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Sarah Horvath is one of the home service industry’s most accomplished writers. Her specialties include writing about home warranties, insurance, home improvement and household finances. You can find her writing published through distributors like HouseMethod, Architectural Digest, Good Housekeeping and more. When not writing, she enjoys spending time in her home in Orlando with her fiance and parrot.
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
If you’ve ever dealt with a medical bill without health insurance, you know how financially devastating even a short hospital stay can be — especially outside of your home state. Travel medical insurance is a specialized type of insurance that helps cover medical bills and emergency evacuations if you’re hurt or fall ill while traveling.
Travel medical insurance can be a cost-effective way to pay for medical expenses while traveling. We recommend Travelex and Faye for low-cost, affordable travel medical coverage.
International travel medical insurance is a type of insurance that protects you against the cost of medical care abroad. If you’re on vacation and suffer a sudden injury or illness, you’ll likely need to receive care from a local facility, which your domestic health insurance might not cover. Depending on your location, you might even require transportation to a more advanced facility via Helivac or other specialized medical transport.
Without travel medical insurance, coverage is up to the discretion of your insurance provider. If not covered, you could be responsible for thousands of dollars in medical bills by the time you return home, especially if emergency medical evacuation services were involved. If you have a travel insurance plan with medical coverage, your insurance provider will cover expenses up to your coverage maximum.
Travel medical insurance can be sold as a part of a larger travel insurance plan or as stand-alone coverage. When bundled with standard travel insurance, you’ll gain benefits like compensation for delayed baggage and nonrefundable trip costs if you’re forced to go home early. Most plans also include 24/7 assistance services that can help communicate with local medical staff and arrange care payments on your behalf.
Travel medical coverage can be ideal if your domestic health insurance does not extend to injuries and illnesses sustained abroad. Consider a limited travel medical plan that provides secondary coverage if your health insurance has a higher deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. Like other types of travel insurance, this coverage works on a reimbursement-based model — so be sure to keep documentation of all medical expenses you incur while on your trip.
Unlike standard health insurance, there is no set of benefits insurers are required to cover. If you’re looking for travel insurance to protect your health, be sure to read the fine print — not every travel insurance provider offers medical coverage and those that do vary in plan value and quality.
The chart below includes data based on four trips outlined in our methodology. We recommend getting a quote from each provider listed before choosing your plan to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.
Below is our list of the best travel insurance companies that offer medical coverage, along with a short description of why we picked each.
We selected Travelex primarily for its low-priced travel medical coverage. Travelex’s Travel Med Plan is ideal for budget travelers looking for last-minute coverage to protect themselves abroad or meet a visa requirement. This plan offers $10,000 in emergency medical care costs, $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage, added benefits for baggage delays, and 24/7 travel assistance. Travelex’s two standard travel insurance plans, Travel Basic and Travel Select, also include up to $50,000 in medical care cost coverage.
We tried to request a quote for Travelex’s Travel Med plan, but the company website denied the option to buy coverage. After attempting to collect quotes from a range of states, ages and destinations, we received the message that the Travel Med Plan was “not suitable” for dozens of trips. While Travelex advertises its Travel Med Plan, keep this exclusivity in mind and shop around for other medical-only plans before relying on Travelex.
When requesting a quote for a $5,000, one-week stay in Mexico for a 36-year-old, we received prices between $167 and $243 for Travel Basic and Travel Select policies. These costs are significantly more expensive than most other items on our list but include a suite of comprehensive travel protections.
Faye can be a good choice for travelers searching for quick medical coverage. For example, if you notice at the last minute that a country you’re visiting requires you to carry medical insurance as a condition of entry, you might prioritize speed when shopping. Faye leverages insurance technology and automated underwriting to issue a policy in as little as 60 seconds. This streamlined processing also allows Faye to extend savings to customers through lower premiums.
Optional add-ons currently available through Faye include:
We requested pricing for a 36-year-old traveler heading to Mexico for one week for a trip valued at $5,000. We received a quote of about $102 for Faye’s only travel insurance plan, which includes $250,000 in medical expense coverage and $500,000 in emergency evacuation protections.
