latitude travel insurance reviews

The best travel insurance policies and providers

It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.

Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.

Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.

Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.

So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.

The best travel insurance providers

To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .

When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.

Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Preexisting conditions

Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
• You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Standout features

• The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
• You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
• Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.

See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.

Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:

• You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
• You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
• You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
• On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
• Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
• Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
• For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).

Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.

The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.

Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:

• You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
• You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
• Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
• Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
• American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.

Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.

The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.

In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.

Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.

Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.

• GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
• GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.

You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.

See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.

For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.

• Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
• iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.

See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.

Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
• All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
• The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
• Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
• Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
• For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.

Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.

See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
• You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
• You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
• Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
• You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
• Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.

World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.

• World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
• World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.

You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.

However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.

However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.

Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:

• Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
• Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
• Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
• Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
• Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
• Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
• Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.

Should I buy travel health insurance?

If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.

If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.

The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.

When and how to get travel insurance

For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.

However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.

You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.

Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.

Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.

For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.

If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

Free comprehensive travel insurance now available on the Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard®

Latitude Financial today launched free comprehensive travel insurance for Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard ® customers and their eligible family members, providing benefits if they contract COVID-19 while travelling.

For a limited time until 31 March 2022, customers booking travel will automatically unlock free domestic and comprehensive international no-excess travel insurance when they spend $1,000 or more on flights using their Latitude 28° Global.

The free comprehensive international protection includes Travel Accident, Travel Medical Benefits, Trip Inconvenience Protection, Baggage Protection and Assistance Department Services. 

The coverage related to contracting COVID-19 includes:

• covered medical expenses of up to $700,000 per person if you contract COVID-19 during an overseas covered trip and require treatment;
• non-refundable travel and accommodation deposits if you contract COVID-19 and a doctor certifies you unfit to commence or continue a covered trip;
• administrative costs of postponing a covered trip if just before departure COVID-19 forces you into compulsory quarantine.
• travel disruption due to border closures, such as the cost of additional accommodation or missed flights;
• additional costs due to quarantine.

“Travel is particularly important to our Latitude 28° Global customers and after almost two years of closed borders we are excited to support their adventures by providing comprehensive travel insurance for a limited period, on top of no annual fee and no international transaction or currency conversion fees.”

The coverage is activated for 12 months from the initial purchase of $1,000 or more on flights booked directly with an airline or travel agent in a single transaction. Other trips within this period can be covered if the entire cost of all flights is paid on Latitude 28° Global. These trips are covered if they’re up to 180 days long and completed within the original 12-month period.

For more details on the coverage in this comprehensive travel insurance, full policy details (including the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions) are available at www.28degreescard.com.au/insurance

The launch of free comprehensive travel on Latitude 28° Global, which has no annual fees, comes ahead of an expected travel boom this summer and across 2022.

Google statistics show searches for the term “travel insurance” in Australia reached a 12-month high in November as Australians seek to protect their plans.

A Latitude survey has found Australians want to travel in greater numbers than ever as borders reopen, with as many as 80 per cent planning a trip this summer.

Catching up with family and friends is the principal driver of people’s holiday plans, with the survey of 1000 Australians showing 91 per cent of respondents are looking forward to connecting with loved ones.

Holiday makers are also wanting adventure after two years of COVID-19 disruption spent in the sanctuary of their home. Seventy-six per cent of travellers are seeking active holidays, particularly where they can experience the great outdoors.

While most Australians are planning domestic travel (79 per cent), half of 18-44 year olds surveyed want to travel overseas as soon as they can, especially as more international destinations open up to fully vaccinated travellers.

Media contact

Mark Gardy [email protected] +61 412 376 817

You could also read

Latitude go offers six-months interest free in time for christmas, travel boom as nine in 10 new zealanders expected to travel this summer.

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of April 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation when unexpected issues arise. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

• Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
• HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
• Tin Leg: Best Cost
• AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
• Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
• Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

• 100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
• $750 in missed connection coverage
• $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

• Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
• Up to $1,600 for travel delays
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
• Epidemic coverage

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
• $500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

• 100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
• $500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
• Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
• $100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
• Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage
• $100,000 in emergency medical coverage

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
• Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
• $150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost 
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
• Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
• Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

• 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
• $2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
• $1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
• $250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
• $500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
• Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong June 2024 trip to Spain for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express . 

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or Travelex, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

• TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
• InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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• Best overall
• Best for cruises
• Best for reputation
• Best for preexisting conditions
• Best for digital nomads
• Best low-cost
• Best for road trips

How we reviewed travel insurance companies

Ultimate guide to choosing the best travel insurance.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Best overall: Nationwide

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Nationwide Travel Insurance is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Runner-up: AXA Assistance USA 

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AXA Assistance USA  offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review here.

Best for cruises: AIG Travel Guard

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review here.

Best for reputation: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

Covers up to 100% of trip cancellation costs, a minimum of up to $750 in luggage losses, and 24/7 worldwide travel insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers up to 100% trip cancellation refund for eligible travel
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Plans are customizable with relevant add-ons
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good customer service and easy sign up according to traveler reviews
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. More affordable plans offer low caps on medical and emergency coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums are on the expensive side relative to comparable competitor plans
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Claims may take longer during peak travel seasons

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is one of the leading insurance brands on the market. It offers several plans with key add-ons for travelers.

• This provider underwrites travel insurance policies for a number of other companies in addition to offering its own plans
• Travelers can file claims directly from a smartphone by using the BHTP app

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  helps travelers make the best of bad situations by simplifying the process of filing a claim down to a simple photo snap and some basic paperwork submitted directly through a dedicated app.

Approved claims are also paid out very rapidly, making it easier to carry through with a trip when luggage has been lost or alternative travel plans need to be made on the fly.

Read our Berkshire Hathaway Travel Insurance review here.

Best for preexisting conditions: Tin Leg Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Thanks to coverage for preexisting medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review here.

Best for digital nomads: WorldTrips Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

• Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip protection insurance

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review here.

Best low-cost option: Trawick International

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

Trawick International Travel Insurance is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance  that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

Best for road trips: Travelex

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the US, but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the US for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about the financial aspect of receiving medical care while traveling , even in the most remote corners of the globe.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away.

Choosing Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the US Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Yes, travel insurance typically offers some coverage of canceled flights, but if this benefit is important to you, make sure you read the fine print of your policy to make sure it offers adequate reimbursement. If you think you may need to cancel your travel plans, you should consider purchasing cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance .

There isn't one best travel insurance company; there are many great providers on the travel insurance market today. Our overall winner was Nationwide for its breadth of coverage options. AIG Travel Guard, AXA, Berkshire Hathaway, Tin Leg, WorldTrips and Trawick also made the cut. The best pick for you will depend on what features you value the most, like a low premium or high coverage limits.

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 10% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with preexisting conditions , so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you. 

$100,000 should be a sufficient medical coverage limit for travel insurance. If you're planning on doing extreme sports or anything particularly risky on your trip, you may want to increase your coverage level. A high medical coverage limit is especially useful when you're purchasing cruise travel insurance, since medical evacuations are more involved at sea.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Latitude Financial Credit Cards

Latitude 28° global platinum mastercard.

Updated 17 April 2024

Travel virtually fee-free! 🛩 You’ll have more money for adventure with no annual fee and no currency conversion or international transaction fees on purchases. And, you can instantly access telcos in 150+ countries and use 3GB of free data for 15 days each year.

You can chill out at spiffy airport lounges with complimentary nibbles and free WiFi if you use your Flight Delay Pass and your flight is delayed by at least 2 hours. This card is a winner for globetrotters or overseas spenders who want to save money and get some fun travel perks including discounts and credit back.

Purchase Rate (p.a)

Balance transfer (p.a), annual fee (p.a), interest free period (up to).

55 days on eligible purchases

• The annual fee is charged in the first month. • You only pay the minimum monthly payment of your overall balance each month. • You do not spend or withdraw cash on the card until the balance transfer period ends or is paid in full. • All other fees and charges that may apply are excluded. When there is no interest savings or a negative interest saving after the introductory period, the calculator will display $0."> $ 0

My transfer amount, balance transfer from:, my annual fee, my interest rate.

Your savings • The annual fee is charged in the first month. • You only pay the minimum monthly payment of your overall balance each month. • You do not spend or withdraw cash on the card until the balance transfer period ends or is paid in full. • All other fees and charges that may apply are excluded. When there is no interest savings or a negative interest saving after the introductory period, the calculator will display $0.">

• Pros & cons
• Rates & fees
• Eligibility

Pros and cons

• Zero fees: No annual fee and no international transaction fees or currency conversion fees on overseas and online purchases. No fees for online payments except BPAY.
• Travel perks: The Flight Delay Pass gives you and 4 friends access to global LoungeKey lounges, drinks and WiFi if your flight is delayed by 2 hours or more (or dining discounts if no lounge is available)
• Freebies: Free global data roaming with 3 GB free data each year for 15 days plus 15% off extra data when you pay with the Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard (conditions apply).
• Discounts: Use Mastercard’s Priceless Specials and Priceless Experiences to get discounts on hundreds of brands including travel, experiences, dining and merchandise. You can also get 10% off Expedia and Wotif accommodation on selected hotels when you book before 30 September 2024 and stay before 31 December 2024 (conditions apply).
• Extras: You can add an extra cardholder free and sync your card with Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Garmin Pay and Fitbit Pay. Card replacement is free and you can access your new card instantly after approval via the Latitude App.
• Interest rates are high at 27.49% p.a. and a cash advance rate of 29.99% p.a.
• BPAY payments are charged at $0.95 online (effective 10 April this will increase to $1.95) and $3.95 for in-person payments (but you can avoid these fees by making your payments via direct debit or Latitude's Online Service Centre)
• Cash advance fees are charged at 3.5% or $4, whichever is greater.

Creditcard.com.au review

Editor review, who suits the latitude 28° global platinum mastercard, editor’s overall rating.

The Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard is a travel buddy for backpackers, bum-bagged tourists and wandering nomads who want to explore the world cheaper. You won’t pay annual fees or international transaction or currency conversion fees on purchases, which can add up to some enormous savings.

You’ll also get a bundle of extras that feature discounts and cashback, lounge passes if your flight is delayed, and free data roaming. It has a low credit limit and suits those with wanderlust or who frequently buy overseas and want something easy to tap-and-go or make payments online.

Editor’s Review: What I love about the Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard

The Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard has a big superpower: it effortlessly saves money on card costs like annual fees and international transaction and currency conversion fees on purchases while juggling a bunch of free perks.

It isn’t a rewards card but does have several discounts and cashback opportunities that are as good as points any day.

The high interest rate might seem off-putting, but it only takes a little bit of savvy to avoid interest and use the card by using the 55 days interest free and paying the card off each month. I'll talk more about the interest rates further on.

First, I’ll go through all the extras and how to use them to save money and get better deals.

No annual fee. This card has no annual fee, ever.

Savings on international fees. You won’t pay any international transaction or currency conversion fees on purchases whether you’re buying something online or in person. You’ll pay as if you’re a local anywhere around the world.

Free global data roaming. This card comes with Flexiroam Global Data Roaming, which is a bundle of perks to keep you connected as soon as you step onto international soil. You’ll get:

• Access to over 580 telcos in 150+ countries
• A Promotional Data plan with 3GB of free data for 15 days every calendar year (and you can share with a fellow Flexiroamer)
• A 15% discount on extra data plans when you pay with your Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard
• 3 SIM options including eSIM, so you never have to take out your Aussie SIM card

Flight Delay Pass. This is a first-class extra that lets you and up to 4 travel buddies use airport lounges (think nibbles, drinks and WiFi) in the LoungeKey network if you register your flight before your flight’s scheduled departure and your flight is delayed by at least 2 hours. Make sure you register your buddy's flights, too.

If there isn’t a lounge, you can instead get a dollar amount off eligible airport dining. The amount varies because of exchange rates, but as an example, you could get AUD$36 off per person at Sydney Airport.

Mastercard uses a third-party flight data tracker called FlightStats to monitor delays. Once your flight hits the 2-hour mark (even if it’s accumulated over several delay announcements) your lounge pass is triggered, which is pretty cool.

Access to specials and cashback. You’ll be able to access Mastercard Priceless Specials and Priceless Experiences, which are discounts and cashback on worldwide brands that include travel, entertainment, art, shopping and sports. Many of these offers are exclusive to Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard cardholders, which is a nice touch.

Travel discounts. You can access 10% off selected hotels at Expedia and Wotif when you book before 30 September 2024, and stay before 31 December 2024.

