Travel insurance has always been promoted as a thing highly recommended to have when going overseas. However, like many people, you might view this as a marketing tactic to encourage you to spend on something that costs a lot but is less likely to be useful for your trip. But in reality, a good plan can be your life-saver, especially during emergencies.
This article will discuss what travel insurance covers, how much it costs, why it is important to US and non-US citizens, and which are the best plans for global travelers.
Global Plans for International Travelers
“Do I really need to buy travel insurance?”
This is a question I hear most often, and the short answer is a big resounding yes.
The best international plans are designed specifically for the person traveling away from home, filling the gaps in their current plans and insuring them where they currently are uninsured. The most important benefit is that the policies you get will cover what is not included in your domestic plan. For example, global insurance plans have an international network of doctors, emergency assistance services, and translators who will help you in a crisis.
Pro Tip: Visit our Plan Picker to find the best plan for your situation.
Travel Insurance Options
Although most of the plans listed on this site are for those traveling outside their home country, either for a short trip or an extended stay, some specific plan types fall into the general “Travel Insurance” category. We offer the following plans for international trips.
Plans with COVID-19 Coverage (Coronavirus Cover)
There's been a significant demand for a plan that includes coverage for COVID-19 or the Novel Coronavirus. We are happy to introduce the Seven Corners Travel Medical Choice plan, which covers Coronavirus the same as any other illness up to age 64. This plan protects you if you contract COVID-19 (coronavirus) while on an international trip.

Atlas Travel Insurance
- COVID-19 coverage outside your home country
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance

Seven Corners Travel Medical Insurance
- Comprehensive medical coverage with benefits up to $5,000,000.
- COVID-19 coverage that extends up to your medical maximum.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation protection up to $500,000.
Purchase Coverage with Trip Cancellation Benefits
Imagine having saved up for your vacation and you're all ready to head off when disaster strikes and the airline you are flying goes bankrupt! Or having invested thousands of dollars for your dream to travel overseas when you are suddenly laid off from your job! These and various calamities can happen, and we can never plan for all eventual outcomes. However, if you purchase a travel policy, you can protect your investment if you need to make changes and cancel your plans under any circumstances.
Trip Cancellation - Covers the cost of your trip with some additional benefits (emergency medical, trip interruption, lost luggage, trip delay, etc.)

Safe Travels Voyager
- Comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and post-departure travel coverage
- Cancel for Any Reason available
- Up to $250,000 in emergency medical coverage
Recommended International Travel Medical Policies
Travel Medical Insurance - Covers emergency medical expenses as well as other risks when traveling overseas for less than a year or for visitors from abroad. Additional benefits include trip interruption, medical evacuation, repatriation, and more.

Atlas Travel Insurance
- COVID-19 coverage outside your home country
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance

Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
- COVID-19 coverage up to policy maximum if you're visiting the U.S.
- Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
- IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
International Plans for US Citizens
The Voyager Plan product is a premium option for US citizens traveling abroad. Alternatively, the Atlas Travel policy provides similar benefits at a more affordable rate. Seven Corners is also affordable for US citizens and provides comprehensive protection.

GeoBlue Voyager Plan
- For U.S. citizens up to age 95
- Coverage for COVID and pre-existing conditions
- 24/7/365 service and assistance

Atlas Travel Insurance
- COVID-19 coverage outside your home country
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance

Safe Travels Voyager
- Comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and post-departure travel coverage
- Cancel for Any Reason available
- Up to $250,000 in emergency medical coverage
Additional Plan Options
- Emergency Evacuation - Assistance and transportation to the most appropriate hospital in an emergency situation
- Extreme Sports Coverage - Coverage for participants in Adventure or Extreme Sports
- Visitors Insurance - Cover for those visiting a friend or family member abroad
Related: International Health Insurance - Long-term health benefits, also known as expatriate insurance, for international citizens living abroad for a year or more
Even if your domestic plan provides some coverage while you are abroad, you may have to pay “out of pocket” for your expenses until you get reimbursed by your current provider. Most plans for travelers pay or reimburse you directly and more efficiently.
One of the biggest hurdles when filing for a claim is working with foreign hospitals and translating the documents related to your healthcare. International insurance companies have expertise in working with these situations. They make international assistance call centers do the translation so that communication problems are resolved more quickly.
Related: Best Travel Insurance Companies
Here are other situations where it pays to have traveler’s insurance.
For instance, say you have saved up for a vacation and are all ready to head off to your destination when disaster strikes. Out of nowhere, the airline you are flying with files for bankruptcy. What will you do in this situation? How will you recover the money you spent paying for airfare?
Another situation goes like this. You have invested thousands in your planned overseas travel when you suddenly got laid off from your job. How can you get your money back in this situation?
These are just some of the possibilities that may occur out of nowhere. There are a wide variety of calamities that can happen and you can never plan for all possible outcomes. But if you buy a travel policy, you can protect your investments, make changes to your trip, or cancel your plans for whatever valid reason it may be, and still get the insured amount like nothing happened.
How Much Does International Travel Insurance Cost?
Estimated costs of international travel insurance for a 40-year-old traveling for 30 days (outside of the USA) with an entire trip worth $5,000:
- Including Trip Cancellation: $250
- Excluding Trip Cancellation: $60
The cost of a quality international insurance plan will vary based on several factors. As outlined above, policies that include trip cancellation will be more expensive. The cost for a good trip cancellation plan will be approximately 5% of your overall trip cost – more if you are older, less if you are younger.
There is also an option to buy coverage on a daily or monthly basis. Costs range from $1 – $5 per day, or more, depending on your age, your trip details, and the overall benefits package you select. Plans with a lower medical limit and high deductible will cost less (the opposite is true as well).

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
There are two main types of plans: trip cancellation, and travel medical insurance plans.
Trip cancellation insurance protects you if you need to cancel your trip. These policies usually cover the cost of the trip, with some additional benefits (lost luggage, trip delay, etc.). With trip cancellation insurance, you can recoup most of the money that you spent on the trip for “covered reasons”. These plans are short-term insurance solutions, usually available for a period of between 1 to 90 days.
Travel medical insurance is designed to fill the gaps in your existing domestic insurance and health care plan that are not covered when you travel abroad. A short-term international medical policy gives you access to a global network of doctors, emergency assistance services, and translators who will help you in a medical emergency. Travel medical plans will cover your expenses for illness and medical emergencies while traveling, along with the additional benefits like trip cancellation mentioned above. This type of coverage is usually available for between 5 days and one year and can be renewable for additional periods up to a maximum of 3 years.
How Does it Work?
With both types of policies, you can receive a quote, apply, and purchase online. Costs will vary depending on the age of the applicant, the cost of your trip, the total amount of coverage selected, and any deductible chosen. Once you are confirmed with the coverage you will receive your plan documents with instructions on how to use the policy if the need arises.
Pros and Cons?
With trip cancellation insurance you can recoup most of the money that you spent on the trip. Travel medical plans will cover your expenses for illness and medical emergencies that occur while traveling along with the additional benefits listed above.
Best Plan for US Citizens Going Abroad
After reviewing some of our recommended companies, we are confident in recommending specific options for your trip. The following plans are selected for a combination of great service and affordable pricing. There are less expensive options that do not offer the same level of service. The options below offer the best value.
Buy Travel Medical Insurance Policy for US Citizens Abroad

Atlas Travel Insurance
- COVID-19 coverage outside your home country
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance
Best Trip Insurance Plan for US Citizens

Safe Travels Voyager
- Comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical and post-departure travel coverage
- Cancel for Any Reason available
- Up to $250,000 in emergency medical coverage
International Plans for Non-US Citizens Traveling Abroad
Below is an excellent plan for those living outside of the USA. This option is affordable yet comes with excellent benefits and a high level of service:

Atlas Travel Insurance
- COVID-19 coverage outside your home country
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance
International Plans for Students
International Student Insurance Plans are available to anyone studying in a foreign country, including their family. You may purchase a student insurance policy on your own as an alternative to the plan your school offers since in some cases, these are more affordable yet more comprehensive. This option often makes more sense for older students, OPT Visa Holders, married students, or students with families.

