Compare Travel Insurance Plans Side by Side
Key Takeaways
- Travel medical insurance covers illness and injury abroad. Trip cancellation insurance covers prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs. Compare plans of the same type.
- Medical coverage limits are $1,000,000 for BCBS Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum, $2,000,000 for WorldTrips Atlas Travel, and $8,000,000 for IMG Patriot Platinum.
- BCBS Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum covers pre-existing conditions for travelers with a primary U.S. health plan; WorldTrips Atlas Travel covers only acute-onset conditions.
- Trawick Pathway Premier’s Cancel for Any Reason add-on must be purchased within 21 days of the initial trip deposit and is unavailable to New York residents.
Start With What Matters to You
Which Type of Travel Insurance Do You Need?
Protect your health, your prepaid trip costs, or both. Start with your main priority, then compare the details.
Medical care while traveling
Travel medical insurance focuses on unexpected illness or injury abroad, with benefits for eligible treatment and emergency medical evacuation. Plans also include travel benefits, such as travel delay and lost luggage.
Protection for your trip costs
Trip cancellation insurance helps protect prepaid, nonrefundable expenses when you cancel for a covered reason. Plans also include emergency medical benefits.
What Are Travel Medical Insurance Plans?
Travel medical plans help cover doctor visits, emergency treatment, hospitalization, prescription medications, and emergency medical evacuation. Benefits, limits, and exclusions vary by policy.
This coverage is worth considering when your regular health insurance offers limited or no coverage at your destination. Travel medical plans generally focus on medical expenses rather than reimbursing trip costs.
When you compare them, the biggest differences are the medical maximum, pre-existing condition terms, eligibility, and coverage length.
Top Travel Medical Plans at a Glance
Compare our top three travel medical insurance options for international travel. Check eligibility first, then review medical limits, pre-existing condition terms, and how long you can stay covered.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Global Solutions
Single Trip Platinum (Formerly GeoBlue Voyager)
Travel abroad with coverage for pre-existing conditions.
✔
Medical coverage options up to $1 million
✔
Coverage for pre-existing conditions with a primary eligible health plan
✔
Unlimited telemedicine at no extra cost
International Medical Group (IMG)
Patriot Platinum
High medical limits for your international travels.
✔
Medical coverage options up to $8 million
✔
Emergency medical evacuation benefits
✔
Coverage extendable up to 36 continuous months
WorldTrips
Atlas Travel
Flexible medical protection for your next trip abroad.
✔
Medical coverage options up to $2 million
✔
Adventure sports coverage included
✔
Trip interruption, travel delay, and lost checked luggage benefits
Key Considerations When Comparing Travel Medical Plans
Focus on the medical benefits, coverage restrictions, and any optional add-ons that matter for your trip.
1. Compare Medical Benefits and Out-of-Pocket Costs
Review medical coverage limits, deductibles, and coinsurance to understand your protection and potential costs.
2. Check Pre-Existing Condition Terms
Check whether the plan covers pre-existing conditions, limits coverage to qualifying acute-onset events, or excludes them.
3. Review Evacuation, Activities, and Add-Ons
Check evacuation limits and whether your planned activities require additional coverage, such as an adventure sports add-on.
Compare Travel Medical Plans Side by Side
| Comparison Feature |  Single Trip Platinum
|  Patriot Platinum
|  Atlas Travel
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Why Compare This Plan? | Pre-existing condition benefits
| High medical limits & extensions
| Adventure sports coverage
|
| Eligibility | Eligible U.S. Travelers | All Citizenships* | All Citizenships** |
| Medical Maximum | Up to $1 million | Up to $8 million Limits may vary based on age or destination | Up to $2 million Limits may vary based on age |
| Deductible Options | $0-$500 | $0-$25,000 | $0-$5,000 |
| Coverage Period | 7-180 days | 5-364 days | 5-364 days |
| Pre-Existing Conditions | 100% coverage Requires an eligible primary U.S. health insurance plan. Policy terms and exclusions apply. | Qualifying acute onset only Age limits and exclusions apply | Qualifying acute onset only Age limits and exclusions apply |
| Emergency Evacuation | Up to $500,000 | Up to $8,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 |
| Emergency Dental Care | Up to $500 | Up to $300 | Up to $300 |
| Trip Cancellation | Not Included | Optional Add-On Available to U.S. residents only at an additional cost. | Not Included |
| Trip Interruption | Up to $1,000 | Optional Add-On Available to U.S. residents only at an additional cost. | Up to $10,000 |
| Adventure Sports Coverage | Up to $25,000 | Optional Add-On Available at an additional cost. | Up to the maximum limit |
| 24/7 Global Assistance Services |
*IMG Patriot Platinum is not available to individuals physically located in the state of New York.
