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Buying the Best Travel Medical Insurance for You [2024]

Christy Rodriguez

Travel & Finance Content Contributor

88 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 36 U.S. States Visited: 31

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

41 Published Articles 3364 Edited Articles

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Table of Contents

What is travel medical insurance, what does travel medical insurance cover, what doesn’t travel medical insurance cover, what travel medical insurance isn’t, how does travel medical insurance work, how much does travel medical insurance cost, which company has the best travel medical insurance, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

The thought of getting sick or injured while traveling can be one of the most stressful aspects of planning a trip. Often, travelers assume that their primary health insurance will cover all costs of medical expenses on their trip, but not every health insurance plan covers every country and situation.

To ensure you have coverage if you need it, you may need to consider purchasing travel medical insurance. This can fill the gap between your regular insurance and any coverage you may have with your credit cards . We’ll break down all of the important details and tell you everything you should know about travel medical insurance.

If you are traveling domestically within your own country, you will likely be covered by your primary health insurance. If you are traveling abroad, your coverage may not extend to those other countries. This is primarily where travel medical insurance comes into play.

Travel medical insurance is a type of international insurance designed to cover emergency health care costs you might face when you are traveling or vacationing abroad.

A travel medical policy can be an important addition to your trip since your primary health plan may not cover you fully if you need assistance outside of your home country. An uninsured injury or illness abroad can result in a huge financial burden that can be significantly reduced by having travel medical insurance.

Bottom Line: Travel medical insurance is recommended by the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to Allianz Travel, the most common overseas medical emergencies that are claimed include:

• Fractures from falls
• Cardiovascular problems such as a heart attack or stroke
• Trauma involving motor vehicles
• Respiratory problems such as a collapsed lung

So going with that first item, let’s say you’re exploring Europe and end up twisting your ankle on the beautiful, but uneven cobblestone streets in Rome. Depending on the plan you choose, you may be covered for:

• The cost of a local ambulance to transport you to the hospital
• Your emergency room co-payment
• The bill for your hospital room and board
• Any other eligible medical expenses, up to your plan limits

But there are limitations to travel medical insurance. Before you purchase a plan, it’s important to know exactly what you are buying — including which things are and aren’t included in your coverage.

Travel medical plans are designed to help in the event of an unforeseen illness or injury while traveling abroad. Travel medical insurance offers emergency medical expense coverage as well as emergency evacuation coverage. This means that the plan will reimburse you for reasonable and customary costs of emergency medical and dental care (up to the plan limits — discussed below).

It is important to look closely at all plans you are interested in since many important things are hidden in the details. You might also find it helpful to brush up on your insurance lingo before doing this.

Plan Limits

Travel medical insurance covers emergency medical costs up to the plan limit. Plan limits vary greatly by plan but typically fall between $50,000 and $2,000,000. This is obviously a HUGE range, so you will have to determine the correct amount of coverage based on a few key items:

• How much (if any) will your own health insurance plan or credit card cover when you’re traveling outside of your home country? As we discussed above, Medicare doesn’t cover you at all outside of the U.S., so this would be an instance where you might want your plan’s coverage limit to be higher.
• How long is your trip? If you’re going to be away for more than 1 to 2 months, you might want a higher plan limit to account for the greater exposure to risk.
• Do you need extra coverage due to risky activities? For example, if you expect to ski, mountain climb, or do any other risky activities where you might get injured, you might want a higher plan limit.
• What do you feel comfortable with?  If you feel safer having $100,000 as opposed to $50,000, then that may be the right decision for you. This insurance plan should provide you a sense of security so you can enjoy your trip.
• Deductibles

Most medical single trip plans have some sort of deductible that you must pay before any benefits will be paid. After this, your travel medical insurance will cover any remaining costs, up to the plan’s limit.

However, you will be offered the option to increase, decrease, or remove the deductible altogether. Based on this choice, the price you pay (aka the premium) will be affected accordingly. For example, if you choose a higher deductible, your premium will decrease. If you choose a lower (or no) deductible, your premium will increase.

Length of Trip

You are covered by travel medical insurance based on the type of plan you purchase. These come in 3 types:

Single-Trip Coverage

This is the most common type of travel medical insurance. When you leave your home, go on a trip, and then return home, this is considered to be a single trip. While on your trip, you can still visit multiple countries and destinations all under the umbrella of this single trip. You will be covered for the duration of this trip under a single trip travel medical insurance plan.

Multi-Trip Coverage

Multi-trip coverage is for multiple trips and often purchased in 3-, 6-, and 12-month segments.

Long-Term Coverage

This is continuous medical coverage for the long-term traveler (think expats or people working abroad) and is typically paid on a monthly basis.

Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover COVID-19?

Many travel insurance policies offer good medical coverage, but not all plans cover expenses related to COVID-19 . If that’s important to you, make sure to verify that the plan you’re buying specifically covers you in case you contract COVID-19.

In general, cancellations due to fear of travel are not covered. However, some plans cover you if you or your covered traveling companion were to become sick as a result of COVID-19. This means that you could still receive benefits for the losses that are covered by the plan.

Many countries around the world , such as Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates, are even requiring travelers to hold a specific level of medical coverage to account for COVID-19-related medical care and evacuation.

In addition, “ Cancel for Any Reason ” has become a hot topic. This optional coverage is not available with all plans but lets you cancel a trip for a partial refund no matter what your reason — including unexpected travel bans, lengthy quarantine periods, or cancellations due to concerns over COVID-19.

Since travel medical insurance is meant to cover emergencies, certain types of expenses are excluded from most travel medical policies. In addition, for insurance purposes, a pre-existing condition is general defined as any condition:

• For which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within a defined period of time prior to your coverage date (varies from plan to plan, but is typically within 60 days to 2 years)
• That would cause a “reasonably prudent person” to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment prior to your coverage date
• That existed prior to your effective date of coverage, whether or not it was known to you (commonly includes pregnancy)

Hot Tip: You do not need a medical examination in order to purchase travel insurance. If you have a claim, the insurance company will investigate to ensure that your claim occurred during the coverage period of your policy and wasn’t a result of any pre-existing conditions.

Here are some of the most frequent exclusions:

• Pre-existing conditions as defined above
• Routine medical examinations and care (i.e. wellness exams, ongoing prescriptions, etc.)
• Routine prenatal, pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care
• Medical expenses for injury or illness caused by extreme sports
• Mental health disorders
• Injury caused by the effects of intoxication or illegal drugs
• Payments exceeding the plan limit

Unless you’ve purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan, other exclusions include claims related to:

• Trip cancellation
• Lost luggage
• Rental car damage

Be sure to read the description of coverage for any plan you’re considering before you make the purchase. While reading the entire document front to back can be tedious, it’s better to know what’s excluded before you attempt to make a claim.

Now that we’ve let you know what is and isn’t covered by travel medical insurance, we’ll also breakdown the difference between travel medical insurance and other similar options.

Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance plans offer the most benefits of all plan types and will typically include medical coverage. It can offer you additional coverage for things like trip cancellation, trip delay and cancellation, lost luggage, and more. It’s the best way to cover a host of potential common travel-related problems.

Some comprehensive plans also offer additional coverage for things like rental car damage, Cancel for Any Reason, or a pre-existing condition waiver.

Bottom Line: Comprehensive travel insurance is a full-service plan and includes travel medical coverage as well as other coverages that will protect all aspects of your trip. 

Health Insurance

You might be thinking that already have medical insurance provided by your employer or through Medicare. However, when you travel to other countries, your primary health insurance might not go with you. Before your trip, check to see whether your domestic plan provides any coverage once you’ve left your home country since many offer limited or no coverage.

In case of a medical emergency, you will want to be able to lay your hands quickly on your travel insurance plan’s contact information for the 24-hour Emergency Assistance program as well as your policy number, so make sure to keep this information somewhere that is easily accessible. Also, be sure you know how to place a call to that number from outside the country.

This is important because you’ll be required to call your travel insurance provider and notify them that you need to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible. Obviously, you may not be medically able to call before you seek emergency medical treatment, but you should do so as soon as you are able to.

The earlier you can call, the more likely it is that you can avoid any issues for payment of claims and you can also get help and advice from the company’s emergency assistance program.

Bottom Line: Specific details on when and how to contact your insurance provider in case of a medical emergency vary by plan and provider, so thoroughly review these details in your plan information.

For example, in the event of an emergency that requires emergency medical evacuation, your insurance provider will have to approve the evacuation and even make those arrangements for you. If you don’t call ahead to have them do this, the company may not approve the expense and you may be stuck paying for the evacuation in full.

Once you are actually at a medical facility to receive care, make sure to document the experience as thoroughly as possible. This means asking for copies of all of your records before you check out. You’ll need to provide these records to the insurance company when you eventually file your claim and having proof of treatment and costs will assist you in filing a successful claim and getting your money back as soon as possible.

Travel medical insurance plans can vary widely in price, but in general, plans cost anywhere between 4-10% of your total non-refundable trip cost. The pricing of any plan takes into consideration many things, including a few that we discussed above, to determine the cost. These include:

• Age of travelers
• Plan limits
• Supplemental plans such as “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage or coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Length of trip

In addition, if you decide that a comprehensive plan is a better choice for you, this will also increase the price.

The best travel medical insurance company for you may be determined by what type and how much coverage you’d like to have. Let’s review a few options and companies to consider.

Credit Card Coverage

Many premium cards have some medical coverage, so be sure to look over all of the best credit cards for travel insurance coverage and protection.

For example, cardholders of The Platinum Card ® from American Express may already have $15,000 of secondary medical coverage . For many, this may be enough, but for others, you may not feel comfortable at this level of coverage and want to purchase a travel medical insurance policy.

Travel Medical Insurance Policies

If you are looking to purchase a plan from a reputable company, a few options include:

1. Patriot Travel Medical Insurance from IMG Global

For the out-of-country plans, Patriot offers:

• Short-term travel medical coverage
• Coverage for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Daily or monthly rates
• Freedom to seek treatment with the hospital or doctor of your choice

The following plans are available based on the level of coverage that you desire and you can request a quote through their website linked above.

2. GeoBlue Single Trip Traveler Medical Insurance

GeoBlue offers both the “Voyager Choice” and “Voyager Essential” single trip plans. Both plans allow you to choose your level of medical coverage (from $50,000 up to $1 million) and offer $500,000 in emergency medical transportation and repatriation coverage.

The main difference between the 2 plans is that the Choice plan does not require you to be covered by a primary health plan, but doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. The Voyager plan will cover all pre-existing conditions, but functions as a secondary coverage after your primary health plan.

3. Allianz Travel Medical Insurance

Allianz offers an Emergency Medical plan that offers additional benefits that extend beyond simply medical coverage. This plan is a comprehensive plan that covers lost baggage and trip cancellation and delay, in addition to emergency medical coverage. See just a few of these benefits below:

In addition, many companies, such as AAA,  offer travel insurance through Allianz, so you may receive a further discount if you reference your AAA policy.

Travel medical insurance can be beneficial for most travelers when traveling internationally as most primary health insurance plans won’t cover you abroad. We hope we’ve given you the tools you need to select a plan that works best for you and your travel needs.

At the end of the day, a travel medical plan is a great option if you’re traveling abroad and are not worried about covering trip costs due to a cancellation or added expenses due to a travel delay. Anyone looking for robust coverage for baggage or interruption should consider an upgrade to a more comprehensive plan.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

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Travel Medical Insurance: What to Know

Travel medical insurance provides financial protection while traveling, since many u.s. health insurance policies, including medicare and medicaid, don’t typically cover your medical expenses outside of the country..

Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.

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3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Updated October 12, 2023

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Table of contents

• Travel medical insurance
• What’s covered

Primary coverage

Secondary coverage.

• Medical evacuation
• Comprehensive coverage

Trip cancellation

• Insurance limitations

Though you never plan to have an accident or get sick during a trip, unexpected emergencies happen. Your U.S. health insurance likely won’t cover any visits to the hospital or emergency care in a foreign country. [1] To ensure you have coverage while traveling, you can purchase a stand-alone policy for travel medical insurance.

What is travel medical insurance?

Travel medical insurance can help fill in coverage gaps if you require emergency or routine medical services while traveling overseas. Even if you have international health insurance that includes care when traveling abroad, it won’t always cover the cost of medical treatments such as X-rays, lab tests, or ambulance services in a foreign country.

Travel medical coverage primarily protects you in the event of an emergency, so long-term travelers should look into purchasing a more comprehensive plan. To prevent extensive financial losses while abroad, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if you and your family members have adequate coverage before you travel.

Before selecting medical insurance coverage, you should compare travel health plans among multiple companies. Some of the best insurers to consider include Blue Shield, Allianz Travel Insurance, American International Group (AIG), HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance, GeoBlue, Generali Global Assistance (GGA), and more.

Does your health insurance plan cover you internationally?

Many health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, are only valid within the U.S. or your home state. While some employer U.S. health plans or private plans provide international travel insurance, it’s important you read the fine print so you know exactly what your policy covers in case of a medical emergency.

Many health insurance plans with international coverage only pay for emergencies that require immediate medical attention while overseas. For example, your insurance may cover a broken bone or a hospital visit if you’re experiencing chest pains. It likely wouldn’t cover any routine medical care.

What travel medical insurance covers

Travel medical insurance covers the cost of unexpected medical expenses while abroad. If you encounter an unexpected injury or illness, your travel medical insurance will reimburse you up to your plan limit.

You can choose from different types of medical travel insurance plans and add-ons when buying coverage. The best travel insurance for you will depend on factors such as where you intend to travel, for how long, and what you plan to do.

Here are five different types of coverage you may encounter while shopping for travel medical insurance.

