Best International Travel Insurance Plans
There are plenty of international trip insurance options to choose from, but these plans stand out among the competition thanks to their strong international medical coverage, as well as their comprehensive cancellation and interruption protection.
For a deeper look at why these plans are top among our customers, check out our full list of the best International Travel Insurance plans for 2025.
What Is International Travel Insurance?
International travel insurance provides financial protection from unexpected events that occur while traveling outside the United States. These plans are designed to offer short-term medical insurance for international travel and cover travel disruptions like unexpected cancellations, lengthy delays, lost luggage, and more.
- Do I Need Overseas Travel Insurance?
- What Does International Travel Insurance Cover?
- International Travel Health Insurance Explained
- How Much Does International Travel Insurance Cost?
- Is International Travel Insurance Worth It?
- Tips for Choosing International Travel Insurance
- FAQs: International Travel Insurance
- Related Articles
Common benefits of international trip insurance include:
- Overseas Medical Coverage: Covers hospital stays, doctor visits, and other medical expenses not covered by U.S. health insurance
- Trip Cost Protection: Protects your prepaid travel expenses in case you’re forced to cancel your plans
- Peace of Mind: Offers financial protection from unexpected disruptions you encounter throughout your trip
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Provides dedicated support that’s there when you need it
Do I Need Overseas Travel Insurance?
Yes, at a minimum, the U.S. State Department and the CDC strongly recommend buying international health insurance for travel abroad.
This is especially true if you're visiting areas with limited medical resources or higher risks.
U.S. health insurance, such as Medicare or employer-sponsored plans, is not accepted overseas, but a well-rounded travel insurance policy can protect you from high out-of-pocket medical expenses if you get sick or injured and reimburse you for travel disruptions. See our full article on the limitations of U.S. health insurance abroad for more information.
International trip insurance is especially valuable for:
- Seniors: Medicare does not cover medical expenses outside the U.S., and this group has a higher statistical probability of needing care while away.
- Families & Groups: The larger the group, the greater the chances are someone may need assistance.
- Cruisers: Emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage is especially important for international cruises, where getting medical care may mean heading to shore.
- Adventure Travelers: Travel insurance can cover injuries from activities like hiking, scuba diving, skiing, or zip-lining.
- Frequent International Travelers: Each time you travel abroad presents potential for travel disruptions covered by most policies.
Find the best international travel insurance plans with our price comparison tool. Compare quotes and coverage from America's top insurance providers in one go. Check Plans & Prices Now
What Does International Travel Insurance Cover?
International travel insurance policies offer a wide range of benefits designed to protect you from the most common risks you may encounter when traveling outside the U.S.
Here are some of the most common benefits:
Emergency Medical coverage reimburses the cost of doctor visits, hospital stays, ambulance services, and prescription medications if you become ill or injured while abroad. A $50,000 limit may be enough for U.S. domestic trips, but for trips abroad, consider plans with at least $100,000 of Emergency Medical coverage. Consider primary coverage if you want the insurer to pay the hospitals directly, rather than receiving a reimbursement.
If you’re seriously injured or become critically ill when traveling, the Medical Evacuation benefit covers the cost of transporting you to the nearest adequate medical facility. Due to the high cost of medical transportation services, the CDC recommends plans with at least $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.
Trip Cancellation is designed to reimburse your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you’re forced to cancel before your departure date. This coverage is worth getting if you plan to take an expensive trip or travel to a far-flung destination. When booking, ensure that the coverage limits on the plan equal the cost of your trip. Trip Interruption is a similar benefit that reimburses unused travel expenses if you’re forced to end your trip early for a covered reason.
Travel Delay coverage helps pay for unexpected hotel stays, meals, and transportation costs if your flight is significantly delayed. According to a report by KAYAK, international travelers are more likely to have travel delays due to longer travel distances, stricter protocols, and complex layovers. This coverage is great to have if you are going on a cruise or have a multi-leg itinerary.