StudentSecure Insurance
- COVID-19 (coronavirus) coverage outside your home country
- Excellent benefits and customer service when you need it
- Keep your coverage when your studies last multiple years
- Medical providers are available in over 130 countries worldwide
Questions to Ask When Buying Your Policy
As you have seen from the different types of insurance plans outlined above, not all of them are the same in terms of coverage. Some are more comprehensive and some benefits can be purchased as add-ons (or riders) to cover things like extreme sports or additional medical evacuation benefits.
As you have seen from the different types of insurance plans outlined above, not all are the same in terms of coverage. Some are more comprehensive, and some benefits can be purchased as add-ons (or riders) to cover extreme sports or additional medical evacuation benefits. With these in mind, here are some considerations when purchasing a plan:
Source: CDC
Related: Travel Insurance Buying Tips
International Plans for Groups
For a group of 5 or more travelers of a corporate group, non-profit group, missionary group, or other organization, we can design comprehensive plans at affordable rates to meet your specific needs. We work with a variety of providers to help you review and compare multiple plans, and find the one that best fits your organizational needs. Learn More about International Group Insurance Plans or Request a Group Quote.
Do I Need Travel Insurance?
A survey conducted for the US Travel Insurance Association (USTIA) revealed that only 22% of Americans – or roughly one out of five – whose travels were unfortunately impacted by medical conditions, natural disasters, and other events had a quality plan to cover their needs. This is a huge gamble on your vacation investment if you go aborad without being prepared for any crisis.
Debunking Coverage Myths
To help dispel misconceptions about the need for travel insurance, here are some common myths explained.
- Myth 1: I don’t need to buy it because I’m already covered.
People often think their health or homeowners insurance, credit cards, and other means will fully cover them in case of travel emergencies. However, neither health, homeowners insurance, nor most credit card insurance policies reimburse non-refundable travel payments if you need to cancel a trip because of illness. Likewise, domestic health policies may not cover medical evacuation, especially abroad, nor will other types of insurance help reimburse emergency expenses for accommodations and incidentals if your plans are interrupted or delayed because of a natural catastrophe. According to a survey conducted by the USTIA, no single source provides the full spectrum of coverage and services that comprehensive coverage will provide. - Myth 2: Nothing will happen to me.
One in six Americans (17%) say their trip details and schedules have been impacted by medical conditions, natural disasters including severe weather, or mechanical or carrier-caused problems, according to another survey for USTIA. When unforeseen events – from medical emergencies to a lost passport to being caught in a storm – derail a trip, a good plan will provide financial coverage and medical services. Consider that a medical evacuation alone could cost up to $100,000 or more. These plans also provide a support network to assist you, from coordinating emergency medical care to helping locate overnight accommodations, obtaining paperwork for lost or stolen passports, and more. - Myth 3: My pre-existing condition won’t be covered.
Many policies cover pre-existing conditions if the policy is purchased within a set amount of time – usually two weeks – following the initial trip payment. Since requirements may vary, UStiA suggests travelers check with their travel insurance company. - Myth 4: My policy won’t cover me if something happens to my family or traveling companion.
Most policies cover trip cancellation or interruption due to an unforeseen family illness or injury back home. Likewise, policies usually cover trip cancellation, interruption, or delay due to illness or injury of a traveling companion. - Myth 5: I can always get a refund from my travel supplier.
Refund policies vary among travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, resorts, cruises, and tours. Many low-cost airfares, for instance, are nonrefundable. Resorts, hotels, cruises, and tours have a non-refundable deposit and payment rules for reservations not canceled within a certain time. Without trip insurance, travelers risk losing all or part of their deposits and payments if they have to cancel for a covered reason. Some travel suppliers provide a waiver allowing travelers to rebook their trip within a given time frame. However, the right policies will refund unused non-refundable payments without requiring the traveler to rebook their vacation arrangements. - Myth 6: Travel insurance is only cancellation coverage.
Policies typically cover far more than cancellation. It covers the entire trip from beginning to end, including interruptions or delays due to illness, injury, severe weather, and more. Travel medical insurance covers medical expenses for emergencies during the trip. It provides assistance services, such as locating legal help, help in replacing lost or stolen documents, finding emergency hotel accommodations, and more.

Your Peace of Mind is Priceless
You must have already realized that securing coverage should be at the top of your travel checklist before going on your international trip. Trust me, you would not want that nagging worry while enjoying your dream vacation just because you do not have a contingency if you suddenly fall on bad luck.
International Citizens Insurance is the premier provider of international insurance plans. Don't be overwhelmed by our wide range of products, as we have licensed insurance agents who are always available to walk you through the process and help you find the policy that will fit all your needs.
Research, Compare Plans, and Buy Online before you go!
Our Recommended Individual International Plans
Written by Joe Cronin, the Founder and President of International Citizens Insurance. Mr. Cronin is an authority in the areas of global health, life, and travel insurance, with expertise in advising individuals and groups on benefits for today's global workforce . Follow him @Joe_Cronin_Jr