**WorldTrips Atlas is not available to individuals physically located in the states of New York, Maryland, or Washington, or the countries of Canada or Australia at the time of purchase.
Have questions? Call 877-758-4881 for help.
Expert Insight
Choosing travel insurance starts with understanding what you want to protect: your health, your prepaid trip costs, or both. Travel medical coverage and trip cancellation benefits serve different needs, so look beyond the plan’s name to understand what it covers.
Joe Cronin, President of International Citizens Insurance
What Are Trip Cancellation Insurance Plans?
Trip cancellation plans help reimburse prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if you cancel before departure for a reason covered by the policy. These expenses may include flights, accommodations, adventure activities, and tours.
Plans often bundle cancellation coverage with benefits for trip interruptions, travel delays, baggage, and emergency medical expenses. Consider this type of plan when you have trip costs you couldn’t recover through refunds if your plans changed.
When comparing plans, check that the cancellation limit covers the trip costs you want to insure. Then review covered reasons, Cancel for Any Reason purchase deadlines, and pre-existing condition waiver requirements.
Top Trip Cancellation Plans at a Glance
Explore plans that help protect your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs. Compare covered cancellation reasons, available benefits, and eligibility requirements to narrow your options.
Trawick International
Pathway Premier
For travelers who want trip protection with optional coverage for adventure and extreme sports.
✔
Protect up to $100,000 in trip costs if you cancel for a covered reason.
✔
Add medical coverage for eligible adventure and extreme sports.*
✔
$1 million for a covered emergency medical evacuation.
IMG
iTravelInsured LX
For travelers visiting remote or exotic destinations worldwide who want trip protection and high medical limits.
✔
Protect up to $150,000 in trip costs if you cancel for a covered reason.
✔
$500,000 for covered emergency medical and dental expenses.
✔
$1 million for covered medical evacuation and repatriation.
*Trawick’s optional sports coverage is unavailable to residents of MA, MN, MO, MT, NY, OR, and WA.
Key Considerations When Comparing Trip Cancellation Plans
Start with your nonrefundable trip costs, then compare covered cancellation reasons and the requirements for benefits you may need.
1. Calculate Your Nonrefundable Trip Costs
Identify the prepaid expenses you want to protect and compare them with the plan’s cancellation limit.
2. Compare Covered Cancellation Reasons
Check which circumstances qualify and whether optional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is available.
3. Check Deadlines and Other Benefits
Review purchase deadlines and eligibility requirements for optional benefits and pre-existing condition waivers.
