Insurance Plans for International Travelers
The question I hear most often: “Do I really need to buy travel insurance?” The short answer is yes. The best International Travel Insurance Plans are designed specifically for the person who is 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 insurance 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.
Travel Insurance Options
Although most of the insurance plans listed on this site are for those traveling outside of their home country, either for a short trip or an extended stay, there are some specific plan types that fall into the general “Travel Insurance” category. We offer the following plans for international travelers:
Travel Insurance with Coverage for Covid-19 (Coronavirus Cover)
We have seen significant demand for a plan for travelers that includes coverage for Covid-19 or the Novel Coronavirus. We are happy to introduce the Liaison Plus plan which includes $100,000 in benefits related to Coronavirus. This plan is specifically designed to protect you if you contract COVID-19 (coronavirus) on an international trip.
Liaison Travel Insurance
- COVID-19 coverage outside your home country
- Comprehensive medical coverage from 5 days to 1 year
- Your choice of medical maximum and deductible options
- An extensive worldwide network of providers
Recommended Insurance with Trip Cancellation Benefits
Trip Cancellation – Covers the cost of your trip with some additional benefits (emergency medical, trip interruption, lost luggage, trip delay, etc.)
RoundTrip Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Comprehensive trip protection for U.S. residents traveling abroad.
- Optional rental car collision coverage available.
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage available (if eligible).
RoundTrip International
- Trip protection for non-U.S. residents traveling up to 30 days.
- $100,000 personal liability benefit.
- 24/7 multilingual travel assistance.
Recommended Travel Medical Insurance Plans
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 rip interruption, medical evacuation, repatriation, and more.
Liaison Travel Insurance
- COVID-19 coverage outside your home country
- Comprehensive medical coverage from 5 days to 1 year
- Your choice of medical maximum and deductible options
- An extensive worldwide network of providers
Patriot Travel Insurance
- International travel medical coverage
- Coverage for individuals and dependents
- Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice
Travel Cover for US Citizens Traveling Abroad
Geoblue Voyager Plan
- COVID-19 coverage outside your home country
- Great option for US citizens traveling abroad
- For trips up to 6 months for ages up to 84
- May cover pre-existing conditions for medical services
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 – Insurance for those visiting a friend or family member abroad.
Related: International Health Insurance – Long-term health insurance, 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 can be reimbursed by your current provider. Most plans for travelers can pay providers directly or can reimburse you more efficiently. One of the biggest hurdles is working with foreign hospitals and translating the documents relating to your care. International insurance companies have expertise in working with these situations, and international assistance call centers, so problems are resolved more quickly.
Related: Best Travel Insurance Companies
Here are some additional situations where it pays to have travelers’ insurance… You have saved up for your vacation and all ready to head off when disaster strikes and the airline you are flying goes bankrupt! You have invested thousands of dollars in planned travel overseas when you are suddenly laid off from your job! These and a wide variety of 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 a wide variety of circumstances.
How Much Does International Travel Insurance Cost?
The cost of a quality international insurance plan will vary based on a number of factors. As outlined above, there are a couple of different plan types to choose from. The plans 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. International plans that do not include trip cancellation benefits will be less expensive. You can purchase those plans on a daily or monthly basis. Costs range from $1 – $5 per day, or more, depending on your age 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).
Costs for an international policy for a 40-year-old traveling for 30 days (outside of the USA) with a trip cost of $5,000:
- Including Trip Cancellation: $250 (estimate)
- International Travel Insurance (excluding Trip Can): $60 (estimate)
What is Travel Insurance?
Travel Insurance is a broad term and can mean different things. There are two primary types of travel plans, trip cancelation, and travel medical insurance plans.
Trip cancelation insurance provides protection in the event that you need to cancel your trip and cannot go. These plans usually cover the cost of the trip, with some additional benefits (lost luggage, trip delay, etc.) also provided in travel medical plans. These plans are short-term solutions, usually available for a period of between 1 to 90 days.
Travel medical insurance is designed specifically for the person who is traveling abroad from home, filling the gaps in their current plans and insuring them where they currently are uninsured. The most important benefit is that the insurance you get will cover what is not included in your domestic health insurance plan. For example, global insurance plans have an international network of doctors, emergency assistance services, and translators who will help you in a crisis. This type of coverage is usually available for a period of between 5 days and one year, renewable for additional periods up to a maximum of 3 years with some plans.
“Trip Can” plans, in addition to covering the costs of canceling your trip, will include many of the same benefits of the travel medical insurance plans. For this reason, they cost more than a pure travel medical plan.
How Does it Work?
With both types of plans, you can receive a quote, apply, and purchase cover 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 insurance if the need arises.
Pros and Cons:
Pros: With trip cancelation insurance you can recoup most of the money that you spent on the trip for “covered reasons”. For more details of these plans and a list of typical “covered reasons’ for trip cancelation reimbursement.