55 days interest-free. As long as you pay off the full closing balance on your statement by the due date, you'll be able to use 55 days interest-free on purchases you make from the start of each statement period.

What’s not so great

As much as this card ticks a ton of boxes for travellers, it does have some important terms you need to know about.

First is the interest rate. It’s possibly one of the highest rates out there at 27.49% p.a., but let’s keep it in perspective: this card isn’t designed as a line of credit for large purchases like a dishwasher or 4K tv. It’s a travel tool, and the goal should be to use it to save money overseas and pay it off each month. It does that job incredibly well.

Next, cash advance fees are charged on international ATM withdrawals even if your card is in a positive balance. Pre-loading your card with cash isn’t a helpful strategy. Pro tip: just avoid withdrawing cash from credit cards in general.

If you’re keen on using the Flight Delay Pass, be aware that you have to register your trip for yourself and you companions before your flight's scheduled departure, and your companions must be on the same flight. You'll need to register each leg of a multi-leg journey separately. You won’t be able to use the lounge if your flight is cancelled or rescheduled because your airline will look after you from there.

Other extras

Applying for the Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard takes under 10 minutes and you’ll get a response from Latitude within 60 seconds. Once you’re approved, you’ll be able to access your digital card and all the perks instantly using the Latitude App.

User reviews

Latitude 28° global platinum mastercard ( based on 4 creditcard.com.au user reviews ), 70% rating based on 4 reviews, customer service, 50% of users who have rated this card would recommend it, review the latitude 28° global platinum mastercard, rewards (not available for this card).

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Personal Finance Expert - Creditcard.com.au

John Nguyen

I use this card for overseas purchase and travel. It is great as it does not incur expensive international fees. I pay by the due date so don\'t have to incur any interest rates. Recently due to CoVid disruption, I had to submit a number of transaction disputes to claim back services/bookings which were cancelled. Latitude processed these requests promptly and efficiently within 30 days. In the meantime, my trxn dispute with NAB has been outstanding for 4 months now !

Creditcard.com.au Visitor

This is gold for travelling - I use it as a debit card by loading it with cash before I go - so no foreign % fee or ATM fee from GE. No credit charges. Accepted way more than a debit card.. spot on!

Rates and fees

Interest rates.

Purchase rate 27.49 % p.a.

Cash advance rate 29.99 % p.a.

Interest free period on purchases up to 55 days

Credit limits

Minimum credit limit $1,000

Maximum credit limit N/A

Fees & repayments

Annual fee $0 p.a.

Additional cardholder fee $0

Foreign transaction fee 0%

Minimum repayment 3% or $25, whichever is greater (Gem Visa & Go Mastercard); 2.5% or $30, whichever is greater if closing balance is $30 or more (28° Global)

Cash advance fee 3.5% or $4, whichever is greater

Late payment fee $35 (effective 10 April 2024, this will increase to $45)

Additional features

Complimentary insurance.

International Travel Insurance No

Flight Inconvenience Insurance No

Transit Accident Insurance No

Smartphone Screen Insurance No

Purchase Protection Insurance No

Extended Warranty Insurance No

Rental Vehicle Excess In Australia Insurance No

Flight Delay Pass

Global Data Roaming

Credit back and discounts through Mastercard Priceless Specials and Priceless Experiences

The Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard suits those looking for a credit card that they can use overseas and save on costs. It comes with a range of extras that make travel easier, cheaper and even provide credit back. Terms and conditions, fees, and charges apply. Approved customers only.

Key features

• No annual fee
• No international transaction fees or currency conversion fees on purchases
• Flight Delay Pass gives you and 4 friends access to airport lounges, drinks and WiFi if your flights are registered beforehand and are delayed for at least 2 hours
• Free 3GB data for 15 days every year plus 15% discount on additional data when you buy it with the Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard
• Instant digital access after approval and sync with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, Google Pay and Garmin Pay

Minimum criteria to apply for this card

Be over 18 years old

Good Credit and have not applied for multiple credit cards recently

Permanent Australian resident and supply a copy of your driver's licence, passport or proof of age card, details of income, assets and debts, and employer name and contact details

You have your personal details ready to complete the online application

Pauline is a personal finance expert at CreditCard.com.au, with 8 years in money, budgeting and property reporting under her belt. Pauline is passionate about seeing Aussies win by making their money – and their credit cards – work smarter, harder and bigger

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• The annual fee is charged in the first month. • You only pay the minimum monthly payment of your overall balance each month. • You do not spend or withdraw cash on the card until the balance transfer period ends or is paid in full. • All other fees and charges that may apply are excluded. When there is no interest savings or a negative interest saving after the introductory period, the calculator will display $0.'> Filter your savings

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My interest rate 19.49%, my annual fee $50.

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• ABN: 76 646 638 146
• ACR: 528318
• AFCA: 80717

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My monthly card spend $5000

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• All reward programs
• Airport lounge access
• Balance transfers
• Bonus points offer
• No foreign transaction fee
• Overseas travel insuarance
• Uncapped points earn

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Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard®

• $0 annual fee.
• No currency conversion fees.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases when travelling or shopping online.
• 22.99% p.a. interest rate on purchases and cash advances.

Pros and cons

• The $0 annual fee.
• No currency conversion free or foreign transaction fee.
• Enjoy up to 55 days interest-free on purchases.
• Free Global Wi-Fi at more than 1 million hotspots worldwide.
• A high purchase interest rate of 22.99% p.a.
• There is no rewards program on this card.
• In-person payment handling fees of $2.50 is expected to increase to $3.95.

Convenience

Customer service, rates and fees.

At last, a credit card that understands how we live now as global citizens on the move around the world, either in person or online. The 28° MasterCard is set to become the card of choice for travellers, online shoppers, and anyone with an international outlook. It has the big five points such users are looking for:

• No international transaction fees on purchases
• No foreign currency conversion fees
• No overseas ATM withdrawal fee
• No overseas ATM account balance enquiry fee
• No fee to replace a card lost or stolen while overseas
• And if you’re looking for an important extra ‘no’, it’s there: no annual fee.

Let’s take a detailed look at what some of this really means.

Some cards charge foreign currency transaction/conversion fees of 3.5%

When you make a purchase in a foreign currency, whether while travelling or online, you are already at the mercy of a fluctuating exchange rate. It might seem that you are getting a bargain, but often you won’t really know how much it’s going to cost you in Australian dollars until the transaction hits your account.

Then, with most credit cards, there are the added fees that the bank charges for foreign currency transactions and conversion into Australian dollars, a combination of the bank’s own processing fee and a charge payable to Visa, AmEx or MasterCard. This combined charge is typically 3%, or more, of the purchase amount and can be as high as 3.5%.

So your bargain New York hotel room at US$125 per night may already cost you AU$180, depending on the exchange rate. Add 3.5% to that amount, and you’re looking at US$186.30 before you’ve even had breakfast. Nasty.

If you make regular online purchases from overseas suppliers – and let’s face it, we do seem to pay very high prices for some consumer goods in Australia – then this card will be a godsend. Traders who source their stock internationally will be particularly happy with the ability to reduce their costs.

Use a 28 Degrees MasterCard and avoid that 3.5% fee altogether

Some cards charge a fee for cash withdrawals from overseas ATMs

When you’re on home soil, you probably habitually use your bank or card issuer’s ATM to avoid the transaction fees that come with using another bank’s machine. Trouble is, once you’re overseas, you won’t find any of your own bank’s ATMs. So, if you need to withdraw cash from your credit card account, you may be stung for an overseas ATM withdrawal fee, normally at least $4. This is in addition to any cash advance fee payable (which for the 28 Degrees MasterCard is 3%, rather higher than the 2% fee many banks charge).

But if you use a 28 ° Degrees MasterCard, there will be no overseas ATM withdrawal fee.

But beware – an overseas ATM withdrawal is a cash advance

There’s no escaping from the fact that an overseas ATM withdrawal from your credit card is a cash advance, just like in Australia. It may be fast, convenient, open all hours and free of any requirement to speak a foreign language, but it’s still a cash advance. You’ll start paying interest on it immediately at the cash advance rate (22.99% p.a. for this card), and if you don’t do anything about it until your return to Australia, you’ll have racked up some hefty interest costs to take the shine off your trip. It’s best to find another way to access cash overseas, like a prepaid travel money card.

Tip: You can use your 28 Degrees MasterCard to withdraw cash overseas and pay little or no interest. After you make the withdrawal, use your mobile phone or other internet-connected device to access your credit card account online. Once you see the cash advance amount in AUD in your account (this may take a day or two), simply transfer into your credit card account the equivalent amount from your Australian bank savings or transaction account. Provided you have no overdue balance on your credit card account, the cash transfer will be applied to your cash advance immediately and the interest charge will be a few cents at most.

Some cards charge an exorbitant fee for overseas emergency card replacement

Losing your credit card overseas, or having it stolen, is bad enough. Is someone using your card fraudulently? How will you check out of your hotel with no means of payment? But if you have to add to that the pain of the $100 charged by some card issuers for an overseas emergency replacement card, you may begin to feel that you’ve been done over twice.

28° MasterCard users can avoid that extra sting and get on with enjoying their trip, because overseas emergency card replacement is free.

Notify your card issuer if you are going overseas

While on the subject of emergency card replacement, it’s reassuring to know that this card is protected by a Falcon Fraud Management System and a skilled Fraud Solutions Team who contact cardholders by phone or SMS immediately after they notice any suspect transactions.

This is a comforting level of security, but some users of the card have reported problems with using the card overseas, finding their card unexpectedly blocked. So the card issuer’s recommendation that users advise them before embarking on an overseas trip is probably better interpreted as a mandatory requirement.

MasterCard SecureCode, a system of security questions or a one-time password delivered by SMS, also helps to protect you from fraudulent online shopping transactions.

No annual fee

Since you won’t be charged any annual fee for this card, it’s possible to keep it on standby for overseas trips or online shopping, even if you have another card that you prefer to use when dealing with Australian retailers. You can also have up to nine supplementary cards on the account, which makes it perfect for a small business with trusted employees who need to travel or purchase internationally.

More benefits for travellers

To underline the fact that this is a card designed for international travellers, there are more built-in advantages for people on the move:

• Visa Platinum global 24/7 concierge service. Wherever you are in the world, if you need advice or reservations for travel, restaurants, entertainment or tours, the Visa concierge service is there to help. They're just a phone call, mouse click or screen tap away.
• Optional international travel insurance. Note that this is not complimentary insurance coverage, and you will have to pay.

No rewards points, no introductory offers, no low interest rates

While there are none of the usual overseas transaction fees, and no annual fee, some of the perks commonly associated with credit cards are also missing.

Although you’ll get up to 55 days interest-free each month (provided you have no overdue balance on your account), there are no introductory zero-interest periods on either purchases or balance transfers.

There are no reward points or free insurance policies. The ongoing purchase and cash advance interest rates (both 22.99% p.a.) are at the high end of the market. If you are looking for low interest rates, this is not the card for you.

User profile for the 28° Degrees MasterCard

It’s pretty clear, then, that this card is ideal for someone who either travels overseas regularly or shops online frequently with suppliers whose charges are made in a foreign currency. This same hypothetical user is not concerned about the high purchase and cash advance interest rates, planning to always pay the account balance in full by the due date in order to benefit from up to 55 interest-free days and never pay interest charges. Since there is no annual fee, it’s a no-brainer for this person to keep it in their wallet for when they are in overseas mode.

Reviewed by Yvonne Taylor

Lead Product Analyst

User reviews

Best travel card in Oz!

Reviewed by Ryan

By far, the best and only travel card you need (in fact, I would have two just in case you lose one and have to use an inferior card)! There are no fees when using international. None. All you pay is interest on purchases, which is admittedly high but as long as you stay on top of your balance, it’s not an issue. Or even better, get yourself in debit (that is pre-load with your own cash) and then you’re not even paying interest on purchases or withdrawals. It doesn’t get better!

Best card when travelling

Reviewed by cherylh

Have been using this 6 months and have found no faults yet. The 28 Degrees is an online credit card. They provide excellent information, details of purchases, payment and answer emails and phone calls promptly. This is a brilliant card to take overseas. There are no international usage charges, no currency charges or other hidden charges. The only charges, if you pay on time, are those charged by banks if you use their ATM .

Love this card

Reviewed by Macca

Have been using this card for quite a number of years and have always found it to be very easy to use and never had any problems. Being able to pay for international purchases without a fee being charged for conversion from Australian currency to a foreign currency makes this card very worthwhile.

