Compare Travel Insurance Plans

When comparing travel insurance plans, it’s essential to evaluate several key factors to ensure you select the best coverage for your needs:

Coverage Options and Limits

• Medical Coverage: Check the limits for emergency medical expenses and medical evacuation. Higher limits are recommended for destinations with costly healthcare.
• Adventure or Sports Coverage: If you plan to engage in activities like skiing or scuba diving, ensure the policy includes coverage for adventure sports.
• Additional Benefits: Look for extra coverage options like lost luggage or trip delay benefits.

Exclusions and Limitations

• Examine the list of exclusions to ensure the plan covers your specific needs. Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions (unless a waiver is offered), high-risk activities, and certain destinations.

Policy Cost and Value

• Compare premiums in relation to the coverage offered. A higher-priced plan might include more extensive benefits or fewer exclusions, making it a better value for certain travelers.

Flexibility and Customization

• Look for plans that allow you to customize coverage limits and deductibles based on your budget and specific needs.

By carefully reviewing these factors, you can confidently choose a travel insurance plan that provides comprehensive protection for your journey.

Coverage limits and exclusions vary significantly across travel insurance plans, as seen in the BCBS Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum, WorldTrips Atlas Travel, and IMG Patriot Platinum plans.

Each offers distinct benefits and restrictions, catering to different traveler needs.

BCBS Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum: This plan offers high medical coverage limits, including up to $1,000,000 for emergency medical expenses, making it an excellent choice for U.S. citizens with a primary health plan. It also includes comprehensive coverage for pre-existing conditions, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.

WorldTrips Atlas Travel: Known for its flexibility, the Atlas plan allows travelers to customize their coverage limits, with options for medical benefits up to $2,000,000. This makes it ideal for travelers seeking scalable coverage, including robust emergency medical evacuation benefits.

IMG Patriot Platinum: This premium plan provides extensive medical coverage up to $8,000,000, high limits for emergency medical evacuation, and acute onset of pre-existing conditions. It’s designed for long-term travelers or those seeking top-tier protection.

The cost of travel insurance premiums varies significantly among insurers and plans, depending on factors such as coverage limits, benefits, and the traveler’s profile (age, trip duration, and destination).

Here’s how the BCBS Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum, WorldTrips Atlas Travel, and IMG Patriot Platinum plans compare in terms of premium costs:

BCBS Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum

• Premium Cost: Typically higher than budget travel insurance options but offers excellent value for U.S. citizens with a primary health plan.
• Why It Costs More: The plan includes robust benefits like pre-existing condition coverage, high medical limits, and seamless integration with U.S.-based healthcare networks.
• Ideal For: U.S. travelers who prioritize comprehensive medical coverage.

WorldTrips Atlas Travel

• Premium Cost: Generally more affordable and highly customizable based on selected coverage limits and deductibles.
• Why It Costs Less: The plan allows travelers to adjust key benefits such as medical limits (up to $2,000,000) and deductibles, offering scalable pricing to fit different budgets. However, optional add-ons like adventure sports coverage or extended trip interruption benefits can increase costs.
• Ideal For: Budget-conscious travelers or those seeking flexibility in their coverage.

IMG Patriot Platinum

• Premium Cost: Among the highest in the market, reflecting its extensive coverage and premium benefits.
• Why It Costs More: With coverage limits up to $8,000,000, long-term renewability, and benefits like emergency medical evacuation, acute onset of pre-existing conditions, and trip interruption, this plan caters to travelers seeking maximum protection.
• Ideal For: Long-term travelers, expatriates, or individuals requiring elite coverage with minimal exclusions.

When comparing premium costs, travelers should consider not only the upfront price but also the value offered by each plan in terms of coverage, flexibility, and benefits.

The right plan depends on your budget, trip duration, and personal needs, with each of these plans providing unique advantages for different types of travelers.

Travel insurance is designed to provide critical support during medical emergencies abroad, ensuring travelers receive timely and adequate care without facing overwhelming financial burdens.

Most travel insurance plans include coverage for medical expenses incurred abroad due to unexpected illness or injury.

For severe cases where local medical facilities are inadequate, travel insurance often covers emergency medical evacuation. This benefit ensures transport to the nearest facility.

Moreover, travel insurance providers offer 24/7 emergency assistance services to guide you through the process.

Trip cancellation insurance is designed to protect your travel investment by reimbursing prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you must cancel your trip due to specific unforeseen circumstances.

Here’s how the Trawick Pathway Premier, IMG iTravelInsured LX, and World Nomads Epic plans address common covered reasons:

1. Illness, Injury, or Death

• All three plans cover cancellations if you, a traveling companion, or an immediate family member falls seriously ill, is injured, or passes away before your trip begins.
• For example, the IMG iTravelInsured LX plan provides extensive coverage for these situations, ensuring you’re reimbursed for trip costs.

