance Plans.

Table of Contents

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners

Buying travel insurance is a smart move for any type of trip, but you may not need a policy that covers everything under the sun. If you don't need coverage for trip cancellations or delays because you're relying on your travel credit card to offer these protections, for example, you may find you only need emergency medical coverage that works away from home.

Still, travel medical coverage varies widely based on included benefits, policy limits and more. If you're comparing travel insurance plans and hoping to find the best option for unexpected medical expenses, read on to learn which policies we recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term travel insurance usually describes a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes coverage for medical expenses as well as trip cancellations and interruptions, trip delays, lost baggage, and more. Meanwhile, travel medical insurance is coverage that focuses on paying for emergency medical expenses and other related care.

Travelers need international health insurance if they're visiting a place where their own health coverage will not apply. This typically includes all international trips away from home since U.S. health plans limit coverage to care required in the United States.

Note that if you don't have travel health insurance and you become sick or injured abroad, you'll be responsible for paying back any health care costs you incur.

Many travel insurance policies cover emergency medical expenses you incur during a covered trip. However, the included benefits of each policy can vary widely, and so can the policy limits that apply.

If you're looking for a travel insurance policy that offers sufficient protection for unexpected medical expenses, you'll typically want to choose a plan with at least $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical care and at least that much in protection for emergency medical evacuation and transportation.

However, higher limits can provide even more protection from overseas medical bills, which can become pricey depending on the type of care you need. As just one example, Allianz says the average cost of emergency medical evacuation can easily reach up to $200,000 or more depending on where you’re traveling.

Your U.S. health insurance policy almost never covers medical expenses incurred abroad. The same is true for most people on Medicare and especially Medicaid. If you want to ensure you have travel medical coverage that applies overseas, you should purchase a travel insurance plan with adequate limits for every trip. Read the U.S. News article on this topic for more information.

The cost of travel medical insurance can vary depending on the age of the travelers, the type of coverage purchased, the length of the trip and other factors. You can use a comparison site like TravelInsurance.com to explore different travel medical insurance plans and their cost.

• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Overall
• Seven Corners: Best for Families
• GeoBlue: Best for Expats
• WorldTrips: Best Cost

Coverage for preexisting conditions is available as an add-on

Easy to purchase as needed for individual trips

Relatively low limits for medical expenses

No coverage for trip cancellations or trip interruption

• Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Up to $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage loss and damage
• Up to $600 in baggage delay insurance
• Up to $1,000 for travel delays
• Up to $10,000 in travel accident insurance
• 24-hour hotline assistance
• Concierge services

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Purchase comprehensive medical coverage worth up to $5 million

Coverage for families with up to 10 people

Low coverage amounts for trip interruption

Medical coverage options vary by age

• Up to $5 million in comprehensive medical coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency evacuation coverage
• Up to $10,000 in coverage for incidental trips to home country
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for terrorist activity
• Up to $500 in accidental dental emergency coverage
• Up to $100 per occurrence in coverage for emergency eye exams
• $50,000 in coverage for local burial or cremation
• 24/7 travel assistance
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment per traveler
• Up to $500 for loss of checked baggage
• Up to $5,000 for trip interruptions
• Up to $100 per day for trip delays
• Up to $50,000 for personal liability

Qualify for international health insurance with no annual or lifetime caps

Use coverage within the U.S. with select providers

Deductible from $500 to $10,000 can apply

Doesn't come with any nonmedical travel insurance benefits

• Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $25,000 for repatriation of mortal remains
• $50,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment

High limits for medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation

Covers multiple trips over a period of up to 364 days

Deductible of $250 required for each covered trip

Copays required for medical care received in the U.S.

• Up to $1,000,000 of maximum coverage
• Up to $1,000,000 for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $10,000 for trip interruptions
• Up to $1,000 for lost checked luggage
• Up to $100 per day for travel delays
• Up to $25,000 in personal liability coverage
• Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19
• Ability to add coverage for your spouse and/or child(ren)
• Repatriation of remains coverage up to overall limit
• Up to $5,000 for local burial or cremation 
• $10,000 to $50,000 for common carrier accidental death

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 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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Buying the Best Travel Medical Insurance for You [2024]

Christy Rodriguez

Travel & Finance Content Contributor

88 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 36 U.S. States Visited: 31

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

45 Published Articles 3394 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 50 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

What is travel medical insurance, what does travel medical insurance cover, what doesn’t travel medical insurance cover, what travel medical insurance isn’t, how does travel medical insurance work, how much does travel medical insurance cost, which company has the best travel medical insurance, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

The thought of getting sick or injured while traveling can be one of the most stressful aspects of planning a trip. Often, travelers assume that their primary health insurance will cover all costs of medical expenses on their trip, but not every health insurance plan covers every country and situation.

To ensure you have coverage if you need it, you may need to consider purchasing travel medical insurance. This can fill the gap between your regular insurance and any coverage you may have with your credit cards . We’ll break down all of the important details and tell you everything you should know about travel medical insurance.

If you are traveling domestically within your own country, you will likely be covered by your primary health insurance. If you are traveling abroad, your coverage may not extend to those other countries. This is primarily where travel medical insurance comes into play.

Travel medical insurance is a type of international insurance designed to cover emergency health care costs you might face when you are traveling or vacationing abroad.

A travel medical policy can be an important addition to your trip since your primary health plan may not cover you fully if you need assistance outside of your home country. An uninsured injury or illness abroad can result in a huge financial burden that can be significantly reduced by having travel medical insurance.

Bottom Line: Travel medical insurance is recommended by the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to Allianz Travel, the most common overseas medical emergencies that are claimed include:

• Fractures from falls
• Cardiovascular problems such as a heart attack or stroke
• Trauma involving motor vehicles
• Respiratory problems such as a collapsed lung

So going with that first item, let’s say you’re exploring Europe and end up twisting your ankle on the beautiful, but uneven cobblestone streets in Rome. Depending on the plan you choose, you may be covered for:

• The cost of a local ambulance to transport you to the hospital
• Your emergency room co-payment
• The bill for your hospital room and board
• Any other eligible medical expenses, up to your plan limits

But there are limitations to travel medical insurance. Before you purchase a plan, it’s important to know exactly what you are buying — including which things are and aren’t included in your coverage.

Travel medical plans are designed to help in the event of an unforeseen illness or injury while traveling abroad. Travel medical insurance offers emergency medical expense coverage as well as emergency evacuation coverage. This means that the plan will reimburse you for reasonable and customary costs of emergency medical and dental care (up to the plan limits — discussed below).

It is important to look closely at all plans you are interested in since many important things are hidden in the details. You might also find it helpful to brush up on your insurance lingo before doing this.

Plan Limits

Travel medical insurance covers emergency medical costs up to the plan limit. Plan limits vary greatly by plan but typically fall between $50,000 and $2,000,000. This is obviously a HUGE range, so you will have to determine the correct amount of coverage based on a few key items:

• How much (if any) will your own health insurance plan or credit card cover when you’re traveling outside of your home country? As we discussed above, Medicare doesn’t cover you at all outside of the U.S., so this would be an instance where you might want your plan’s coverage limit to be higher.
• How long is your trip? If you’re going to be away for more than 1 to 2 months, you might want a higher plan limit to account for the greater exposure to risk.
• Do you need extra coverage due to risky activities? For example, if you expect to ski, mountain climb, or do any other risky activities where you might get injured, you might want a higher plan limit.
• What do you feel comfortable with?  If you feel safer having $100,000 as opposed to $50,000, then that may be the right decision for you. This insurance plan should provide you a sense of security so you can enjoy your trip.
• Deductibles

Most medical single trip plans have some sort of deductible that you must pay before any benefits will be paid. After this, your travel medical insurance will cover any remaining costs, up to the plan’s limit.

However, you will be offered the option to increase, decrease, or remove the deductible altogether. Based on this choice, the price you pay (aka the premium) will be affected accordingly. For example, if you choose a higher deductible, your premium will decrease. If you choose a lower (or no) deductible, your premium will increase.

Length of Trip

You are covered by travel medical insurance based on the type of plan you purchase. These come in 3 types:

Single-Trip Coverage

This is the most common type of travel medical insurance. When you leave your home, go on a trip, and then return home, this is considered to be a single trip. While on your trip, you can still visit multiple countries and destinations all under the umbrella of this single trip. You will be covered for the duration of this trip under a single trip travel medical insurance plan.

Multi-Trip Coverage

Multi-trip coverage is for multiple trips and often purchased in 3-, 6-, and 12-month segments.

Long-Term Coverage

This is continuous medical coverage for the long-term traveler (think expats or people working abroad) and is typically paid on a monthly basis.

Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover COVID-19?

Many travel insurance policies offer good medical coverage, but not all plans cover expenses related to COVID-19 . If that’s important to you, make sure to verify that the plan you’re buying specifically covers you in case you contract COVID-19.

In general, cancellations due to fear of travel are not covered. However, some plans cover you if you or your covered traveling companion were to become sick as a result of COVID-19. This means that you could still receive benefits for the losses that are covered by the plan.

Many countries around the world , such as Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates, are even requiring travelers to hold a specific level of medical coverage to account for COVID-19-related medical care and evacuation.

In addition, “ Cancel for Any Reason ” has become a hot topic. This optional coverage is not available with all plans but lets you cancel a trip for a partial refund no matter what your reason — including unexpected travel bans, lengthy quarantine periods, or cancellations due to concerns over COVID-19.

