The Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2026

Choosing travel insurance means comparing coverage, exclusions, and eligibility to find a plan that fits your trip. International Citizens Insurance helps you understand those differences and narrow down your options.

Our picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2026 drew on feedback from our licensed insurance agents and clients, alongside available AM Best financial strength ratings for the underwriting insurers. From these providers, we selected the best plans for families, seniors, adventure travelers, and organizations based on their benefits, limitations, and eligibility.

Our advice is free. Insurers pay us when you buy a policy through us, and you pay the same price as if you bought directly from the insurer. Our recommendations reflect our assessment of the companies and plans, and selections appear in no particular order. Our list does not include every company or plan available.

Information was checked in November 2026. Ratings, benefits, and availability can change. Eligibility and coverage vary by state and policy; review the documents for the plan you purchase.

Best Travel Insurance Companies at a Glance

The table below shows available AM Best financial strength ratings for the insurers underwriting our featured plans. Underwriters may vary by plan and policy; the details shown apply to the plans compared in this article.

Sources checked on November 5, 2026. “Not verified” means the applicable underwriting insurer or its AM Best rating has not been independently confirmed.

AM Best financial strength ratings assess an insurer’s ability to meet its insurance obligations, including paying covered claims. A++ and A+ mean “Superior”; A and A− mean “Excellent.” Ratings apply to the underwriting insurer, which may differ from the provider listed and vary by policy.

These ratings provide information about financial strength; they do not measure customer service or whether a plan suits your trip.

How We Chose the Companies and Plans on This List

We assessed each plan against the following six questions, drawing on feedback from our licensed insurance agents and clients. We only recommended companies that received a “good” or “excellent” internal assessment on all six:

1. Is it easy to buy a policy?
2. Is it easy to make a claim?
3. How many countries is the plan offered in?
4. How extensive are the benefits?
5. How user-friendly is the company’s website?
6. What is the quality of its customer service?

To select the featured plans, we compared benefits, coverage limits, eligibility requirements, and restrictions against the needs of different travelers.

For this update, we checked coverage limits, age ranges, and eligibility requirements against insurers’ plan documents in November 2026. Benefits vary by state and policy version, and the policy documents for the plan purchased govern coverage.

Best Travel Insurance Plans: Coverage, Limits, and Eligibility

Compare the featured plans below by travel needs, medical coverage limits, and eligibility. Some offer travel medical insurance for illness or injury abroad; some offer trip cancellation insurance for prepaid, nonrefundable costs if you cancel for a covered reason; and others combine both.

Note: Eligibility, benefits, and exclusions vary by plan and policy version. Not all applicants qualify. Medical coverage limits are maximum benefits, not guaranteed payments, and available medical limits may decrease with age.

The Best Travel Insurance Companies, Reviewed

The reviews below explain why we selected each featured plan, which travel needs it serves, and the limitations to consider before buying.

IMG Patriot Platinum: Best for Longer Stays Abroad

Coverage type: Travel medical

IMG Patriot Platinum comes in two versions. Patriot International Platinum covers U.S. citizens traveling outside the United States, and Patriot America Platinum covers travelers visiting the United States from abroad, including U.S. citizens living overseas who return for temporary visits.

Why we chose it: Coverage ranges from five days to 12 months. Travelers who buy at least one month of continuous coverage can renew for up to 36 consecutive months, giving them the flexibility to extend their stay abroad. Travelers aged 64 and younger can choose medical coverage limits from $1,000,000 to $8,000,000, with deductibles from $0 to $25,000 to suit their needs and budget.

Keep in mind: Medical coverage limits decrease with age to $1,000,000 for ages 65–69, $100,000 for ages 70–79, and $20,000 for ages 80 and older. Coverage for a qualifying sudden flare-up of a pre-existing condition is available only to travelers under 70.

BCBS Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum: Best for U.S. Residents With a Primary Health Plan

Coverage type: Travel medical

Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum (formerly GeoBlue Voyager) is available to U.S. residents aged 95 and younger who have a qualifying primary health plan. It covers trips outside the United States lasting up to 182 days and gives you access to physicians in over 190 countries.

Why we chose it: The plan covers pre-existing conditions like other medical conditions, making it useful for travelers with existing health concerns. You can choose medical coverage from $50,000 to $1,000,000 and deductibles from $0 to $500 to suit your needs and budget. It also includes up to $500,000 in emergency medical transportation benefits to help cover transport costs.

Keep in mind: Medicaid and VA health plans do not qualify as primary health coverage. You must buy coverage before departure. This plan does not include trip cancellation insurance, so it won’t reimburse prepaid trip costs if you cancel before traveling.

Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive: Best for International Visitors to the U.S.