The difference between primary and secondary coverage has to do with payment priority. With primary medical travel insurance, the insurance plan will pay your medical costs directly, even if you have another health insurance policy. You’ll file any medical claims directly with the company you bought travel medical insurance from, which can help speed up the payment process. [2]

With secondary medical travel insurance, you’ll need to file a claim with your primary healthcare insurance provider first — even if you don’t think the insurer will provide coverage. If the insurer denies your claim or doesn’t fully cover it, you can then file it with the medical travel insurance company.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

An emergency evacuation can be very expensive — especially if it’s in a remote area. Medical evacuation insurance can help cover the costs associated with emergency transportation to an adequate treatment facility. It can also cover the costs associated with transporting you back to the U.S.

Comprehensive travel insurance plan

Some comprehensive policies include medical travel insurance and trip-cancellation coverage if you have to cancel your trip due to something such as severe weather or a natural disaster. Many comprehensive plans also cover trip interruption, medical evacuation, travel delay benefits, and baggage delay.

With medical travel insurance, you can often include trip cancellation insurance as an add-on for an additional cost. Trip cancellation insurance covers trip costs, including your flight, cruise, or train tickets, if you can’t go on your trip. It doesn’t cover any medical care you need while traveling. [3]

Limitations of travel medical insurance

Before confirming your travel plans, check with your insurance company to see if the plan has any limitations or exclusions. Travel medical insurance policies often don’t cover medical bills related to the following three situations.

Pre-existing conditions

A pre-existing condition is a medical condition or illness you’ve had for a certain period before purchasing insurance. It’s possible to purchase insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage. The policies are often time-sensitive and only provide coverage if purchased within a certain number of days of the trip deposit — often 14 days.

High-risk activities

If you’re planning to engage in risky activities or extreme sports, such as skydiving or bungee jumping, check if your travel insurance policy excludes the activities. Many insurance plans won’t cover these risky activities. However, you may be able to purchase extreme sports insurance for additional benefits coverage.

Geographic exclusions

Some insurers won’t provide coverage if you travel to a country that the U.S. Department of State has assigned a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory to. [4] Before traveling to a country with a travel advisory, check with your insurance company to see if your coverage applies.

Travel medical insurance FAQs

Before you take off on your next overseas adventure, you should look into buying a travel medical insurance plan, as well as how you can use it if you need it and how it differs from health insurance coverage.

Who should buy travel medical insurance?

Anyone traveling to a country where their health insurance provider doesn’t provide coverage should consider purchasing travel medical insurance. Certain destinations may require you to purchase it when applying for a visa or staying for a certain amount of time, too.

For example, Schengen Area countries in the European Union require people to have travel medical insurance if they apply for a travel visa, which you’ll need if you’re staying for more than 90 days. [5]

How do you use your travel health insurance?

If you have a medical emergency when traveling and need to use your travel health insurance plan, contact your insurance company immediately. Most travel insurance companies have 24/7 customer service hotlines you can contact for help and information. Your insurer can give you step-by-step instructions on what to do depending on your specific situation.

What is travel insurance vs. medical insurance?

The main difference between travel insurance and regular medical plans is travel insurance only covers you during travel. It’s only valid during your trip to protect you against medical emergencies while you’re away from your home country.

What does medical travel insurance cover?

Travel medical insurance can provide coverage if you have an unexpected illness, injury, or other medical emergency during a trip abroad. U.S. health insurance policies don’t usually cover overseas incidents.

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The Best Medical Travel Insurance of 2021

Best for solo travelers.

John Hancock

Best for Thrill Seekers

Best for Frequent Travelers

Allianz Global Assistance

Best for Long Trips

Seven Corners

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Reviews Report

• Reviews.com ranks IMG as the best medical travel insurance company, earning a 4.75 out of 5.
• Seven Corners is the best medical travel insurance for long trips and has the highest medical coverage at $5 million limits.
• The best medical travel insurance companies have pre-existing condition waiver options.

If you’re on the hunt for the best travel insurance , you’ll want to keep medical insurance at the top of your priorities. Medical travel insurance jumps in when your U.S. health insurance coverage falls short while traveling out of the country. Whether you get sick, injured, or need to be evacuated, some or all of your expenses may be covered with the right medical insurance policy.

Medical travel insurance doesn’t automatically cover logistical issues of your trip, like lost luggage or a delayed flight — although many policies do include these features as extra perks. 

We reviewed the four best medical travel insurance companies that suit a range of travelers, from adventure-seeking explorers to large families with a troop of pioneers.

The 4 Best Medical Travel Insurance Companies

• John Hancock : Best for Solo Travelers 
• IMG : Best for Thrill Seekers
• Allianz Global Assistance : Best for Frequent Travelers
• Seven Corners :  Best for Long Trips

Compare the Best Medical Travel Insurance Companies

Information accurate as of March 2021.

Why we chose it

• 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.
• High medical coverage limits
• High financial ratings
• $1M in medical evacuation
• Kids not included
• No adventure sports coverage

Add-ons & Coverage

• Trip cancellation: 100% of cost
• Cancel for any reason: 75% of cost
• Lost baggage: $750–$2,500
• Medical evacuation: $250K–$1M
• 24/7 emergency travel assistance

Best for Thrillseekers

• 4.75 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• $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.
• High medical coverage
• Tailored to adventure sports
• Search and rescue coverage
• Few optional coverage options
• Higher cost than competitors
• Lost baggage: $150–$2,500
• Medical evacuation: Up to $1M
• Sports equipment rental: $2,000
• Patriot Travel Medical Insurance
• Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance
• Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical Insurance
• 3.4 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• $10K–$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.
• Year-round travel insurance
• Extra emergency evacuation coverage
• Coverage for kids is free
• No medical upgrades available
• Limited policy add-ons
• Lower medical coverage limit
• Trip cancellation: $5K–$100K
• Trip interruption:$5K–$150K
• Lost baggage: $500–$2K
• 24-hour hotline assistance
• AllTrips Basic, Executive, Premier, and Prime
• OneTrip Prime, Basic, Premier, Emergency Medical, and Cancellation Plus
• 4.5 Reviews Score Score is based on company’s customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options.
• $50K–$5M 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.
• 364 days Trip Length This is the maximum number of days the travel insurance company will cover your trip.
• Medical travel insurance throughout the year
• Includes COVID-19 exposure coverage
• Hazardous sports coverage
• Deductible must be paid in full and up front
• Lacks app support and interfacing
• COVID-19 treatment: $100,000
• Liaison International Travel Medical Insurance 
• Liaison Travel Plus (Covid-19 Coverage)

Medical Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know

Take activities into account.

Basic medical travel insurance includes things like emergency medical care and evacuation while traveling either at home or internationally . But if you plan on doing higher-risk activities, additional coverage may be warranted. Examples of these types of travel adventures include skydiving, mountain climbing, and scuba diving. 

Compare quotes

It’s important to compare medical travel insurance quotes because so many factors are evaluated to determine your offer. Premiums are based on total trip cost, coverage selections, and the number and age of travelers in your party, among other factors. If you want cheap travel insurance , opt for policies with lower limits and higher deductibles. 