28 degrees of ease!

Reviewed by Dave

Very easy multi-currency credit card to use. Exchange rates are as close to market rates as possible with a retail credit card! Setup is conducted entirely online and is easy to manage. Only downside is the customer service is not open 24 hours, which makes it difficult to resolve issues in different countries.

Quite happy with this card

Reviewed by Alison

I originally signed up for this card as I was doing a lot of travelling. It doesn’t charge to change currencies (which is great for travel and online purchases). No account fees, interest is only charged if you don’t pay off the card each month rather than as soon as you make a purchase. No frills, easy to use card.

Fairly pleased with the card

Reviewed by Clinton Koch

Rates and charges are the killer, but the card is not so bad because the charges are everyday and keeps on adding interest. Rewards are not too bad. Customer service is not great, but fairly good. It’s there when you need it.

Still the cheapest for travel

Reviewed by Neil

If you’re planning an overseas holiday with your family, the 28 degrees MasterCard will save you a small fortune compared to the big banks’ credit cards—actually even compared to every credit card available to the Aussie consumer. It is a front runner for value for money and ease of use.

Extremely high interest rates stung me

Reviewed by Ali

As someone who has never been completely on top of my game in the credit card department, I take responsibility over being stung by the high rates post-introductory phase. However, this doesn’t excuse how incredibly high the subsequent interest rates were compared to other credit cards.

I initially chose this credit card before I moved overseas, as it didn’t have the high fees (such as international exchange fees) that many other cards do when using them overseas. I also chose this card because at the time, I could take money out as a cash advance from ATMs for very minimal fees—super helpful when living or travelling abroad. Whilst I benefitted from this for a few months, this changed whilst I was away and new fees were introduced, making it just a marginally better international card than other standard credit cards.

Now that I am home and the fees have added up over the past six months as I’ve been in a position where I haven’t been able to make regular repayments, I’ve recently made a balance transfer to a 0% interest card for 21 months whilst I try and catch up on my debt.

If you’re just hoping to use this card for it’s international benefits, then so be it, but, if not, there are plenty of other day-to-day cards with better rates and additional benefits.

Interest rate is high now

Reviewed by Joanne

I have never been turned away from making a purchase anywhere in Australia with this card. They called once to let me know that some strange activity was occurring. It was only a few cents worth, but they picked up on it.

Loved the zero percent interest on balance transfers, which initially made us make the decision to go with this card. I’m not loving the interest rate right now and am currently searching for a way to cut some costs. Paper statement fee of $2 is a wrought just like the other cards charging this fee. We should not be 'softly bullied’ by big companies to accept this charge when they make a profit off the consumer to begin with.

Not everyone wants to deal with a screen—some people like to actually speak to people face to face. I don’t enjoy making phone calls to them for help and then getting help from someone with a heavy accent. I like to be able to understand those I speak to, especially when it is not face to face.

Statements always arrive on time. I have been charged a $25 late fee for not making the minimum payment on time, which I think is incredibly rude and also a way to softly bully the consumers into the direct debit option or of course run the risk of forgetting.

All in all, there has not been any major issues with this card, but that will not stop me from looking to see if I can save a penny for a change as with all these extra charged on top of the actual bill for the services supposedly used, it adds up and will eventually make us use the product less and less.

Very convenient card for overseas purchases

Reviewed by Priska

I’m so glad to have this card. We travel to Asia quite a lot and this card gave us a great rate and didn’t charge much for the overseas transactions. There’s no annual fee to have the card. It’s very easy to manage and their customer service staff are friendly and helpful when I rang to increase or decrease my credit limit.

Overall, it’s a fantastic card to have.

Great card for using overseas

Reviewed by Hugo

I use this card overseas all the time when on holidays in the UK, France, Brazil, Peru and Vietnam. I also use it on the internet when buying from overseas sites.

There are no overseas fees at all in 6 years of use. It’s very convenient and I recommend it to all. Once, when the card was compromised, customer service took care of it and I received a replacement quickly.

Good for holidays

Reviewed by Nok

I use this a lot when I have holiday in another country. I have a low limit of $10,000, which is enough if I have trouble anywhere. There are no frequent flyer points with this card, but no fees until now. Now they want to charge for making a payment. That is not good. The card itself is good though.

Useful card and handy for overseas purchases

Reviewed by Paul

This card has been handy when travelling or for online purchases for the past eight or so years. The exchange rates have been about the best so far and without fees. For the very few times I’ve called their centre, the staff have been great.

The new 'fee for paying us’ concept won’t be liked by many.

Best card on the market

Reviewed by Reg

This is honestly the best card on the market. There are no fees and there are no foreign currency fees to pay even when used overseas. I have used it in England and Africa, for example, and there were no exchange rate fees at all.

I have had this card for about ten years now and have never regretted having it as my main credit card. It is used extensively and will continue to be used.

Great card for travelling overseas

Reviewed by Alyssa

This is a great card for travelling overseas. It has no exchange rate, conversion, withdrawal, or international fees. You can go to multiple countries with it and use it like you’re a local. I think it’s best used in developed countries where you have access to EFTPOS and ATMs rather than third world countries that do not have the same accessibility.

Great for online and overseas purchases

Reviewed by Dale

You might be surprised to find when you make a purchase online from what appears to be an Australian site that your transaction takes place offshore. As a result, most credit cards will charge you a foreign transaction fee, even though you believed you were dealing with an Australian business. Not so with the 28 Degrees MasterCard. This card has no foreign transaction fees, so you can confidently shop online knowing you won’t be charged these fees. For the same reason, it’s also a great card to take on holidays with you. This is actually the original reason I got the card. It was really helpful on my USA trip!

The card for me

Reviewed by Eric

I love my card as it does everything that I want it to do and then some. I have used it everywhere and I have had no problems with it. It has been widely accepted anywhere I have tried to use it. I have this card as it meets my needs at the moment.

Great for use overseas

Reviewed by Leah

This is a great credit card to use when travelling as it has no transaction or currency conversion fees when spending money overseas. I also like that there’s no annual fee—I refuse to use any card that charges an annual fee actually. The interest rate is fairly high, but I always pay on time anyway so this doesn’t affect me.

Good for overseas travel

Reviewed by Davin

This is a good card for overseas travel. The foreign exchange rate is fantastic, but unfortunately it has a high interest rate. There’s great online banking, which is convenient. There is no complimentary insurance and the card does not come with an app. Only good to use overseas because of its foreign exchange rate.

No international transaction fees

Reviewed by M

This is a great card with no annual fee and no international transaction fees. It’s great to travel with or use when you shop online in other currencies. It also has the security of MasterCard. I highly recommend this card. The only drawback is that there are no reward points, but I still use it all the time.

Best card around, perfect fit for my needs!

Reviewed by Kimberly

I picked up this card a few years ago for overseas travel. Before then, I hadn’t even owned a credit card. The card gave me such peace of mind with hassle-free transactions all over the world and no constant worrying about exchange rates or fees. I thought when I arrived home I wouldn’t have the need for the card, but I use it all the time. It’s convenient with no hidden fees, and as someone who is quite sensible with their money, the long interest-free period each month gives me ample time to make sure I pay it off in full.

No international transaction fee

Reviewed by Syl

Love this card as it does not have extra charges for overseas transactions, which is great as there are no surprises when you get home. It’s easy to use and accepted anywhere. I’ve had no issues at all and would recommend it as a great travel partner. It has become my only card when travelling overseas and at home.

Fast, uncomplicated approval process

Reviewed by dominic schipano

Helpful, and approved when i most needed it. That is why i will be forever grateful. Charges are reasonable, approval was not complicated and quick, the card was sent really fast and was much appreciated. Hopefully the same will be said if i apply for a credit increase.

A cash advance was also available, allowing me to shop at markets.

Reviewed by Debbie

Got the card to purchase a fridge under finance, but no longer need it and would like to close this off. It’s been convenient, however, expensive to run and I now have a different card that gives me points when I make purchases.

Great for overseas purchases and/or travelling

Reviewed by Karen

I obtained the 28 Degree MasterCard because I do a lot of overseas travelling and purchases. A MasterCard appears to be a very favourable card for purchases and a lot of hotels etc accept credit card in favour of a debit card. I have experienced no problems with 28 Degree MasterCard and find the conditions of the card suit my expenditure.

Best card for overseas purchases

Reviewed by Michael

I use this card whenever I purchase items in a foreign currency. I was tired of paying excessive fees on my other credit cards, and I didn’t want to shell out even more money for a travel card from other banks or Australia Post. With the 28 Degrees card I can purchase items over the internet and in other countries when I travel, safe in the knowledge that I will pay what I thought I would pay with no hidden fees.

Good for overseas travel but no rewards

Reviewed by Sue

Great card to use for overseas travel as there are no international card fees. However, there are no rewards available. Also, cash advances from ATMs cost money.

Much easier than using cash, accepted by most hotels and restaurants around the world. Customer service has been good so far, with regular statements available online. Direct debit is also available from your bank account.

There are savings to be had if you are travelling across multiple countries and cannot be bothered changing multiple cash currencies.

Useful for overseas purchases

Reviewed by Anna

This card is useful for overseas purchases (online and in-country).

There are some fees (e.g. when you add cash to your account not using their 'pay my account’ function). However, there are no account-keeping fees.

It’s very easy to use and has a clear online account layout and display. I would recommend this card.

It has all the benefits I need

Reviewed by mohammed i

This card offers lots of beneficial points, like no annual fee, long-term interest-free periods, international travel services, account security, low interest rates, no overseas fees on purchases, no currency conversion fees, no foreign transaction fees and the ability to withdraw cash overseas without fees.

It has worldwide emergency card replacement, a 24/7 helpline and a concierge service.

No currency conversion fees

Reviewed by Jason

This is the best credit card i have ever had. It’s the only card i know of that you can take overseas to withdraw money that doesn’t charge conversion fees.

It has low fees and is the only credit card that i would ever own. The interest rates are OK, but it’s more about the convenience and bonuses.

Exchange rate not what I expected

Reviewed by S

I read reviews and applied for the card for a Japan trip. But later I found that the exchange rate conversion date was not the transaction date, but the date when the record was posted into their system, therefore not the expected rate.

There is also a payment handling fee of $0.95 charged to pay online, which i think is too much.

Best travel card

Reviewed by Roz

Simply the best

I have had the 28 Degrees Platinum MasterCard for about eight or nine years now. The charges are very fair and there is no annual fee. Not long ago I received an offer from them to upgrade to Platinum at no cost to me and gratefully accepted their offer.

I have used the card overseas in the UK and Africa and there are no foreign exchange rate charges at all. I don’t know of any other card that offers this advantage.

There is no rewards feature but who cares? I will never consider changing from the card that is simply the best!

Best travel credit card out there!

Reviewed by Kyria

After doing some research, I chose this card as the best option for use overseas while travelling, as (unlike most other cards) it has NO currency conversion fees.

The downside is that you can’t earn any frequent flyer/reward points, but I believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Also, there’s no annual fee!

Great card for overseas travellers

Reviewed by Marion

I have this card because there are no annual fees. It is a great card for overseas travellers as there are no extra transaction fees.

I always pay off my credit card on time so cannot comment on the interest rate. But it’s a perfect card for overseas travellers who pay their account on time.

Good for travel but high interest rate

Reviewed by Jay

A great card for travelling — no currency conversion fees. The exchange rates are pretty reasonable as well.

This card has no annual fee, which is great. The interest rate on this card is pretty terrible, however.

Customer service has usually been friendly and helpful. I would recommend this card to people thinking about going abroad.

Great card for overseas travel and security

Reviewed by Liz

This card is great for travel and buying goods online, as there are no extra costs associated with different currency transactions.

The security is amazing and so you feel reassured that you are protected. Their fraud squad are communicative and investigate and refund any costs that were not incurred by you. They also call you if they detect any activity that they think is concerning.

Problems understanding service operators

Reviewed by Roswitha

It’s a great card, but quite often have a problem understanding the dreadful English some of their operators speak. Sometimes there is an issue and they usually deal with it fairly well.

The card is quite convenient because everyone accepts it and if you use it wisely and pay full balance each month you can actually end up saving heaps of money.

Good choice for low-cost travel money

Reviewed by Claire

I never usually use a credit card and signed up for this to use for overseas travel. If you 'pre-pay’ it with your own cash, you can effectively withdraw money and spend it without fees and currency conversion costs at overseas ATMs and stores/train stations/whatever. You’ll pay $1 to pay money onto it, and the interest rates are not flash if you actually use it for credit, but overall it’s a handy way to avoid the overseas transaction fees you’d pay on a normal bank card.

No annual fees, accepted everywhere

Reviewed by Amanda

The 28 degrees Platinum MasterCard is a fantastic everyday credit card. There are no annual fees associated with this card and it is accepted everywhere.

The card has a stylish-looking design as well. The website allows for easy payment, with email reminders available to avoid paying late fees and interest. It’s a wonderful card that I have used for many many years.

Service staff helped me get a refund overseas

I love this card. I can use it worldwide with no conversion fees for foreign currency transactions.

When I had an issue with a car hire deposit in the UK, the staff were very helpful in disputing the transaction and when I was finally refunded, they even made up the exchange rate difference for me so that I didn’t lose out. A great card for worldwide use.

Excellent for foreign purchases

Reviewed by L

The 28 Degrees card has been great for use with foreign purchases and currency, as the exchange rate is better than banks and other cards, while there are also minimal fees. I use it for all overseas purchases online, as well as taking it with me on international trips as my main source of credit.

No yearly fee, no international transactions fees

The main benefits of the 28 Degrees card are that there are no yearly fees and no international transaction fees. It is great for travelling abroad and buying online from overseas.

Their customer service is good — very friendly and helpful.

It’s payWave enabled for ease of paying more quickly than before, especially compared to cash.

Good for foreign purchases

Reviewed by Andrew

There are no rewards or loyalty program, but good exchange rates and no fees.

It’s easy to set up and there are no annual fees, even for supplementary cardholders. We have used this card in France, UK, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia, all without any issues at all. I definitely recommend it.

Quick, simple application and approval

Reviewed by Courtney

This is my first ever credit card. The application process was quick, simple and easy. I got accepted straight away for the credit card, but had to prove my income simply by uploading one of the accepted documents.

I plan on using this card overseas as there are many benefits to using it this way. I have yet to purchase anything with my card, but am much looking forward to it.

Very expensive fees

This card is no longer needed as there are better products for buying overseas. The fees are outrageous. The point of having this card is to make overseas purchases and not face foreign currency conversion fees, but the fees on the card if you don’t pay it off are exorbitant. It is better just to have a normal low rate card.

Great for overseas travel, annoying BPAY charge

Reviewed by Emma

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The Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2021

Best overall travel insurance, best for solo travelers.

John Hancock

Best for Tailored Plans

Allianz Global Assistance

Best for Premier Travel Insurance Plans

AXA Travel Insurance

Best for Adventure Sports Coverage

World Nomads

Best Travel Insurance for Groups

APRIL International

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Reviews Report

• Reviews.com rates IMG as the best travel insurance company, earning a 4.75 out of 5.
• The best travel insurance companies have broad areas and limits of coverage and excellent service for the insured.
• Medical coverage and trip cancellation/interruption are must-haves when choosing the best travel insurance company.

Travel insurance is an often overlooked way to protect the investment in your vacation or trip abroad. It covers incidents such as canceling trips, medical evacuation, lost or delayed baggage, and more. However, picking the best travel insurance policy isn’t always easy — especially when COVID-19 has slowed travel and canceled trips outright.

In making our selections for the best travel insurance companies of 2021 we analyzed each company’s travel insurance offerings using a number of criteria like medical coverage limits, available add-on coverage options, and the number of plans to choose from.

The 6 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2021

• IMG : Best Overall Travel Insurance
• John Hancock : Best Insurance for Travel Cost Reimbursement
• Allianz Global : Best Travel Insurance for Tailored Plans
• AXA : Best for Premier Travel Insurance Plans
• World Nomads Travel Insurance : Best Travel Insurance for Adventure Sports
• APRIL International : Best Travel Insurance for Group Travel

Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies

Information accurate as of April 2021

Why we chose it

• 4.75 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• NR AM Best Rate AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim.
• $100K–$500K Medical Coverage Medical coverage is what the company will pay out to you if you were injured or ill on your trip and needed medical care abroad.
• 180 days Trip Length This is the maximum number of days the travel insurance company will cover your trip.
• Plans specifically for seniors available
• Additional add-on coverage available
• High medical coverage
• Number of plans is limited
• Lengthy wait to initiate claim for lost luggage
• Trip cancellation: $50K
• Trip interruption: 150% cost of trip
• Medical coverage: $500K
• Medical evacuation: $1M
• Sports/recreation: $500K
• Travel delay: $500 (Max $125/day)
• iTravelInsured Travel Lite
• iTravelInsured SE
• iTravelInsured LX
• Senior plan
• 4.2 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• A+ AM Best Rate AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim.
• $50K–$250K Medical Coverage Medical coverage is what the company will pay out to you if you were injured or ill on your trip and needed medical care abroad.
• 90 days Trip Length This is the maximum number of days the travel insurance company will cover your trip.
• Multiple plans
• 24/7 emergency travel assistance
• Up to $1K missed connection coverage
• Lower medical emergency coverage than competitors
• Few add-on coverage
• No free child traveler coverage
• Trip cancellation: Up to 100% of trip cost
• Trip interruption: Up to 150% of trip cost
• Emergency medical: Up to $250K
• Medical evacuation: Up to $1M
• Baggage delay: $500
• Lost baggage: $2,500
• Bronze: Basic plan with lower coverage limits than other two
• Silver: Intermediate plan with more value than Bronze 
• Gold: Premier plan with best coverage 

More John Hancock Insurance Reviews 

• John Hancock Travel Insurance Review
• 3.4 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• $25K–$50K Medical Coverage Medical coverage is what the company will pay out to you if you were injured or ill on your trip and needed medical care abroad.
• Multiple plans to choose from
• Children 17 and under, free
• Annual plan for multiple trips
• Relatively low medical limits
• Often difficult to compare multiple plan offerings
• Some plans are relatively expensive
• Trip cancellation: Up to $100,000
• Trip interruption: Up to $150,000
• Medical coverage: $50,000
• Emergency medical: $25,000
• Lost baggage: $1,000
• Change fee: $500
• Annual Plans
• One Trip Cancellation Plus
• One Trip Basic, Prime, Premier
• One Trip Emergency Medical

More Allianz Global Insurance Reviews

Allianz Travel Insurance Review

• 4 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• $25K–$250K Medical Coverage Medical coverage is what the company will pay out to you if you were injured or ill on your trip and needed medical care abroad.
• 60 days Trip Length This is the maximum number of days the travel insurance company will cover your trip.
• Very comprehensive top tier coverage
• Broad adventure travel coverage
• No deductible
• Limited coverage for lower tier plans
• Extensive exclusions for lost/damaged personal property
• Trip delay: Up to $300/day; $1,250 max
• Medical coverage: Up to $250K
• Medical evacuation: Up to $1M 
• Baggage delay: Up to $750 max
• Lost baggage: Up to $3K
• Silver Plan: Basic plan
• Gold Plan: Better value
• Platinum Plan: Premier coverage
• Adventure Product
• 2.75 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• Not Rated AM Best Rate AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim.
• Up to $100K Medical Coverage Medical coverage is what the company will pay out to you if you were injured or ill on your trip and needed medical care abroad.
• Adventure sports coverage
• Language apps for iPhones
• COVID-19 coverage
• No pre-existing med coverage
• Restricted civil unrest coverage
• Less extensive med coverage
• Emergency dental: $750
• Trip cancellation: $2,500 / $10K
• Trip interruption: $2,500 / $10K
• Medical evacuation: $300K / $500K
• Lost, damaged, stolen gear: $1K/$3K
• Standard Plan
• Explorer (Enhanced) Plan
• 4.25 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• 60-90 days Trip Length This is the maximum number of days the travel insurance company will cover your trip.
• High coverage for trip delay
• Group travel policies available
• Cancel for any reason available
• Low trip cost coverage
• Sports equipment coverage not automatic

Add-ons and Coverage

• Trip cancellation: 100% of cost
• Cancel for any reason: 75% of cost (only for Pandemic Plus plan)
• Trip interruption: 150%–175% of cost
• Medical evacuation: $500K (only for Pandemic Plus plan)
• Lost baggage: Up to $2,500
• APRIL Pandemic Plus
• APRIL Trip Cancellation
• APRIL Choice with Pre-Ex Waiver
• APRIL Cruise

Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know 

Travel insurance is an optional protection that most travelers should consider. Travel insurance helps people recover losses if travel plans are disrupted. This can include full recovery of prepaid expenses if the trip is canceled entirely as well as coverage for expenses incurred on a trip if facing problems such as a medical emergency or lost items.

A number of credit card companies provide some automatic travel insurance but coverage is limited and often doesn’t cover crisis situations such as the need to evacuate for a civil disturbance or natural disaster. The best travel insurance policies will provide full coverage, can be tailored to specific needs, and reimburse customers for losses and costs that will arise if plans go astray.

Purchasing travel insurance works much like buying other common coverage, such as home or auto insurance. The first step is to understand and list all of anticipated travel costs and potential risks, then contact several companies to obtain quotes to compare. 

What Travel Insurance Covers 

Medical care and evacuation.

The best travel insurance policies provide coverage for emergency medical expenses should a traveler be injured or become ill. Most policies will also offer coverage for the cost of evacuation due to a medical emergency.

Typically, plans reimburse for the cost of emergency care up to a limit set in the policy. It is important to review these limits carefully in light of personal medical risks and health concerns specific to the travel destination. Medical coverage will continue to be a vital part of any trip planning during the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic environments.

Trip cancellation and interruption

Trip cancellation coverage is important if you need to completely cancel a trip because of personal reasons, weather-related incidents, or other covered events. You should review the coverage to assure that protection also applies when a trip is cut short for one of these same reasons.

This interruption coverage is designed to reimburse travelers for the unreimbursed costs incurred for the unused part of the trip. When searching for appropriate travel insurance policies, make sure to carefully forecast your costs for a trip Interruption or cancellation and ensure coverage limits are sufficient.

Delayed or lost baggage

Delayed baggage coverage reimburses travelers for the cost of obtaining toiletries and other basic necessities when baggage is delayed during a trip. On the other hand, lost baggage covers personal items and bags that are completely list and cannot be recovered.  In addition to reimbursement for items lost, many policies provide lost baggage tracking assistance. Be certain to read the fine print as usually each of these coverages come with some pretty stringent conditions. Also, compare this coverage with coverage offered by your credit card providers, as this is one area where these coverages may overlap.

Cancel for any reason

For an additional fee, many insurers will add a “Cancel for Any Reason” provision, which covers travelers in the event of a canceled trip, because of the risk of some disaster, such as a forecasted hurricane or civil unrest while traveling internationally .

The policy timeframe for canceling a trip will be critical so it is important to review the specific policy terms and understand just how close to departure you can cancel and be covered. Also, the extra cost of this coverage can be steep so be certain it is necessary.

How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance Company

Prior to buying travel insurance, it is important to determine the travel coverage you may already have from other sources such as your credit cards, existing health insurance, or homeowners insurance. Also, have your total prepaid and anticipated trip costs calculated and handy. 

Here are some tips on selecting the best travel insurance company policy for your needs:

• Review any home insurance, umbrella insurance, health insurance, and credit card coverage that may already apply to traveling. For example, some home insurance policies cover lost items no matter where you are and health insurance could apply to situations outside of the United States.
• Understand the factors that will guide you in selecting the best policy for you — length of trip, destination, your age and health condition and anticipated involvement in high risk sports or other activities.
• Compare the detailed features and prices of several plans — try to find the cheapest travel insurance company plan that will also cover everything you need.
• Understand all of the deductible options that are available.
• Read the fine print and don’t be afraid to ask questions of the insurance company when plans are confusing or you would like a modification to the plan offered.

Finally, once you have purchased a policy and before departing on your trip, make sure you understand the process for filing a claim and seeking emergency assistance should the need arise. You do not want to face a crisis on the other side of the world and not be able to put your hands on the number to call for help.

Travel Insurance FAQ 

Can you buy travel insurance after booking a flight or hotel.

Yes, you can purchase travel insurance after you book your trip. In fact, it can be desirable as you will better understand all costs at that point. Do not wait too long though and miss out on some features.

Can you be refused travel insurance?

Unfortunately, yes. Travel insurance companies often take specific medical conditions into account and can refuse coverage if they determine the risk is too high. This is another good reason to explore various coverage options with different companies.

