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Travel medical insurance can be a cost-effective way to pay for medical expenses abroad. Learn more about providers, costs, add-ons and more.
Jesus Sanchez Garcia is a writer specializing in home warranties and related insurance products. He holds a particular interest in research and understanding his readers, and he has facilitated focus groups to gain deeper insight into homeowners’ needs. Jesus has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. In his spare time, Jesus can be found cheering on Arsenal or spending time with his cat, Nevi.
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
Protecting your travel plans from unforeseen medical events is important. Whether you’re concerned about a viral outbreak in the country you’re visiting or an unforeseen medical accident, travel medical insurance can offer peace of mind on your next trip.
We at the Guides Home Team have analyzed dozens of travel insurance companies and compiled a list of providers that offer travel medical coverage. We considered factors such as costs, coverage limits, plan add-ons and convenience to help you choose the best option for your trip.
Below is our list of the best travel insurance companies that offer medical coverage, along with a short description of why we picked each.
We requested online quotes for each company to help give you an idea of different plan costs and options. The chart below includes data based on a 36-year-old frequent traveler who is looking to purchase $500,000 medical coverage for an 8-day, $5,000 trip to Cancun, Mexico.
Why We Chose Travelex
Travelex’s travel med plan covers up to $10,000 in emergency medical expenses, $100,000 in emergency evacuation and repatriation expenses and $10,000 in accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. We also like that you can enroll in a Travelex travel med plan at any time before your departure, even the day of.
This plan also offers typical travel insurance coverage like lost baggage, trip cancellation, missed connection and more.
Add-on options
Travelex does not offer add-ons for its travel med plan.
Cost
A Travelex travel med plan for a 35-year-old traveler going on a $2,000 trip to Mexico is $41.
Launched in 2022, Faye may be a newcomer to the travel insurance industry, but its seamless online experience has already earned the company hundreds of positive online customer reviews.
Faye features an all-online quote process with just a handful of questions, enrollment and claims-filing process. You can enroll in coverage and file claims directly through its mobile app, and even be reimbursed on approved claims to your phone’s Faye wallet. Faye also offers real-time alerts and 24/7 customer service before and during your trip.
We recommend Faye to travelers who want a quick, all-online experience that doesn’t require wading through complicated coverage options.
*Coverage
Faye offers one plan with several optional add-on options.
Optional Add-Ons
*Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.
Of the companies on our list, IMG Global offers the largest suite of travel medical-specific products, including travel medical insurance, international health insurance and travel insurance. Its policy offerings also include more unique coverage options, like health plans for student travelers and extreme sports-specific plans for people participating in high-risk activities while traveling.
IMG Global’s plans also cover a wide variety of medical expenses, such as reconstructive surgery and chiropractic care, to name a few.
Add-On Options
IMG Global provides two add-on coverage options:
Cost
Based on our research, a 36-year-old traveler selecting a $500,000 medical coverage policy for a week-long, $5,000 trip to Mexico can expect to pay IMG between $9.86 and $15.40. Its deductibles range from $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,500.
Of the companies on our list, IMG Global offers the largest suite of travel medical-specific products, including travel medical insurance, international health insurance and travel insurance. Its policy offerings also include more unique coverage options, like health plans for student travelers and extreme sports-specific plans for people participating in high-risk activities while traveling.
IMG Global’s plans also cover a wide variety of medical expenses, such as reconstructive surgery and chiropractic care, to name a few.
Seven Corners offers robust travel medical insurance plans for quick getaways or extended travel in a foreign country. The company has three plans that cover a range of medical care, such as urgent care visits, dental care and emergency eye exams. Its plans are budget-friendly, plus you can extend benefits up to 364 days.
Seven Corners also includes benefits such as baggage loss and trip interruption within its travel medical plans.
*AM Best ratings are accurate as of March 2023.
Add-On Options
Seven Corners offers a single add-on option: adventure activities coverage. This coverage can help protect you if you are injured due to certain sports or activities while traveling.
Cost
According to our research, a 36-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip with a $500,000 medical coverage limit to Mexico should expect to pay between $13.84 and $18.96.
Seven Corners also allows you to choose your deductible rate, with options ranging from $0 to $5,000. The lower your deductible, the more you pay per plan.
Seven Corners offers robust travel medical insurance plans for quick getaways or extended travel in a foreign country. The company has three plans that cover a range of medical care, such as urgent care visits, dental care and emergency eye exams. Its plans are budget-friendly, plus you can extend benefits up to 364 days.