Medical travel insurance companies will provide quotes on the amount of medical services covered under their policies. For example, if a company like Allianz only offers $50,000 in medical coverage, that’s how much it will cover before you have to pick up the rest of the bill for a hospital stay abroad. 

If you plan to scale mountains or dive deep into the sea, it’s recommended to opt for medical travel insurance that includes high limits near $750,000 or $1 million, depending on the adventure sport activity.

Medical Travel Insurance FAQ

What is medical travel insurance.

Medical travel insurance acts as your primary health coverage on international vacations . Just like your normal policy, it can be used to pay for treatments, medication, and even hospital stays.

Does travel insurance cover medical?

Basic travel insurance doesn’t include medical events. A travel insurance policy covers you for things like trip cancellations, lost bags, and flight delays instead.

How much medical travel insurance do I need?

Our best medical travel insurance providers cover a minimum of $50,000 for emergency medical care and at least $100,000 for emergency evacuation or repatriation. Add more if you plan to engage in higher-risk activities during your trip.

Why would I need medical travel insurance?

Medical travel insurance substitutes for your typical health insurance coverage when traveling abroad. Without it, you may be required to pay cash before receiving any type of medical care, which can cause serious problems that are better to avoid altogether.

How does medical travel insurance work?

Once you review plan options, just pick the one that fits your needs, make your payment, and submit your travel dates. If you need to file a claim, check to see what kind of documentation is required from the doctor or hospital who treated you during your trip.

Methodology

We evaluated medical 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 

About the Authors

Amanda Push Contributing Writer

Amanda Push is a writer based in Colorado who covers personal finance, technology, safety and security, moving, and more. Her writing has also been featured at TheSimpleDollar.com, Interest.com, MyMove.com, and Safety.com.

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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 for Seniors and Retirees.

Table of Contents

• Trawick International
• Allianz Travel Insurance
• AIG Travel Guard

Key takeaways

• Senior travelers can benefit from a plan that offers coverage for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation first and foremost.
• Other benefits to look for include coverage for lost or delayed baggage, trip delay protection, and coverage for trip cancellation and interruption.
• Older travelers may also want to look for travel insurance plans that cover preexisting medical conditions.
• Some plans for seniors let individuals add on cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage that reimburses up to 80% of prepaid travel expenses when a trip is canceled for any reason at all.

While anyone planning a trip overseas can benefit from having a travel insurance plan in place, older travelers need to prioritize this coverage more than others. The fact is, senior travelers and retirees have unique worries and risks to think about any time they travel far from home. These risks increase their need for travel health insurance and emergency medical coverage, as well as coverage for emergency medical evacuation that applies anywhere in the world.

U.S. News compared more than 20 of the top travel insurance companies to find the top plan options for seniors and retirees. This list does the heavy lifting for you as you search for the best senior travel insurance, so read on to learn about the top picks.

• Trawick International: Best Overall
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Cancel for Any Reason
• AIG Travel Guard: Best Annual
• Nationwide: Best for Cruises
• WorldTrips: Best Budget
• GeoBlue: Best Medical

Incredibly high limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation

Customize plan with optional CFAR coverage

Coverage is for trips up to 30 days if you're ages 80 and older

• Up to $15,000 in trip cancellation insurance
• Up to $22,500 in trip interruption coverage
• Up to $1,000 for trip delays ($200 daily limit for delays of 12-plus hours)
• Up to $1,000 for missed connections
• Up to $150,000 for emergency medical expenses
• Up to $1 million in emergency medical evacuation coverage
• Up to $750 in emergency dental coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects
• Up to $400 for baggage delays of 12-plus hours

SEE FULL REVIEW »

High reimbursement for CFAR coverage

Coverage for preexisting conditions is offered

Relatively low limits for baggage delays

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $150,000
• Trip change protector coverage up to $500
• Emergency medical coverage up to $50,000
• Emergency medical transportation coverage up to $500,000
• Baggage loss coverage up to $1,000
• Baggage delay insurance up to $300
• Travel delay coverage up to $800 ($200 daily limit)
• $100 per day in SmartBenefits coverage per person for fixed inconvenience payments
• 24-hour hotline for assistance
• Concierge services
• Preexisting condition coverage (must be added to plan within 14 days of first trip deposit or payment)

Year-round comprehensive travel insurance coverage

Generous limits for medical and emergency medical evacuation

Does not include trip cancellation coverage

• Up to 100% of insured trip cost for trip interruptions (maximum of $2,500 per trip)
• Up to $1,500 for trip delays ($150 per day)
• Up to $500 for missed connections caused by delays of at least three hours
• Up to $2,500 for lost baggage
• Up to $1,000 for baggage delays of 12-plus hours
• Up to $50,000 for travel medical coverage ($500 dental sublimit)
• Up to $500,000 for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Up to $50,000 for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• Up to $100,000 for security evacuation coverage

Cruise-specific coverages and benefits

High limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation

May be expensive compared to other coverage options

• Trip cancellation coverage up to 100% of prepaid trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage up to 150% of prepaid trip cost
• Trip interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage worth $1,000 if conditions are met
• Missed connection coverage up to $2,500 for delays of three-plus hours
• Trip delay coverage up to $1,000 for delays of six-plus hours
• Itinerary change coverage worth $250 to $1,000 (depending on reason for change)
• Emergency medical coverage up to $150,000 (secondary with $750 dental sublimit)
• Emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $1 million
• Up to $25,000 for AD&D
• Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost or stolen baggage ($1,000 maximum for special items and $500 limit per article)
• Baggage delay coverage up to $1,000 for delays of six-plus hours
• Nonmedical evacuation coverage up to $25,000

Customize your deductible and premiums

Generous medical limits for travelers ages 65 to 79

Limited medical coverage for travelers older than 80

• Up to $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage
• Medical benefits like hospital room and board, chiropractic care, and more
• Coverage for repatriation of remains
• Up to $25,000 in personal liability coverage
• Up to $10,000 in trip interruption insurance
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost checked luggage
• Up to $100 per day in coverage for travel delays of 12-plus hours
• Up to $1,500 in coverage for bedside visits
• Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency reunions

Get comprehensive health insurance that applies overseas

Preventive and routine care included

Age limits apply for new applicants and renewals

Medical-only coverage

• Preventive and routine care
• Professional services like surgery
• Inpatient medical care
• Ambulatory and therapeutic services
• Rehabilitation and therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

You can purchase some travel insurance plans (but not all) if you're older than 80 years old. However, your premiums may be higher and you'll typically qualify for lower coverage limits overall. Make sure you compare the best travel insurance plans for seniors to find the right fit for your needs.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered international travel and travel insurance for more than a decade. Johnson has researched and compared all the top travel insurance options for her own family for trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and she has successfully filed claims during that time. Johnson lives in Indiana with her two children and her husband, Greg – a travel agent who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states.