Since travel medical insurance is meant to cover emergencies, certain types of expenses are excluded from most travel medical policies. In addition, for insurance purposes, a pre-existing condition is general defined as any condition:

• For which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within a defined period of time prior to your coverage date (varies from plan to plan, but is typically within 60 days to 2 years)
• That would cause a “reasonably prudent person” to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment prior to your coverage date
• That existed prior to your effective date of coverage, whether or not it was known to you (commonly includes pregnancy)

Hot Tip: You do not need a medical examination in order to purchase travel insurance. If you have a claim, the insurance company will investigate to ensure that your claim occurred during the coverage period of your policy and wasn’t a result of any pre-existing conditions.

Here are some of the most frequent exclusions:

• Pre-existing conditions as defined above
• Routine medical examinations and care (i.e. wellness exams, ongoing prescriptions, etc.)
• Routine prenatal, pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care
• Medical expenses for injury or illness caused by extreme sports
• Mental health disorders
• Injury caused by the effects of intoxication or illegal drugs
• Payments exceeding the plan limit

Unless you’ve purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan, other exclusions include claims related to:

• Trip cancellation
• Lost luggage
• Rental car damage

Be sure to read the description of coverage for any plan you’re considering before you make the purchase. While reading the entire document front to back can be tedious, it’s better to know what’s excluded before you attempt to make a claim.

Now that we’ve let you know what is and isn’t covered by travel medical insurance, we’ll also breakdown the difference between travel medical insurance and other similar options.

Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance plans offer the most benefits of all plan types and will typically include medical coverage. It can offer you additional coverage for things like trip cancellation, trip delay and cancellation, lost luggage, and more. It’s the best way to cover a host of potential common travel-related problems.

Some comprehensive plans also offer additional coverage for things like rental car damage, Cancel for Any Reason, or a pre-existing condition waiver.

Bottom Line: Comprehensive travel insurance is a full-service plan and includes travel medical coverage as well as other coverages that will protect all aspects of your trip. 

Health Insurance

You might be thinking that already have medical insurance provided by your employer or through Medicare. However, when you travel to other countries, your primary health insurance might not go with you. Before your trip, check to see whether your domestic plan provides any coverage once you’ve left your home country since many offer limited or no coverage.

In case of a medical emergency, you will want to be able to lay your hands quickly on your travel insurance plan’s contact information for the 24-hour Emergency Assistance program as well as your policy number, so make sure to keep this information somewhere that is easily accessible. Also, be sure you know how to place a call to that number from outside the country.

This is important because you’ll be required to call your travel insurance provider and notify them that you need to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible. Obviously, you may not be medically able to call before you seek emergency medical treatment, but you should do so as soon as you are able to.

The earlier you can call, the more likely it is that you can avoid any issues for payment of claims and you can also get help and advice from the company’s emergency assistance program.

Bottom Line: Specific details on when and how to contact your insurance provider in case of a medical emergency vary by plan and provider, so thoroughly review these details in your plan information.

For example, in the event of an emergency that requires emergency medical evacuation, your insurance provider will have to approve the evacuation and even make those arrangements for you. If you don’t call ahead to have them do this, the company may not approve the expense and you may be stuck paying for the evacuation in full.

Once you are actually at a medical facility to receive care, make sure to document the experience as thoroughly as possible. This means asking for copies of all of your records before you check out. You’ll need to provide these records to the insurance company when you eventually file your claim and having proof of treatment and costs will assist you in filing a successful claim and getting your money back as soon as possible.

Travel medical insurance plans can vary widely in price, but in general, plans cost anywhere between 4-10% of your total non-refundable trip cost. The pricing of any plan takes into consideration many things, including a few that we discussed above, to determine the cost. These include:

• Age of travelers
• Plan limits
• Supplemental plans such as “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage or coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Length of trip

In addition, if you decide that a comprehensive plan is a better choice for you, this will also increase the price.

The best travel medical insurance company for you may be determined by what type and how much coverage you’d like to have. Let’s review a few options and companies to consider.

Credit Card Coverage

Many premium cards have some medical coverage, so be sure to look over all of the best credit cards for travel insurance coverage and protection.

For example, cardholders of The Platinum Card ® from American Express may already have $15,000 of secondary medical coverage . For many, this may be enough, but for others, you may not feel comfortable at this level of coverage and want to purchase a travel medical insurance policy.

Travel Medical Insurance Policies

If you are looking to purchase a plan from a reputable company, a few options include:

1. Patriot Travel Medical Insurance from IMG Global

For the out-of-country plans, Patriot offers:

• Short-term travel medical coverage
• Coverage for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Daily or monthly rates
• Freedom to seek treatment with the hospital or doctor of your choice

The following plans are available based on the level of coverage that you desire and you can request a quote through their website linked above.

2. GeoBlue Single Trip Traveler Medical Insurance

GeoBlue offers both the “Voyager Choice” and “Voyager Essential” single trip plans. Both plans allow you to choose your level of medical coverage (from $50,000 up to $1 million) and offer $500,000 in emergency medical transportation and repatriation coverage.

The main difference between the 2 plans is that the Choice plan does not require you to be covered by a primary health plan, but doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. The Voyager plan will cover all pre-existing conditions, but functions as a secondary coverage after your primary health plan.

3. Allianz Travel Medical Insurance

Allianz offers an Emergency Medical plan that offers additional benefits that extend beyond simply medical coverage. This plan is a comprehensive plan that covers lost baggage and trip cancellation and delay, in addition to emergency medical coverage. See just a few of these benefits below:

In addition, many companies, such as AAA,  offer travel insurance through Allianz, so you may receive a further discount if you reference your AAA policy.

Travel medical insurance can be beneficial for most travelers when traveling internationally as most primary health insurance plans won’t cover you abroad. We hope we’ve given you the tools you need to select a plan that works best for you and your travel needs.

At the end of the day, a travel medical plan is a great option if you’re traveling abroad and are not worried about covering trip costs due to a cancellation or added expenses due to a travel delay. Anyone looking for robust coverage for baggage or interruption should consider an upgrade to a more comprehensive plan.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

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Best Travel Medical Insurance in 2024

When planning a vacation, it’s smart to be prepared for the unexpected. From beach getaways to mountain adventures, there’s always a risk that you or a member of your travel group can fall ill or get injured during the trip. Since many primary health insurance providers don’t offer international coverage, many travelers opt for a travel medical insurance policy to cover the costs of medical care and treatment while traveling.

International health coverage is one of the main reasons why Squaremouth users purchase travel insurance. Since many providers offer travel health benefits as part of their policies, Squaremouth has created a list of the most popular travel health insurance providers among travelers this year.

Best Travel Medical Insurance Providers in 2024

• Best Overall Travel Medical Insurance
• Most Affordable Travel Medical Insurance
• Best Medical Travel Insurance for International Trips
• Best Medical Travel Insurance for Remote Trips
• Best Travel Medical Insurance with Pre-Existing Condition Coverage

• Offers primary and secondary travel medical insurance plans
• Emergency Medical coverage up to $250,000
• Optional coverage for domestic trips

Trawick International is consistently among the most trusted travel insurance providers and is one of the bestselling providers among Squaremouth users. Trawick’s single-trip Emergency Medical coverage starts at $50,000, and can rise up to $250,000 with their Safe Travels Voyager plan. Trawick also offers policies that include up to $2,000,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage. With a track record of offering exceptional customer service to travelers, Trawick has earned over a 4/5 star rating from Squaremouth customers.

• Offering medical travel insurance for 30+ years
• Up to $1,000,000 in Emergency Medical coverage
• Optional Sports & Activities upgrades available

Travelers looking for medical coverage while overseas often choose Seven Corners because they offer strong policies at affordable prices. Travelers can choose from a wide-range of health coverage options, with Medical Evacuation coverage starting at $100,000. Seven Corners’ Wander Frequent Traveler Plus plan offers the most medical protection, featuring $1,000,000 in Emergency Medical and $1,000,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage. Seven Corners also offers generous Missed Connection and Travel Delay reimbursement for travelers impacted by common carrier delays during their trip.

• Listed as ‘Best Coverage for Pandemics’ by Forbes
• All policies include ‘Cancel for Covid-19 Sickness’ coverage
• Emergency Medical coverage ranging from $10,000 to $500,000

Tin Leg uses industry data and expertise to create policies that meet the needs of today’s travelers. Tin Leg offers nine plans in total, ranging from Economy to Luxury. Tin Leg’s Gold policy is a favorite amongst international travelers, offering a generous $500,000 in primary Emergency Medical and coverage along with other great benefits. All Tin Leg plans also offer at least $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, which meets Squaremouth’s recommendations for most international trips.

• Travel medical premiums average less than $33
• Innovative ‘Stress Less Benefits’ approach to filing claims
• Up to $500,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage

Travel medical insurance doesn’t have to break the bank. GoReady insurance offers policies with $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and at least $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, meeting Squaremouth’s recommendations for international travel. All GoReady policies listed on Squaremouth received an AM Best Rating of A or higher.

• Average travel medical premium of $38
• All policies received an A++ rating from AM Best Rating
• Emergency Medical coverage ranging from $10,000 to $50,000

Travelex is a popular provider among price-conscious travelers because they offer affordable policies that offer adequate medical benefits. With “low cost” and “luxury” travel plans, Travelex has plans that fit most budgets. All plans from Travelex that are featured on Squaremouth include Travel Delay benefits, 24-Hour Emergency Assistance, and a Money Back Guarantee policy.

• Average medical premium of $39
• Award-winning customer service and claim department
• Up to $1,000,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage

Recognized as “Great for Value” by USA Today, Tin Leg is a favorite amongst budget-conscious travelers due to their competitive prices, benefits, and coverage limits. Tin Leg’s ‘Economy’ plan offers a low-cost way to insure international travel, while its ‘Gold’ plan provides industry-leading benefits at affordable prices.