When your checked luggage doesn’t arrive at your destination, or is lost altogether, Baggage Loss insurance can reimburse you for essential clothing, toiletries, and other necessities, as well as the value of any permanently lost items. This coverage is great to have but is not as essential as securing foreign medical coverage. Opt for baggage coverage if you’re taking a long trip that involves multiple legs or carriers or have valuables in your luggage that require protection.
If you’re renting a car while traveling abroad, select plans include rental car coverage that covers damage to, or theft of, a rental vehicle during a covered trip. Since domestic auto insurance policies typically don’t extend to foreign countries, your policy can reduce your liability rather than purchasing coverage from an international rental car agency.
Dealing with a medical emergency, legal issue, or travel disruption can be overwhelming, especially if there’s a language barrier. Most international travel insurance plans include access to a 24/7 emergency assistance hotline that can provide crucial support at any point during your trip.
International Travel Health Insurance Explained
International travel health insurance plans are designed specifically for overseas medical emergencies during trips abroad.
Unlike the health insurance you have at home, these policies are not intended to cover routine doctor visits, elective surgeries, or other foreseeable medical procedures. However, they can get you access to quality medical care in an emergency, and send you back to the U.S. for treatment if necessary.
It’s important to note that some popular countries like Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Australia, and Ireland have some of the world’s most expensive healthcare. If you plan to visit one of these countries, we recommend opting for at least $100,000 of medical coverage, and $250,000 of medevac coverage and buying primary medical coverage.
Other types of coverage are valuable additions to your travel insurance package, but if you only opt for one thing, let it be travel medical coverage.
Health Insurance vs. International Travel Medical Insurance
Around 64% of Squaremouth customers say their top concern is getting sick or injured while traveling, and for good reason. Most domestic health plans, such as Medicare, don’t pay for medical emergencies abroad, and if they do they come with heavy exclusions and high deductibles.
Travel insurance fills that gap, providing short-term medical insurance for your international travels. Here is a closer look at the difference between Health Insurance vs. International Travel Medical Insurance:
| Category | U.S. Health Insurance Abroad | International Travel Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| International Trips | Limited or No Coverage | Covered |
| Unexpected Medical Emergencies | Limited or No Coverage | Covered Up To Your Chosen Limits |
| Routine Medical Care | No Coverage | No Coverage |
| Coverage Length | Fixed-Term, Renewed Yearly | Short-Term, Defined By Departure & Return Date |
| Deductibles | High Deductibles Abroad | Optional, $0 - $250 |
| Coverage Limits | Limited to No Coverage | Optional, $10,000 - $2,000,000 |
Find the best international travel insurance plans with our price comparison tool. Compare quotes and coverage from America's top insurance providers in one go. Check Plans & Prices Now
How Much Does International Travel Insurance Cost?
In 2025, the average international travel insurance policy cost travelers roughly $310.
This average cost data is based on analyses of Squaremouth sales over the past year with cost-per-coverage type broken down as follows:
- Comprehensive international travel insurance averages $414 per policy for Squaremouth users.
- International travel medical insurance averages just $90 per policy for Squaremouth users.
As a reminder, travel medical insurance plans don’t reimburse the total cost of your trip, and therefore do not factor in your travel expenses when determining premiums. This results in more affordable plans.
As a rule of thumb, comprehensive travel insurance will cost 4-10% of the total prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses you choose to insure.
Ultimately, the price you pay for travel insurance will depend on your specific trip details. In addition to your trip cost, providers will often consider your age, destination, trip length, and coverage amounts when generating a quote.
Extra Travel Insurance Benefits to Consider for Your Trip
Certain trips may call for coverage not included in basic plans. Depending on your itinerary, here are some other potential travel insurance benefits you may want to consider:
Pre-Existing Condition Waiver: Extends medical benefits to cover pre-existing medical conditions that are often excluded from coverage.
Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR): Provides partial reimbursement of your prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if you need to cancel your trip for a reason that’s not covered by Trip Cancellation insurance.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D): Provides a cash payment in the event of accidental loss of life or limb during a covered trip.
Coverage for Adventure Sports: Covers medical expenses relating to an injury or illness sustained while participating in a covered adventure activity. Some adventure travel plans will also include coverage for sports equipment you choose to bring with you.