You might also be interested in:

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Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

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How Do I Know How Much Travel Insurance to Buy?

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Related Articles

• 7 Reasons to Buy Yearly Travel Insurance
• What Factors Affect the Cost of Travel Insurance?
• Compare Travel Insurance: How to Pick the Perfect Plan

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Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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8 times your credit card’s travel insurance might not cover you

Editor's Note

Travel insurance is a great perk that comes with a number of travel rewards credit cards . If you're traveling and something goes wrong — like lost luggage, a trip delay or an unplanned medical emergency — there's a chance your credit card's travel protection could save you a lot of money.

Although some level of travel insurance can be a valuable credit card benefit, it's also important to realize that it won't cover every scenario. Like any insurance coverage, there are times when the travel insurance that comes with your credit card might not protect you.

Every policy is different, and you'll need to check with your card issuer to confirm specific policy details and limitations. Typically, you can find a full guide to your card's benefits and exclusions online.

Here are eight scenarios where your credit card's travel insurance probably won't be helpful.

Paying with the wrong credit card

Some card issuers require you to pay for travel-related expenses (or, at least, a portion of them) with their specific card to be covered if something goes wrong. But if you use multiple cards to pay for your travel purchases, perhaps in a quest to score the most rewards possible, you might find yourself only partially protected.

For example, if you pay for your flights and hotel room with your Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card but use something else to pay for the excursions on your trip. In this scenario, the excursions might not be covered if your travel plans are unexpectedly cut short because a hurricane rolls into town. However, if the second card you used also offers travel insurance, you might simply need to make multiple claims.

Related: Best credit cards with travel insurance

Preexisting medical conditions

If you need to cancel your trip due to a preexisting medical condition, you may have a hard time getting a reimbursement with your card's trip cancellation coverage. The same rule of thumb may apply if you need an emergency medical evacuation during your trip.

Depending on the card issuer's travel insurance policy, there is a potential workaround here. In a situation where you didn't know about the medical condition in advance, you might be able to make a convincing case when you file a claim.

Traveling for medical treatment

Are you planning a trip to a destination with the intention of visiting a doctor or medical facility? If so, that action hits pretty close to the definition of traveling with a preexisting condition.

When the purpose of your trip is to seek medical treatment, there's a good chance your credit card's insurance policy won't cover you if a problem comes up. Instead, you might need to consider a stand-alone travel insurance policy with a waiver for preexisting conditions if you want coverage for this type of scenario.

Related: How to pick the right travel credit card for you

Length of the trip doesn't qualify for coverage

The travel insurance policy offered through your credit card may only apply to trips of a certain length. You could run into coverage issues here if your trip is either too long or too short.

For example, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , you won't be covered if you're traveling for more than 60 days. With The Business Platinum Card® from American Express , travel that exceeds 365 days away from your city of residence is ineligible for trip cancellation and interruption claims.

Traveling in a war zone

Taking a trip to an area that's deemed to be a war zone (either declared or undeclared) can be troubling for several reasons, but one concern is canceled flights or other travel-related issues due to military or war-like situations. In that case, related expenses are often ineligible for travel insurance coverage through a credit card provider.

Whether war breaks out before or after you arrive at your destination, your card's travel insurance benefits likely won't cover you. If you're traveling to an unstable location or one that has a history of unrest, you may want to consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for added peace of mind.

Recently filed claim

Some credit card travel insurance policies have an upper limit of how much money you can claim for reimbursement per 12-month period. So, if you've already filed a large claim in the last 12 months, you might not be eligible to get paid for another.

It's worth noting that The Platinum Card® from American Express offers many of its benefits per trip, so you may not have to worry as much about this particular limit if you're a cardholder.*

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: Best credit cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance

You test positive for COVID-19

COVID-19 is often a non-eligible sickness to qualify for coverage with certain credit card travel insurance policies. Whether you have to cancel a trip, change your travel dates or quarantine due to a positive COVID-19 test result, you might be stuck paying those expenses on your own.

All protection isn't created equal

The travel insurance provided by different card issuers comes with different types of coverage. Take the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as examples. Both cards offer insurance coverage for trip cancellation and trip interruption. The Amex Platinum , on the other hand, only provides this benefit on round-trip travel purchased entirely with an eligible card.*

Similarly, the Sapphire Reserve offers cardholders emergency medical evacuation insurance up to $100,000, but the Sapphire Preferred does not include this benefit.

Related: How Chase Sapphire travel insurance saved my family over $1,500

Should you purchase more coverage?

No one likes to think about what could go wrong when you travel away from home. Unfortunately, sometimes problems and even disasters happen while people are traveling. If you have the right travel rewards credit cards (and you understand how their travel insurance benefits work), you can enjoy some peace of mind.

You could also consider adding third-party travel insurance if you want to beef up your coverage. Sometimes independent travel insurance may cover you when your credit card's travel insurance policy does not.

Additional travel insurance comes at a cost. The investment makes sense in some situations; other times, it does not. If you're considering a separate travel insurance policy, it's a good idea to compare costs, benefits and coverage limitations in advance.

Related: Why I buy an annual travel insurance policy

Bottom line

Whether you choose to pay for additional third-party travel insurance or not, it's helpful to learn about the travel protections the credit cards sitting in your wallet may offer you. Just remember to learn about the rules and limitations of your card's travel insurance benefits. Otherwise, you might be in for a surprise if you ever need to use them.

Read more: Is travel insurance worth it?

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Best Travel Insurance for Visiting the U.S.

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Table of Contents

Travel insurance basics

Best visitors insurance policies, for the lowest price: trawick international, for customizing options: worldtrips, for pre-existing conditions: worldtrips, for highest medical coverage limit: img, other options to consider, the bottom line.

Since health care can be expensive in the U.S., it’s important that visitors have insurance coverage, aka visitors insurance or travel medical insurance, in case something happens that requires medical attention mid-trip.

Whether you have coverage for travel in the U.S. depends on your health care plan in your home country. But if you don't, you'll need to buy a policy from a third-party insurance provider. Several companies sell this kind of visitor insurance, and each company and policy is a bit different. Let’s look at which is best for you.

First, a few basics about visitor insurance. Two kinds are available: travel medical insurance and trip insurance.

Travel medical insurance covers medical expenses that you may incur while traveling internationally, like a visit to the doctor, a trip to the hospital and medical evacuation and repatriation.

Trip insurance usually covers limited medical expenses like emergency care and can compensate you if your trip is delayed, you need to leave the trip early or you have to cancel the trip. It is designed to help you protect the investment you’re making as you prepare to travel.

Standard trip insurance might not cover a visit to the doctor unless it is an emergency.

It’s important to make sure any pre-existing conditions are covered if the visitor has any. Some policies exclude them.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

With so many kinds of visitors insurance policies, which is the best?

To make comparisons, we got quotes from several companies using Squaremouth , a website to search for different types of travel insurance in one place.