Compare Trip Cancellation Plans Side by Side
| Comparison Feature |  Pathway Premier
| iTravelInsured LX
|
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | U.S. Residents | U.S. Residents |
| Maximum Trip Length | Up to 90 days | Up to 180 days |
| Trip Cancellation | 100% of trip cost Up to $100,000 | 100% of trip cost Up to $150,000 |
| Trip Interruption | 150% of trip cost Up to $150,000 | 150% of trip cost Up to $150,000 |
| Optional Cancel For Any Reason | 75% of trip cost Must purchase within 21 days of initial trip deposit.Not available to residents of NY. | 75% of trip cost Must purchase within 20 days of initial trip deposit. Not available to residents of NY. |
| Optional Interruption For Any Reason | 50% of trip cost Must purchase within 21 days of initial trip deposit.Not available to residents of NY. | 75% of trip cost Must purchase within 20 days of initial trip deposit. Not available to residents of NY. |
| Travel Delay | $2,000 maximum $300 /day | $2,500 maximum $250 /day |
| Baggage and Personal Effects | $1,000 maximum $250 /article | $2,500 maximum $250 /article |
| Emergency Accident and Sickness | Up to $100,000 Up to $750 for dental expenses | Up to $500,000 Up to $1,000 for dental expenses |
| Emergency Evacuation | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 |
| Pre-Existing Condition Waiver | Available if premium is received by final trip payment. Additional requirements apply. | Available if premium is received by final trip payment. Additional requirements apply. |
| Pre-Existing Condition Look-Back Period The look-back period determines which conditions count as pre-existing; it is separate from the deadline to qualify for the waiver. | 180 days | 60 days |
| Adventure Sports | Optional Add-On Up to $10,000 | Included Policy terms and activity restrictions apply. |
What Should You Compare in Any Travel Insurance Plan?
Plan names don’t tell you much. Use this checklist to compare plans of the same type on the same terms.
| What to Check | Travel Medical Plans | Trip Cancellation Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Main benefit | Medical maximum for illness or injury abroad | Cancellation limit compared with your nonrefundable trip cost |
| Pre-existing conditions | Full coverage, acute onset only, or excluded | Whether a waiver is available and the deadline to qualify |
| Eligibility | Citizenship, residence, age, and where you are when you buy | Residence and state restrictions on add-ons |
| Trip length | Minimum and maximum days, and whether you can extend | Maximum trip length |
| Emergency evacuation | Evacuation limit | Evacuation limit |
| Optional add-ons | Adventure sports, trip cancellation (where offered) | Cancel for Any Reason, Interruption for Any Reason, adventure sports |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Deductible and coinsurance | Daily and per-item caps for delay and baggage |
Compare prices after checking coverage. Plans that cost about the same can differ widely in terms of limits, deductibles, and exclusions. A lower price usually means lower limits or fewer benefits.
Expert Insight
The most common mistake is choosing the cheapest plan before checking whether it meets your needs. A low premium offers little value if the medical limit is too low or the reason you need to cancel isn’t covered. Start with the protection your trip requires, then compare prices.
Joe Cronin, President of International Citizens Insurance
Find the Right Travel Insurance for Your Trip
Whether you need travel medical coverage, trip cancellation protection, or both, explore your options and find a plan that fits your needs.
Have questions? Call 877-758-4881 for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Comparing Travel Plans
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Travel medical insurance focuses on unexpected medical expenses during your trip. Trip cancellation insurance helps protect insured, nonrefundable costs when you cancel for a covered reason. Some plans include both, with different limits and exclusions.
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Do not assume it does. A limited interruption or return-travel benefit is different from cancellation protection for prepaid trip costs. Check for a specific trip cancellation benefit.
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Some plans cover pre-existing conditions; others offer a waiver or limited protection for qualifying acute-onset events. Compare the definition, age limits, purchase deadlines, and benefit limits.
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Standard cancellation benefits apply to listed reasons. Optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, where available, can reimburse part of eligible trip costs for other reasons. Purchase and cancellation deadlines apply.
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Compare options when you make your first trip payment. Some benefits require purchase within a set period after that payment, while other conditions depend on final payment or departure.
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Compare annual travel insurance and check the maximum length of each trip. Moving abroad for ongoing care needs? Explore international health insurance.
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Decide whether you need travel medical coverage, trip cancellation coverage, or both. Then compare plans of the same type on medical limits, pre-existing condition terms, eligibility, deductibles, and optional add-ons before you look at price.
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Prices depend on each traveler’s age, the medical limit and deductible you choose, how long you’re traveling, and, for trip cancellation plans, how much trip cost you insure. Add-ons such as Cancel for Any Reason or adventure sports coverage also raise the price.