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Spending 5%–7% of the total cost of your trip to assure that you are not forced to spend perhaps several hundred thousand dollars for a serious medical problem and related expenses is worth getting travel insurance. 

Methodology 

We evaluated travel insurance providers based on coverage, number of plans, optional coverage, medical coverage limits, and AM Best ratings to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best travel insurance provider reviews. To compare travel insurance providers with other brands across the board, we calculate each Reviews.com score based on the following:

• Essential Coverage: When comparing travel insurance providers, we considered essential coverage to be 24/7 assistance, trip cancellation/interruption, medical evacuation and more. Providers with more points of essential coverage scored higher. 
• Number of Plans: Flexibility and having options is important which is why Reviews.com awarded travel insurance providers with higher scores if they presented more plans. 
• Add-on Coverage: Travel insurance providers with more optional coverage add-ons scored higher in this metric — higher flexibility and customization in travel insurance is an indicator of the best travel insurance companies.
• Medical Coverage Limit: We compared the medical coverage limits of the best travel insurance companies and awarded providers with higher scores if they had higher medical coverage limits. 
• AM Best: Reviews.com utilized AM Best ratings to assign a score based on each home insurance company’s financial stability.

About the Authors

Rick Hoel Contributing Writer

Rick Hoel is an international business attorney and legal and insurance writer for Reviews.com. Over the last several years, he has covered topics dealing with personal and commercial insurance and technology and the law.

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These are the 4 best family travel insurance plans

Find coverage that fits your family's travel plans with these four companies..

Family vacations are a special time, and ensuring they go smoothly is essential to making memories that will last forever. Travel insurance is one way to ensure that any bumps in the road can be smoothed over, from a lost bag to an injury abroad.

CNBC Select reviews the best travel insurance plans for families based on coverage, cost and plan variety. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best family travel insurance companies.)

Best family travel insurance  

• Best for families with young children : Allianz   
• Best for affordability : Faye   
• Best for CFAR coverage : Travel Insured International  
• Best for cruises : Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection  

Best for families with young children 

Allianz travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

10 travel insurance plans make it possible to customize your coverage. For families, Allianz's OneTrip Prime package covers children age 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

24/7 assistance available

• Trip cancellation benefits can reimburse your prepaid, nonrefundable trip payments if you have to cancel your trip for one of the covered reasons stated in your plan documents. 
• Limited coverage for risky sports

Who's this for? Allianz is great for families with young children as its OneTrip Prime travel insurance policy offers free coverage for children ages 17 or under when traveling with a parent or grandparent. Though this benefit isn't available to Pennsylvania residents, it could help families with younger children lower the cost of their travel insurance coverage.  

Standout benefits:  Allianz's cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage has an enhanced version available that can cover up to 80% of trip expenses if you have to cancel for a reason that's not covered.  

[ Jump to more details ]  

Best for affordability 

Faye travel insurance.

Faye offers travel insurance with a convenient online buying experience and an app with real-time travel alerts. It's one simple plan includes coverage for common issues, like trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses and trip delay coverage. It also offers coverage for pre-existing medical conditions when plans are purchased within 14 days of an initial trip deposit.

• Covers Covid like any other medical condition
• CFAR is available for up to 75% of trip costs for an additional cost.
• Additional coverage options like vacation rental damage coverage and pet care coverage.
• Not all benefits are available in all states.

Who's this for?  Faye travel insurance stands out for families on a budget. Its policies start at just $4.64 per day (for 14 days) for domestic trips and $5.16 per day (for 14 days) for international trips. It's also great for those who want a completely digital experience and would rather manage a policy through an app than an agent or by phone.

Standout benefits:  Faye's intuitive interface makes it easy to get travel insurance coverage on your own time, and quotes are available entirely online. On top of the standard trip delay, cancellation and interruption coverage, you can purchase CFAR coverage, coverage for adventure and sports activities and a pet care add-on, which can cover illness or injury for your pet when traveling with you, or extra kenneling costs if your trip is delayed if you leave your pet at home.  

Best for CFAR coverage 

Travel insured international travel insurance.

Travel Insured International has two simple travel insurance plans — the Worldwide Trip Protector and Worldwide Trip Protector Gold. Its plans are affordable and offer the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

• Optional CFAR coverage and interruption for any reason coverage
• Medical coverage can be lower than other options

Who's this for?  Travel Insured International could be a great fit for families looking for the flexibility of a CFAR addition to ensure they'll be covered for any reason they need to cancel. The company's wide variety of reasons for cancellation includes coverage for school year extensions with all plans.  

Standout benefits:  Travel Insured International's Worldwide Trip Protector can cover all children 17 and under for free when traveling with related adults.  

Best for cruises  

Berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has multiple plans to cover vacations from luxury travel to adventure travel. The brand's LuxuryCare offers the highest limits of travel insurance coverage offered by the company. Quotes and policies are available online.

• Wide variety of policies available
• Strong financial strength rating by AM Best
• Cancel for any reason only provides reimbursement for up to 50% of non-refundable trip payments

Who's this for?  Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers cruise-specific packages for families setting sail on a cruise.  

Standout benefits:  Cruise plans include coverage for missed connections and unique challenges you could face on a cruise vacation, like cruise disablement and diversion. 

More on our top family travel insurance companies 

Allianz offers 10 different travel insurance policies for travelers and trips of all types, including single-trip and multi-trip coverage. It also offers quotes and claims online, making the experience simple.  

CFAR coverage available?  

Yes, up to 80% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs 

24/7 assistance?  

[ Return to summary ]  

While relatively new to the space, Faye's travel insurance plans combine affordability and easy access. Policies are backed by the United States Fire Insurance Company.  

Yes, up to 75% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs 

Travel Insured International 

Travel Insured International has been offering travel insurance for over 25 years. It has two tiers of coverage (available in most states) that can help you meet all your travel protection needs.  

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection 

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers several tiers of travel protection and insurance, including packages specifically designed for road trips and cruises. Its strong A++ financial strength rating also helps it stand out against the competition.  

Up to 50%, only available on LuxuryCare packages 

Does travel insurance cover family members?  

Generally, you can insure your whole family on one travel insurance plan, so you won't have to buy separate plans for every traveler. Your travel insurance plan will cover every person listed on the policy.  

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to a death in the family? 

In many cases, travel insurance can help you recoup the cost of your vacation if you have to cancel due to a death in your family. However, you'll want to carefully read your policy's definition of a family member, as not everyone in your life could be included.  

Bottom line

A family vacation can be a big investment, so it's important to protect yourself in case anything goes awry. Having a travel insurance plan that's easy to access, provides 24/7 support and fits your specific travel concerns and budget can help ensure your trip will go smoothly.

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Why trust CNBC Select? 

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every travel insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance products. To research the best travel insurance companies, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen travel insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel insurance companies. 

Our methodology  

To determine the best travel insurance companies, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of travel insurance companies and compared them based on various factors. 

While narrowing down the best travel insurance companies, we focused on the number of plans available, the availability of 24/7 assistance to access while traveling, coverage for Covid-19, the availability of cancel for any reason coverage, and financial strength (which measures a company's ability to pay on contracts) using A.M. Best ratings. We also considered family-friendly features, such as the inclusion of children on policies for free with parent's coverage, and reasons for cancellation, including school year extension as a reason for cancellation.  

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for travel insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.  

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money , and follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.  

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The only thing more expensive than travel insurance is not having it.

Travel insurance.

Pandemics. Injuries. Lost luggage. Travel delays. Severe weather.  Political unrest.

Traveling is an exciting journey, but what happens when the unexpected occurs? Unforeseen events can quickly turn your dream vacation into a stressful experience. That's where travel insurance comes in, offering you peace of mind and protection.

Here are 6 reasons why securing travel insurance is a crucial step in your travel planning:

1. Financial Protection Against Trip Cancellations or Interruptions Imagine you've planned a luxury Antarctic expedition, but a sudden illness or family emergency forces you to cancel. Without travel insurance, you could lose the money you've invested in flights, hotels, and onshore excursions. Travel insurance can reimburse these non-refundable expenses.

2. Coverage for Medical Emergencies Abroad Medical emergencies are daunting, more so in a foreign country where your health insurance may not provide coverage. Travel insurance acts as a lifeline, covering medical treatment costs and ensuring you receive the care you need. Some policies even cover medical evacuation, transporting you to a facility with appropriate care if necessary.

3. Protection Against Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Luggage Losing your luggage can be more than an inconvenience; it can disrupt your entire trip. Travel insurance provides compensation for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, ensuring you're not out of pocket for essential replacements.

4. Assistance in Emergencies Many travel insurance policies offer 24/7 assistance services, a valuable resource for emergencies. Whether you need help with lost travel documents, legal troubles, or navigating a foreign healthcare system, this service can be invaluable.

5. Covers Adventure Activities Travel insurance can cover injuries from adventure activities often excluded from standard insurance policies, such as skiing, scuba diving, or hiking.

6. Peace of Mind

Perhaps the most significant benefit of travel insurance is peace of mind. Knowing you're protected allows you to fully immerse yourself in your travel experiences without worrying about the "what ifs."

Travel insurance is an essential add-on for any traveler — it could be the most important accessory you take with you. And it's not as expensive as you may think; in fact, it can be quite a bargain.

I understand the value of a well-protected trip. Contact me today to learn more about your travel insurance options and embark on your next journey with peace of mind.

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• Generali Travel Insurance Review

On This Page

• Key takeaways

Is Generali travel insurance any good?

• Bottom line Main highlights of Generali travel insurance

Generali travel insurance plans & coverage

Compare generali travel insurance coverage, cost of generali travel insurance plans, generali travel insurance reviews from customers, is generali travel insurance worth it, faq: generali travel insurance, related topics.

Generali Travel Insurance Review April 2024

• Generali Global Assistance offers three comprehensive travel insurance plans : Standard, Preferred and Premium.
• All plans include medical and medical evacuation coverage, as well as coverage for lost/damaged baggage and trip cancellations, delays and interruptions.
• You can purchase rental car coverage as an add-on for any of the three plans.
• Generali has excellent ratings of A+ from the Better Business Bureau and A from AM Best. Generali customers give the provider 4.34 stars out of 5!
• Customer reviews highlight an easy claims process, clear terms and helpful customer service .
• To easily view all travel insurance plans available, try using an online comparison tool .

With over three decades in the industry , Generali Global Assistance stands out as a reliable travel insurance provider.

The company offers three plans with various coverage options that cater to your specific travel needs.

In the Generali review, we’ll break down its offerings and give insight into customer experiences to help you decide if this provider is the right choice for your travel insurance.

• A+ from the Better Business Bureau
• High medical and medevac limits
• Every plan includes coverage for trip cancellation
• Higher cancellation limits
• Pre-existing conditions only covered in the premium plan
• Baggage delay coverage requires 12 hour delay (long)

Yes, Generali travel insurance is a good choice for a travel insurance provider.

Generali is one of the largest travel insurance brands in the world. The company has been in business for 32 years, and it’s also accredited by the Better Business Bureau. 

Generali has an A+ BBB rating and an A (excellent) AM best financial rating, which means it has an excellent ability to  meet its ongoing insurance obligations . In other words, the company isn’t likely to fail.

Unlike many travel insurance providers, Generali offers comprehensive plans at every level . Even the most basic plans include several types of insurance coverage. That’s why Generali Standard is one of the top five most popular travel insurance policies sold on our website.

Here’s a look at the main highlights and benefits of Generali travel insurance.

Bottom line: Main highlights of Generali travel insurance

Generali Global Assistance only offers three travel insurance plans, but each one is extremely comprehensive. 

All three plans offered by Generali Global Assistance have high medical and medevac limits , giving you extra peace of mind for both domestic and international trips. This can be especially beneficial if you plan to travel to a remote area where you may need much higher medevac insurance limits.

In addition to medical and medical evacuation coverage , every plan includes coverage for trip cancellation , trip delays, trip interruptions and lost/damaged baggage. That’s not always the case with travel insurance. Generali Global Assistance travel insurance also has higher limits for these scenarios, which is a huge benefit because delays, cancellations and interruptions are so common.

Generali Global Assistance offers three travel insurance plans: Standard, Preferred and Premium.

Generali Global Assistance

Generali standard.

This insurance plan is great for travel within the United States, North America and the Caribbean. It comes with $50,000 in medical insurance per person, which is ideal for supplementing your existing U.S. health insurance plan. The Standard plan also includes $1,000 in coverage for lost or stolen baggage, $200 per person for baggage delays and up to $250,000 in emergency assistance and transportation benefits.