The parameters we set are for a 49-year-old citizen and resident of Spain traveling to the U.S. on May 1-31, 2024.

The quotes don't include cancellation coverage; these examples are for medical coverage only. To get a quote, the hypothetical deposit for the trip was paid on Feb. 15.

Since we’re looking for a policy that will cover medical care for visitors, there are several medical filters to select: emergency medical ($100,000 or more), medical evacuation ($100,000 or more) and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

The search came up with nine results ranging in price from $74.40 to $179.18.

The policy with the lowest cost was the Trawick International 's Safe Travels USA Cost Saver at $74.40.

Trawick policies use the FirstHealth PPO network.

The policy as quoted has a $250 deductible and includes $100,000 in emergency medical, $2 million in medical evacuation and $5,000 in interruption coverage. It has limited coverage for pre-existing conditions.

It is possible to change the deductible to as little as $0 or raise it to $5,000.

The same company has another policy, the Trawick International Safe Travels USA Comprehensive policy, that is better at covering pre-existing conditions and costs a little more — $89.59.

The general coverage is the same as the less expensive policy, and the Safe Travels USA Comprehensive option adds coverage for acute onset of a pre-existing condition. it is possible to change the deductible amount to $0 or go up to $5,000.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Some policies are sold as is, while others allow some flexibility depending on what is important to you.

The WorldTrips Atlas Premium America policy for $179.18 allows a lot of customization.

It was also the most expensive of the nine policies Squaremouth suggested.

It’s possible to customize the emergency medical coverage and pre-existing condition coverage and medical deductible. The policy also includes $15,000 in trip interruption coverage, the highest of any of the nine policies available.

If the traveler has a pre-existing condition, policies from WorldTrips Atlas America are your best bet. The WorldTrips Atlas America policy in our comparison costs $101.06.

The policy as quoted covers $100,000 in emergency medical care and $25,000 in medical evacuation for an unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition.

The deductible is also available for customization from $0 to $5,000.

The PPO network for Atlas America Insurance is United Healthcare.

The WorldTrips Atlas Premium America policy mentioned above is also good for pre-existing condition coverage.

While eight of the nine policies had $100,000 in secondary medical coverage, one had a limit of $2 million.

The IMG Patriot America Platinum policy has a premium of $172.36 along with a high medical evacuation limit of $2 million and interruption coverage of $10,000.

If $2 million in medical coverage is not enough, it’s possible to increase that amount to an $8 million policy limit.

It’s not possible to change the level of coverage for preexisting conditions from the high $1 million limit in emergency medical care and $25,000 in medical evacuation for an unexpected recurrence.

It is possible to change the deductible from $0 all the way up to $25,000.

Our comparison also included policies from two additional companies, Seven Corners and Global Underwriters .

Seven Corners had two policies come up in the results, the Seven Corners Travel Medical Basic for $98.27 and the Seven Corners Travel Medical Choice policy for $136.71. Both of the Seven Corners policies include coverage for hurricane and weather, and the less expensive policy covers acts of terrorism.

Having insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses for anyone visiting the U.S. can be a smart money move.

An illness or accident could cause financial problems for visitors because of potentially having to pay for full health care costs. When planning your travel, be sure to check your current health insurance to find out if it will cover you in the U.S.

For a monthlong stay in the U.S., the lowest-priced visitors insurance policy was around $75 (Trawick International Safe Travels USA Cost Saver) and the highest was about $180 (WorldTrips Atlas Premium America). That’s about $2.42 or $5.81 a day, depending on the policy.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

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

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ 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.

• What is travel insurance?
• Average cost
• When to buy travel insurance
• Average cost by age
• What does travel insurance cover?

Travel Insurance Cost: Average Travel Insurance Prices in 2024

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 travel insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

• The average travel insurance premium this week is $297.42, down about 0.38% compared to last week.
• For travel in the United States, the average premium is $175 to $350.
• Travel insurance protects against delayed baggage, trip cancellation, and more.

The average cost of travel insurance fluctuates throughout the year, based on demand and whether or not school's in session. Also keep in mind that where you're traveling and how many people are taking the trip will affect your exact premium.

Understanding Travel Insurance

Travel insurance plans can cover both domestic and international travel. It could protect against something as familiar as delayed baggage (experts estimate 85% of lost luggage is returned to its owner within 48 hours) or as complicated as trip cancellation.

The benefits and limitations of travel insurance vary based on the company and plan. Above all else, this insurance coverage offers peace of mind.

Some credit cards offer a limited amount of travel insurance annually. If you need clarification on what your credit card offers, contact your provider to verify. These plans are great for cancellations and interruptions but may not cover more costly losses associated with unexpected medical expenses or emergency evacuations.

Individual travel insurance plans include this and much more. Travel insurance protects travelers from the unexpected when away from home.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Destination

Some countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could increase travel insurance costs. Travel insurance will generally cost 5% to 10% of your total trip price, according to SquareMouth travel insurance .

Here's how the prices stack up:

Source: SquareMouth

How Far in Advance to Purchase Travel Insurance

According to an AAA travel survey , 88% of travelers say that reimbursement after a trip cancellation is the most valuable benefit of trip insurance.

According to data gathered by SquareMouth in the last six months, travelers tend to purchase trip cancellation travel insurance 53 days before their trip. Meanwhile, travelers without trip cancellation insurance will buy a policy approximately 16 days before their trip. Regardless of when you buy, cancellation protection can kick in to protect you against the unexpected.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Age

A traveler's age is a significant factor in determining the cost of travel insurance. The older a traveler is, the higher travel insurance premiums are. For instance, a senior traveler may need more insurance for health-related emergencies than a millennial.

When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency.

Get your free travel insurance quote with SquareMouth »

Travel Insurance Rate Tips

Travel insurance rates through most providers fall between 4% and 8% of the total trip cost. Like the cost of flights, cruises, etc., rates may vary substantially based on the season, your original location, your destination, and other factors. This week, the average cost of a policy was close to $300.

To save money on travel insurance, tailor your policy to your specific needs and avoid unnecessary extras. You should also shop around to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Opting for an annual plan if you're a frequent traveler, checking existing coverages from other insurance policies or credit card benefits, and choosing a policy with a higher deductible can significantly lower your premiums. Always read the fine print to understand your coverage fully, ensuring you don't pay for redundant or irrelevant features.

To find affordable travel insurance, consider using online comparison websites like SquareMouth or InsureMyTrip to see rates from various providers. Other ways to save include purchasing directly from insurance companies, exploring package deals from travel agencies or airlines, utilizing included coverage from credit card benefits, and checking for discounts through membership organizations such as AAA or AARP.

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.

**Enrollment required.

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Travel insurance

Travel insurance for UK trips

Amy Fontinelle

Alyce Meserve

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Heidi Gollub

Published 5:00 a.m. UTC Aug. 14, 2024

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• Travel insurance for a U.K. trip can be indispensable if you need serious emergency medical care while traveling.
• A standalone travel insurance plan can offer more comprehensive benefits and higher limits than your credit card or a travel provider’s plan.
• Buying a policy shortly after booking your trip will give you the best protection against trip cancellation and interruption.