• Offers plans that meet Squaremouth’s remote travel recommendations
• All plans include ‘Trip Interruption’ coverage
• Sports & Activities benefit included in all policies

Ranked as the top provider in our “Best Travel Insurance for International Travel in 2024”, it’s no surprise that Trawick International gets the top spot in this category. Trawick has many great plans with high medical coverage at affordable prices, such as their Safe Travels Outbound Cost Saver policy. Offering $50,000 in Emergency Medical and $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, this plan meets the bare minimum of Squaremouth’s overseas medical coverage recommendations and would be an adequate policy for most trips.

• All policies meet Squaremouth’s international medical coverage recommendations
• 24-Hour Emergency Assistance available to all policyholders
• Get full refund up to 14 days after purchase if you change your mind

Recognized as one of the “Best travel insurance companies of 2024” by USA Today, Seven Corners is consistently among the top providers of international travel medical insurance among Squaremouth users. Offering $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage per person, along with up to $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, Seven Corners’ Travel Medical Basic plan will offer enough medical coverage for the majority of international trips. Their RoundTrip Choice and RoundTrip Elite plans are also popular among globetrotters, come with great benefits, and meet Squaremouth’s international travel recommendations. offer a generous collection of additional benefits. This meets our recommendation for general international travel.

• Top rated provider by Squaremouth customers (4.6/5 stars)
• Policies include comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits
• Policies backed by data to address today’s traveler concerns

Tin Leg is one of the most popular options for international travel medical insurance because they have a policy for just about every travel situation. From beach vacations to high-priced adventure trips, Tin Leg offers policies for a wide variety of trips, with medical coverage ranging from $50k to $500k. Tin Leg Gold is a popular plan among international travelers due to high medical coverage and a well-rounded collection of benefits that cater to common traveler concerns.

• Multiple policies with $1,000,000 Medical Evacuation coverage
• Non-Medical Evacuation benefit available

When it comes to remote travel, having a travel medical insurance policy with high Medical Evacuation is crucial, as transportation to a treatment facility can be costly. Almost all policies offered by Seven Corners include at least $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, meeting the minimum recommended by Squaremouth for remote trips. If you are planning an adventurous or remote vacation, we recommend Seven Corners’ RoundTrip Basic policy, which exceeds our recommendation by offering up to $250,000 in Emergency Medical and $1,000,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.

• Multiple policies with $2,000,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage
• Annual Policies available to those taking multiple trips in a year
• Most policies offer at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage

With multiple policies with high Medical Evacuation coverage, there are a lot of options out there for travelers visiting those hard to reach destinations. With that said, their Safe Travels First Class plan is a great option with $150,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage and $1,000,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, which meets Squaremouth’s recommendations for trips to remote destinations.

• Emergency customer service department on standby 24/7
• Multiple policies with $100,000+ in Emergency Medical coverage

Tin Leg has a policy for almost every travel scenario, and remote travel is no exception. Their Adventure policy offers $100,000 in primary Emergency Medical coverage, a generous $1,000,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, and plenty of other comprehensive benefits. These are ideal coverage limits for travelers heading off the beaten path. In addition to their Adventure plan, Tin Leg offers a variety of other policies that meet the recommended coverage criteria for remote travel.

• Up to $20,000 per person in Pre-Existing Condition coverage
• Multiple policy options available with Pre-Ex coverage
• Policies with Pre-Ex coverage average $278.01

If you’re looking for a dependable policy that offers Pre-Existing Condition coverage, Trawick International may be for you. Trawick offers multiple policies and coverage limits for travelers looking for this type of coverage. Keep in mind, most policies with Pre-Existing condition protection must be purchased within 7-14 days after the initial trip deposit, depending on the policy.

• Low-cost plans that cover Pre-Existing conditions, with an average premium of $130.74
• Provided international health insurance to travelers for 25+ years
• Globally recognized international health insurance provider

WorldTrips is a reputable travel insurance provider that offers affordable policies with solid coverage for travelers of all ages. All of their policies feature some form of Pre-Existing condition coverage, and their policies are some of the least expensive options available to Squaremouth users.

• Most travel medical plans cover Pre-Existing Conditions
• Over 17,000 Pre-Ex policies purchased in past 12 months
• Policies featured in Forbes and USA Today

Tin Leg offers a few great options for travelers looking for a well-rounded policy that offers Pre-Existing Condition coverage. All Pre-Existing Condition policies offered by Tin Leg also feature cancellation, medical, and delay coverage. To be eligible for these policies, travelers must purchase Tin Leg insurance plans no later than 14-15 days after their initial trip purchase.

What is Travel Medical Insurance?

Travel medical insurance is a type of insurance designed to cover emergency medical expenses and other healthcare-related costs incurred while traveling outside of one’s home country. It provides coverage for unforeseen medical emergencies such as illness or injury that may occur during your trip.

What Benefits Does the Best Travel Medical Insurance Include?

When planning any type of getaway, there’s always the risk that you may need medical attention while traveling. This is the second most common traveler concern, only trailing Trip Cancellation .

Given that most health insurance providers don’t offer international coverage, a travel medical plan is often needed to help pay for overseas hospital bills, ambulance rides, and other treatment-related expenses.

When looking for a well-rounded travel medical insurance policy, it’s important to consider the following benefits:

• Emergency Medical : With medical coverage, travelers may be reimbursed for costs related to treatment overseas, such as hospital bills, x-rays, ambulance services, and lab costs. We recommend having at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage for most international trips, but more coverage may be necessary depending on your destination and itinerary.
• Medical Evacuation : In the event of a true medical emergency, a doctor may order a traveler to be transported to another medical facility or return home to receive treatment. Emergency Medical Evacuation insurance can cover these transportation costs, which can easily rise to tens of thousands of dollars. For most international destinations, we recommend travelers carry $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage, and up to $250,000 for cruisers or travelers going to a remote destination
• Pre-Existing Condition Coverage : Pre-Existing Condition coverage can cover illnesses or other medical conditions that were diagnosed or treated before a trip, as long as they are stable at the time of purchase. While this coverage is not needed for most travelers, it is a helpful benefit to have for those that want coverage from an existing issue. Policies with this coverage will include a look back period, generally between 60 and 180 days, which outlines how far an insurance provider will “look back” to determine if a claim is related to a pre-existing condition.
• Medical Coverage for Covid-19 : While Covid-19 restrictions have decreased in recent times, there is still the possibility that you may contract the coronavirus during your trip. Having a policy that covers Covid-19 treatment can save thousands of dollars in the event you require medical assistance or need to be quarantined. While many policies currently extend their medical coverage to accommodate Covid-19 infections, not every policy will offer protection. Further information can be found in a policy’s details.

Is Travel Medical Health Insurance Ever Required?

Yes, in certain situations, travel medical health insurance may be required or strongly recommended. For example, some countries or tour operators may require you to obtain travel medical insurance prior to your trip. While this is not very common, we advice to research the entry requirements of your destination before you depart.

Even if it’s not explicitly required, having travel medical insurance is highly recommended for all international travelers to protect against unexpected medical expenses and emergencies that may arise during the trip.

How Much Travel Medical Insurance Do I Need?

The amount of travel health insurance you need depends heavily on the type of trip you are taking. It’s important to consider your travel itinerary when comparing plans, and that you take into account the various activities you might be doing while traveling.

For most travelers taking international trips, Squaremouth recommends a travel medical insurance policy with at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage. Plans that meet this criteria should offer enough coverage for most medical bills you face during a trip.

However, for cruisers or travelers with more adventurous itineraries that include potentially dangerous activities or that take you to remote regions, far from hospitals and treatment facilities, you’ll likely want a travel insurance plan that offers more protection. For such trips, we recommend a plan that features $100,000 in Emergency Medical and $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage at the very least.

How Much Does Travel Medical Insurance Cost?

The average travel medical insurance policy costs $89. However, this cost can vary based on several factors, including your trip length, age, destination, and the level of coverage you choose.

Travelers who want fully comprehensive coverage, including cancellation benefits in addition to medical coverage and other travel benefits, can expect their policies to be considerably more expensive. The average comprehensive policy costs travelers roughly $330.

What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Travel Health Insurance?

When comparing travel health insurance policies, you will notice that providers label their Emergency Medical benefit as either “Primary” or “Secondary.” This refers to the order in which a medical claim is paid. For Primary travel health insurance plans, the travel insurance provider will be the first in line to reimburse the claim. On the other hand, Secondary coverage will pay a claim after a traveler has filed with their primary health insurance provider.

It’s important to note that primary travel medical insurance doesn’t necessarily mean better coverage. While primary claims typically settle faster, travelers who opt for secondary Emergency Medical coverage are usually just as satisfied with the level of service and protection. To learn more, read our detailed explanation of the differences between primary and secondary travel insurance .

What Is Excluded From Travel Health Insurance?

Travel medical policies are designed to provide financial coverage to travelers impacted by an unforeseen medical emergency. However, this does not mean that all injuries and illnesses sustained while traveling will be covered by your insurance provider. Common exclusions include:

• Pre-Existing Conditions:: The majority of travel insurance policies will not cover medical bills relating to illnesses or injuries sustained before the trips departure date. However, if a traveler is concerned about a pre-existing medical condition impact their trip, they may be able to purchase the Pre-Existing Condition policy upgrade which would remove this exclusion from their policy.
• Pregnancies: While pregnancy complications may be covered under some travel health insurance plans, most policies will exclude coverage for normal pregnancy activity. This includes childbirth and routine checkups.
• Elective Surgeries: Travelers that plan on undergoing an elective surgery at any point during their trip will likely not be covered by their travel medical insurance plan.
• Sport Related Injuries: Unless otherwise stated, most standard travel health insurance policies won’t cover travelers if they get hurt participating in organized sports or hazardous activities. With that said, some providers have policies specifically designed for travelers with more adventurous or active itineraries.

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Have questions about travel insurance coverage? Call us! 1-800-240-0369 Our Customer Service Team is available everyday from 8AM to 10PM ET.