International Medical Group (IMG) is our overall top choice for medical-only travel insurance plans thanks to the variety it offers. Unlike competing travel insurers that focus on full-service travel coverage, IMG offers three tiers of medical-only coverage for most travelers. Death benefits go as high as $8 million compared to competitor options that usually max out at $1 million. Seniors and students traveling internationally also have access to specialized policies.
Based on our research, a 36-year-old traveler selecting a $500,000 medical coverage policy for a week-long, $5,000 trip to Mexico can expect to pay IMG between $12 and $19. Deductibles range from $0 through $25,000, with most plans including more than eight options.
Another extensive option for U.S. travelers seeking international medical coverage, Seven Corners offers two medical-only plans. Standard coverage limits of up to $5 million are available to travelers under the age of 65, and specialized plans with lower limits are available up to the age of 80. This option can make Seven Corners a good choice for senior travelers who have been denied other medical coverage due to their age.
According to our research, a 36-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip with a $500,000 medical coverage limit to Mexico should expect to pay between $17 and $23.
We selected AIG Travel as our top choice for families traveling abroad. Select AIG travel insurance plans include complementary coverage for a child under 18 with the purchase of an adult plan. This could mean hundreds of dollars saved, especially if you’re traveling with multiple children.
AIG’s medical-only plan is called the Medevac Per Trip Plan and lacks medical coverage compared to other providers. With only $50,000 worth of coverage for medical bills, the plan puts much of its resources into the $5 million evacuation coverage clause. While this may not be ideal for those looking for extensive medical care coverage, it can offer an affordable option for those seeking the minimum coverage required to enter the Schengen region.
AIG offers one add-on option that can help cover additional lodging costs due to unexpected illness, called the Lodging Expense Bundle.
We requested a quote for a 36-year-old traveler going on a week-long, $5,000 trip to Mexico. Based on our research, you can expect to pay $18 for AIG single-trip plans.
If you’re a student studying abroad in the U.S., your visa likely requires you to maintain a certain level of medical insurance. Trawick International is best known for its inbound to U.S. medical insurance coverage, which goes above and beyond visa requirements by offering up to $1 million in medical coverage that lasts up to 364 days.
Domestic travelers have access to the Safe Travels Outbound plan, which covers emergency medical, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation and security evacuation for U.S. residents traveling internationally. These plans cover up to $500,000 in medical expenses, hospitalization costs and up to $500,000 in evacuation expenses.
A 36-year-old U.S. resident taking a week-long trip to Mexico valued at $5,000 would get matched with the Safe Travels Outbound plan. We were quoted between $10 and $23 for the Safe Travels Outbound plan, depending on the deductible and coverage selected.
In addition to offering solo medical plans through GeoBlue, HTH is also notable for its discounted group travel insurance coverage. Group policies include up to $1 million in medical insurance for each traveler and a medical evacuation limit of $500,000 per person. It covers prescription drugs up to 100%, with the most generous policy benefits for those who maintain a primary health insurance plan at home. To get the best rates and discounts, include at least six travelers in your group coverage.
A 36-year-old traveler taking a week-long trip with a $500,000 medical coverage limit to Mexico should expect to pay between $12 and $20, according to our research. HTH provides $0, $100, $250 and $500 deductible options when paired with a GeoBlue plan.
TravelSafe Insurance made our list of the best travel medical providers thanks to its affordable medical-only plan. TravelSafe’s Travel Medical plan includes up to $500,000 in medical benefits from just $20. You’ll save even more by opting for a higher deductible, allowing you room to customize your coverage. TravelSafe’s medical-only coverage is also unique thanks to its complementary $25,000 worth of accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, included with all plans as a standard feature.
We pulled a quote for a 36-year-old traveler to Mexico on a week-long trip costing $5,000. TravelSafe plans with a $500,000 medical limit range from $11 to $20, depending on deductible selections and add-on inclusions.
Allianz Global Assistance offers a comprehensive, affordable medical-only plan, which includes up to $50,000 in secondary medical coverage. This coverage is significantly more affordable than the company’s full travel insurance policies but may be less competitively priced compared to other medical-only policies. Allianz also includes access to a 24/7 multilingual support line, which can help in communicating with medical staff in countries where you don’t speak the primary language.
We requested a quote for a 36-year-old traveler taking a week-long, $5,000 trip to Mexico. Based on our data, you can expect to pay between $207 and $356 based on your choice of the OneTrip Basic, OneTrip Premier or OneTrip Prime policy. The same traveler would pay $46 for the emergency medical-only package.
Travel medical insurance, also known as travel health insurance, is designed to offer coverage for various medical expenses incurred during your travels. The most well-known type of protection that travel medical insurance covers is compensation for medical bills incurred abroad. Just as your standard health insurance protects you at home, travel medical coverage helps pay for hospital stays or doctor’s expenses if you get hurt on vacation.
Most travel medical plans also include additional benefits beyond coverage for hospital bills. Policies often have emergency medical evacuation coverage, which covers the cost of evacuation if you get hurt in a location where appropriate medical care is not readily available. Coverage may also include benefits for AD&D and repatriation of remains if you pass away abroad.
Pay attention to coverage levels and deductibles when selecting a travel medical plan. Every travel medical plan will include a maximum amount your insurer will pay in the event of an accident, with some policy providers limiting coverage to as low as $5,000. Evaluate included coverages and limitations compared to policy pricing to be sure that you’re getting a value for what you pay.
Insurers can include many different benefits with a travel medical plan. Depending on your provider, you might be able to buy travel medical insurance coverage a la carte, separating it from other benefits like cancellation reimbursement. The following are the most common types of travel medical benefits.
Travel medical insurance offers a financial safety net in covering medical expenses incurred while traveling abroad or domestically. This type of insurance assists you in paying for hospital and healthcare bills resulting from unexpected illnesses or injuries during your trip. It’s the most common type of medical travel insurance, and it may be required by local governments while traveling.
Before investing in travel medical insurance, check with your health insurance provider to see if you have any coverage abroad. When used with your domestic health insurance, travel medical coverage can give you peace of mind you’ll have even more help paying unexpected medical bills.
Not every country has the same level of medical care or medical infrastructure. Let’s say you travel to a more remote area or a country with a less robust medical care system and sustain a serious injury. Depending on where you are, appropriate care may not be readily available to you.
Emergency medical evacuation coverage is a component of travel insurance that provides financial protection and assistance if you require urgent medical transportation to an advanced hospital or medical center. This coverage can involve various means of transportation, such as air ambulances, helicopters or specialized medical transport vehicles, depending on the severity of the medical condition and location of the incident.
Your insurance will pay to fly you to the nearest appropriate medical facility capable of providing the necessary care. In some cases, you may evacuate to your home country if deemed the best course for your recovery. Emergency medical evacuation can be extremely expensive, often costing tens of thousands of dollars. Travel insurance with this coverage will typically cover the evacuation cost, ensuring you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket if you require such services.
Most travel insurance plans include a caveat that the provider will not cover medical bills originating from a sporting injury. If you’re planning on backpacking, hiking, skiing or participating in another outdoor activity, look for an insurance provider that offers a sports extension or add-on. While not its insurance, the adventure sports add-on available from most travel insurance providers extends your medical benefits to include recreational accidents.
If you are not interested in benefits like trip cancellation coverage, you can shop for a medical-only travel insurance plan. These policies provide a limited range of benefits that will help cover the costs of emergency medical bills incurred while traveling.
Medical-only policies are more affordable than full travel insurance but will not provide trip delay and interruption benefits. For example, if you get sick on vacation and must go home, medical-only insurance will not compensate you for nonrefundable flights or hotel costs.
The table below summarizes the types of coverage you can expect from travel medical insurance policies versus a complete travel insurance plan.