2. Natural Disasters

• All three plans cover cancellations due to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods, that make your destination uninhabitable.
• The Trawick Pathway Premier plan is particularly strong in this area, offering broad protection for severe weather-related events.

3. Work Obligations

• Unexpected work-related cancellations are commonly covered, such as being required to work or terminated from your job.
• The IMG iTravelInsured LX plan includes specific provisions for job loss or work requirements, making it a reliable choice for professionals.

4. Terrorism

• If a terrorist attack occurs at your destination within a specified timeframe before your trip, all three plans offer cancellation coverage.
• The World Nomads Epic plan, designed for global travelers, includes terrorism coverage, making it a solid option for international trips.

5. Travel Supplier Issues

• You may be reimbursed under certain conditions if your airline or travel supplier ceases operations due to financial insolvency.
• Both the Trawick Pathway Premier and IMG iTravelInsured LX plans cover this scenario, providing peace of mind for those booking with smaller operators.

6. Other Common Reasons

• Military Deployment: All three plans provide coverage if you are unexpectedly called to active duty.
• Quarantine: Plans like Trawick Pathway Premier include cancellations due to being placed under quarantine, such as for COVID-19.
• Legal Obligations: Most plans also cover being required to serve jury duty or be subpoenaed to court.

Additional Flexibility

For broader coverage, all three plans offer Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)* as an optional add-on.

This benefit allows you to cancel for non-covered reasons and receive partial reimbursement (typically 50%-75%), adding flexibility and peace of mind.

*Only available to U.S. citizens

Trip cancellation insurance plans differ primarily in calculating reimbursement for canceled trips, the limits they impose, and optional benefits like Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR).

Here’s how the Trawick Pathway Premier, IMG iTravelInsured LX, and World Nomads Epic plans compare:

Trawick Pathway Premier

• Reimbursement Terms: This policy covers 100% of the insured trip cost for cancellations due to covered reasons, such as illness, severe weather, or family emergencies.
• CFAR Option: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)* is an optional add-on that reimburses up to 75% of the insured trip cost if you cancel for non-covered reasons.
• Trip Cost Limit: This plan insures up to a maximum trip cost of $100,000, making it suitable for high-value trips.

*Not available to residents of NY or WA

IMG iTravelInsured LX

• Reimbursement Terms: Also covers 100% of the insured trip cost for covered cancellation reasons, such as natural disasters, illness, or job loss.
• CFAR Option: Includes an optional CFAR benefit, reimbursing up to 75% of the insured trip cost for cancellations outside standard covered reasons.
• Trip Cost Limit: The plan does not impose a predefined maximum limit for trip cancellation. Instead, reimbursement is based on the total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs insured when purchasing the policy.

*Not available to residents of NY

World Nomads Epic

• Reimbursement Terms: Covers 100% of the insured trip cost for cancellations due to covered reasons such as illness, natural disasters, or terrorism.
• CFAR Option: This option is available as an optional add-on only for U.S. citizens*. It reimburses up to 75% of the insured trip cost for cancellations not covered under standard terms.
• Trip Cost Limit: Maximum trip cancellation coverage is capped at $15,000, making it more suitable for budget or mid-range travelers.

*Not available to residents of NY

Timing is critical when buying trip cancellation insurance, especially for benefits like Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and coverage for pre-existing conditions.

You can buy Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance within a specific “Time Sensitive Period” after making your initial trip payment.

The Trawick Pathway Premier, IMG iTravelInsured LX, and World Nomads Epic plans each have specific time-sensitive requirements.

Trawick Pathway Premier

• CFAR Add-On: To include Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, you must purchase the policy within 21 days of making your initial trip deposit.
• Pre-Existing Condition Waiver: The pre-existing condition exclusion is waived if the policy is purchased within the same 21-day window and you are medically fit to travel when buying the policy.

IMG iTravelInsured LX

• CFAR Add-On: For Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, the policy must be purchased within 20 days of your initial trip payment or deposit.
• Pre-Existing Condition Waiver: You’re eligible for a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver if you purchase within the same 20-day window and meet the plan’s health requirements.

World Nomads Epic

• CFAR Add-On: Available only to U.S. citizens, the CFAR add-on requires purchasing the policy within 7 days of your initial trip deposit.
• Pre-Existing Condition Coverage: World Nomads provides pre-existing condition coverage for medical emergencies if payment for this plan is received within 7 days.

To access the most comprehensive coverage, including CFAR and pre-existing condition waivers, purchase your trip cancellation insurance as soon as possible after making your initial trip deposit.