Seven Corners also includes benefits such as baggage loss and trip interruption within its travel medical plans.
*AM Best ratings are accurate as of March 2023.
AIG Travel Guard is another insurance provider that covers vacation and business travelers alike. It offers a single travel medical insurance policy, the MedEvac Per Trip Plan. While this plan includes a robust $5 million emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, plus a $500 dental limit, it only covers up to $50,000 in medical benefits per policy term.
The company doesn’t charge a deductible when you file a claim. It also offers a COVID-19 lodging add-on, which helps cover expenses if you contract the virus while traveling.
Add-On Options
As we previously mentioned, AIG offers one add-on option that can help cover additional lodging costs due to unexpected illness: the Lodging Expense Bundle.
Cost
We requested a quote for a 36-year-old traveler going on a week-long, $5,000 trip to Mexico. Based on our research, you can expect to pay $18.37 for AIG single-trip plans.
AIG Travel Guard is another insurance provider that covers vacation and business travelers alike. It offers a single travel medical insurance policy, the MedEvac Per Trip Plan. While this plan includes a robust $5 million emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, plus a $500 dental limit, it only covers up to $50,000 in medical benefits per policy term.
The company doesn’t charge a deductible when you file a claim. It also offers a COVID-19 lodging add-on, which helps cover expenses if you contract the virus while traveling.
Trawick International offers comprehensive travel medical insurance at affordable rates. Its base plans include up to $5 million in emergency medical expenses, $25,000 in political evacuation coverage and a $2,500 coverage limit for pre-existing medical conditions.
Plans start at $10 for a week-long trip, which is one of the more affordable options among the international travel medical insurance policies we’ve researched.
Add-On Options
Trawick has the greatest variety of add-on options compared to the other providers we’ve included in our review. Add-on coverage options include:
Cost
We estimated that a 36-year-old traveler who chooses a $500,000 limit for a week-long, $5,000 trip to Mexico should expect to pay between $10 and $23 for Trawick International coverage. The company offers deductible options ranging from $0 to $5,000 per claim.
Trawick International offers comprehensive travel medical insurance at affordable rates. Its base plans include up to $5 million in emergency medical expenses, $25,000 in political evacuation coverage and a $2,500 coverage limit for pre-existing medical conditions.
Plans start at $10 for a week-long trip, which is one of the more affordable options among the international travel medical insurance policies we’ve researched.
HTH Worldwide partners with GeoBlue, a Blue Cross company, to provide a variety of travel medical insurance policies. It offers single and multi-trip plans on the GeoBlue website, plus perks such as complimentary appointment booking, paperless claims resolution and a network of hospitals in over 180 countries worldwide.
This company’s plans also include solid healthcare benefits such as prescription drugs and physical therapy coverage.
Add-On Options
HTH Worldwide does not offer add-ons due to the focused medical coverage it provides in partnership with GeoBlue.
Cost
A 36-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip with a $500,000 medical coverage limit to Mexico should expect to pay between $15.44 and $19.76, according to our research. HTH provides $0, $100, $250 and $500 deductible options when paired with a GeoBlue plan.
HTH Worldwide partners with GeoBlue, a Blue Cross company, to provide a variety of travel medical insurance policies. It offers single and multi-trip plans on the GeoBlue website, plus perks such as complimentary appointment booking, paperless claims resolution and a network of hospitals in over 180 countries worldwide.
This company’s plans also include solid healthcare benefits such as prescription drugs and physical therapy coverage.
TravelSafe Insurance is another reputable provider that offers travel medical and travel insurance plans. Its plans are budget-friendly and ideal for travelers that need solid protection for out-of-pocket medical costs. It offers two plans that cover standard emergency accidents, unexpected illnesses and non-medical emergency evacuation. Its plans start at $10 and increase based on factors such as your age and trip cost.
Add-On Options
TravelSafe includes one coverage add-on: the Optional Trip Delay Max Upgrade.
Cost
We pulled a quote for a 36-year-old traveler going on a week-long, $5,000 trip to Mexico. TravelSafe plans with a $500,000 medical limit range from $11.48 to $12.78. Your policy cost may vary based on your age, trip cost, coverage and deductible selections.
TravelSafe Insurance is another reputable provider that offers travel medical and travel insurance plans. Its plans are budget-friendly and ideal for travelers that need solid protection for out-of-pocket medical costs. It offers two plans that cover standard emergency accidents, unexpected illnesses and non-medical emergency evacuation. Its plans start at $10 and increase based on factors such as your age and trip cost.
