Best Travel Insurance for International Travel in 2024
International trips account for most policies sold on Squaremouth. These trips typically come with increased costs, greater risks, and more concerns for travelers.
For peace of mind and financial protection, many travelers are purchasing travel insurance policies ahead of their upcoming international trips. However, with hundreds of policies to choose from, from single-trip to annual travel insurance plans, finding the best option can be a daunting task.
To help you on your search, Squaremouth has ranked the top international travel plans.
Best International Travel Insurance in 2024
- Best Overall International Travel Insurance
- Most Affordable International Travel Insurance
- Best International Travel Medical Insurance
- Best International CFAR Insurance
- Best Overall International Travel Insurance
- Trawick International
- Comprehensive Trip Cancellation coverage at an affordable price
- Worldwide 24/7 Emergency Assistance Services
- Generous Money-Back Guarantee period
Trawick International plans are consistently among the most popular travel insurance policies for globetrotters. They offer comprehensive coverage options that fit most budgets, each with generous coverage limits. Most policies include benefits for the most common concerns of international travelers, such as Trip Cancellation, Travel Delay, and Emergency Medical coverage, among others.
- Seven Corners
- Voted one of the ‘Best Travel Insurance Companies’ by Forbes
- Offers several benefit upgrades including Cancel For Any Reason
- Generous Missed Connection and Travel Delay reimbursement
International travelers love Seven Corners because their comprehensive policies offer competitive coverage and affordable prices. The average premium for Seven Corners policies is roughly $260, which is $10 cheaper than the average policy found on Squaremouth. Travelers can enhance their policy with add-ons like CFAR coverage for added flexibility.
- Tin Leg
- Offers policy options that fit most travel budgets
- Award-winning customer service and claims department
- $500+ Baggage & Personal Items Loss coverage per traveler
Tin Leg uses industry data and expertise to create policies that meet the needs of today’s international travelers. Travelers can choose from various plans, all offering comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits. If you need assistance during your trip, Tin Leg’s award-winning, 24-Hour customer service department will be at your assistance.
- Most Affordable International Travel Insurance
- GeoBlue
- Comprehensive portfolio of international health insurance plans
- Emergency Medical plans ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000 in coverage
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance department
GeoBlue is known for offering strong medical policies at very affordable prices. With premiums averaging just $50 per traveler, their policies offer Emergency Medical coverage up to $1,000,000 and strong emergency evacuation benefits. Certain policies offered by GeoBlue also cover pre-existing medical conditions. Customers heading out on international vacations benefit from GeoBlue’s extensive global network of medical partners.
- WorldTrips
- Comprehensive policies with Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits
- Coverage for delays longer than five hours
- AM Best's Rating of A++ (highest possible rating)
With over 25 years in business, WorldTrips specializes in offering affordable travel insurance policies for international trips. Policies average $86 per traveler and include comprehensive benefits that include cancellation, delay, and medical coverage. WorldTrips offers a generous Missed Connection benefit, which reimburses travelers if a 3+ hour delay causes them to miss a connecting flight.
- Travel Insured International
- Inclusive plans with Travel, Medical, and Baggage Protection
- Offers benefit upgrades including Cancel for Any Reason and Medical Expense Upgrade
- Family-friendly plans include Kids are Free coverage
Travel Insured International is a popular provider among international travelers because they offer comprehensive policies at a lower price. At the average premium of $90 per traveler, policyholders receive popular travel benefits ranging Trip Cancellation to Medical Evacuation. In addition to optional policy upgrades, Travel Insured International also offers strong Job Loss Protection in all plans.
- Best International Travel Medical Insurance
- Seven Corners
- Primary and secondary travel medical insurance plans
- Emergency Medical coverage ranging from $1,000 to $1,000,000
- Medical Evacuation plans starting at $100,000 in coverage
Seven Corners began offering travel medical insurance to the international travel community more than 30 years ago. Since then, they have become one of the most trusted names in the industry. On Squaremouth, Seven Corners offers 10 different policies, many of which meet or exceed Squaremouth’s coverage recommendations for international travel. Sports and activities are covered under Seven Corners policies, but limitations and exclusions may apply.
- Trawick International
- Up to $1,000,000 in Emergency Medical Coverage
- Extensive worldwide healthcare network
- 15 policies to choose from, each with varying degrees of medical coverage
When medical emergencies occur while traveling abroad, it helps to know you’re in good hands. Trawick is a globally recognized travel insurance provider, and has a reputation for its extensive global network of physicians. With many policies to choose from, they offer plans that can fit most trip types and budgets. For those taking remote trips, Trawick has policies that provide up to $2,000,000 per person in Medical Evacuation coverage. Many of Trawick’s policies meet Squaremouth’s minimum medical coverage recommendations of $50,000 in Emergency Medical and $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.
- Tin Leg
- Policies with an AM Best's Rating of A++
- Emergency Medical coverage ranging from $20,000 to $500,000
- Most plans offer Pre-Existing Condition coverage
Tin Leg’s policies are consistently among the most popular medical insurance plans for international travelers. Starting with their Economy plan, customers can get basic medical, delay, and cancellation coverage at an affordable price. Tin Leg’s popular Gold plan offers $500,000 in primary Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation coverage, far exceeding Squaremouth’s international coverage recommendations. Almost all of Tin Leg’s travel insurance policies also offer coverage for Sports & Activities.
- Best International Cancel For Any Reason Insurance
- Seven Corners
- Cancel for Any Reason can be added to most policies
- Cancel for COVID-19 Sickness included in Trip Cancellation
- Trip Cancellation coverage offers reimbursement up to 100%
No travel plans are set in stone, and when travelers need to cancel their trip, it helps to have a travel insurance policy that offers flexibility and generous cancellation coverage. Seven Corners is one of the most popular providers for international travelers searching for a policy with the Cancel for Any Reason upgrade.
- Tin Leg
- Cancel for Any Reason is an optional upgrade with most policies
- Offers up to 75% reimbursement for CFAR cancellations
- Comprehensive benefits including medical and delay coverage
Because travel is often unpredictable, Cancel for Any Reason provides travelers a layer of protection if they need to cancel their plans for an uncovered reason. Tin Leg has a handful of policies that offer CFAR as an optional upgrade. With the upgrade, customers can cancel their trip and receive up to 75% of all prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs, such as flights and hotel stays.
- John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc.
- Cancel for any Reason Coverage upgrade available to eligible travelers
- Customer service and claims support is available 24/7
- Only 3 hours of trip delay needed for an insurance payout
John Hancock Insurance Agency is one of the leading providers for customers wanting a policy with the Cancel For Any Reason benefit. Cancel For Any Reason can be added to their Bronze, Silver, or Gold plans, and can reimburse travelers that use the benefit up to 75% of their prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs.
How Much Does International Travel Insurance Cost?
Travel insurance costs equate to roughly 5-10% of your total travel expenses. With that fee comes comprehensive coverage against delays, trip cancellations, lost luggage, international medical expenses, and more.
Is International Travel Insurance Worth It?
Travel insurance is recommended to travelers with high trip costs and those concerned about common travel disruptions impacting their trip. Having a policy can save travelers thousands of dollars in the event they need to file a claim.
The majority of our customers purchase a policy for medical coverage while they are abroad, as well as cancellation coverage before they depart. For many travelers, the peace of mind that a travel insurance policy provides is worth the cost alone.
What Type of Travel Insurance is Best for International Trips?
There are two major types of coverage you can purchase for international travel, single trip and annual plans.
Single trip travel insurance plans are by far the most common. They offer coverage from the day after you buy your policy until the time you return home. These plans are ideal for travelers that want a simple trip protection solution.
Annual travel insurance plans, also called multi-trip plans, are ideal for frequent travelers that want one policy that covers multiple trips. This approach is often cost effective for those taking three or more trips in a 12-month span, and may be more convenient than purchasing multiple single trip plans.
What Benefits Does the Best International Travel Insurance Include?
Comparing international travel insurance policies can be a daunting task. From pricing to coverage amounts, benefits to exclusions, it’s easy to get overwhelmed at the amount of options to choose from.
Fortunately, comparing insurance benefit levels, prices, and exclusions is easier now than ever before. When browsing for travel insurance for your international trip, you should consider the following benefits.
- Trip Cancellation: Trip Cancellation insurance helps recover up to 100% of a traveler’s nonrefundable trip costs if they are forced to cancel due to a covered emergency, such as an illness, injury, or natural disasters, among other reasons.
- Trip Interruption: Trip Interruption coverage can help you mitigate financial loss if you need to return home early for a covered reason. Most interruption insurance plans offer coverage between 100% and 150% of the insured trip cost.
- Emergency Medical Coverage: Travel insurance often includes travel health insurance for those traveling abroad. These plans cover the potentially high cost of overseas medical care, including hospital bills, x-rays, and ambulance services. Squaremouth recommends having at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage for most international trips. Exclusions and deductibles may apply.
- 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. Some policies may also cover repatriation of remains. Due to the high costs of emergency medical evacuations, we recommend travelers carry $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.
- Travel Delay: If a traveler’s flight is delayed, the Travel Delay benefit will cover food and accommodation expenses throughout the duration of the delay. To be eligible, the delay must meet the minimum amount of time outlined in the policy details, typically 3-12 hours.
- Missed Connection: Airline and railway delays can happen at any time, causing travelers to miss their connecting flights. Missed Connection coverage can help reimburse travelers the costs to catch up to their trip and make it to their destination.
- Sports & Activities: Travelers participating in adventure activities during their international trip should consider purchasing a policy with Sports & Activities coverage. This benefit can extend coverage to those adventure sports often excluded by most insurance plans, like scuba diving and skiing.
- Baggage Delay: Luggage can get lost anytime it’s checked, whether it is on an airplane or aboard a cruise ship. Baggage Delay benefits may help travelers pay for emergency replacement items, including clothes and personal items, if their bags are lost for an extended period of time.
- Cancel for Any Reason: CFAR insurance helps travelers recover a portion of their non-refundable costs if they decide not to go for most uncovered reasons. This is typically an optional add-on, and can add to your overall travel insurance cost.
Does My Credit Card Include International Travel Insurance?
Many travel credit cards now offer travel insurance benefits to cardholders. Coverage limits vary from one credit card to the next, so it’s important to review the details of your specific card before determining if further coverage is needed.
Most credit card insurance plans can protect against delays, cancellations and lost luggage. However, few plans include coverage for international medical care, which is one of the main reasons why customers buy travel insurance.
If medical coverage is important to you, Squaremouth recommends that you consider purchasing additional travel protection to supplement your existing credit card coverage.
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