Coverage type: Travel medical

Trawick’s Safe Travels USA plans are for non-U.S. citizens residing outside the United States who are visiting the U.S. The Comprehensive version covers travelers under 90, with medical maximums from $20,000 to $1,000,000 and deductibles from $0 to $5,000.

Why we chose it: The plan pays 100% of covered medical costs after the deductible, up to the policy’s limits. For travelers aged 69 and younger, it covers qualifying sudden flare-ups of pre-existing conditions up to the chosen medical limit, although some conditions have lower limits. It pays up to $1,000,000 for emergency medical evacuation, or up to $25,000 when a covered flare-up makes evacuation necessary.

Keep in mind: Choose the Comprehensive version if pre-existing conditions are a concern. The base Safe Travels USA plan covers only up to $1,000 for an unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition for travelers under 70. Neither plan is available to U.S. citizens.

WorldTrips Atlas Travel: Best for Flexible Medical Coverage Limits

Coverage type: Travel medical

WorldTrips Atlas Travel covers both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home countries for periods ranging from five days to 12 months. Travelers aged 64 and younger can choose medical limits from $50,000 to $2,000,000, with deductibles from $0 to $5,000.

Why we chose it: Atlas offers coverage that meets Schengen visa insurance requirements when you select a qualifying medical limit and provides a visa letter as proof of coverage. Outside the U.S., you can choose any licensed medical provider without using a preferred provider network, giving you flexibility to find care.

Keep in mind: Medical limits drop to $50,000 or $100,000 for ages 65–79, and to $10,000 for ages 80 and older. Natural disaster evacuation requires an optional rider, which provides up to $10,000 in benefits.

World Nomads Explorer: Best for Adventure Travelers

Coverage type: Trip protection with emergency medical

World Nomads’ Explorer plan is for U.S. residents and combines up to $10,000 in trip cancellation coverage, $150,000 in emergency medical coverage, and $500,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, per insured traveler.

Why we chose it: The plan covers 300+ adventure activities, making it useful for travelers planning active trips. You can buy it online from anywhere in the world, even after your trip has started. If you buy coverage after departure, accident benefits can begin immediately, while other benefits may have waiting periods.

Keep in mind: The $10,000 trip cancellation limit may not fully cover the cost of an expensive trip. Everyone on the same plan must be a U.S. resident living in the same state. IMG completed its acquisition of World Nomads on October 1, 2026, so check the plan documents for any changes before you buy.

For more help choosing coverage, read our guide to adventure travel insurance.

Seven Corners Cruise Insurance: Best for U.S. Residents Taking Cruises

Coverage type: Trip protection with emergency medical

Seven Corners’ Cruise Insurance is available to U.S. residents up to age 99 on trips of 30 days or less. It reimburses up to 100% of your nonrefundable trip cost, capped at $30,000, if you cancel for a covered reason, and up to 150% for trip interruption.

Why we chose it: If a covered delay of at least three hours causes you to miss your cruise departure, the plan pays up to $250 per day, capped at $1,500, for expenses. It also covers up to $500 in unused prepaid, nonrefundable activities affected by an itinerary change, plus $250,000 in emergency medical coverage. An optional Cancel for Any Reason upgrade reimburses up to 75% of your nonrefundable trip cost if you buy it within the required window and cancel at least two days before departure.

Keep in mind: Trips over 30 days aren’t eligible. Destination restrictions apply, and benefits vary by state.

Global Underwriters Customizable Group Travel: Best for Businesses and Organizations

Coverage type: Group travel medical

Global Underwriters‘ Customizable Group Travel plan is designed for employers, company retreats, faith-based organizations, and college and university groups. 

Why we chose it: Organizations can choose medical limits, deductibles, and coinsurance options to suit their group’s needs and budget. Groups planning sports activities can also add a rider for specified intercollegiate, interscholastic, club, and organized amateur sports, with covered medical expenses limited to $20,000.

Keep in mind: The plan is designed for groups, not individuals. Sports coverage costs extra and depends on the activities and rider options selected.

For more help choosing coverage for your organization, read our guide to group travel insurance.

American Express Travel Insurance: Best for U.S. Residents Who Want Pre-set Packages

Coverage type: Trip protection; medical coverage varies by package

American Express Travel Insurance offers four preset packages (Basic, Silver, Gold, and Platinum) or the option to build your own coverage. AMEX Assurance Company, a subsidiary of American Express, underwrites the plans.

Why we chose it: The preset packages and customizable coverage let travelers select benefits that suit their needs. You don’t need an American Express card to buy it, and one policy can cover up to 10 people. The pre-existing condition exclusion can be waived if you buy within 14 days of your first trip deposit and the covered person is medically able to travel at the time of purchase.

