Short Term Insurance for Travel Abroad
You’ve worked hard. You’ve researched and planned. Your bags are packed, and your passport is in your hand. It is finally time for your international vacation! International trips can be exhilarating! From the beginning stages when you are deciding where to travel and then actually making travel arrangements to finally arriving at your destination, the experience can be highly satisfying. One thing you can’t plan for is illness or accidents – both of which can result in overwhelming medical bills when you are traveling internationally. There are many short-term international travel medical insurance plans that can help protect you from the high cost of medical care, help you access high-quality medical services, and ease some of the stress of dealing with unfamiliar medical systems. Short-term international health insurance provides medical benefits for those who are traveling outside of their home country or country of permanent residence.
Best Short Term Travel Health Insurance Plans
Both the Atlas Travel Insurance and the Seven Corners Travel Insurance plans offer excellent short-term medical cover for travelers abroad for short trips, vacations, or business travel abroad. The pans offer emergency medical coverage along with trip interruption, evacuation, and other benefits.

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 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
Best Short Term Travel Insurance for US Citizens Abroad
For US citizens taking a brief trip abroad, the GeoBlue Voyager plan is an excellent option as they provide a premium level of service, excellent benefits, and comprehensive coverage for travelers.

GeoBlue Voyager Plan
- For U.S. citizens up to age 95
- Coverage for COVID and pre-existing conditions
- 24/7/365 service and assistance
Travel Medical Insurance Versus Trip Insurance for Short Trips Abroad
Short-term travel health insurance plans will either be trip insurance or travel medical insurance plans. Typically, trip insurance covers details such as trip cancellation insurance and some limited emergency medical coverage. These plans are usually available for five to 60 days maximum trip length.
Travel medical insurance focuses primarily on providing comprehensive emergency medical insurance during your travels. Travel medical insurance plans can often be purchased for time periods of between five days and one year, sometimes renewable for up to 3 years.
Related: Compare Travel Insurance Plans
It can be overwhelming to choose between the trip insurance and travel medical insurance policies that are available. There are many insurance providers all offering a wide range of products at a variety of price points.
Holiday Insurance gives you peace of mind prior to your trip, during your trip, and on your way home. Visitor Coverage is a great option for travelers from abroad visiting you in your home country.
Who Needs Short Term International Health Insurance?
The easy answer is everyone traveling internationally needs global medical insurance coverage in case you get sick or injured during your trip abroad. If you will be traveling outside of your home country for business or pleasure, it is essential to have Travel Medical Insurance. Likely, your existing health insurance plan will not cover you for travel abroad, and if the coverage does exist, it is probably quite minimal.
Since anyone is susceptible to accident or illness, the insurance is a worthwhile purchase.
Need Long Term Cover: Research International Health Insurance Plans
Factors to Consider When Investing in Travel Medical Insurance
Single or Multi-Trip Insurance
Short-term travel medical insurance is available as a single trip plan that covers a specific trip for a specified number of days or months.
If you travel more frequently, you may wish to consider a Annual Travel Insurance policy that would provide you with travel medical insurance for up to a year and a maximum number of days per trip. This can definitely be a more cost-effective option for frequent travelers.
Best Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Plan for Short Trips
For those of you who take multiple trips each year, an annual travel insurance plan will cover you, or your family, on each trip for the entire year. These plans offer the same benefits as a single trip travel insurance plan but save you time and money if you take multiple trips. The Wander Frequent Traveler is a great option for any traveler. The GeoBlue Trekker plan is a premium option for US citizens.
Wander Frequent Traveler
- Coverage for Multiple Trips Each Year
- Trip can be a Max of 30 or 45 days each
- Annual Policy Term, Includes Cover for Covid

Trekker MultiTrip Travel Insurance
- Up to $500,000 for sickness and accidents
- $500,000 medical evacuation benefit
- Covers Covid-19 and pre-existing conditions
What do the Best Short Term Travel Health Insurance Plans Include?
- Freedom to choose the doctor or hospital you want
- Maximum Limits from $50,000 to $2,000,000
- Deductible options from $0 to $2,500
- Universal pharmacy discounts
- 24/7 access to an emergency assistance medical hotline to speak with medical experts
- Repatriation and emergency evacuation
- Trip interruption, 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
As you consider the insurance coverage that is most suitable for your short-term trip abroad and your budget, remember that you can ask your sales representative lots of questions. They can also give you information about extra add-ons that may be available, such as for extreme sports coverage.
You have worked hard for your vacation! Having the best short-term travel health insurance plan will help protect you so you can relax without worrying if you get sick or your trip is interrupted.
Read: