Travel Health Insurance for International Trips

What Is Travel Health Insurance?

Travel health insurance is short-term coverage that helps pay eligible medical expenses if you become ill or injured outside your home country. It can help fill gaps if your domestic health plan provides limited or no coverage abroad.

Depending on the plan, benefits include hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medications, emergency medical evacuation coverage, and repatriation. Some plans also include travel benefits, such as trip interruption or baggage protection.

Travel health plans are generally for trips lasting less than one year. These plans focus on unexpected illnesses and injuries. They usually don’t cover routine care, preventive services, or treatment for ongoing conditions. Covered benefits, coverage limits, and exclusions vary by policy.

If you plan to live, work, study, or retire abroad for a year or longer, international health insurance may be a better choice. It offers broader, renewable coverage for both routine and emergency care. Learn more about the differences between travel insurance and international health insurance.

Who Should Consider Travel Health Insurance?

Travel health insurance may be suitable for people spending less than one year abroad who want protection against eligible medical emergencies.

This might include:

• Vacationers
• Employees going abroad for work who need business travel insurance
• International students studying abroad for less than one year
• Missionaries who may need missionary insurance
• Digital nomads seeking coverage for temporary stays abroad
• International visitors looking for visitor insurance
• Visitors to countries with high healthcare costs
• Those taking part in activities with a higher risk of illness or injury who may need adventure travel insurance

Travel Health Insurance vs. Trip Insurance vs. International Health Insurance

Although people often confuse these types of insurance, they serve different purposes.

If your main concern is unexpected illness or injury abroad, travel health insurance is generally the more suitable option. If you want to protect the money you’ve spent on your trip, trip cancellation insurance may be a better choice. For long-term stays abroad, a global health plan offers broader, renewable coverage for both routine and emergency care.

What Does Travel Health Insurance Cover?

Travel health insurance primarily covers eligible care for unexpected illnesses and injuries that occur while you’re abroad. Although benefits vary by policy, many plans include the following:

• Emergency medical care: Doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, tests, and other medically necessary treatment for a sudden illness or injury.
• Emergency medical evacuation: Transportation to the nearest suitable facility when local facilities cannot provide adequate treatment. The U.S. Department of State recommends considering medical evacuation coverage before going abroad. Many health plans do not cover air ambulance transport.
• Repatriation: Transportation home when medically necessary and covered by the policy. Some plans also include repatriation of remains coverage in the event of death.
• Emergency transportation: Eligible ambulance services and other emergency transportation required during a covered emergency.
• Hospital allowance: A daily benefit for incidental expenses during a covered hospital stay.
• Prescription medication: Costs for medication prescribed by a doctor to treat a covered illness or injury during the trip.
• 24/7 assistance services: Access to a helpline for locating medical care, arranging benefits, and arranging covered emergency services while abroad.
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D): Provides a benefit in the event of accidental death or loss of limbs/eyesight while abroad.
• Trip interruption: Covers the non-refundable cost of your trip if a covered illness or injury forces you to cut it short.
• Personal liability: Coverage for certain legal expenses or damages if you accidentally injure another person or damage their property.

Benefits, coverage limits, waiting periods, and exclusions vary by policy. Read the fine print of your policy before buying.

What’s Not Covered?

A travel health plan doesn’t replace a comprehensive health plan. Coverage and exclusions vary by policy, but common exclusions include:

• Routine checkups, preventive care, and elective treatment
• Treatment planned before your trip or going abroad for medical care
• Ongoing treatment for known medical conditions
• Pre-existing conditions, unless specifically covered
• Pregnancy and maternity coverage abroad or newborn care beyond the limited emergency benefits
• Mental health or substance-use treatment
• Injuries resulting from excluded sports or activities
• Alcohol- or drug-related incidents
• Visiting a destination against health advice or certain government advisories
• Treatment outside the policy period or coverage area

This is not a complete list of exclusions. Coverage, benefit limits, and exclusions vary by policy.

Is Travel Health Insurance Worth It?

Travel health insurance may be worth considering because unexpected illnesses, injuries, and emergency evacuations abroad can lead to high costs. Coverage often costs much less than paying out of pocket when something goes wrong overseas.

Before buying a policy, review what your existing plan covers outside your home country, including:

• Emergency medical treatment abroad
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Direct payment to hospitals abroad
• Global provider networks

If you have limited existing coverage, a travel medical plan can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs for eligible covered expenses.

How Much Does Travel Medical Insurance Cost?

Based on the sample rates below, travel medical insurance generally costs about $2 to $17 per traveler, per day for travelers under age 70. Rates vary by age, destination, plan, medical maximum, deductible, and trip length.

Sample rates range from approximately $9.67 to $27.23 per day for travelers ages 70–79. In the oldest age groups shown, available rates range from approximately $16.12 to $68.16 per day. Maximum eligible ages and available medical limits vary by plan. Older travelers should review our guide to the best travel insurance for seniors for age-specific plan options.

The tables use a $1 million medical maximum and a $0 deductible when available. Trawick rates use its highest available medical maximum of $500,000. When these limits are unavailable for an age group, the tables show the rate for the highest available medical maximum.

Costs for U.S. Citizens and Residents Traveling Abroad

The table shows sample daily rates* for eligible U.S. citizens and residents traveling outside the United States.

Costs for Non-U.S. Citizens Visiting the United States

The table shows sample daily rates* for eligible non-U.S. citizens whose international trip includes the United States. Coverage may also extend to other eligible destinations outside the traveler’s home country, such as Canada and Mexico, when they are included in the insured itinerary.

