How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- The best travel insurance company depends on your trip: adventure travel, senior travel, and family travel need different coverage.
- World Nomads suits adventure travelers, while Allianz and Travel Guard suit broad mainstream coverage.
- IMG and Seven Corners suit long trips, expatriates, and international medical needs.
- Always compare medical limits, evacuation coverage, and exclusions, not just the headline price.
Quick comparison
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The best companies to get travel insurance
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
World Nomads suits travelers whose trips include hiking, diving, skiing, and other adventure activities that standard policies often exclude. Its plans cover a long list of activities by tier, and in many cases travelers can buy or extend coverage while already abroad, which suits backpackers and long trips with changing plans. Claims are handled online, which helps from the road.
Medical limits and activity coverage vary by plan and destination, so adventure travelers should check the exact activity list and limits for their trip rather than assuming coverage. Prices are quote-based and vary by age, destination, and trip length. For an adventure trip, World Nomads is the most flexible specialist choice.
What we like- Covers many adventure activities
- Buy while traveling in many cases
- Good for backpackers
Watch out for- Medical limits vary by plan
- Not the cheapest for simple trips
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Allianz Travel, from Allianz Partners, is one of the largest travel insurers, with plans ranging from basic trip protection to comprehensive coverage including medical, evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage. Its global assistance network helps travelers find care and arrange evacuation, and annual plans suit frequent travelers who would otherwise buy many single-trip policies.
Top medical limits sit on higher tiers, and exclusions for pre-existing conditions, adventure activities, and high-risk destinations vary by plan, so read the policy wording for your trip. Prices are quote-based. For a mainstream trip where broad coverage and a large assistance network matter, Allianz is a safe default.
What we like- Broad plan range
- Strong global assistance
- Annual plans for frequent travelers
Watch out for- Higher tiers needed for top medical limits
- Exclusions vary by plan
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Travel Guard, from AIG, offers broad trip protection with customizable plans covering cancellation, interruption, medical expenses, evacuation, and baggage. Riders and upgrades let travelers tailor coverage, such as adding cancel-for-any-reason options on eligible plans, which suits expensive or uncertain trips. AIG backing gives financial strength that matters when large claims arise.
The range of plans can confuse first-time buyers, and pricing varies widely by age, destination, trip cost, and options chosen. For a traveler who wants to customize coverage around an expensive trip, Travel Guard gives the most flexible mainstream options.
What we like- Broad trip cancellation and medical options
- Customizable plans
- AIG backing
Watch out for- Plan options can confuse first-time buyers
- Pricing varies widely
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
AXA Assistance brings a huge global assistance network to travel insurance, with medical referrals, evacuation coordination, and travel help in many countries. That network matters on international trips far from home, where finding quality care quickly and arranging transport can be harder than paying the bill. Plans cover trip protection and medical needs for leisure and business travel.
The US consumer plan range is narrower than Allianz or Travel Guard, and pricing is quote-based by trip details. For an international trip where assistance quality matters as much as reimbursement, AXA network is a strong advantage.
What we like- Huge global assistance network
- Strong medical evacuation
- Good for international trips
Watch out for- US plan range is narrower than Allianz
- Pricing is quote-based
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Seven Corners suits long trips, mission trips, and expatriate stays, with medical and trip protection plans designed for months abroad rather than a week of vacation. Its medical options cover international care, evacuation, and repatriation, and trip protection bundles add cancellation and baggage coverage for longer journeys.
Seven Corners is less familiar to casual travelers than Allianz, and plan comparison takes care, since long-trip plans differ from standard vacation plans. Prices are quote-based. For a trip longer than a month, or a stay abroad, Seven Corners is one of the best specialist choices.
What we like- Strong for long trips and expatriates
- Good medical options
- Trip protection bundles
Watch out for- Less known to casual travelers
- Plan comparison takes care
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
IMG, International Medical Group, focuses on international medical insurance for travelers, expatriates, students, and missionaries, with plans covering medical care, evacuation, and repatriation worldwide. Its global provider network helps travelers find care abroad, and long-term plans suit people living outside their home country for months or years.
Trip cancellation and baggage options are thinner than mainstream rivals such as Allianz or Travel Guard, so vacation travelers who prioritize cancellation should compare carefully. Prices are quote-based. For international medical coverage, especially for long stays, IMG is a leading specialist.
What we like- Strong international medical plans
- Good for expatriates and students
- Global network
Watch out for- Trip cancellation options are thinner than mainstream rivals
#7
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
Best for: Simple fast claims
Visit bhtp.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection suits travelers who want simple plans and fast claims without wading through dozens of options. Its plans cover trip protection and medical needs in clear tiers, and its claims process is known for speed, including fixed payments for common disruptions such as flight delays. That simplicity suits straightforward vacations.
Plan options are fewer than Allianz or Travel Guard, and adventure activity coverage is limited, so adventure travelers should look elsewhere. Prices are quote-based. For a simple trip where easy buying and fast claims matter most, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is a strong pick.