Allianz Global Assistance offers a single travel medical plan that comes with a $50,000 emergency medical limit, a $250,000 emergency evacuation limit and a $10,000 travel accident coverage limit. In addition to standard medical coverage, Allianz includes a concierge hotline plus a 24-hour travel assistance desk that can help you source medical assistance services and more.
Add-On Options
Allianz Global offers one add-on coverage option focused on rental cars: the OneTrip Rental Car Protector.
Cost
We requested a quote for a 36-year-old traveler going on a week-long, $5,000 trip to Mexico. Based on our data, you can expect to pay $46 for Allianz Global single-trip plans.
Allianz Global Assistance offers a single travel medical plan that comes with a $50,000 emergency medical limit, a $250,000 emergency evacuation limit and a $10,000 travel accident coverage limit. In addition to standard medical coverage, Allianz includes a concierge hotline plus a 24-hour travel assistance desk that can help you source medical assistance services and more.
Note: Pricing varies based on your age, trip length, destination and plan selections. Also, AIG Travel Guard and Allianz Global Assistance plans offer a maximum of $50,000 in medical coverage.
There is a difference between travel insurance and travel medical insurance. Standard and comprehensive travel insurance plans include trip cancellation and interruption coverage, whereas travel medical plans offer little to no trip coverage.
While travel medical plans focus on emergency medical expenses during a trip, typical travel insurance plans cover the following:
The coronavirus pandemic shifted how most people travel worldwide, and travel insurance companies now typically include COVID-19 coverage within plans. Most reputable travel medical insurance companies list COVID-19 as a covered reason for medical coverage. We recommend reading your provider’s sample policy to ensure COVID-19 coverage is eligible for reimbursement.
To learn more: What Is Travel Insurance?
Several factors determine travel medical insurance expenses, the two biggest being your age and the cost of your trip. Other factors that influence costs are the following:
Travel medical insurance covers costly medical expenses that occur outside your home country. Most employer-based health insurance, Medicare or Affordable Care Act plans don’t cover medical expenses outside the U.S. If you are going on an extended or international trip, having a travel medical insurance plan gives you peace of mind that you are protected should you get injured or ill while traveling.
Every provider in this list offers solid travel medical insurance. We at the Guides Home Team recommend Seven Corners since it provides comprehensive medical and trip coverage. AIG Travel is another reputable provider that includes a COVID-19 lodging add-on. Finally, Trawick International offers budget-friendly plans.
Before you purchase travel medical insurance, we recommend you get quotes from at least three providers to compare costs and coverage limits. Also, read their sample policies to be familiar with coverage exclusions and reach out to insurance agents with any questions.
A security coverage limit is the amount a travel medical insurance plan will cover should you need to evacuate your destination due to political unrest, threats toward your well-being, war or natural disasters. Covered expenses include lodging, meals and transportation.
No, travel medical insurance is not required to travel internationally. However, traveling without a travel medical insurance plan means you are responsible for any medical expense you collect while traveling. A traditional health insurance plan excludes medical expense coverage outside of the U.S.
Yes, travel medical insurance plans cover visits to multiple countries, so long as you specify which countries you will visit during the sign-up process.
Many travel medical insurance providers include a 10–15-day “free look period” where you can review a plan’s terms and conditions. If you are unsatisfied with the specified terms, you can cancel for a full refund within that period. But you may be subject to a cancellation fee if you decide to cancel after.
Discover our top recommendations for the following insurance types to find the providers that best meet your needs.
Our team surveyed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the internet, to simulate an authentic customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers:
- Cost (10%): To determine a baseline average travel insurance cost, we gathered quotes from each travel insurance company based on different traveler profiles. Travel insurance companies at or below our calculated average cost of $247 earn full points in this category. Specifically, we obtained quotes for the following trips
- A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
- A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
- A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to London.
- A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to London.
- Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
- Coverage details (30%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
- Coverage times and amounts (32%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
- Company service and reviews (18%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
A.M. Best Disclaimer
Jesus Sanchez Garcia is a writer specializing in home warranties and related insurance products. He holds a particular interest in research and understanding his readers, and he has facilitated focus groups to gain deeper insight into homeowners’ needs. Jesus has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. In his spare time, Jesus can be found cheering on Arsenal or spending time with his cat, Nevi.
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
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