Factors That Affect Your Premium

Your premium may depend on:

• Age: Premiums generally increase with age.
• Destination: Coverage can cost more in countries with higher healthcare costs.
• Trip length: Longer trips generally increase the total premium.
• Medical maximum: Higher coverage limits usually increase the premium.
• Deductible: Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premium, but increases your out-of-pocket costs before coverage begins.
• Optional benefits: Extra coverage for specific activities or risks may increase the premium.

Costs Beyond the Premium

The premium is only one part of the total cost of coverage. Before buying a policy, review:

• Deductible: The amount you pay before coverage begins.
• Copayment: A fixed amount you may pay for a covered service.
• Coinsurance: The percentage of covered costs you pay.
• Per-benefit limits: Some benefits may have lower limits than the overall medical maximum.
• Excluded expenses: You remain responsible for treatment and services excluded by the policy.

Reviewing these factors, not just the premium, can help you select a plan that fits your needs.

How Much Travel Medical Coverage Do You Need?

How much coverage you need depends on your destination, trip length, health, planned activities, and existing insurance policy. There is no single coverage limit that suits everyone.

As a starting point, compare at least $50,000-$100,000 in emergency medical coverage and enough evacuation coverage for your destination. Consider higher limits if you’re visiting the United States or a remote destination, staying abroad for longer, are an older adult, or plan to engage in higher-risk activities. Visa rules may impose separate minimums.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Coverage

When reviewing plans, consider:

• Destination: Healthcare costs vary by country, and those with higher medical costs may warrant higher coverage limits.
• Trip length and frequency: Longer trips generally increase the likelihood of needing healthcare. If you travel abroad several times a year, compare annual and single-trip travel insurance.
• Existing insurance: Review any overseas coverage provided through your domestic plan, employer, university, credit card, or other benefits. Check the medical limits, emergency evacuation benefits, provider networks, and whether the insurer can pay foreign hospitals directly.
• Emergency medical evacuation: If you are visiting remote destinations or engaging in higher-risk activities, you may want higher evacuation benefits. If you’re taking a cruise, consider whether cruise insurance fits your needs.
• Pre-existing conditions: Check how each policy covers pre-existing conditions. Look for exclusions or limited benefits for an acute onset or unexpected recurrence.
• Planned activities: Confirm that your policy covers activities such as hiking, skiing, scuba diving, climbing, or motorcycling. Some adventure and extreme sports may need extra coverage or have specific exclusions.
• Visa requirements: Some countries require proof of travel medical coverage with minimum coverage limits. For example, Schengen visa applicants generally need at least €30,000 in coverage for emergency healthcare, hospital stays, and medical repatriation. Confirm current rules with the relevant embassy or consulate before buying.
• Budget and risk tolerance: Higher medical maximums and lower deductibles generally increase premiums while reducing your potential out-of-pocket costs. Choose a balance that fits both your budget and comfort with financial risk.

Our Recommended Travel Medical Plans

The right plan depends on your citizenship or residence, destination, trip length, and coverage needs. Review our recommendations below, or compare travel plans to explore coverage, benefits, and options based on your needs.

How We Select Plans

We assess plans based on eligibility, coverage, benefits, insurer reputation, customer service, travel insurance claims support, and overall value. Our recommendations highlight plans that may suit different needs and circumstances. They do not guarantee that one plan is the right choice for everyone.

Recommended Plans for U.S. Citizens and Residents Going Abroad

These plans cater to U.S. citizens and residents who want coverage for eligible medical emergencies outside the United States.

BCBS Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum Travel Insurance

BCBS Global Solutions’ Single Trip Platinum plan offers strong health and trip benefits at an affordable price. The plan also includes 24/7 emergency assistance.

IMG Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance

IMG’s Patriot Platinum plan offers higher medical limits and broader global coverage. This makes it suitable for extended stays abroad, luxury vacations, or those seeking top-tier coverage.

Recommended Plans for Non-U.S. Citizens Going Abroad

These plans are for non-U.S. citizens who need short-term medical coverage outside their home country.

Trawick International Safe Travels International

Trawick’s Safe Travels International plan provides flexible short-term health coverage for non-U.S. citizens outside their home country, excluding the United States. The plan offers multiple coverage levels and flexible trip durations. This allows you to choose coverage that matches your itinerary and budget.

WorldTrips Atlas Travel Insurance

Atlas Travel Insurance offers flexible travel health coverage, including emergency treatment, evacuation, and repatriation. Multiple coverage options are available to suit different needs.

Recommended Plans for International Visitors to the United States

Healthcare costs in the United States can be much higher than in many other countries. Visitors to the U.S. might want to consider plans with higher medical limits and emergency evacuation benefits. They can also explore visitors’ insurance to review coverage options before choosing a plan.

Trawick International Safe Travels USA

Trawick’s Safe Travels USA plan provides coverage for international visitors to the United States and other countries. Benefits include limited coverage for wellness visits and acute onset of pre-existing conditions.

Recommended Plans for Frequent International Travelers

If you go abroad several times each year, an annual plan can be more convenient than purchasing separate coverage each time. Annual plans provide coverage for multiple trips during a 12-month period, subject to the maximum duration allowed per trip.

We recommend IMG Patriot Multi-Trip for eligible travelers of all nationalities and BCBS Global Solutions Multi-Trip Platinum for eligible U.S. citizens and residents. Compare their trip-duration limits, benefits, and eligibility requirements below.

Annual Plan for All Nationalities

Annual Plan for U.S. Citizens and Residents

Travel Health Insurance FAQs

Before You Travel: CDC Health Advice

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people going abroad to prepare for unexpected medical emergencies. According to the CDC, a serious illness or injury abroad can lead to high costs, so consider travel health, trip, and medical evacuation insurance before departure. For extra guidance and information, see the CDC’s Yellow Book guidance.