Keep in mind: The buyer must be at least 18 and a permanent resident of a U.S. state or Washington, D.C., where the product is available. Other insured travelers must also meet residency requirements. Review the package limits when getting a quote and compare them with your trip costs before buying.

TripTime PrimeTime: Best for Optional Sports and Equipment Coverage

Coverage type: Travel medical

TripTime’s PrimeTime plan provides travel medical coverage for trips outside your home country. Travelers aged 69 and younger can choose medical limits of $500,000, $1,000,000, or $2,000,000, with deductibles from $0 to $5,000.

Why we chose it: You can add coverage for marine activities, adventure sports, or equipment, letting you tailor protection to what you plan to do and bring. The equipment option provides separate limits of $1,000 for covered sports equipment, $1,000 for covered photography equipment, and $500 for covered electronics and communications equipment.

Keep in mind: PrimeTime does not include trip cancellation coverage. The adventure sports add-on provides no benefits for travelers aged 65 or older, and other activity benefits have separate age limits. The equipment option covers only specified items if they are stolen or a common carrier permanently loses them. The plan excludes travel to several countries, including Cuba, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela.

Allianz OneTrip Prime: Best for Families

Coverage type: Trip protection with emergency medical

Allianz OneTrip Prime is available to U.S. residents. For covered reasons, it provides up to $100,000 in trip cancellation benefits and $150,000 in trip interruption benefits per insured traveler.

Why we chose it: The plan includes free coverage for one child aged 17 or younger per insured traveler when traveling with a parent or grandparent, helping families cover a child without an additional premium. This benefit is unavailable on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents.

Keep in mind: Emergency medical coverage is limited to $50,000 per traveler, so families visiting destinations with high medical costs may want to pair it with a travel medical plan.

For more help comparing coverage for children, parents, and grandparents, read our guide to family travel insurance.

Best Travel Insurance for Specific Needs

Some travelers need coverage for situations that go beyond the main comparisons above. These are the options we’d look at first.

• Seniors: BCBS Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum covers U.S. residents through age 95 with a qualifying primary health plan. IMG and Atlas reduce medical limits from age 65, so compare age-based limits and pre-existing condition benefits before buying. Explore other options in our senior travel insurance guide.
• Digital nomads: IMG Patriot Platinum offers extensions up to 36 continuous months, subject to renewal requirements, making it an option for extended trips. Check whether coverage fits your destinations, healthcare needs, and activities. Explore other options in our digital nomad insurance guide.
• Missionaries and volunteers: WorldTrips Atlas Travel lets travelers choose any licensed medical provider outside the U.S., offering flexibility when working in remote areas with limited provider options. Confirm that the policy covers your work, activities, and destinations. Organizations can also compare group travel insurance, including Global Underwriters’ Customizable Group Travel.
• Moving abroad for a year or more: International health insurance plans such as Cigna Global, BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier, and IMG Global Medical Insurance are designed for long-term healthcare needs. Compare global health plans for routine care, prescriptions, and ongoing treatment.
• Studying abroad: BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Specialty, WorldTrips StudentSecure, and IMG Student Health Advantage offer medical coverage for students overseas. Check eligibility, medical benefits, and your school’s or visa’s coverage requirements before choosing. Explore more international student insurance options.
• Traveling with pets: Trawick Pathway Premier includes benefits for pet medical expenses, return transportation, and additional kennel costs during covered delays. A pet’s death can also qualify as a covered reason for cancellation or interruption. Read more in our guide to traveling with pets.

Ready to narrow down your options? Compare travel insurance plans side by side to review benefits and eligibility.

How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance Plan

Use these steps to narrow down the plans above:

1. Match coverage to your trip. Decide whether you need coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, or both. Your destination, planned activities, and nonrefundable trip costs should guide your choice.
2. Check your existing coverage. Review your health insurance and credit card travel benefits for medical care abroad, evacuation, and trip cancellation. Identify any gaps, limits, or exclusions.
3. Check eligibility and plan limits. Confirm you qualify based on citizenship, residency, age, destination, and trip length. Compare benefit limits, deductibles, exclusions, and coverage for pre-existing conditions or planned activities – not just the premium.
4. Buy early to avoid missing benefit deadlines. Check purchase deadlines for pre-existing condition exclusion waivers and optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage. Each plan sets its own timing and eligibility requirements, and buying too late could mean losing access to these benefits.

For more guidance, read our tips on how to buy travel insurance and what to look for in customer reviews.

Get Help Comparing Travel Insurance

Not sure which plan fits your trip? Schedule a free consultation with a licensed International Citizens Insurance advisor. Our team can help you identify plans you qualify for and compare their benefits and limitations.