Travel Medical Insurance: What to Know

Travel medical insurance provides financial protection while traveling, since many u.s. health insurance policies, including medicare and medicaid, don’t typically cover your medical expenses outside of the country..

Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.

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Licensed auto and home insurance agent

3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Updated October 12, 2023

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Table of contents

• Travel medical insurance
• What’s covered

Primary coverage

Secondary coverage.

• Medical evacuation
• Comprehensive coverage

Trip cancellation

• Insurance limitations

Though you never plan to have an accident or get sick during a trip, unexpected emergencies happen. Your U.S. health insurance likely won’t cover any visits to the hospital or emergency care in a foreign country. [1] To ensure you have coverage while traveling, you can purchase a stand-alone policy for travel medical insurance.

What is travel medical insurance?

Travel medical insurance can help fill in coverage gaps if you require emergency or routine medical services while traveling overseas. Even if you have international health insurance that includes care when traveling abroad, it won’t always cover the cost of medical treatments such as X-rays, lab tests, or ambulance services in a foreign country.

Travel medical coverage primarily protects you in the event of an emergency, so long-term travelers should look into purchasing a more comprehensive plan. To prevent extensive financial losses while abroad, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if you and your family members have adequate coverage before you travel.

Before selecting medical insurance coverage, you should compare travel health plans among multiple companies. Some of the best insurers to consider include Blue Shield, Allianz Travel Insurance, American International Group (AIG), HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance, GeoBlue, Generali Global Assistance (GGA), and more.

Does your health insurance plan cover you internationally?

Many health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, are only valid within the U.S. or your home state. While some employer U.S. health plans or private plans provide international travel insurance, it’s important you read the fine print so you know exactly what your policy covers in case of a medical emergency.

Many health insurance plans with international coverage only pay for emergencies that require immediate medical attention while overseas. For example, your insurance may cover a broken bone or a hospital visit if you’re experiencing chest pains. It likely wouldn’t cover any routine medical care.

What travel medical insurance covers

Travel medical insurance covers the cost of unexpected medical expenses while abroad. If you encounter an unexpected injury or illness, your travel medical insurance will reimburse you up to your plan limit.

You can choose from different types of medical travel insurance plans and add-ons when buying coverage. The best travel insurance for you will depend on factors such as where you intend to travel, for how long, and what you plan to do.

Here are five different types of coverage you may encounter while shopping for travel medical insurance.

The difference between primary and secondary coverage has to do with payment priority. With primary medical travel insurance, the insurance plan will pay your medical costs directly, even if you have another health insurance policy. You’ll file any medical claims directly with the company you bought travel medical insurance from, which can help speed up the payment process. [2]

With secondary medical travel insurance, you’ll need to file a claim with your primary healthcare insurance provider first — even if you don’t think the insurer will provide coverage. If the insurer denies your claim or doesn’t fully cover it, you can then file it with the medical travel insurance company.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

An emergency evacuation can be very expensive — especially if it’s in a remote area. Medical evacuation insurance can help cover the costs associated with emergency transportation to an adequate treatment facility. It can also cover the costs associated with transporting you back to the U.S.

Comprehensive travel insurance plan

Some comprehensive policies include medical travel insurance and trip-cancellation coverage if you have to cancel your trip due to something such as severe weather or a natural disaster. Many comprehensive plans also cover trip interruption, medical evacuation, travel delay benefits, and baggage delay.

With medical travel insurance, you can often include trip cancellation insurance as an add-on for an additional cost. Trip cancellation insurance covers trip costs, including your flight, cruise, or train tickets, if you can’t go on your trip. It doesn’t cover any medical care you need while traveling. [3]

Limitations of travel medical insurance

Before confirming your travel plans, check with your insurance company to see if the plan has any limitations or exclusions. Travel medical insurance policies often don’t cover medical bills related to the following three situations.

Pre-existing conditions

A pre-existing condition is a medical condition or illness you’ve had for a certain period before purchasing insurance. It’s possible to purchase insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage. The policies are often time-sensitive and only provide coverage if purchased within a certain number of days of the trip deposit — often 14 days.

High-risk activities

If you’re planning to engage in risky activities or extreme sports, such as skydiving or bungee jumping, check if your travel insurance policy excludes the activities. Many insurance plans won’t cover these risky activities. However, you may be able to purchase extreme sports insurance for additional benefits coverage.

Geographic exclusions

Some insurers won’t provide coverage if you travel to a country that the U.S. Department of State has assigned a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory to. [4] Before traveling to a country with a travel advisory, check with your insurance company to see if your coverage applies.

Travel medical insurance FAQs

Before you take off on your next overseas adventure, you should look into buying a travel medical insurance plan, as well as how you can use it if you need it and how it differs from health insurance coverage.

Who should buy travel medical insurance?

Anyone traveling to a country where their health insurance provider doesn’t provide coverage should consider purchasing travel medical insurance. Certain destinations may require you to purchase it when applying for a visa or staying for a certain amount of time, too.

For example, Schengen Area countries in the European Union require people to have travel medical insurance if they apply for a travel visa, which you’ll need if you’re staying for more than 90 days. [5]

How do you use your travel health insurance?

If you have a medical emergency when traveling and need to use your travel health insurance plan, contact your insurance company immediately. Most travel insurance companies have 24/7 customer service hotlines you can contact for help and information. Your insurer can give you step-by-step instructions on what to do depending on your specific situation.

What is travel insurance vs. medical insurance?

The main difference between travel insurance and regular medical plans is travel insurance only covers you during travel. It’s only valid during your trip to protect you against medical emergencies while you’re away from your home country.

What does medical travel insurance cover?

Travel medical insurance can provide coverage if you have an unexpected illness, injury, or other medical emergency during a trip abroad. U.S. health insurance policies don’t usually cover overseas incidents.

Related articles

• Airbnb Travel Insurance: What Guests Should Know

Visitor Insurance for Parents: What to Know

• Does Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
• Cheapest Travel Insurance
• What Is Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance?
• Do You Need Group Travel Insurance?

What Does Cruise Insurance Cover?

• U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs . " Insurance Providers for Overseas Coverage ."
• Allianz Travel . " Primary Insurance Coverage ."
• Insurance Information Institute . " Should you buy travel insurance? ."
• U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs . " Travel Advisories ."
• U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs . " U.S. Travelers in Europe's Schengen Area ."

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Peace of mind for travel lovers with medical conditions

• Cost-effective travel insurance for hundreds of medical conditions
• Complete your quote in less than ten minutes - online or by phone
• 24/7 access to emergency medical assistance helpline
• Cover for the loss or theft of prescribed medication

Why stop seeing the world?

Medical conditions are a fact of life. That doesn't mean they should hold you back from seeing the world. Whether you are returning to your favourite holiday hotspot or want to make memories somewhere new, we are here to provide effective cover for travel lovers with medical conditions.

Rated 5 Star by Defaqto, our Superior policies offer some of the most comprehensive cover on the market. And we provide flexible options so you can make sure your policy is right for your plans as well as your pocket. It's all about providing peace of mind for a fair price. Because sometimes travel is the best tonic of all.

What makes us medical travel insurance experts?

It all begins with our parent company. Since those fledgling days as a small family business in 1973, Rothwell & Towler has pioneered ways to provide fair, friendly and flexible travel insurance policies to people living with medical conditions. That's not just lip service. We were influential in the creation of the first travel insurance policy for people living with HIV.

Being an expert means using our knowledge to help. Our customer service team is trained in the nuances of common medical conditions. And our screening system allows you to explain how your condition is managed - enabling us to offer policies at more realistic prices. Over the years we have helped hundreds of thousands of people get great cover that leaves more in their holiday pot.

We could do the same for you.

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What if the government has advised against travel?

If you are travelling to a destination that the government has advised against visiting, we may still be able to help you secure a policy. Come and find out more .

Struggling to find suitable medical cover?

The Money & Pensions Service provide a directory of other medical travel insurance specialists who may be able to help if you are struggling to find suitable cover - or you can call them on 0800 138 7777.

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Choose the plan that meets your needs and spend more time enjoying your international experience not worrying about your insurance coverage.

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What type of coverage do you need?

Vacation / holiday, visitor / immigrant, student / scholar, employer / business traveler, expat / global citizen, mission / social good, marine captain / crew.

• Flights / Airfare
• Cruises / Excursions

Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary coverage for accidents, sicknesses, & emergency evacuations when visiting or traveling outside of your home country.

Popular Plans

International health insurance.

Annually renewable international private medical insurance coverage for expats and global citizens living or working internationally.

Travel Insurance

Coverage designed to protect you from financial losses should your trip be delayed, interrupted, or cancelled.

Traveler Services

Non-insurance services for worldwide emergency evacuation, field rescue, medical transport, and 24/7/365 travel assistance.

Enterprise Services

Meet your duty of care obligations with confidence, knowing your travelers are safe, healthy, and connected wherever they may be in the world.

What type of organization do you represent?

• Corporations
• Insurance Companies
• Educational Institutions
• Mission Organizations
• Maritime Industries
• Government Agencies
• Non-Profit Organizations

Medical & Travel Assistance

Global workers' compensation case management, security assistance services, insurance administrative services, see prices & compare our travel medical plans.

T ravel Medical Insurance protects you in the event of an illness or injury when traveling outside of your country of residence. It provides key medical benefits in case of an emergency.

Traveling abroad is an exciting experience, but unpredictable illnesses and accidents can happen. Even worse, the resulting medical bills can be overwhelming. The level of international medical coverage provided by your domestic insurance provider can vary greatly depending on your plan, so you may have very limited coverage or no coverage at all. A travel medical insurance plan can provide the coverage you need. For more information, check out our blog: " How to Choose the Best Travel Medical Insurance Plan ."