Visiting the United Kingdom as an American can be a pricey proposition. Not only will you be flying overseas, but the exchange rate is perpetually unfavorable. If you have a U.K. trip on the horizon, you may want to purchase travel insurance to protect yourself against financial losses due to unforeseen events that could affect your trip.

Key benefits of having travel insurance for the U.K. 

Whether you’re visiting England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, you’ll face some different risks than you would at home in the U.S.

A comprehensive travel insurance policy can help. It bundles together several types of coverage, including:

• Trip cancellation insurance .
• Trip delay insurance .
• Trip interruption insurance .
• Baggage insurance .
• Travel medical insurance .
• Emergency evacuation insurance .

Here are some ways U.K. travel insurance can protect you financially, as well as where it may fall short.

Trip cancellation insurance

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for what you’ve spent on prepaid, nonrefundable plane fare, accommodations, tours and other travel expenses, as long as you’re canceling your trip for a reason listed in your policy. These covered reasons could include you getting sick or injured, your employer requiring you to work after granting time off or a blizzard canceling flights before you leave.

You must buy your policy well in advance to take full advantage of these benefits, however.

“If you wait until there’s an event impacting the destination, such as a severe winter storm, it’s then too late to buy travel insurance and your prepaid expenses won’t be covered,” said Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA.

Delays on your U.K. trip

Travel delay insurance helps if you’ve started your trip and encounter flight delays or cancellations. It can’t rescue you from the hell of being trapped on the tarmac for hours, but it can provide other helpful benefits.

“Travel delay coverage may help cover the cost of rerouting you to your final destination, or can provide meals and accommodations while you wait,” Durazo said.

While U.K. law and Article 19 of the Montreal Convention do entitle passengers to benefits under certain circumstances, the coverage provided by travel insurance is typically broader.

For example, travel insurance would reimburse you for prepaid expenses such as a hotel night you can’t use or a tour you can’t go on because of the delay. It would reimburse losses from delays unrelated to air travel.

Tackling trip interruption

Depending on the travel insurance policy, trip interruption coverage can reimburse 100% to 200% of your nonrefundable prepaid costs if something goes wrong after you depart or if you have to join your trip late for a covered reason. These reasons may include a natural disaster at your destination, a terrorist attack, a strike or a family member’s unexpected illness (even if they aren’t traveling with you).

Dealing with lost bags and stolen belongings

If your luggage or personal belongings are lost, stolen or damaged during your trip, travel insurance can reimburse you for your losses. But baggage insurance is typically secondary coverage, so you’ll need to seek reimbursement from a common carrier, such as the airline that lost your bag, before turning to your travel insurance for help.

If you experience a baggage loss while traveling, read your policy and follow the steps your insurer requires. These might include notifying the airline that your bag is missing or reporting stolen items to the local authorities.

Handling medical bills in the U.K.

How important is it to have travel medical insurance , included in a comprehensive travel insurance policy, when visiting the U.K.? You might think you could just use your U.S. health insurance or the U.K.’s free universal healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS) if you had a problem, but this could be a costly assumption.

“Many domestic health insurance plans don’t cover medical expenses abroad, and some foreign medical facilities and providers may even require a cash payment up front and often do not accept U.S. insurance plans,” Durazo said.

For example, American visitors to England must pay upfront for most types of medical treatment, and the cost is 150% of standard NHS rates. In March 2022, a long hospital stay could have cost you more than ￡4,400 (about $5,586).

Medicare generally does not cover international health care. However, some Medigap supplement plans do, so check your existing coverage and see how it compares to what trip insurance offers. Travel medical insurance can offer incredible value for your money, with features like no deductible and 100% coverage up to $1 million for a few dollars per day.

Evacuation for serious medical issues

Should you require a medical flight to get the care you need while visiting the U.K., the money you spent on travel insurance could save your life. It could allow you to recover without the stress of exorbitant evacuation and repatriation bills.

Look for a travel insurance plan that will pay to fly you back home — not just to the nearest “capable” hospital, which may not be your best option for treatment. Even if your U.S. health insurance works abroad, it may not include this coverage.

Travel Insured

Via TravelInsurance.com’s website

Top-scoring plan

Worldwide Trip Protector

Covers COVID?

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$100,000/$1 million

Atlas Journey Preferred

Seven Corners

RoundTrip Basic

$500,000/$1 million

What is the cost of U.K. travel insurance?

Travel insurance for a U.K. trip will cost about 5% to 6% of the total of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs. However, other factors, such as the ages of travelers and the length of your trip, will also impact the price. For instance, the average cost of U.K. travel insurance for a family of four (ages 40, 40, 10 and 7) taking a 17-day, $15,000 trip is $629. But if you’re taking a shorter, cheaper trip with fewer travelers, you’ll likely be able to find cheaper travel insurance .

Tips for choosing the right U.K. travel insurance

Many companies offer travel insurance, and the selection can feel overwhelming — especially if you’ve never bought this type of coverage before. These tips can help you choose the right company and plan.

Understand your risks

“One mistake travelers can make is assuming their domestic health insurance will cover them no matter where they are in the world,” Durazo said. In many cases, this isn’t true.

It’s also common to assume that your credit card provides all the travel insurance you might need.

Standalone travel plans tend to be more comprehensive. They may also have higher limits and shorter waiting periods for time-sensitive benefits.

Comparison shop

Coverage limits and exclusions vary by provider and by plan. Also, more expensive plans aren’t always better. Comparison sites can help you quickly understand the differences among plans.

Read the policy

Don’t just read the coverage summary. It’s important to understand the fine print and whether you’re financially protected against the risks you’re concerned about.

Travel insurance comparison sites often make it easy to review the full policy (sometimes called a plan certificate) before you buy. And most companies offer a “free look” period after you buy a policy, so you have time to request a refund if you read through it and decide it doesn’t provide adequate coverage.

The policy will also show you which insurer actually provides the coverage—it might be different from the company selling you the travel insurance plan. Check the underwriting insurer’s financial strength rating to make sure they’ll be around to reimburse you if you need to file a claim.

Evaluate travel insurance reviews

It can be tricky to tell real, unbiased reviews from fake or paid reviews. But if you read enough of them, you’ll likely get a sense of which reviews are more likely to be trustworthy and which companies have the best reputations. Keep in mind, bad reviews are often the result of customer misunderstandings regarding coverage.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The U.K. doesn’t require U.S. visitors to carry travel insurance for stays of six months or less. Still, it’s a good idea to at least buy travel medical insurance if your U.S. health insurance doesn’t offer comprehensive coverage, including medical evacuation coverage, abroad. With the U.K. being made up of islands, it could be challenging to get the care you would need in an emergency without a medical flight.

Decide if trip protection is right for you: Is travel insurance worth it?  