Travel medical plans will cover your expenses for illness and medical emergencies that occur while traveling along with additional benefits listed above.
Best Travel Insurance for US Citizens Going Abroad
After reviewing some of the best travel insurance companies, we are confident in recommending specific plans for your trip. The following plans are selected for a combination of great service and affordable pricing. There are less expensive options out there that do not offer the same level of service. The plans below offer the best value.
Recommended Travel Medical Insurance Policy for US Citizens Abroad
Geoblue Voyager Plan
- COVID-19 coverage outside your home country
- Great option for US citizens traveling abroad
- For trips up to 6 months for ages up to 84
- May cover pre-existing conditions for medical services
Best Trip Cancellation Plan for US Citizens
RoundTrip Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Comprehensive trip protection for U.S. residents traveling abroad.
- Optional rental car collision coverage available.
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage available (if eligible).
Best International Travelers Insurance Plans for Non-US Citizens Traveling Abroad
We have excellent plans for anyone living outside of the USA. The following two options are affordable while providing travelers 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
RoundTrip International
- Trip protection for non-U.S. residents traveling up to 30 days.
- $100,000 personal liability benefit.
- 24/7 multilingual travel assistance.
Student Travelers and Insurance Options
International Student Insurance Plans are available to anyone studying in a foreign country, including their family. You may purchase student insurance on your own as an alternative to the plan the school offers. In some cases, you can purchase a more affordable option while securing a better plan when you buy outside of the school plan. This 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
- Four plan levels, monthly payment option, and savings for paying full premium in advance.
- Keep your coverage when your studies last multiple years.
- Medical providers are available in over 130 countries and territories worldwide.
What Should You Ask About the Travel Insurance Plan You Are Buying?
Not all plans are the same. Some plans are more comprehensive. In some cases, you can purchase add on coverage (or riders) that will cover things like extreme sports or additional medical evacuation benefits. Here are some considerations when buying coverage.
Source: CDC
Related: Travel Insurance Buying Tips
Group International Travel Insurance Plans
If you have a group of 5 or more travelers and need coverage for your corporate group, non-profit group, missionary group, or other organization, we can design plans to meet your specific needs. Our group insurance plans can provide comprehensive benefits at affordable rates. We work with a variety of providers so can help you review and compare multiple plans and find the one that best fits your organizational needs. Learn More about Group Insurance Plans or Request a Quote.
Do I need Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance offers a wide array of benefits in any number of emergency situations. Many people are willing to gamble with their vacation investment. A survey conducted for the US Travel Insurance Association (USTIA), for example, revealed that only 22% of Americans – or roughly one out of five – whose travels were impacted by medical conditions, natural disasters, and other events, had a suitable plan to cover their needs.
What You Thought About Travel Insurance is Wrong
To help dispel misconceptions and answer the question “Do I Need 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 nor 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 insurance policies may not cover medical evacuation, especially abroad. Nor will other types of insurances help reimburse emergency expenses for accommodations and incidentals if your travels are interrupted or delayed because of a natural or another catastrophe. According to a survey conducted by the USTIA, no other single source provides the full spectrum of coverage and services that comprehensive travel insurance does.
- Myth 2: Nothing will happen to me. One in six Americans (17%) say their travel plans 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 travelers with needed services, 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: Travel insurance 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 among travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, resorts, cruises, and tours vary. Many low-cost airfares, for instance, are nonrefundable. Resorts, hotels, cruises, and tours have a nonrefundable 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, travel insurance will refund unused non-refundable payments without requiring the traveler to rebook their vacation arrangements.
- Myth 6: Travel insurance is only cancellation insurance. Plans typically cover far more than cancellation. It covers the entire trip from beginning to end, including interruption or delay due to illness, injury, severe weather, and more. Travel medical insurance covers medical expenses for emergencies during the trip, and also provides assistance services, such as locating legal help, help in replacing lost or stolen documents, finding emergency hotel accommodations, and more.
Our Recommended Plans
Plans are available to all nationalities. International Insurance is the premier provider of travel insurance plans – with our range of products, we will have a plan that will fit all your needs. Research, Compare Plans, and Buy Online before you go!
Our recommended individual International Insurance Plans:
Trip Cancellation Insurance | Free Quote / Apply
Travel Medical Insurance | Free Quote / Apply
International Health Insurance | Free Quote / Apply
Also Read:
- Guide to Buying Travel Insurance
- Annual Multi-Trip Travelers Insurance
- Best International Health Insurance Companies
Written by Joe Cronin. Joe Cronin is an expert in the areas of global health and international insurance, with specific expertise in advising individuals and groups on international health insurance plans. Follow Joe @Joe_Cronin_Jr