Travel medical coverage is ideal for:

• International vacationers
• Relatives visiting from overseas
• People going on cruises, safaris or guided tours
• International business travelers
• Students studying abroad

International Medical Group ®  (IMG ® ) also offers travel insurance  that protects your health as well as your trip costs and travel expenses. And if you need long-term medical coverage, check out our  international health insurance . IMG plans include a wide range of medical benefits, protection, and support should a problem arise.

Popular Travel Medical Plans Ideal for Traveling Outside of Your Home Country

Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary first-class health insurance for individuals, families, and groups

• COVID-19 coverage for travelers to the U.S.
• Coverages for inside and outside the U.S. ( Patriot America Platinum / Patriot International Platinum )
• Short-term travel medical coverage
• Coverage for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Higher Limits & More Coverage than Patriot Lite Travel or Patriot Plus
• Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice

Summary of Benefits

iTravelInsured Travel SE

Family-friendly plan for domestic and international destinations

• Trip cancellation benefit up to 100% of trip cost
• Trip interruption benefit up to 150% of trip cost
• 24/7 access to telehealth services for non-emergency medical issues
• $250,000 per person medical expense coverage for unexpected illnesses & accidents while traveling (including COVID-19)
• Sickness, injury, or death of pet included as trip cancellation/trip interruption covered perils
• Travel protection plan consists of travel insurance and other non-insurance travel assistance services

Plan Benefits

The iTravelInsured Travel SE program is our most popular plan for domestic and international destinations. Travel Insurance benefits are available whether traveling on a cruise, tour or vacation abroad.

Patriot America Plus

Temporary health insurance for non-U.S. residents traveling to the USA

• Coverage for inside the U.S.
• Made for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Coverage for Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions*

Additional Travel Medical Insurance Plans

Patriot Lite Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary health insurance for individuals, families, and groups when traveling outside of your home country.

Visitors Care

Temporary fixed coverage health insurance for non-U.S. residents when traveling outside of your home country.

Student & Scholar Insurance

Student health insurance plans tailored to fit the needs of international students involved in educational or cultural exchange.

GlobeHopper Senior

Temporary health insurance for travelers age 65+ when traveling outside of your home country.

Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical Insurance

Annual multi-trip travel medical insurance for individuals, families and groups.

Outreach Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary health insurance for missionaries and mission groups when traveling outside of your home country.

Need Extra Protection and Coverage?

Explore our travel insurance options.

Why Do I Need Travel Medical Insurance?

D epending on where you travel, you may encounter language and currency barriers that prevent you from accessing high-quality medical care. Check out IMG’s Why You Need Travel Medical Insurance Now More Than Ever to learn more about some of these challenges.

Traveling unprotected can leave you vulnerable to paying high out-of-pocket medical expenses, and navigating a foreign health care system without the assistance you need.

However, with a travel medical insurance plan, you can worry less and experience more knowing you have medical coverage and a trusted health advisor who can support you in your time of need.

Get even more information by checking out our article,  “Do I Need Travel Medical Insurance?”

How Much Does Travel Medical Insurance Cost? Less than $3 per day for an average plan.

Like other travelers, you may be wondering if the coverage is worth the cost. It may surprise you to learn that IMG’s travel medical plans can cost less than $3 per day (based on an average plan) and can provide coverage worth well beyond your initial cost. Pick a plan and get protected.

Factors that Determine Cost The cost of a plan varies based on many factors including:

Age of traveler.

Age is one of the primary factors that determines insurance rates. Each IMG plan has a complete breakdown of insurance rates based on ages that can be found in the plan brochure.

Destination

Medical expenses vary around the world. To provide the best balance of coverage and cost, plan coverage rates may be different for a traveler visiting the United States than they are for a traveler in a destination where healthcare is less expensive.

Duration of Trip

A breakdown of daily rates and monthly rates can be found in IMG plan brochures. If you need long-term coverage (1 year or more), view our international health insurance plans .

Deductible, Maximum Limit, & Additional Optional Coverage

Customize your plan by choosing the deductible amount, maximum limit, and any optional rider that is best for you.

When Is Travel Health Insurance required? Some countries may require you to purchase travel health insurance to gain entry.

Traveling to schengen countries.

Schengen countries require visa applicants to prove they have travel medical insurance to cover expenses for repatriation, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment and more. Read our blog about  Countries that Require Travel Medical Insurance for Entry to learn more.

Other Situations

You may also be required to purchase travel health insurance depending on the purpose of your trip. The U.S., for example, requires those traveling on a J1 or J2 visa to maintain a certain level of medical coverage for the duration of their stay. However, if you're visiting the U.S. on a B2 visa, a travel medical insurance plan is only recommended. Find out How to Choose the Best Visitor Insurance Plan for You .

Travelers embarking on other trips — such as organized tours, working holiday schemes, mission trips, and cruises — may also be required to purchase coverage.

These are just a few reasons when you would be required to purchase Travel Medical Insurance. See the full list for 6 Times You Need to Purchase Travel Medical Insurance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you're planning a trip with multiple destinations, such as a vacation to Europe, you'll want to select the country that you plan on spending the most time in. Your travel medical insurance will cover you for the entirety of your trip and in countries outside of your own.

Yes, the insured does not have to be the one that fills out the application. You can purchase a travel medical plan for your parents, friends, or relatives as long as you have the necessary information.

As non-resident aliens, international students on F, J, M and Q visas (and certain family members of students) are not subject to the individual mandate for their first 5 years in the U.S. All other J categories (teacher, trainee, work and travel, au pair, high school, etc.) are not subject to the individual mandate for 2 years (out of the past six).

Since international students are not subject to the mandate, they are not required to purchase a plan that meets PPACA requirements and can purchase an appropriate IMG plan.

International Students – Exempt as Non-Resident Aliens

Under the IRS international student exemption , anyone “temporarily in the United States on an “F”, “J”, “M”, or “Q” visa for the primary purpose of studying at an accredited academic institution or vocational school (and certain family members of students), and who substantially complies with the requirements of that visa,” is exempt from being treated as a resident alien, and is therefore exempt from the individual mandate as a non-resident alien.

That exemption applies for 5 years. After 5 years, a student is no longer exempt, and the substantial presence test must be applied. See examples here .

Even after 5 years in the U.S., an international student may continue to be a non-resident alien for tax purposes under the “Closer Connection” exception if they can prove that they still have a closer connection to their home country than to the U.S.

The Individual Mandate and Alien / Non-Alien Status

The IRS provides a questions and answers page on the individual mandate. Question 11 asks whether all individuals living in the U.S. are subject to the mandate. The answer is that U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents are subject to the mandate, as are “foreign nationals who are in the U.S. long enough during a calendar year to qualify as resident aliens for tax purposes.” Thus, non-resident aliens are not subject to the individual mandate, even if they have to file a tax return.

Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien?

The IRS states that you are a non-resident alien unless you meet either the green card test or the substantial presence test.

Under IRS Publication 519 , Tax Guide for Aliens (the green card test), green card holders are resident aliens for tax purposes. The substantial presence test uses a formula to count the number of days present in the U.S. over the past 3 years. Generally, you a resident alien after six months of presence in the U.S. – unless you are exempt.

IMG’s international travel medical products are not a substitute for minimum essential coverage that you may need to have under PPACA. However, since most PPACA plans do not provide the types of international benefits and assistance that travelers need, you should strongly consider purchasing an international travel medical plan such as IMG’s Patriot Lite Travel Medical Insurance for coverage while you travel outside of the U.S.

If you are a U.S. citizen, national or an “alien lawfully present” in the U.S., you will need to maintain minimum essential coverage unless you are exempt. Exemptions include:

• Individuals not residing in the U.S.
• Non-U.S. citizens who are “non-resident aliens” (for U.S. income tax purposes). See Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien?
• Individuals with a coverage gap of less than 3 months.
• Individuals who cannot afford coverage (i.e. required contribution exceeds 8% of
• household income).
• Individuals with a religious conscience exemption (applies only to certain faiths).
• Members of a health care sharing ministry.
• Incarcerated individuals.
• Individuals with income below the tax filing threshold; and
• Members of Indian tribes

In general, PPACA does not govern short-term limited duration insurance, like IMG’s short-term travel medical insurance programs.

However, please understand that under PPACA, as of January 1, 2014, extensions of short-term coverage will be limited to less than 12 months to meet the definition of a short-term limited duration plan.

IMG’s international travel medical products are not a substitute for minimum essential coverage that you may need to have under PPACA. If you are a U.S. citizen, national or legal resident alien in the U.S., you will need to maintain minimum essential coverage unless you are exempt. Exemptions include:

• Non-U.S. citizens who are “non-resident aliens” (for U.S. income tax purposes).  See Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien? 
• Individuals with a coverage gap of less than 3 months
• Individuals who cannot afford coverage (i.e. required contribution exceeds 8% of household income)
• Individuals with a religious conscience exemption (applies only to certain faiths)
• Members of a health care sharing ministry
• Incarcerated individuals

You will not need PPACA coverage for short-term travel to the U.S., unless you are considered an “alien lawfully present” in the U.S. See I am a Non-U.S. citizen covered under a Global Medical Insurance Plan .

In general, PPACA does not govern short-term limited duration insurance, like IMG’s short-term travel medical insurance programs .

However please understand that under PPACA, as of January 1, 2014, extensions of short-term coverage will be limited to less than 12 months to meet the definition of a short-term limited duration plan.

The "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," commonly known as PPACA, was first introduced as a measure to deal with rising healthcare costs and numbers of uninsured.

The heart of PPACA consists of three provisions: guaranteed issue (insurers must offer coverage regardless of the applicant's health status or pre-existing conditions), community rating (insurers must offer policies within a given territory at the same price regardless of health status, age, gender, or other factors), and an individual mandate. The individual mandate assures that everyone has a minimum amount of coverage: those above a certain annual income are required to purchase coverage or incur a tax penalty; those who cannot afford it will have their coverage paid for by the government.