What we like- Simple plan structure
- Fast claims payment
- Good for straightforward trips
Watch out for- Fewer plan options than larger rivals
- Adventure coverage is limited
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Generali Global Assistance offers balanced trip and medical bundles, with cancellation, interruption, medical, evacuation, and baggage coverage in clear plans, plus assistance services for travel emergencies. Pricing is often competitive for mainstream trips, which suits budget-conscious travelers who still want solid coverage.
The Generali travel brand is less familiar to US buyers than Allianz or AIG, and plan details vary by state, so check your state version carefully. Prices are quote-based. For a mainstream trip where balanced coverage at a competitive price matters, Generali is worth quoting alongside the larger brands.
What we like- Balanced trip and medical coverage
- Good assistance services
- Competitive pricing
Watch out for- Brand is less familiar in the US
- Plan details vary by state
How we chose
We compared vendor pages, product documentation, and public user reviews, and we judged each company on coverage breadth, medical and evacuation limits, trip cancellation options, assistance quality, claims reputation, and price. Adventure, long-trip, and mainstream needs were judged separately, since the best company for a ski trip differs from the best for a family beach vacation. We did not claim hands-on testing. Prices are quote-based and vary by age, destination, trip cost, and health, so get quotes for your exact trip. This article is general information, not financial or insurance advice.
What to check before you pick
Start with your trip risks: destination medical costs, trip cost, activities, age, and health. A trip to the United States or a remote region needs higher medical and evacuation limits than a domestic weekend trip, while an expensive prepaid trip needs stronger cancellation coverage. Check medical limits first, since a low limit can leave a huge bill after a serious illness or accident abroad.
Also check exclusions carefully, including pre-existing conditions, adventure activities, alcohol-related incidents, and high-risk destinations, since exclusions decide real claims more than headlines do. Check whether a pre-existing condition waiver is available and what deadline applies, since many waivers require buying within two or three weeks of your first trip payment. Check evacuation coverage separately from medical coverage, since evacuation from a remote area can cost far more than treatment itself.
A further check matters for claims: confirm how claims are filed, what documentation is needed, and how long payment typically takes, since a policy that pays slowly helps little when bills are due. Keep receipts, medical records, and proof of delay or cancellation from the start, and file claims promptly, since deadlines apply. Travelers who document everything at the time, rather than reconstructing it later, get paid faster and with fewer disputes.
Finally, compare quotes for your exact trip across at least three companies, since prices for the same trip can differ widely by age and destination, and the cheapest quote often carries lower limits or broader exclusions. Read the full policy wording for the plan you choose, not just the summary, and confirm coverage for your specific activities and destinations in writing if anything is unclear. That care takes an hour and can save tens of thousands of dollars.
One more consideration is timing: buy travel insurance soon after your first trip payment, since cancellation coverage, pre-existing condition waivers, and cancel-for-any-reason options often depend on buying within a short window. Waiting until departure week can leave you without cancellation protection for events that happen before you leave, and some benefits disappear entirely after that window closes.
Frequently asked questions
What does travel insurance actually cover?
Travel insurance typically covers trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, baggage loss or delay, and travel delays, with limits and exclusions varying by plan. Read your policy wording for exact coverage, since summaries omit important exclusions.
How much medical coverage do I need abroad?
It depends on destination, since medical costs in the United States and remote regions run very high. Many experts suggest at least 100,000 dollars in medical coverage and 250,000 dollars or more in evacuation coverage for international trips, with higher limits for the United States.
What is cancel for any reason coverage?
Cancel for any reason coverage lets you cancel a trip for reasons not covered by standard cancellation, such as changing your mind, and typically reimburses 50 to 75 percent of prepaid costs. It costs extra, must be bought soon after your first payment, and usually requires cancelling at least 48 hours before departure.
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Many policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless you buy a waiver, which usually requires purchasing within two or three weeks of your first trip payment and being medically able to travel at purchase time. Check the waiver terms for your plan, since definitions and look-back periods vary.
Should I buy annual or single-trip insurance?
Annual plans suit travelers who take several trips a year, since they often cost less than buying separately for each trip. Single-trip plans suit occasional travelers, since annual plans cap per-trip length and may not cover very long trips.
Is travel insurance worth it for a cheap domestic trip?
For a cheap domestic trip with refundable bookings and home health coverage, insurance may add little value. For expensive, non-refundable, international, or adventure trips, insurance protects against costs that could reach tens of thousands of dollars.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.worldnomads.com
- https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com
- https://www.travelguard.com
- https://www.axa-assistance.us
- https://www.sevencorners.com
- https://www.imglobal.com
- https://www.bhtp.com
- https://www.generalitravelinsurance.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
World Nomads
Allianz Travel
Travel Guard
AXA Assistance
Seven Corners
IMG
Generali Global Assistance