Generali Preferred

The middle-of-the-road insurance plan has high coverage limits for trips abroad or within the United States. In general, you’re paying for higher limits on all standard benefits, but the plan does come with a few extras. For example, the Preferred plan includes dental coverage, additional accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits and insurance for lost or damaged sports equipment.

Generali Premium

This insurance plan is best for premium coverage on international trips or trips to remote locations where you may need higher plan limits and payouts. It comes with $250,000 of medical coverage per person and $2,000 per person in baggage coverage. The Premium plan also includes rental car coverage as a standard benefit.

Optional rental car collision damage waiver

Generali Global Assistance also offers $25,000 in rental car damage protection. This is an optional benefit, so it doesn’t come standard with any of the three insurance plans described above. However, you can pay extra to opt in and get upgraded benefits.

If you add this type of insurance to your plan, you’ll be covered for losses due to vandalism, collision, inclement weather and theft.

The company will pay the lesser amount of the following:

• The cost to repair the vehicle and any rental fees charged while it’s out of service
• The cash value of the vehicle

This type of travel insurance doesn’t apply to vehicles that are more than 20 years old, vehicles used for commercial purposes or vehicles with a manufacturer’s retail price exceeding $75,000. There are some additional exclusions, so read your travel insurance policy carefully to ensure you understand what’s covered.

Things not covered by Generali Assistance USA Travel Insurance

Generali Global Assistance offers comprehensive travel insurance, but its plans don’t cover everything. 

These items are excluded from the Standard, Preferred and Premium insurance plans:

• Financial defaults: In the insurance industry, financial default coverage protects you in the event that a travel supplier suspends its operations due to financial difficulties. Generali’s travel insurance plans don’t come with this type of coverage.
• Cancel for any reason: Cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance allows you to recoup your costs for any reason, even one that isn’t listed as a “covered reason” under your basic trip cancellation coverage. Generali offers this type of insurance as an add-on, but cancel-for-any-reason coverage isn’t included with the Standard, Preferred or Premium plans.
• Pre-existing conditions: When you’re looking at travel insurance, a pre-existing condition is any health problem that you had before you booked your trip. Unless you purchase an add-on, Generali doesn’t provide any coverage for these conditions . The company has a 180-day lookback period, which means your illness or injury must be stable for at least 6 months if you want a pre-existing condition waiver.

According to sales data from visitors to our website, the average cost of a Generali Global Assistance travel insurance plan is $282.95 for a 14-day trip.

Of course, many factors go into determining the cost of travel insurance, such as:

• The type of coverage
• The number of travelers
• The length of the trip
• Your destination

To give you a general idea of how much Generali travel insurance plans cost , we got various quotes for the Standard, Preferred and Premium plans. For all quotes, we used California as the state of residence.

Example Quotes from Generali Global Assistance

One of the best ways to get an idea of quality is to review what Generali customers are saying about it. To help you get a better idea of what Generali customers like (and don’t like), we’ve done the research and listed out the top recurring feedback from real customers on Squaremouth .

What customers like

Customers have mentioned the following as some of the major benefits of purchasing travel insurance from Generali:

• Easy claims process
• Clear terms of service
• Helpful customer service agents

Here are a few comments from satisfied reviewers:

Tatiana from California: “It gave me a peace of mind, and I will use it again in the future.”

Kathryn from New York: “The insurance company sent me a notification and asked if I needed their assistance. I refused because I had a courtesy well check from the hotel physician and was fine. I was extremely pleased with the company’s immediate follow up.”

What customers don’t like

Although this travel insurance provider has thousands of positive reviews, past customers have pointed out a few drawbacks to using Generali:

• Slow to reimburse
• Difficulty connecting with a live agent
• Cumbersome documentation requirements

These reviewers provided negative feedback:

AJ from Massachusetts: “I tried to file a claim; their online claims module failed miserably. It kept rejecting my UN and PW, even though I was logged in and using the same credentials, as required, for the claims site.”

Rinnea from Illinois: “They say claim is under review. It has been since August 18 when they received claim. It is now October 17 and nothing.”

Buying travel insurance from Generali is definitely worth it. It’s a well-established company with several plans to suit your unique needs.

The Standard plan was one of the best-selling plans on our website over the past year, indicating it was one of the most popular options with customers.

Generali is right for customers who need comprehensive travel insurance and don’t want to spend time picking from 10 or 12 plans. Although the company only offers three types of travel insurance, each plan includes valuable benefits.

The Standard plan is ideal for budget-conscious consumers who need travel insurance and don’t want to spend a lot of money. Generali’s standard benefits are well-suited for people taking trips within the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Generali’s Preferred travel insurance is ideal if you’re traveling internationally or planning an expensive trip within the United States. It increases the limits on standard benefits and adds dental coverage, travel insurance for lost or damaged sports equipment and extra AD&D coverage.

Premium travel insurance is best for travelers who plan to travel overseas or spend time in remote locations, as it costs a lot more to get emergency care in a remote area than it does in a big city. The Premium plan comes with high coverage limits and adds rental car coverage as a standard benefit.

If you’re looking for a larger selection of plans, you may want to go with a different travel insurance provider.

Are Generali travel insurance plans good?

Yes. Although the company only offers three travel insurance plans, each one comes with solid coverage limits. Every plan also includes coverage for trip delays, trip interruptions, trip cancellations and lost/stolen baggage, which is unusual for such inexpensive travel insurance. Depending on which plan you purchase, Generali Global Assistance may reimburse you for anywhere from 125% to 175% of your trip cost for travel interruptions.

Does Generali cover COVID-19?

Yes. Each travel insurance policy covers COVID-19  as part of its standard benefits. For example, if you come down with COVID-19 after your trip begins, the company may reimburse you for all non-refundable expenses under the terms of your trip interruption coverage. You may also be able to use trip cancellation coverage, medical benefits, medical evacuation insurance or other travel insurance benefits to recoup your costs.

Does Generali include 24/7 travel assistance?

Yes. The company offers 24/7 travel assistance for customers who need help navigating international medical systems, finding emergency medical resources, using travel insurance benefits or returning home due to a medical emergency.

Does Generali travel insurance come with a money-back guarantee?

If you aren’t happy with the coverage you purchased from Generali Global Assistance, you have 10 days from the date of purchase to contact the company and cancel. As long as you haven’t started your trip or filed a claim, Generali will reimburse you for the full cost of your plan. Note that Indiana residents are eligible for a refund up to 30 days after the original purchase date.

Does Generali have an app for travel insurance claims?

Generali doesn’t have an app for submitting travel insurance claims. However, it does have an online portal. You can always use your smartphone or tablet browser to access the portal and start the claims process.

Does Generali travel insurance cover trip cancellations?

Yes. Unlike many insurance providers, Generali includes trip cancellation coverage as a standard benefit with all three of its plans. If you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason, the company will reimburse you for any prepaid, non-refundable expenses. For example, if you paid $1,500 for flights and can’t get a refund from the airline, you may be eligible for reimbursement from Generali.

Does Generali travel insurance work abroad?

Yes. All three of Generali’s insurance plans work abroad, but we recommend that you buy the Preferred plan or the Premium plan if you intend to do any international travel. These plans have higher limits than the Standard plan, so they’re more helpful if you have some type of emergency while you’re overseas.

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last 5 years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

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Our Review of the Top 10 Travel Insurance Providers for Any Destination

Reviews of the Top 10 Best Travel Insurance Companies

Quality Verified

Updated: October 27, 2022

On This Page:

• Top 10 Travel Insurance Providers

Our Methodology

Before you buy.

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Whether you're planning your honeymoon, a family trip to Hawaii or a business trip to meet new clients, travel insurance can provide protection when your plans go astray. There are generally three main types of travel insurance: travel cancellation and disruption; medical assistance and evacuation; and baggage loss and delay. We researched dozens of travel insurance companies to pick the best in the industry. The right plan for you may depend on the nature of your travels, who is traveling and your budget. But whatever your needs, these 10 picks are financially stable, reliable companies with a good track record and comprehensive coverage.

Our Top 10 Travel Insurance Providers

Best : Overall, and for families with kids Travelex Insurance Services is a leading travel insurance provider based in Omaha, Neb. Its parent company, Travelex, has been a worldwide leader in foreign currency exchange for decades, and Travelex Insurance was started in 1996. The company's travel insurance policies are underwritten by Old Republic Insurance Company and Transamerica Casualty Insurance company, which has a financial rating of A+ from A.M. Best, and TransAmerica Casualty Insurance Company, which has A.M. Best ratings of A. The company has won the international luxury travel network Virtuoso's Best Travel Insurance Provider award for eleven years in a row. It is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, which gives it an A+ rating.

Coverage: Travelex offers two main coverage plans - basic and select (family-friendly) - and two flight insurance opt-ins. They offer protection for both leisure and business travelers. Like many companies here, they cover younger children (17 and under) at no additional cost. The company boasts a high claims paid rate (previously reported at 94 percent).

Website/mobile apps: The Travelex mobile website allows you to shop and purchase policies, get emergency assistance, and access trip-related documents from your phone. You can initiate a claim and check the status of your claim online.

Sample online quote: Family of four, going on a 10-day, $10,000 trip: Basic $377, Select $333, Max $895

Best for : Frequent travelers Allianz Travel Insurance is part of the giant multinational corporation Allianz, which has over 140,000 employees on five continents. Allianz insures over 80 million customers worldwide. The company has been around for over 100 years. In fact, Allianz insured the Wright Brothers' first flight in 1903. Today Allianz is accredited with the Better Business Bureau, which gives them an A+ rating. Its financial rating from A.M. Best is A+.

Coverage: Allianz offers a handful of distinct plans including those for frequent travelers. If you travel for business, for example, it might be worth investing in an annual plan that covers both medical and lost baggage expenses for all your trips throughout the year.

Website/mobile apps: Back in 2013 Allianz won an award for its TravelSmart mobile app, which connects travelers to approved hospitals in over 120 countries. The app also allows travelers to check on flight statuses, get emergency international assistance, and access their policy while on the road.

Sample online quote: Family of four, going on a 10-day, $10,000 trip: $304.

Best for : Luxury Travel TravelGuard is a subsidiary of AIG. Its policies are underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, which has an A.M. Best financial rating of A. The company is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has a rating of A+.

Coverage: TravelGuard includes trip assistance - including dealing with lost bags, cancelled flights, or medical emergencies - via agents who are available 24 hours a day. They offer three basic plan levels - Deluxe, Preferred, Essential - as well as numerous additional upgrades and packages. Upgrades can cover things like last-minute trips where cancellation isn't a factor. TravelGuard stands out in its overage levels - it will insure a trip coverage up to $500,000, higher than the average industry coverage. All of its plans include concierge service and 24-hour emergency assistance.

Website/mobile apps: TravelGuard has an online Claims tool that allows clients to easily file a claim from a computer or mobile device. The tool speeds up the claims process while allowing users to upload photos and documents, electronically sign claims forms, and check the status of a claim from their phones.

Sample online quote: Family of four, going on a 10-day, $10,000 trip: Silver $252/Gold $309 / Platinum $655

Best for : Traveling with pets San Diego-based Generali Global Assistance has provided travel insurance since 1991. The insurance division has previously been known as CSA Travel Protection. Generali Global is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating and an A financial rating from A.M. Best.

Coverage: CSA offers three plans: Standard, Preferred and Premium. It covers telemedicine services with its plans and medical costs if a person becomes sick or injured during their trip. It also reimburses medical costs if you pay out of pocket. As with most travel insurance companies, CSA offers 24/7 emergency assistance, concierge services, identity theft resolution services and a 10-day "free look" period. If you change your mind within 30 days of purchasing the insurance and before you start your trip, the company will provide a full refund. It offers pet relocation services: If you have a medical emergency and cannot take care of your pet while on vacation, it will return your pet home. It also has a Pet Service Locator to help you find vets or other pet services on your travels. For pre-existing medical conditions, you would need to purchase the Premium plan before or at least 24 hours in advance of your final trip payment. You will also need to be medically able to travel, and your prepaid expenses are insured.

Website/mobile apps: They walk you through the claim-filing process step-by-step on their website .