As PPACA continues to be implemented and challenged throughout the country, understanding the issues and implications for the international insurance industry and your business becomes all the more important.

Insurance prices are regulated by the government - you won't find a better price on IMG insurance plans anywhere else.  

IMG plans provide you access to more than 17,000 providers through our International Provider Access (IPA) while you're outside of the United States. Our multilingual customer service centers, claims administrators, and 24-hour emergency care coordinators are ready if the unforeseen does happen during your mission trip. 

Visitors should plan to get insurance after they plan their trip and receive their visa, but before they arrive in the U.S. The effective dates for coverage should match their visa.

If you were to suffer an injury or get sick while visiting the United States, you might be surprised by the cost of medical care. You may also be surprised by the limited assistance your domestic insurance provider can provide while you're visiting. Visitor insurance coverage in the U.S. helps to ensure that you don't incur any unforeseen expenses, receive excellent care, and get home quickly and safely if anything were to happen during your visit. 

In addition to the medical and health coverage, healthcare provider access, and other benefits you expect from IMG plans, we offer missionary-specific insurance benefits like coverage for furlough and political evacuations. See your plan befits information for more!

Once your plan is purchased and you have your plan documents, you will have the information you'll need to complete your school's waiver. 

Check with your school to get your waiver status. 

To show proof of insurance, simply download or print a copy of the ID card and/or confirmation letter and provide it to your school's program administrator.

IMG plans include customization options and add-ons, including add-on coverage for high school sports, interscholastic, intramural, or club sports, personal liability and legal assistance. 

If you are applying for coverage under the Patriot series of plans, IMG will process your application and send your ID card and other documents within one business day. If you are applying for coverage under the Global or Group series, IMG will process your application within three to four business days following the receipt of all required information, and your materials will be forwarded the same day coverage is approved. Every attempt will be made to process your application timely. The specific time frame depends largely on the type of coverage for which you are applying. 

This is not an offer to enter into an insurance contract. This is only a summary and shall not bind the company or require the company to offer or write any insurance at any particular rate or to any particular group or individual. The information on this page does and will not affect, modify or supersede in any way the policy, certificate of insurance and governing policy documents (together the "Insurance Contract"). The actual rates and benefits are governed by the Insurance Contract and nothing else. Benefits are subject to exclusions and limitations.

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• "Although one hopes never to use travel insurance, IMG was a godsend throughout our ordeal. We couldn’t have done it without your continued assistance." Joan D. United States

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Trawick International Travel Insurance Review: Is It Worth the Cost?

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Table of Contents

What is Trawick International?

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• Many different plan options.
• CFAR available as an add on.
• Specialty coverage for adventure sports (SafeTreker Basic).
• Reports of long resolution processes.
• Low customer service rating on SquareMouth.

When planning a trip, we often anticipate the excitement of seeing a new city, the taste of local gastronomy and the overall sense of adventure. Rarely do we imagine arriving at a destination without luggage, breaking a wrist from a fall down the stairs or getting into a car accident on the road.

But sometimes these things happen, and you want to be prepared for when they do.

Still, you probably don’t want half of your vacation budget to go toward travel insurance. That’s where Trawick International comes into play. With nine different plans from which to choose and a variety of price points, Trawick International offers the flexibility that other insurance companies don’t.

Let’s take a look at what Trawick International covers, its cost and how it shapes up to its competitors.

Why trust NerdWallet?

Our Nerdy editorial team aims to be a starting point in your travel insurance research. We default toward transparency and follow a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers and advertising relationships do not influence our ratings. Learn more about our strict editorial guidelines .

Founded in 1998, Trawick International began life as a company offering insurance to university students. It then expanded into travel insurance and now offers comprehensive plans that provide protections for a variety of issues. These include trip interruption, trip cancellation, travel medical coverage and more.

Trawick International policies are underwritten by two different companies: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Starr Indemnity & Liability Company. According to A.M. Best Financial Strength Ratings, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company has an A+ rating, while Starr Indemnity & Liability Company has an A rating. The highest possible rating for A.M. Best is A++.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

Trawick International’s travel insurance coverage is comprehensive, with nine main plans from which to choose. Although there is a wide range of coverage options, they all have a few broad coverages in common.

All of Trawick International’s policies offer base protections, including:

Trawick International travel insurance medical coverage : Emergency medical insurance, which will treat acute conditions such as injuries or illnesses. 

Trip delay : Reimburses you for expenses incurred when your trip is delayed. This includes things like lodging, meals, toiletries and clothes. 

Trip cancellation and trip interruption : Pays for nonrefundable costs such as tours and hotel bookings when your trip is canceled or interrupted. 

Baggage delay insurance : Like trip delay insurance, baggage delay insurance can repay you for costs you end up paying when your luggage is delayed. Includes things like clothing, toiletries and medication. 

Emergency medical evacuation : Reimburses charges in the event you need to be evacuated for a medical emergency. 

As you can see, some of these fall under Trawick International health insurance coverage, while others apply toward expenses incurred should your travel plans go awry. In either case, Trawick International has a coverage option for you.

» Learn more: Trip cancellation insurance explained

Policies range in size and scope, so it pays to read the fine print to know exactly what is covered and what isn’t.

Here's an overview of Trawick International's plan options and what is included.

Add-on options

Trawick International has a few different add-ons available. The ones from which you can choose will depend on the plan you select:

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) : Provides reimbursement for expenses if you decide to cancel your trip for any reason.

Interruption for Any Reason (IFAR) : Provides reimbursement for expenses if your trip is interrupted for any reason. 

Emergency medical upgrade : Increases your policy maximum for emergency medical coverage. 

Trip delay upgrade : Increases your policy maximum for trip delay reimbursement. 

24 Hour accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) : Adds on coverage for AD&D.

Rental car insurance : Provides coverage when renting cars. 

Don’t want to shell out for travel insurance? A variety of travel credit cards offer complimentary trip insurance assuming you pay for the trip with your card.

The type of coverage you’ll get from your Trawick International plan will change based on which plan you purchase. However, there are some instances that are generally not covered. These include:

Known storms.

Pre-existing conditions (unless specifically included). 

Adventure activities (unless specifically included). 

Intentional acts of harm.

On a 5-star scale, NerdWallet rated Trawick International 5 stars. Jump to see our methodology.

A sample trip for a 36-year old traveler from Indiana to Canada for five days found that the cheapest Trawick International plan cost $100. If you were to spring for the premium plan, which increases your coverage limits, expect to pay $194.

This is in comparison to the cost range of $10-$202 for the sample trip. Note that price isn't the only differentiating factor. Coverage is not identical across plans; each company offers various levels of scope, limits and exclusions.

How much does Trawick International travel insurance cost? To figure out the price of a plan from Trawick International, we created a sample trip.

In this example, a 34-year-old traveler from Connecticut paid a total of $4,500 for a two-week trip to Denmark in November. Here’s how the costs shook out.

As you can see, Trawick International insurance cost varies significantly according to plan. The least expensive option is less than half Safe Travels Voyager, the most expensive policy.

Purchasing a Trawick International policy is simple and can be done online. Once you’ve navigated to Trawick International’s website , you’ll just fill out your travel information to generate a quote.

Enter your age, trip cost and the date you made the first deposit (for example, the date you booked flights).

Trawick International will then come back with all the plans available for your trip. Pick the one that’s right for you, complete your personal information, and then pay for it.

Consider comparison shopping

If you're not 100% sold on purchasing a plan from Trawick, you can use a travel insurance aggregator to compare policies across multiple companies at once.

Choosing the right Trawick International plan for your needs is going to depend on where you’re going, how long you’re staying, the type of activities you’ll be doing and how much you’re willing to pay.

For example, if you’re planning on hiking during your vacation, you may want to spend more for better emergency medical coverage. The same is true if you’re renting a car and want to be covered in case of an accident.

Look at coverage details. If you won't need trip interruption insurance, don’t buy it.

Use existing coverage. Many travel credit cards offer travel insurance, though coverage levels will vary. Check your wallet to see if you have an eligible card that provides travel insurance .

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Yes, Trawick International offers 24/7 travel assistance services for needs such as concierge services, emergency cash and family notifications.

To reach them, you can either call 888-301-9289 or email [email protected] .

Filing a claim with Trawick International can be done in a few different ways, including mail, fax, email or an online portal .

To file a claim, you’ll need to have specific information on hand. This includes:

Documentation for your claim.

Plan name and certificate number.

Information as to what happened. 

Is Trawick International travel insurance good? With many different plans from which to choose and a variety of add-ons available to customers, it’s easy to see why Trawick International is so popular.

Add this to the ability to file a claim online, plus concierge services available for even the cheapest plans, and it’s safe to say that a Trawick International plan could be worth it when traveling.

Yes, any of the Safe Travels plans will reimburse you for trip delays or trip interruptions in the event your flight is canceled.

The amount of time it takes for a reimbursement after filing a claim will depend on many factors, including what you’re filing for and the method in which you make a claim.

Whether the insurance you receive from Trawick International is primary or secondary will depend on which plan you purchase.

Yes, Trawick International provides coverage for COVID.

Trawick International offers a few travel insurance plans depending on your need. Before you buy a plan, be sure you’ve understood its coverage and costs, especially compared with other policies.

Travel insurance

NerdWallet's ratings for travel insurance companies take into account the following details about each insurer:

Scope of coverage.

Customizability.

Consumer experience and complaints.

The best travel insurers excel in all of these categories. They provide the information people need to make a purchase without any surprises along the way. They offer insurance at a fair price and allow customers to customize plans to meet their coverage preferences. They're also able to keep their customers happy throughout the relationship.