A travel insurance policy for a trip to the U.K. will typically cover not only travel medical expenses but also trip cancelation, delay and interruption; lost or delayed baggage and emergency evacuation.

See what coverage is included: What does travel insurance cover?

Maybe. Some domestic health insurance plans might cover you in the U.K. Review your summary plan description for details, or ask your insurer for a letter explaining your out-of-country benefits. Medicare typically does not cover health care for Americans outside of the U.S. 

If your U.S. plan includes international coverage, see how it compares to the benefits available through a travel insurance plan. If you buy travel insurance with primary coverage for emergency medical benefits, you won’t have to file a claim with your U.S. health insurance company first.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience helping people make informed decisions about their money, whether they’re refinancing a mortgage, buying insurance or choosing a credit card. As a freelance writer trained in journalism and specializing in personal finance, Amy digs into the details to explain the products and strategies that can help (or hurt) people seeking greater financial security and wealth. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Capital One, MassMutual, Investopedia and many other outlets.

Alyce Meserve is an experienced insurance, personal finance and travel writer. Alyce is a licensed insurance professional in life, health and property and casualty, and holds an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Duke University.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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Medicare announces lower prices on 10 common, high-cost drugs

The Biden administration said Thursday that it had reached an agreement with drugmakers to lower prices on the 10 costliest prescription drugs under Medicare.

It's part of the federal government's first-ever drug pricing negotiations, a cost reduction it claims could help ease the financial burden on the estimated 1 in 7 older adults in the U.S. struggling to pay for their medications.

Here are the negotiated prices for the drugs, based on a 30-day supply:

• Eliquis, a blood thinner from Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer: $231 negotiated price, down from $521 list price.
• Xarelto, a blood thinner from Johnson & Johnson: $197 negotiated price, down from $517 list price.
• Januvia, a diabetes drug from Merck: $113 negotiated price, down from $527 list price.
• Jardiance, a diabetes drug from Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly: $197 negotiated price, down from $573 list price.
• Enbrel, a rheumatoid arthritis drug from Amgen: $2,355 negotiated price, down from $7,106 list price.
• Imbruvica, a drug for blood cancers from AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson: $9,319 negotiated price, down from $14,934 list price.
• Farxiga, a drug for diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease from AstraZeneca: $178 negotiated price, down from $556 list price.
• Entresto, a heart failure drug from Novartis: $295 negotiated price, down from $628 list price.
• Stelara, a drug for psoriasis and Crohn’s disease from J&J: $4,695 negotiated price, down from $13,836 list price.
• Fiasp and NovoLog, diabetes drugs from Novo Nordisk: $119 negotiated price, down from $495 list price.

The new negotiated prices were compared to the 2023 list prices of the drugs.

It's important to note that these numbers do not represent a direct comparison between the new negotiated prices and what Medicare and enrollees would have originally paid, said Stacie Dusetzina, a health policy professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. The list price is the full retail price of a medication and doesn't include any discounts or rebates a drug company may have offered.

Still, Dusetzina said, these are "pretty big discounts."

"I think that it shows that they're taking these negotiations very seriously and they're trying to get much lower prices," she said.

The lower prices are the result of months of heated negotiations between the federal government and drugmakers over the pricey medications.

The prices won't take effect until 2026, but the measure is a landmark for Medicare. The federal government has never been able to directly haggle with drugmakers over the prices of their prescription drugs.

“It is a historic moment,” White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden said on a call with reporters Wednesday night. “Millions of seniors and others on Medicare will soon see their drug costs go down on some of the most common and expensive drugs that treat heart disease, cancer, diabetes, blood costs and more.”

Medicare provides health insurance coverage to more than 65 million people in the U.S.

On Wednesday's call, administration officials said the new negotiated prices are projected to save Medicare enrollees $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in the first year.

The negotiations — as mandated under the Inflation Reduction Act — began in earnest in January, when Medicare presented its opening prices to drugmakers.

The $1.5 billion is in addition to the savings from other provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, which include a $35 monthly cap on the out-of-pocket cost of insulin and an annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, officials said.

Officials said the negotiations are also expected to save Medicare $6 billion in the first year.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra described the negotiations as "intense" Wednesday.

"I had the privilege to work closely with our HHS team to oversee the negotiations," Becerra said. "It took both sides to reach a good deal."

Drugmakers fight lowered prices

The federal government will have until March 2025 to publish an explanation of how it reached the negotiated prices. If a drugmaker refused to negotiate, they faced a tax penalty, which could be lifted if the drugmaker chose to withdraw their drug from the Medicare program.

All of the drugmakers subject to negotiations have been asked for comment.

A spokesperson for Novartis called the negotiations "unconstitutional."

It "will have long-lasting and devastating consequences for patients by limiting access to medicines now and in the future," the spokespersons said in a statement.

In a statement, Steve Ubl, the president and CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the drug industry's trade group, said the Biden administration is using the negotiations to "drive political headlines."

"There are no assurances patients will see lower out-of-pocket costs," he said.

The administration plans to leverage the negotiations to bolster Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign ahead of the presidential election against former President Donald Trump. Harris and President Joe Biden are scheduled to appear together Thursday to tout the savings from the program.

Wednesday’s call included Becerra, Tanden and Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Worried about unaffordable medications

A study published Wednesday in JAMA found that more than half of older adults reported being very concerned about the costs of medical care and prescription drugs ahead of the election.

Nearly 9 in 10 adults ages 65 and older say they take at least one prescription drug, according to KFF, a nonprofit group that researches health policy issues.

An analysis from the Commonwealth Fund , a nonprofit health care research institute, found that U.S. retail prices — prices pharmacists charge to patients or insurers before discounts or rebates — for the 10 selected drugs were three to eight times higher compared with prices in other countries of similar size and wealth.

Together, the 10 selected drugs accounted for more than $50 billion of Medicare Part D spending from June 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, or 20%, according to the CMS.

Medicare recipients spent $3.4 billion out of pocket for those drugs in 2022, with average out-of-pocket spending for the most expensive drugs as high as $6,497 per enrollee, according to the agency.

The 10 negotiated drugs are just the start: In 2027, negotiated prices will go into effect for 15 more drugs, followed by another 15 drugs in 2028 and 20 more in each subsequent year. It's possible that seniors could save even more in the next few years.

The outcome could be jeopardized if the drugmakers succeed in their lawsuits to block the law, which have so far been unsuccessful.

"It's a big deal that they reached an agreement with all 10 drugmakers," Dusetzina wrote in an email. "No one opted to leave Medicare and Medicaid in protest over their negotiated prices. That’s a success!"

The negotiations are limited to drugs under Medicare Part D, which covers medications used at home.

In the coming years, however, drugs under Medicare Part B, which are administered in medical facilities — such as chemotherapy drugs — will also be subject to negotiation.

Berkeley Lovelace Jr. is a health and medical reporter for NBC News. He covers the Food and Drug Administration, with a special focus on Covid vaccines, prescription drug pricing and health care. He previously covered the biotech and pharmaceutical industry with CNBC.