Sample online quote: Family of four, going on a 10-day, $10,000 trip: $298.52 Standard / $346.28 Preferred / $398 Premium

Best for : Budget Adventure Travel World Nomads has targeted its insurance at independent travellers and adventure-seekers. If your vacation includes activities like kite sailing, snowboarding, or bungee jumping, this might be the company for you. The company is recommended by Lonely Planet and National Geographic Adventure... But you don't have to be an adventure seeker to benefit from the very competitive rates offered by World Nomads. The company's policies are underwritten by Lloyd's, which has an A financial rating from A.M. Best.

Coverage: World Nomad offers two levels of insurance plans, which include all of the typical coverage options. In addition, it offers coverage for cameras, laptops, digital gear, and all sorts of travel activities.

Website: World Nomads has an interactive website that allows you to ask questions related to travel and receive both informative articles and blog posts from fellow travelers. It has also developed language apps for iPhones. And you can purchase policies and file claims online from anywhere in the world.

Sample online quote: Family of four, going on a 10-day, $10,000 trip: $185 to $255. World Nomad doesn't ask the cost of your trip for the online quote, or the number of travelers, but does distinguish between single, couple, and family groups. The quote tool offers an option to donate to a cause in your destination as well.

Best for : Workaholics In addition to providing travel insurance, AXA offers trip other assistance through its network of over 9,000 staff members in over 30 offices around the world. The company has a financial rating of A from A.M. Best. American Modern Home Insurance - which has an A+ financial rating from A.M. Best - underwrites AXA travel policies. AXA Assistance has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Coverage: AXA offers three plans (gold, silver, platinum). It offers an additional "cancel for any reason" policy, which will cover up to 75 percent of your pre-paid non-refundable trip costs. This option must be purchased within 14 days of your first trip payment, but it's a good option for people whose jobs are unpredictable.

Website/mobile app: The website provides a clear chart outlining the three levels of service and their coverage, and it is fast and easy to get an online quote.

Sample online quote: Family of four, going on a 10-day, $10,000 trip: $342 Silver / $395 Platinum / $492 Gold

Best for : Study abroad/Expats HTH Travel Insurance is a leader in providing medical coverage for international students and expatriates. The company's policies are underwritten by Nationwide, which has an A+ financial rating from A.M. Best. HTH is not rated by the Better Business Bureau, but it is a member of the U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA) and has signed on to its Code of Ethics.

Coverage: In addition to providing traditional comprehensive trip insurance, HTH specializes in providing medical coverage for students, faculty, and expats living abroad. The long-term overseas coverage only covers medical issues, not trip cancellation or lost baggage. The plan will pay up to $1,000,000 for a medical evacuation and contains no lifetime limit.

Website/mobile apps: The website offers a lot of information about overseas travel and living and provides straightforward quotes. The mPassport app gives you access to thousands of doctors around the world who speak English.

Sample online quote: Family of four, going on a 10-day, $10,000 trip: Economy $389, Classic $456, Preferred $546.

Best for : Mobile app aficionados Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway is not known for travel insurance, but it is rapidly gaining recognition in the market for its technological advances in the field. It launched its travel protection program in 2014 and has been winning over customers with its fast claims payments. Berkshire Hathaway has an A.M. Best financial rating of A++. It is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating.

Coverage: BHTP offers six distinct plans tailored to meet your specific travel needs. Options are available for adrenaline junkies, low-budget fliers, family vacationers, business travelers, and even those looking to relax on a cruise.

Website/mobile apps: Berkshire Hathaway is a leader in providing mobile apps to facilitate rapid claims and payments. You can file a claim online or via the mobile app, which also allows you to track flights, get help finding lost luggage, rebook flights and purchase policies. Getting an online quote is also possible, but the process isn't quite as smooth.

Sample online quote: Family of four, going on a 10-day, $10,000 trip: ExactCare Family: $249; ExactCare: $346.

Best for : International volunteers or employees The Indiana-based Seven Corners began offering international medical insurance in 1993. Today Seven Corners offers a wide range of travel insurance to U.S. residents and foreigners visiting the U.S. It also offers group plans to companies, non-profits and U.S. government agencies seeking to protect their staff and volunteers when traveling. It is the travel insurance provider for the Peace Corps and other U.S. government agencies. Different plans are underwritten by different companies. The popular RoundTrip comprehensive plans are underwritten by Nationwide, with an A+ financial rating from A.M. Best. Other plans are underwritten by Lloyds of London or U.S. Fire Insurance Company, both of which have A ratings from A.M. Best.

Plans: Seven Corners offers a wide range of plans for almost every conceivable coverage option. Its RoundTrip plans provide comprehensive trip coverage (including trip cancellation, medical treatment, and lost property). The RoundTrip Elite plan allows you to cancel for any reason (with 75% reimbursement) and covers pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase the plan within 20 days of your trip deposit and fully insure your trip.

Website/mobile app: In 2016, Seven Corners launched a new mobile website that allows consumers to purchase plans, get 24-assistance and learn about travel insurance from their smartphones.

Sample online quote: Family of four, going on a 10-day, $10,000 trip: Economy $416, Choice $441, Elite $462.

Best for : Hassle-free claims Founded in 1988 in France, April International now operates in 33 countries. April has an A+ financial rating from A.M. Best. Its U.S. travel insurance policies are underwritten by American Modern Home Insurance, which also has an A.M. Best rating of A+. The company is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating, and it's a member of the U.S. Travel Insurance Association.

Coverage: April provides traditional comprehensive travel insurance, but it also offers an annual plan designed for people who travel at least three times per year. For fairly low prices, you can get basic coverage for trip interruption or delay, medical expenses, and baggage delay or loss. These are plans designed for frequent travelers who don't want to sweat the many small complications that can add up to big expenses. April prides itself on its Stress Less Benefits, which often allows policyholders to avoid a claims process and instead just call in their issue while traveling. If a claims report is needed, the company seeks to get it paid within 30 days.

Website/mobile apps: April has an easy to use website (though some reimbursements require the old-fashioned way) as well as a fully functional "Easy Claim" app.

Sample online quote: Family of four, going on a 10-day, $10,000 trip: $482.

We reviewed dozens of travel insurance providers to come up with this list of top companies. Our criteria for inclusion included:

Experts recommend you do your homework before buying a travel insurance policy. The industry is known for excessive exclusions and confusing language in small print. The National Consumer League recommends that you:

Check to see if you're already covered through another policy. Lots of insurance policies (including home, auto, and life) and credit cards offer partial coverage for trip interruption or medical emergencies.

Read the fine print - especially regarding exclusions. Things like pre-existing conditions, pregnancy-related issues, job loss or travel in a country that has reported a high threat of terrorism may be excluded.

Remember that you can get your money back. Lots of travel insurance companies allow you to get your money back if you cancel the plan within ten days (before travel).

Don't purchase travel insurance through airlines. Airlines aggressively push these cancellation insurance plans and pay commissions of 10 to 40 percent to the travel agents who sell them.

Consumer Reports recommends that you use an online travel insurance broker to search for a good match for your travel. Sites like Squaremouth , InsureMyTrip.com , or QuoteWright.com all allow you to shop and compare quotes. Even if you use such a service, however, Consumer Reports recommends contacting the carrier directly to go over the coverage and fine print before purchasing a policy.

U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA) This professional association represents travel insurance companies and promotes ethical and professional industry standards. You can search its database for member organizations.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Provides information and advice for consumers regarding when and how to purchase travel insurance.

Insurance Information Institute (III) The III is dedicated to promoting a public understanding of insurance. It has a page providing travel insurance facts.

Your state Insurance Commissioner All insurance is regulated at the state level. NAIC provides an interactive map so that you can click on your state and be directed to your state's Insurance Commissioner.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) The BBB allows you to search its vast online database to check on the reputation and any complaints that have been filed against a company.

About Mary Purcell, MA

Mary Purcell is a freelance writer and health and finance researcher in Piedmont, Calif., with expertise in policy analysis. She is fluent in Spanish and has a master's degree in Latin American studies from Georgetown University. Her articles have appeared on LimeHealth, Narrative, Consumer Health Interactive, and other outlets.

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Allianz Travel Insurance Review: Is it Worth The Cost?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

What does Allianz Travel Insurance cover?

Allianz single trip plans, allianz annual/multi-trip plans, which allianz travel insurance plan is best for me, can you buy allianz travel insurance online, what isn't covered by allianz travel insurance, is allianz travel insurance worth it.

• Annual or single-trip policies are available.
• Multiple types of insurance available.
• All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
• More expensive than average.
• CFAR upgrades are not available.
• Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

Allianz Travel Insurance is provided by Allianz Global Assistance, an insurer that operates in 35 countries and serves 40 million customers in the U.S. The company offers several types of travel insurance plans depending on your needs.

Travel insurance will help protect you if unexpected events affect your vacation. Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive plan or emergency medical coverage only to supplement the travel insurance you have from your credit cards , Allianz Global Assistance offers plenty of options.

Allianz trip insurance plans fall into two categories: single trip and annual/multi-trip plans. We evaluated several single trip and annual/multi-trip plans to help you figure out which policy makes sense for you.

Depending on what type of coverage you’re looking for, Allianz offers several different travel insurance options. Allianz’s plan choices fall under single trip or annual/multi-trip plans.

Single trip plans are designed for individuals who are leaving their home, visiting another destination (or destinations) and returning home. These travel insurance plans are the most comprehensive and provide benefits like trip cancellation, trip interruption and medical coverage. 

Annual/multi-trip plans are designed for those who like to take a lot of little trips throughout the year as well as for business travelers. Because the coverage period is longer, these plans are more expensive.

Some of these plans include medical coverage only while others also provide more comprehensive travel insurance perks. There’s coverage for business equipment as these plans are geared toward work travelers.

Allianz offers five travel insurance plans for single trips, including a plan that's mainly focused on emergency medical coverage.

The OneTrip Cancellation Plus plan is geared toward domestic travelers who are looking for trip cancellation, interruption and delay coverage but don't need post-departure benefits like emergency medical or baggage loss. This plan is Allianz’s most affordable option.

OneTrip Basic, Prime and Premier are three comprehensive travel insurance plans.

OneTrip Basic is the most economical plan and offers trip cancellation, interruption and delay benefits along with emergency medical and baggage loss.

OneTrip Prime provides all the benefits of the Basic plan but with higher limits, a few extra coverage areas and complimentary coverage for children 17 and under when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

OneTrip Premier offers the most coverage, doubling almost every post-departure limit of the Prime plan with more covered cancellation reasons.

If you don't need pre-departure trip cancellation and interruption protections or you already have coverage through a premium travel credit card , the standalone OneTrip Emergency Medical plan may be a good choice. The plan mainly provides emergency medical protections along with some baggage loss/delay benefits.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Allianz single-trip plan cost

Here's a look at the cost of an Allianz travel insurance policy for a one-week, $1,500 vacation to Croatia in August 2020 taken by a 30-year-old from Texas.

The OneTrip Premier is the most expensive plan and provides the highest level of protection, especially for emergency medical events.

However, if you’re OK with lower limits on emergency medical, a OneTrip Prime or Basic plan could be a more appropriate choice. These costs represent a range of 3.4%-7.5% of the total cost of the trip, which is in line with typical costs of 4%-8%, according to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Allianz offers four different annual/multi-trip plans.

AllTrips Basic is suitable for those who would like emergency medical coverage while abroad but don't need trip cancellation and interruption benefits. The AllTrips Prime, Executive and Premier plans provide an entire year of comprehensive travel insurance benefits.

The Executive and Premier plans offer various levels of trip cancellation and interruption benefits. The Executive plan is specifically designed for business travelers since it offers protection for business equipment.

Allianz annual/multi-trip plans cost

Let's look at an example of an annual Allianz travel insurance plan that starts in July 2020 for a 50-year-old from Illinois.

Coverage under these plans is offered for trips up to 45 days in length.

The AllTrips Executive plan costs significantly more than the other plans; this is mainly due to higher trip cancellation coverage, emergency medical and business equipment protections. The Executive coverage amount for trip cancellation can be increased beyond what is quoted here, driving that plan's price up to as much as $785.

If you’re not concerned with pre-trip cancellation benefits and don’t need the increased level of medical coverage, the Basic plan is the most affordable option.

For trips longer than 45 days, the AllTrips Premier plan might be a better choice as it offers coverage for up to 90 days. Using the same search parameters but with 90 days of coverage per trip, the cost of the annual plan is $475.

Choosing the right plan for your trip involves understanding what type of coverage you will want while you’re abroad.