Rental Car Damage: Select plans include rental car coverage that covers damage to, or theft of, a rental vehicle during a covered trip.
Is International Travel Insurance Worth It?
Yes, travel insurance is most useful on trips abroad where trip costs are higher and quality medical care can be difficult to come by or prohibitively expensive out of pocket. At a minimum, consider the CDC’s guidelines for securing medical insurance for international travel to ensure your health and finances are protected while away.
Here are a few reasons international travel health insurance is worth it:
- Most standard health insurance is not accepted abroad
- Some foreign hospitals require upfront payment before treating you
- Some countries may require travel insurance for entry
That said, we don’t recommend stopping at medical-only coverage. Most trip insurance is comprehensive and includes other worthwhile benefits like trip cancellation, flight delays, and baggage protection which are especially important on expensive and faraway trips abroad.
Tips for Choosing International Travel Insurance
With so many travel insurance options available, it can be hard to know where to begin. However, purchasing protection for your trip doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow the steps outlined below to find a policy that meets your needs and provides valuable peace of mind.
Online services like Squaremouth’s international travel insurance comparison tool allow you to compare 100+ policies from top-rated providers in one place. You can sort plans by price, ratings, coverage level, or specific benefits, and use verified customer reviews to guide your decision.
When it comes to travel health insurance, international destinations each carry their own unique risks. The right coverage depends heavily on where you're going. For example, winter sports coverage is essential if you're skiing in the Swiss Alps, while a trip to Mexico may require coverage for scuba diving, snorkeling, or hurricane-related disruptions. Remote destinations far from home or cruises may also increase the importance of high medical evacuation coverage.
Before you buy, take time to read the policy's exclusions and limitations listed in the Certificate of Insurance. Many international travel insurance plans exclude coverage for high-risk activities, cancellations due to bad weather, or pre-existing medical conditions unless specific criteria are met.
For the best protection, purchase your plan shortly after booking your trip. This ensures eligibility for time-sensitive benefits like pre-existing condition waivers or Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, both of which typically have purchase windows of 14–21 days from your first trip payment. Buying early also gives you coverage for cancellations or disruptions that happen before your departure date.
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FAQs: International Travel Insurance
No, travel insurance is typically not required for international destinations. However, entry requirements for foreign countries are subject to change at any time, and travel insurance is strongly recommended regardless of whether it is legally mandatory.
No, with domestic health insurance, international travel is rarely covered and most plans aren’t accepted overseas. The best way to get medical protection abroad is to purchase a travel insurance policy that includes strong Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation protection.
No, travel insurance plans from Squaremouth are designed for worldwide protection from the time you leave home until the time you return, regardless of how many countries you visit in between.
Yes, most international travel insurance plans do cover medical treatment at private hospitals abroad, as long as the treatment is for a covered emergency.
While more expensive and less prevalent in remote destinations, private facilities often offer shorter wait times, English-speaking staff, and higher standards of care compared to public hospitals in some countries.
In most cases, you will pay for medical expenses out-of-pocket and get reimbursed by your travel insurance company after submitting a claim. Your claim should include all hospital bills you paid out-of-pocket, as well as any supporting documentation requested by your provider.
In some cases, your provider may pay for your medical expenses upfront if it is a requirement to receive care.
If a flight in your travel itinerary is significantly delayed, you may be eligible for food and overnight accommodation expenses as you wait for your new departure time.
The only scenario in which you will be reimbursed to change flights is if a previous delay causes you to miss a connecting flight. In this case, your provider may reimburse additional expenses incurred to catch up to your trip. See our page on flight insurance plans for more details.
It depends on the policy. Most international travel insurance plans exclude coverage for chronic or pre-existing conditions unless you opt for a travel insurance plan that covers pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing condition waivers are often available if you purchase your policy shortly after your initial trip deposit (typically within 14–21 days) and meet certain eligibility requirements.
Without the waiver, flare-ups of ongoing conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease may not be covered, even if they require emergency care during your trip.
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