The coronavirus pandemic shifted how most people travel worldwide, and travel insurance companies now typically include COVID-19 coverage within plans. Most reputable travel medical insurance companies list COVID-19 as a covered reason for medical coverage. We recommend reading your provider’s sample policy to ensure COVID-19 coverage is eligible for reimbursement.
To learn more: What Is Travel Insurance?
Insurers sell medical travel insurance as a package alongside other travel insurance protections, including trip cancellation and emergency evacuation insurance. When you purchase travel medical insurance as a part of a travel insurance package, expect to pay between 5% and 6% of your total trip cost in coverage.
More and more travel insurance providers are now offering medical-only packages. Companies target these plans to those traveling to an area that requires U.S. residents to carry medical insurance but you can purchase coverage for nearly any trip. We collected a few quotes from several medical-only insurance providers for a 35-year-old taking a trip to the Bahamas valued at $3,000. The table below summarizes our findings.
*Medical coverage is secondary to primary health insurance. Contact your travel insurance provider to learn more.
Understanding what travel medical insurance companies evaluate when pricing policies can help you get the most out of your coverage. The following are the biggest factors that influence travel insurance prices.
When you travel outside your home country, travel medical insurance may be required or strongly recommended. Many countries, particularly those in the Schengen Area of Europe, require travelers to have sufficient travel insurance before issuing a visa or allowing entry. This became an especially prominent issue during the COVID-19 pandemic when more and more countries outside of Europe began requiring Americans to carry medical insurance as a condition of travel.
To verify whether travel health insurance is required where you’re traveling, research your destination using the U.S. Department of State website. The Department of State maintains a list of entry requirements for U.S. passport holders and permanent residents. Travel experts recommend shopping for coverage at least one month before your trip to ensure the documentation arrives before you travel.
Depending on entry requirements and your current health insurance provider, your primary health insurance may qualify as sufficient medical coverage for a visa entry. Even if travel medical insurance is not required, you may still choose to invest in some level of coverage. Even with standard health insurance, you might not have any or enough coverage when you travel abroad — meaning even a minor injury could leave you with thousands of dollars in bills when you get home.
Every provider in this list offers solid travel medical insurance. We recommend Seven Corners since it provides comprehensive medical and trip coverage. AIG Travel is another reputable provider that includes a COVID-19 lodging add-on. Finally, Trawick International offers budget-friendly plans.
Before you purchase travel medical insurance, we recommend you get quotes from at least three providers to compare costs and coverage limits. Also, read their sample policies to be familiar with coverage exclusions and reach out to insurance agents with any questions.
A security coverage limit is the amount a travel medical insurance plan will cover should you need to evacuate your destination due to political unrest, threats toward your well-being, war or natural disasters. Covered expenses include lodging, meals and transportation.
No, travel medical insurance is not required to travel internationally. However, traveling without a travel medical insurance plan means you are responsible for any medical expense you collect while traveling. A traditional health insurance plan excludes medical expense coverage outside of the U.S.
Yes, travel medical insurance plans cover visits to multiple countries, so long as you specify which countries you will visit during the sign-up process.
Many travel medical insurance providers include a 10–15-day “free look period” where you can review a plan’s terms and conditions. If you are unsatisfied with the specified terms, you can cancel for a full refund within that period. But you may be subject to a cancellation fee if you decide to cancel after.
Our team surveyed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the internet, to simulate an authentic customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers: Cost (10%): To determine a baseline average travel insurance cost, we gathered quotes from each travel insurance company based on different traveler profiles. Travel insurance companies at or below our calculated average cost of $247 earn full points in this category. Specifically, we obtained quotes for the following trips A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico. A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico. A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to London. A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to London. Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades. Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more. Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions. Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). A.M. Best Disclaimer
Sarah Horvath is one of the home service industry’s most accomplished writers. Her specialties include writing about home warranties, insurance, home improvement and household finances. You can find her writing published through distributors like HouseMethod, Architectural Digest, Good Housekeeping and more. When not writing, she enjoys spending time in her home in Orlando with her fiance and parrot.
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
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