Data collection and review process

NerdWallet collects over a dozen data points for each insurer we analyze from their public-facing websites and third-party analyses. These data points are then compared against one another and against NerdWallet's standards for good travel insurance companies to determine a star rating.

Data is collected on a regular basis and reviewed by our editorial team for consistency and accuracy. Final star ratings are presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents "poor" and a five-star score represents "excellent."

The reviews team

The writers and editors behind NerdWallet's travel insurance reviews are insurance specialists who have had their work featured by or appear in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Chicago-Sun Times, U.S. News & World Report and the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet’s strict guidelines for editorial independence .

In addition to travel insurance, the team covers travel rewards programs, airlines and hotels.

Rating specifics

Our star ratings are weighted based on our editorial and professional opinions. We use the following weightings when rating travel insurers:

Scope of coverage (25%).

Customizability (25%).

Consumer experience and complaints (25%).

Cost (25%).

Scope of coverage ratings are based on assessments of a company’s standard protections, including:

Travel medical insurance.

Trip cancellation.

Trip interruption.

Trip delay.

Baggage and personal belongings, lost luggage.

Emergency medical assistance.

Emergency medical evacuation.

Emergency medical repatriation.

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance.

Rental car coverage.

Customizability ratings factor in whether coverage limits are fixed prices or a percentage of the trip cost (the percentage is generally better), whether a policy has customizations available, and the number of bonus features.

24-hour assistance.

Pre-existing medical conditions coverage.

Extreme sport coverage.

CFAR add on availability.

Travel health insurance.

Interruption for Any Reason.

Travel Inconvenience.

Cancel for Work Reasons.

Electronics coverage.

Consumer experience ratings are based on provider reviews on Squaremouth.com. If the company is not in the Squaremouth database, we default to Google reviews.

Affordability ratings are based on the percentage of total trip cost a plan costs a policyholder. Less than 4% is considered excellent, whereas over 9% is considered poor.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ 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

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℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 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 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

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.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Travel insurance

Trawick International travel insurance review 2024

Jennifer Simonson

Mandy Sleight

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

Kara McGinley

Updated 5:10 p.m. UTC Feb. 23, 2024

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Trawick International

Top-scoring plan

Covers covid, medical & evacuation limits per person, what you should know.

Trawick International’s Safe Travels First Class policy offers competitive rates, great “cancel for any reason” coverage upgrades and covers COVID-19 like it would any other illness.

Pros and cons

• Solid baggage loss coverage of $2,000 per person.
• Decent missed connection coverage of $1,000 per person for cruises and tours after a three-hour delay.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage upgrade of 75% available.
• Employment layoff coverage requires five continuous years of employment.
• Hurricane and weather delay coverage kicks in after 48 hours, not 12 or even 24.
• Emergency medical coverage is secondary, not primary.

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.

Trawick travel insurance overview

Trawick International offers comprehensive travel insurance to protect you financially against severe weather, unexpected delays, medical emergencies and other unforeseen problems that may arise before or during your trip. Trawick has several plans so you can pick one that is right for you and your budget. In this Trawick International review, we take a deeper look into the plans offered, available optional add-on coverage and common exclusions.

Trawick compared to other travel insurance companies

Here’s how the best travel insurance companies compare to Trawick International. 

Via Compare Coverage’s website

Trawick travel insurance plans

Trawick offers several comprehensive travel insurance plans that include trip cancellation coverage , trip delay and interruption coverage, travel medical insurance , emergency evacuation coverage and lost baggage coverage. COVID-19 medical expenses are covered and treated the same as any other sickness. 

Safe Travels Explorer 

The Safe Travels Explorer plan is Trawick’s budget-friendly option. The plan includes all the basics of a comprehensive travel insurance plan including: 

• Emergency medical: $50,000. 
• Emergency medical evacuation: $200,000.
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption: 100% reimbursement of trips that cost $30,000 or less. 
• Trip delay: $1,000 to cover things like lodging if you need to stay overnight due to a canceled flight. 
• Optional rental car damage: $25,000 (not available in NY or TX).

This plan also includes lost and delayed baggage coverage and missed connections coverage.  

Safe Travels Explorer Plus 

The Safe Travels Explorer Plus plan includes the same coverages as the Safe Travel Explorer plan but automatically includes the rental car damage coverage. It also includes pre-existing medical condition coverage, as long as you buy the travel insurance within seven days of your initial trip deposit. 

Safe Travels Journey

The Safe Travels Journey plan includes the below coverages:

• Emergency medical: $150,000.
• Emergency medical evacuation: $500,000.
• Trip cancellation: 100% reimbursement of eligible trip costs up to $50,000.
• Trip delay : $2,000 ($200 per day after a six-hour delay).
• Trip interruption: 125% reimbursement of eligible trip costs up to $62,500.
• Optional “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage: 50% of trip costs (only available within 14 days of first deposit). 
• Optional accidental death and dismemberment (24-hour): $25,000. 
• Optional rental car damage: $35,000 (not available in NY or TX).

Safe Travels Journey plans also includes coverage for missed connections, airline cancellation fees, lost and delayed baggage, and pre-existing medical coverage if purchased within 14 days of your trip deposit. 

Safe Travels Single Trip 

Another budget-friendly option is the Safe Travels Single Trip plan. This comprehensive coverage includes: 

• Emergency medical: $75,000 (secondary coverage).
• Emergency medical evacuation: $350,000.
• Trip cancellation: 100% reimbursement of eligible trip costs up to $14,000. 
• Trip delay: $600 maximum ($200 per day after a 12-hour delay).
• Trip interruption: 150% reimbursement of eligible trip costs up to $21,000.
• Accidental death and dismemberment (24-hour): $10,000.
• Optional rental car damage: $35,000 (not available in NY or TX).  

It also includes a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver if purchased within 10 days of the initial trip deposit date. This plan includes missed connections coverage, trip delay coverage and lost or delayed baggage coverage. 

Safe Travels First Class 

Safe Travels First Class offers excellent emergency medical evacuation coverage, as well as optional “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage. The Safe Travels First Class plan scores 3 out of 5 stars in our analysis of the best travel insurance companies . Here’s a quick breakdown of the coverages in this plan:

• Emergency medical evacuation: $1 million. 
• Trip cancellation: 100% reimbursement of eligible trip costs up to $15,000.
• Trip delay: $1,000 (after a 12-hour delay).
• Trip interruption: 150% reimbursement of eligible trip costs up to $22,500.
• Optional “cancel for any reason” coverage: 75% reimbursement of eligible non-refundable trip costs (this upgrade is available if you buy it within 14 days of your initial trip deposit date; not available in NY or WA). 
• Optional rental car damage: $50,000 (not available in NY or TX). 

This plan also includes coverage for missed connections, delayed or lost baggage and property damage.

Tip: Safe Travels First Class plans include a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver if you purchase coverage within 14 days of your first trip deposit and insure the full value of your non-refundable trip expenses.

Safe Travels Voyager 

This Trawick travel insurance plan has the highest available benefit limits to protect your trip:

• Emergency medical: $250,000.
• Emergency medical evacuation: $1 million.
• Trip cancellation: 100% reimbursement of eligible trip costs up to $100,000.
• Trip delay: $3,000 ($250 per day after a six-hour delay).
• Trip interruption: 150% reimbursement of eligible trip costs up to $150,000.
• Accidental death and dismemberment (24-hour): $25,000.
• Rental car damage: $35,000 (not available in NY or TX).
• Optional “cancel for any reason” coverage: 75% reimbursement of eligible trip costs available within 21 days of your trip deposit. 
• Optional trip “interruption for any reason” coverage: 50% reimbursement of eligible trip costs available within 21 days of your trip deposit. 

This plan also includes coverage for missed connections, additional medical expenses and trip delay coverage, lost and delayed baggage, airline cancellation fees and fees to reinstate frequent traveler awards. And you can get coverage for pre-existing medical conditions if you buy this plan within 21 days of your first trip deposit and before your final payment.

Additional coverages offered by Trawick travel insurance

“cancel for any reason” (cfar) coverage.

“Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage is available as an optional upgrade with the Trawick Safe Travels First Class and Safe Travels Voyager plans. CFAR coverage reimburses up to 75% of the prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs when you cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in the policy — as long as you do so at least two days before your scheduled departure date. 

This optional upgrade must be purchased within 14 days (First Class) or 21 days (Voyager) of making your first trip deposit. CFAR is not available for New York or Washington state residents. 

Rental car damage

Rental car damage coverage is included or offered as an add-on with most Trawick travel insurance plans. It provides reimbursement for the cost of repairs, rental charges or the actual cash value of the car if the car is damaged because of covered reasons. This coverage is not available for New York or Texas residents.

What Trawick travel insurance doesn't cover

Like all travel insurance companies, Trawick travel insurance doesn’t cover every incident that may arise during your travels. It is always a good idea to read the fine print before purchasing your policy. For Trawick travel insurance plans, examples of exclusions include:

• Any trip taken against the advice of a physician.
• Immunizations, routine physicals or cosmetic surgery.
• Illegal activities. 
• Injuries due to participation in adventure or extreme activities such as bungee jumping, caving, mountain climbing, paragliding, rappelling and scuba diving.
• Injuries due to intoxication or drug use.
• Medical tourism. 
• Mental, nervous or psychological disorder.
• Natural disasters that begin before you buy the policy. 
• Normal pregnancy or childbirth.

Trawick’s “free-look” period gives you a specific length of time to review your policy and cancel for a full refund if it doesn’t suit your needs. Most states have a 10-day free look period beginning the date the policy was purchased (not available in NY or WA). 

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance of 2024 . We shared information about the highest-scoring plan for companies with more than one travel insurance 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 six 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.