If you have a premium travel card (e.g., the Chase Sapphire Reserve® ): These cards often offer some trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, so you may not need a plan that offers all the same coverage. In this case, getting the OneTrip Medical plan might be enough.

If you’re going on a trip and returning home: OneTrip Prime, Basic or Premier are good options to choose from while offering different levels of coverage.

If you’ll be going on multiple and longer trips: the AllTrips Premier plan might be best as it provides insurance benefits for trips up to 90 days in length. The remaining three annual AllTrips plans cover multiple trips, up to 45 days.

If the coverage provided by your card isn’t adequate, you don’t have credit card coverage or you didn’t pay for your trip with that credit card: In these instances, it's best to choose a comprehensive plan depending on how much coverage you need and for how long. Consider one of the single trip or multi-trip plans.

» Learn more: Your guide to Chase Sapphire Reserve travel insurance

Yes, head over to AllianzTravelInsurance.com and choose "Find a Plan" from the menu on the top.

You will be able to view all plans or see plans categorized by single trip, annual/multi-trip and a rental car add-on option. Once you’ve decided on the plan you want, choose the "Get a Quote" option.

You will be required to input the relevant trip details before you can see which plans are available to you in your state.

» Learn more: Is travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance plans have a lot of exclusions that you need to pay attention to so you know exactly what type of coverage you’re getting. Here are some general exclusions you can expect:

High-risk activities: Skydiving, bungee jumping, heli-skiing, and other types of high-risk sporting activities that the insurer deems unsafe.

Intentional acts: Losses sustained from intoxication, drug use, self-harm and criminal activity.

Specifically designated events: Epidemics, natural disasters and war are specifically mentioned in the policy as exclusions.

It's important to note that exclusions may vary based on the policy and where you live, so it's always best to review the fine print to ensure you’re clear about what is and isn’t covered.

Allianz has been offering insurance for more than 25 years. The company is well established and offers numerous single and annual travel insurance policies to fit many different needs.

Allianz travel insurance plans offer a wide array of benefits including (but not limited to): coronavirus-related coverage, trip cancellation, interruption, emergency medical coverage and transportation, baggage loss/damage, baggage delay, travel delay, change fee coverage, loyalty program redeposit fees, 24-hour assistance and many more benefits. Each plan is different, so you’ll want to look at the specific plans you’re considering to know exactly which benefits you’ll receive.

No, Allianz doesn't offer the Cancel For Any Reason optional upgrade. Review the policy details of the Allianz plan you’re considering to ensure you’re comfortable with the list of covered reasons. For example, the loss of a job can be considered a covered reason, but wanting to cancel a trip because you’re afraid to travel isn't.

Most often, you will need to file a claim with the insurer after you’ve incurred costs. If the claim is approved, you will receive a reimbursement. In other instances (e.g., covered baggage delay), the insurer will pay you a fixed amount per day and you won’t need to submit receipts.

Allianz Global Assistance offers several good travel insurance plans to choose from. If you’re looking for a travel insurance plan for a vacation, a single-trip plan is your best bet. 

If you’re a frequent traveler or take lots of business trips, a multi-trip plan could be the way to go. If you have a travel credit card, look at what travel insurance benefits you may already have so you don’t duplicate your coverage .  

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• Travel Insurance

The journalists on the editorial team at Forbes Advisor Australia base their research and opinions on objective, independent information-gathering.

When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. As such, any recommendations or statements do not take into account the financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax implications, or any specific requirements of readers.

Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

WAS Discovery Travel Insurance Review: Features, Pros and Cons

Updated: Apr 17, 2024, 9:08am

Reviewed By

The Discovery Plan from WAS Travel Insurance could be a good choice for Aussies looking for a no-frills travel insurance policy. However, it only offers a number of standard features of comprehensive policies as optional add-ons and that can make the policy much more expensive than first meets the eye. Regardless, its unlimited medical cover, high age limit of 99 years, and positive customer reviews makes it a viable option for those in the market for a medically focused, no-frills travel insurance policy.

Related: Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers for Australian

• Unlimited medical
• Generous dental of $2,000
• High age limit
• Luggage and cancellation cover not automatic
• Children not included
• More expensive than competitors

Table of Contents

• Featured Partner Offers

About WAS Travel Insurance

What does was travel insurance cover, does was travel insurance cover me for covid, was pricing comparison, was customer service, the bottom line.

Featured Partners

Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Wise And Silent Travel Insurance, known as WAS, is a Brisbane-based travel insurance company that offers “tailored coverage” to its customers. This tailoring differs from the standard comprehensive travel insurance policies on the market, which usually have a set minimum for standard inclusions for policies, such as lost luggage cover and cancellations.

WAS Travel Insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, an Australian insurance company based in Newcastle. While WAS isn’t listed on ProductReview, it has scored a 4.7 star review on TrustPilot from an albeit small number of 39 customer reviews.

Customers highlighted WAS’ staff communication, the ease of applying for coverage, and a “smooth and efficient” claims process.

WAS offers two types of plans, Covid Essentials and Discovery Plan. For the purpose of this review, we analysed the comprehensive option, the Discovery Plan.

As stated, WAS Travel Insurance works a little differently to most travel insurers. Its comprehensive policy is known as the ‘Discovery Plan’, which is available to those aged up to 99 years old and includes unlimited medical in its base cover.

For families travelling together, it’s important to note that children can be added to the policy at a lower rate, but they are not included within a parent/guardians policy as is the industry norm.

Once you start to add to the base cover, WAS Travel Insurance becomes even more complex, with only a handful of medical outcomes covered as standard and far more classified as optional.

For example, credit card fraud is not covered as a standard inclusion; instead, unauthorised use of credit cards can be covered as part of luggage and personal effects, should the policyholder choose to take out this optional extra. Personal liability is not covered automatically, but needs to be selected for coverage up to $2.5 million.

Any trip cancellations are only covered up to the amount chosen by the customer (ranging from $1,000 to $40,000 per customer) and travel delays are covered as optional extras, up to $2,000 per customer. Delays are reimbursed at a rate of $50 per six hours, which is below the industry standard of $200 for every six hours, however no excess applies to these claims. (For missed flight connections, these are only covered should the policyholder choose to add travel interruption cover to their plan.

Rental vehicle excess is also an optional add-on, with the maximum cover of $6,000 for those looking to hire a car during their holiday. In many policies this is covered as standard and does not require the traveller to add it as an optional extra.

Lost Luggage

When it comes to lost luggage, those with WAS Discovery Travel Insurance will need to choose it as an add-on as they are not automatically covered. The lowest option is $1000, while the highest is $10,000 (per traveller).

WAS will only cover an individual item to a limit of $1,000.

WAS Travel Insurance include unlimited medical cover within its comprehensive policy, which extends to additional expenses such as transportation to a medical facility or, in the necessary event, back to Australia.

There is also cover for a medical companion to stay with you during treatment and/or necessary medical-related travel, even if they themselves are not listed on your policy.

Certain pre-existing conditions are also covered if they meet the necessary criteria. The 44 automatically covered conditions include anxiety and depression, diabetes, sleep apnoea and many more.

Other conditions outside of the pre-existing conditions list will not be covered by WAS Travel Insurance.

Covid-19 is included in the unlimited medical cover, which is explained in further depth below.

Is Dental Cover Included?

Dental cover is included in the WAS Travel Insurance Discovery Plan, but not under the unlimited medical expenses. Instead, there is up to $2,000 covered for emergency dental treatment, which is more generous than most insurance policies, which generally top put at $1,000.

Yes, WAS Travel Insurance includes Covid-19 medical expenses within its unlimited medical coverage. It also includes cancellations related to Covid-19, however, that is dependent on how much cancellation cover the policyholder requests.

Related: Travel Insurance And Covid: Are You Covered?

What About Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is covered by WAS Travel Insurance there are unexpected serious complications of pregnancy occuring:

• Up to the 24th week of pregnancy if you’re pregnant with a single child; or
• Up to the 19th week of pregnancy if you’re pregnant with twins or multiple children.

The exclusions include childbirth; the healthcare of a newborn child; pregnancies with existing complications; or pregnancies in which the person has previously had complications with previous pregnancies.

What About Sports and Activities?

WAS covers a range of sports and activities, however, rather than specifying what is covered, it provides a list of the excluded activities being:

• Snow sports;
• Motorcycle or moped riding;
• Racing (except on foot);
• Polo playing;
• Mountain climbing requiring the use of equipment such as pick-axes, anchors, bolts, crampons, carabiners, lead or top-rope anchoring or other specialist equipment;
• Motor sport or motor racing (including training or practice);
• Running with the bulls;
• Professional sports (including training or practice);
• Parachuting, hang-gliding or paragliding; or
• Scuba diving, unless you hold an open water diving certificate or diving with a qualified diving instructor

However, policyholders can choose to add additional adventure packs—snow, motor and cruise—which will then cover them for those sports.

WAS Travel Insurance prides itself on offering budget-friendly insurance policies to Australians; however, the cost of a policy with WAS isn’t as clear cut as many others—largely due to the many different inclusions that one needs to opt-in to.

Forbes Advisor Australia has run quotes against two of our top picks of travel insurance providers for Australians— Travel Insurance Direct and Allianz Travel Insurance —to compare the prices of WAS Travel Insurance when opting-in for a level of cover similar to what these two competitors offer automatically.

As Bali is a top destination for many Aussies, the data below is based on a 28-year-old Australian travelling to Indonesia for a week.

Related: A Guide To Travel Insurance For Bali

This analysis does not include other additional costs that would need to be considered, including sports cover, children travelling, pre-existing medical conditions and so on.

As you can see from the table above, opting in for the same level of cover that is offered as standard by competitors makes the WAS Travel Insurance policy the most expensive of the three.

It’s important to note that policy prices for travel insurance will change for a range of factors, including age, destination, length of trip and any specific needs required by the traveller. The above data is to be used as a guide only.

From the limited reviews online, WAS’ customer service staff members have been hailed as being “very patient and helpful”, with their knowledge “making the experience [of submitting a claim] much less stressful”.

WAS can be contacted by phone or email, with different email addresses and phone numbers unique to the service required (emergency assistance, claims, or general enquiries). The full list can be found online here .

Customers can also submit a form online to be emailed back, and are able to submit claims online or over the phone.

WAS may be a risky choice for some customers who choose to opt-out of the optional extra cover for the sake of saving money and end up being under-insured. Some travellers may not realise the importance of personal liability insurance and fail to select it, which could land them in hot water if an accident was to occur overseas. As a comparison, most other insurers include personal liability insurance as standard in their comprehensive policy: Travel Insurance Direct offers $2.5 million in personal liability, while Allianz offers $5 million—with caveats around snow and adventure packs.

Nevertheless, WAS may be attractive to budget travellers who are happy with a no-frills policy, but want to ensure they’re covered for the basics of medical and dental.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is was travel insurance good.

WAS Travel Insurance did not make Forbes Advisor Australia’s top picks for comprehensive travel insurance , but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good option for Aussies looking for international cover. The comprehensive policy offered by WAS is a build-your-own type of plan, meaning it is tailored to the customer individually in terms of cancellation cover, luggage cover, rental car excess and more.

It may be suitable for budget-conscious travellers looking for a no-frills policy that is focused on medical and dental. However, it’s worth noting that when compared to other insurers on the market, WAS ended up being more expensive once the add-ons were included in the quote.

From 38 customer reviews on TrustPilot, WAS received a rating of 4.7 stars.

What policies does WAS Travel Insurance offer?

WAS Travel Insurance offers two policies: Covid Essentials and Discovery. The Discovery Plan is what would be considered its ‘comprehensive’ offering, considering it allows customers to tailor the plan to suit their needs.

How much does WAS Travel Insurance cost?

The cost of WAS Travel Insurance—like any travel insurance provider—is dependent on many factors: your age, your destination, the length of your trip, and any personal requirements such as higher lost luggage cover for specific equipment or items, whether or not you need cover for certain sports and activities, any pre-existing conditions you need covered, and more.

From a quote Forbes Advisor Australia ran of a 28-year-old going to Bali for one week, paying an excess of $250 and opting in to $2000 of cancellation cover, $10,000 of lost luggage cover, and rental car excess, the total WAS quote came to $141.80, which was higher than competitors.

Related: How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany site, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally. Sophie grew up on the Gold Coast and now lives in Melbourne.

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• Travel Insurance For The USA
• Travel Insurance For Thailand
• Travel Insurance For New Zealand
• Travel Insurance For Japan
• Travel Insurance For Europe

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