Jump straight to it: The best international travel insurance company is Faye.
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, though some countries may insist you have it before crossing their borders. It is also a requirement for the issuance of some visas. Still, international travel is uncertain. You’ll need international travel insurance if you’re about to embark on a trip abroad.
Travel insurance will protect you from financial loss should you need medical attention, lose your luggage or find yourself stranded in a foreign country — flights cancelled or delayed. Fortunately, several international travel insurance companies offer packages to suit all travel needs.
Quick Look: Best Travel Insurance for International Trips
- Best for Digital Experience: Faye
- Best for Travel on a Budget: Travelex International Ltd.
- Best for Families: Arch RoamRight
- Best for Frequent Fliers: Allianz Travel Insurance
- Best for Cruise Vacations: Nationwide Travel Insurance
Top International Travel Insurance
Here are five of the best international travel insurance companies offering essential and add-on services for peace-of-mind travel.
Best for Digital Experience: Faye
Online travel insurance company Faye offers a single travel plan with optional add-ons. Users access plans and file claims on a free app with 24/7 access. Expect payment directly into a digital wallet.
The basic insurance covers most medical expenses, including preexisting conditions and medical evacuation, lost or damaged luggage and trip cancellation and interruption. You can also choose add-ons like extreme sports and car rental damage coverage. Prices differ depending on the destination and travel duration. International coverage starts at an affordable $5.16 per day and domestic at $4.64.
Why We Love It: We love Faye Travel Insurance because of its comprehensive coverage, including medical expenses, trip cancellation and baggage protection. It has an impressive customer satisfaction rate of over 95% and a quick claims process that averages only 24 hours. Additionally, its competitive pricing and 24/7 customer support make it a reliable choice if you're looking to protect your travel investment.
Best for Budget Insurance: Travelex
Choose from three Travelex plans. The Basic plan comes in at a below-average premium. Quotes are available online. Benefits include trip delay, interruption and cancellation, baggage coverage and primary and emergency medical care. It also covers emergency medical evacuation.
The family-directed Travel Select plan includes free coverage for children under 18. Unlike the Basic plan, it covers preexisting medical conditions. It also provides for customized add-ons like adventure sports. Travel America is designed for trips in the U.S. and covers up to seven people in a group. Apply for travel insurance online and get a quote in seconds.
Why We Love It: Travelex offers a convenient way to get travel insurance with an instant quote available online. Not only does it provide coverage for COVID-19 (with certain restrictions), but it also offers 24/7 assistance for all your travel needs. Whether you need help with medical emergencies, lost luggage, or any other travel-related issues, Travel has you covered around the clock.
Best for Families: Arch RoamRight
This provides a broad overview of your policy provisions and does not revise or amend the policy. Insurance coverages are underwritten by Arch Insurance Company, NAIC #11150, under policy series LTP 2013 and amendments thereto. Plans are offered and disseminated by registered travel retailers on behalf of Arch Insurance Solutions Inc., a licensed travel insurance producer* (CA License #0I18111, TX License #1787195). Both the travel insurance producer and the underwriter referenced above may be reached at 1-844-872-4163. Your policy is the contract that specifically and fully describes your coverage. Certain terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply and coverages may vary in certain states. Please refer to your policy for detailed terms and conditions.
Consumer Disclosures can be found at: https://www.roamright.com/disclosures/.
Privacy policy can be found at: https://www.roamright.com/roamright-website-privacy-policy/
*Plans are solicited by licensed producers in NY and HI.
Choose from Pro and Pro-Plus plans when you insure with Arch RoamRight. Both plans offer free coverage for one child younger than 18 per adult with travel insurance. The children receive the same coverage as the accompanying adult traveler — cost-effective insurance for traveling families. The insurance covers medical emergencies, travel delays and interruptions and lost luggage. Pro-Plus covers existing conditions. The company offers upgrades for adventure travel, rental car damage and delayed luggage. Make claims by phone, email or online.
Why We Love It: Arch Roamright offers a comprehensive mobile app and online platform for travelers, providing convenience and accessibility at their fingertips. With multi-policy coverage options available for frequent travelers, you can choose the plan that best fits your needs. Additionally, the Pro Plus plan includes the added benefit of having one child included for every adult plan purchased.
Best for Frequent Fliers: Allianz Travel Insurance
If you’re looking for all the travel insurance essentials on a budget, the Allianz One Trip Basic plan will work for you. Allianz provides users with an app to track and claim coverage.
There are several plans on offer with some interesting innovations.
One Trip Emergency Medical increases the emergency medical coverage for the Basic plan from $10,000 to $50,000 but excludes trip interruption and cancellation benefits. All Trip options provide travelers with year-round protection for a single fee and include car rental protection. Allianz has a Concierge service and multilingual customer service 24/7.
Why We Love It: Allianz Global Assistance offers a wide range of plans, covering trips up to 365 days. It provides convenience through its mobile app, allowing you to easily access its policy information, file claims and receive assistance while on the go.
Best for Cruise Vacations: Nationwide Travel Insurance
In business since 1926, Nationwide Travel Insurance offers travelers a choice of seven travel insurance policies. Nationwide’s Essential Plan offers basic travel insurance at below-average prices. It also provides specialized cruise insurance and annual plans for those who travel frequently and would prefer to pay a single premium for a year’s coverage.
Why We Love It: Nationwide Travel Insurance offers optional add-ons such as rental car damage coverage, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) protection and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, allowing travelers to customize their insurance plans to fit their specific needs and preferences.
How Does International Travel Insurance Work?
Anything can go wrong when you travel to foreign countries. You may have to cancel the trip, or it may be delayed. You may become ill or lose your luggage. International travel insurance protects you from financial loss under some of these circumstances.
What Does International Travel Insurance Cover?
International travel insurance can be worthwhile because it covers a broad range of possible circumstances.
Travel Delay
Most insurance companies impose a six-hour minimum waiting period before you can claim expenses for travel delays.
Trip Cancellation
Trip cancellation covers you for the prepaid portion of your travel costs in the event of cancellation. The policy will list the covered events. You can also buy coverage for all events but at a higher premium.
Trip Interruption
Your insurance will cover you for specified unforeseen travel interruptions. Listed reasons usually include illness, injury or bad weather.
Baggage Insurance
Baggage insurance covers you for lost, damaged or stolen luggage.
Travel Medical Insurance
Overseas medical costs can pile up, and your medical aid may not cover them. Travel medical insurance covers all your medical like ambulance services, hospitalization and doctor’s visits should you become ill or injure yourself while traveling.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
If you are seriously injured or ill while abroad, you may have to move to another facility capable of providing the treatment. Emergency medical evacuation covers transportation costs. In some instances, medical evacuation will also cover repatriation costs so you can return home.
Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) Travel Insurance
Some insurance companies offer IFAR as an additional benefit. Under this benefit, you can return home for any reason. You will receive a portion of your prepaid expenses as a reimbursement.
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance
CFAR insurance is another add-on product. You must buy it within two to three weeks of paying deposits for the trip or you won’t qualify. There is also usually a waiting period before you can cancel and a cap of around 75% on the reimbursement.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
AD&D covers you in case of accidental death or loss of a limb and faculties like sight. Your policy will define the injuries. Ensure you understand the exclusions if you buy this additional travel insurance.
What Is Not Covered by International Travel Insurance
There are certain injuries and illnesses that your international travel insurance will not cover. These include:
- Preexisting medical conditions
- Natural disasters, civil unrest and war
- Change-of-mind cancellation
- Injury during high-risk activities
- Losses caused by negligence or in the commission of an illegal activity
- Routine doctor’s visits or procedures
How Much Does International Travel Insurance Cost?
Costs for international travel insurance differ considerably according to the trip cost, coverage, options, traveler age and ports of departure and destination. On average, travel insurance will cost between 3% and 6% of your nonrefundable costs.
Travel with Confidence
Don’t plan a foreign holiday without travel insurance. It isn’t worth the risk. Travel insurance protects you from losses when things go wrong as you travel the world. It protects you from financial loss and could make all the difference if you need medical attention or suffer the inconvenience of delayed or canceled flights. There is travel insurance to meet all your insurance needs at an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is international travel insurance required?
In most countries, international travel insurance is not mandatory, though some may make it a prerequisite for entry. Some embassies also require proof of medical insurance before issuing a visa.
Does international travel insurance cover preexisting medical conditions?
International travel insurance does not cover preexisting medical conditions.
Is it possible to extend international travel insurance coverage while abroad?
Most insurance companies will allow you to extend your international travel insurance coverage while abroad though there may be time limits.