Trawick International travel insurance FAQs

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company underwrites Trawick’s travel insurance plans. 

To file an insurance claim with Trawick, first you need to locate the name of your plan which can be found on your confirmation of coverage. Next, gather all the documentation needed to complete the claim. After that, complete the claim form on Trawick’s website, answer any pending questions and submit the claim online. Visit Trawick’s website for more information or to access Trawick’s various claim forms. 

Yes, Trawick is a reliable travel insurance company. The company was founded in 1998. Trawick International’s Safe Travels First Class plan gets 3 stars in our rating of the best travel insurance . 

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.

Jennifer Simonson covers everything from business to the wine industry to international travel. Outdoor adventure, water parks and all things Texas are by far her favorite beats. Her work has appeared in Forbes, Travel + Leisure, Texas Monthly, Smithsonian Magazine, Fodor's, Lonely Planet, Slate and more. You can follow her on Instagram at @storiestoldwell.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Kara McGinley is deputy editor of insurance at USA TODAY Blueprint and a licensed home insurance expert. Previously, she was a senior editor at Policygenius, where she specialized in homeowners and renters insurance. Her work and insights have been featured in MSN, Lifehacker, Kiplinger, PropertyCasualty360 and more.

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Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova; North Korea; Russia; Israel

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Use this tool to calculate all purchases like ski-lift passes, show tickets, or even rental equipment.

OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan

Even free-spirited travelers need the reassurance of insurance. OneTrip Emergency Medical is flexible and affordable travel insurance that includes only post-departure benefits. This means you get emergency medical and emergency transportation benefits, as well as benefits for travel delays, missed connections and lost/stolen or damaged baggage. Designed for travelers with few prepaid expenses, this low-cost plan does not include trip cancellation or trip interruption benefits.

All benefits are  per insured traveler  unless otherwise noted. If you’re renting a car for your trip, you can upgrade your plan to include the affordable OneTrip Rental Car Protector.

Benefits/Coverage

Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply. Please see your plan for full details.

Epidemic Coverage

Adds certain epidemic-related covered reasons for Travel Delay; Emergency Medical Care; and Emergency Transportation benefits. For example, if you are diagnosed with an epidemic disease such as COVID-19 and require emergency medical care, you may be reimbursed for costs up to your plan’s maximum limit for the Emergency Medical Care benefit.

Emergency Medical

Up to $50,000

Provides benefits for losses due to covered medical and dental emergencies that occur during your trip. There is a $750 maximum for all covered dental expenses.

Benefit is  per insured traveler.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Up to $250,000

Provides benefits for medically necessary transportation to the nearest hospital or appropriate facility following a covered illness or injury during your trip.

Baggage Loss/Damage

Up to $2,000

Covers loss, damage or theft of baggage and personal effects. 

Baggage Delay

Reimburses the reasonable additional purchase of eligible essential items during your trip if your baggage is delayed or misdirected by a common carrier for 12 hours or more. Receipts for emergency purchases are required.

Travel Delay

Up to $1,000

Reimburses up to $200 per day per person for additional travel and lost prepaid expenses if your trip is delayed for six or more hours for a covered reason. Can also reimburse eligible additional transportation expenses if you miss your cruise or tour because of a covered delay.

Travel Accident Coverage

Up to $10,000

Pays benefits for losses when you, as a result of an accidental injury occurring during the covered trip, sustain a covered loss of life, sight, hands or feet.

24-Hr Hotline Assistance

With Allianz Global Assistance, you'll never travel alone. Our multilingual assistance team is  available 24 hours a day   to help you handle all kinds of travel emergencies. We can help you find local medical and legal professionals, arrange to send a message home, help with missed connections and lost/stolen travel documents, and much more.

Provides personalized information about your destination and assists you with obtaining restaurant reservations, tee times and tickets to events.

Pre-Existing Medical Condition

Your plan may provide pre-existing medical conditions coverage if you, a traveling companion, or family member has a pre-existing medical condition. We define a pre-existing medical condition as an injury, illness, or medical condition that, within the 120 days prior to and including the purchase date of this policy: 1. Caused a person to seek medical examination, diagnosis, care, or treatment by a doctor; 2. Presented symptoms; or 3. Required a person to take medication prescribed by a doctor (unless the conditions or symptoms are controlled by that prescription, and the prescription has not changed). The illness, injury, or medical condition does not need to be formally diagnosed in order to be considered a pre-existing medical condition.

Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is excluded unless:

• You purchased your plan within 14 days of making your first trip payment or first trip deposit;
• On the policy purchase date, you insured the full non-refundable cost of your trip with us. This includes trip arrangements that will become non-refundable or subject to cancellation penalties between the policy purchase date and the departure date. (If you incur additional non-refundable trip expenses after you purchase this policy, you must insure them with us within 14 days of their purchase. If you do not, those expenses will still be subject to the pre-existing medical condition exclusion.);
• You are a U.S. resident;
• You were medically able to travel on the day you purchased the plan.

All other contract terms and conditions apply.

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RELATED PRODUCTS

Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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Travel Smart: Pack These First Aid Kit Essentials in Your Suitcase

Date Published: September 18, 2024

From the minute you decide where to go, to planning the sights to see, and determining what to pack, traveling is exciting! No matter where you’re headed next, don’t forget about a first aid kit for traveling.

At a loss for what to pack? We’ve got you covered with a travel first aid kit essentials checklist!

First Aid Kits for Every Travel Occasion

Whether heading out for a short-day trip or global adventure, having the right items on hand can be a lifesaver!

• Short trips: A first aid kit for weekend camping or short day-trips ensures a minor injury won’t disrupt your limited time away since you’ll have the essentials.
• Extended, overnight, or road trips: A first aid kit for an extended stay or packing car kit essentials for a long road trip guarantees the safety and well-being of everyone onboard—especially if you're heading to a remote location where medical help may be limited.
• International travel or traveling abroad: Your international first aid kit helps you respond to whatever may occur while exploring new countries.

Common Injuries While Traveling

When assembling a first aid kit for traveling, start by identifying what illnesses and injuries are most likely to occur and contemplate where you’re going. The range of injuries that could occur while traveling vary greatly depending on location. For example, are you camping where injuries like bug bites, ticks or stings are more likely? Or are you traveling to a warmer climate where heat exhaustion and sunburn risk are heightened?

Additionally, account for the trip duration, number of people in your group, existing medical conditions, and proximity of medical care should anyone need it.

A few common injuries that occur while traveling include:

• Motorcycle Accident ( Source: CDC )
• Asthma , Stroke , Cardiac Arrest ( Source: CDC )
• Allergic reactions
• Dehydration
• Falls and cuts
• Insect bites

What to Put in a Travel First Aid Kit

A good first aid kit for traveling includes things you may need to help you manage basic health issues. Keep in mind, this isn’t an all-inclusive checklist — especially if space is limited. But there are a few essentials for every travel first aid kit, whether you’re traveling with an infant or going on an international trip.

Basic First Aid Kit Essentials

• Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Adhesive first aid tape
• Aloe Vera gel for the treatment of minor burns
• Antibacterial ointment
• Alcohol wipes or Antiseptic wipes or spray
• Cotton pads and swabs
• Disposable latex-free exam gloves
• Disposable masks
• Elastic bandage wraps
• First aid guide
• Hydro-colloid blister plasters
• Instant cold pack
• Medical tape
• Medication (pain relief, antacids, anti-diarrhea, cold and cough, motion sickness, and antihistamines)
• Saline packets to wash out wounds
• Steri-strips
• Thermometer
• Topical corticosteroids for symptomatic relief of bites, stings, and other skin irritations

The medication you choose to include in your first aid kits for travel varies depending on your expected needs. Aside from a few essentials as mentioned above, don’t forget to add prescription medications. Also consider who you’re traveling with – for example, if you’re bringing along a baby or young child, don’t forget to pack an infant first aid kit for your travels with age-appropriate medications.

When traveling with any type of medication — over the counter or prescription — there are a few things to remember:

• All medications should be kept in their original packaging, regardless of whether they are prescribed or over-the-counter purchases. This makes medications easily identifiable, helping you get through security stations with ease and avoid any misunderstandings.
• Plan enough medication for your trip including an additional supply in case your trip is unexpectedly extended.
• For an existing medical condition that requires medication, consult your healthcare practitioner before you travel. Ask if there is anything you need to be aware of or food in other medicines that may conflict—this baseline knowledge provides peace of mind especially when traveling to new places.
• Make copies of all prescriptions to help you to replace any if they are lost or stolen.

The American Red Cross has several first aid kits to review to give you a starting point:

Advanced Medical First Aid Kits

Think about carrying an advanced medical first aid kit for traveling or a customized international travel first aid kit based on your specific needs if you’re venturing to remote locations or extreme climates.

For example, you may need to include sterile equipment like lancets, assorted syringes, water purification tablets, or a Wilderness and Remote First Aid Emergency Reference Guide and Pocket Guide .

First Aid Courses and First Aid App

Having a well-planned first aid kit for traveling is only beneficial if you also know how to effectively use the items. Take a first aid training course to enhance your travel preparedness.

The free First Aid mobile app by the American Red Cross complements your first aid kit for traveling perfectly by making expert advice for everyday emergencies accessible — from the latest first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques to the nearest hospital location. The Red Cross First Aid App keeps you updated on your lifesaving skills and provides step-by-step instructions for common first aid scenarios, which can be invaluable in an emergency.

Or text: "GETFIRST" to 90999

What to Read Next

Take a course and refresh your first aid skills, about red cross training services.

Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross with the mission to spread knowledge and educate as many members of the national community in lifesaving procedures. Our services include training courses for CPR and AED, First Aid, BLS (Basic Life Support), babysitting, Caregiving, Lifeguarding Water Safety, and more.