When planning a trip, unexpected events like pandemics, extreme weather, or flight disruptions can throw a wrench in your plans. That’s where travel insurance becomes essential.
If your credit card doesn’t offer enough travel insurance, you can supplement your coverage with third-party plans. Whether you’re looking for international travel insurance, emergency medical care, or coverage for extreme sports, here’s a review of the best travel insurance providers to provide the protection you need.
NerdWallet’s Top Travel Insurance Picks
Here’s a breakdown of the top travel insurance companies, categorized for specific needs:
- Best overall: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
- Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance
- Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG
- Best for pet owners: Travel Insured International
- Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads
- Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services
- Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners
- Best for long-term travelers: IMG
- Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg
- Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe
- Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance
It’s important to note that not all policies are available in every state. To get a quote and see the coverages available, you’ll need to input your destination, residence, trip dates, and the number of travelers.
How We Determined the Best Travel Insurance
To identify the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated quotes from various companies for a 10-day trip to Mexico in September 2025. The hypothetical traveler was a 55-year-old woman from Florida who spent $3,000 on the trip, including airfare.
On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $127.18. The costs displayed do not include optional add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage or pre-existing medical condition coverage.
However, depending on the plan, you may be able to customize at an added cost. For a detailed explanation, see the average cost of travel insurance.
We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight:
- Breadth of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered, plus the range of their standard plans.
- Depth of coverage: We considered the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims to gauge how much each company pays out for common travel issues.
- Cost: Comparing basic coverage costs across multiple companies helped determine an average cost for shoppers to use as a benchmark.
- Customizability: Evaluating how well plans can be personalized.
- Customer satisfaction: Using data from Squaremouth and Google Reviews, we considered each company’s client satisfaction records.
Detailed Reviews of Top Travel Insurance Providers
Best Overall: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
- NerdWallet rating: 5.0
- Note: NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by their editorial team, considering consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) offers plans that let travelers customize coverage for their trip’s activities.
Pros:
- Specialized plans for road trips, luxury travel, adventure activities, flights, and cruises.
- Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers are available at nearly all plan levels.
- Faster-than-average reimbursements, including potential same-day compensation.
Cons:
- Multiple “Trip Delay” coverage types might make claims confusing.
- Cheapest AirCare plan only includes fixed amounts for its coverage.
Why we picked it: BHTP allows for extensive customization to fit travelers’ specific needs, including cruise disruptions. They offer less comprehensive, inexpensive AirCare plans with fixed amounts.
- Basic plan cost: $136 for ExactCare Value, about $9 above average
- Recommended for: Travelers seeking customizable and comprehensive options.
Best for Emergency Medical Coverage: Allianz Global Assistance
- NerdWallet rating: 3.5
- Note: NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by their editorial team, considering consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Allianz offers a wide range of plans and customizations for various trip types, durations, and budgets.
Pros:
- Annual or single-trip policies available.
- Multiple types of insurance are available.
- All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
Cons:
- More expensive than average.
Why we picked it: Allianz provides reputable travel insurance with a variety of single-trip and annual policies to match different needs. Domestic travelers may benefit from the more affordable OneTrip Cancellation Plus, which provides protections for trip cancellation, trip interruption, and travel delay, but it doesn’t include benefits like emergency medical or lost baggage. It also includes OneTrip Rental Car Protector and Cancel Anytime options.
- Basic plan cost: $149 for OneTrip Basic, about $22 above average
- Recommended for: Economical travelers who want to be able to add on rental car protection.
Best for Travelers with Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Travel Guard by AIG
- Travel Guard by AIG offers multiple add-ons available to customize your coverage further.
Pros:
- Offers last-minute coverage.
- Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers available at nearly all plan levels.
- Plan available for business travelers.
Cons:
- Cancel For Any Reason coverage only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost and is limited to higher-level plans.
- Trip interruption coverage doesn’t apply to trips paid for with points and miles.
Why we picked it: Travel Guard offers various plans and coverages for travelers’ needs, like cruises or adventure sports. Exclusion waivers for pre-existing medical conditions are included on their Essential, Preferred, and Deluxe plans if the plan is purchased within 15 days of the initial trip payment. Last-minute and business travelers are also catered to with their Pack ‘N’ Go and annual plans.
- Basic plan cost: $123.27 for Essential, about $4 below average
- Recommended for: Those traveling with pre-existing medical conditions and cruise goers.
Best for Pet Owners: Travel Insured International
- NerdWallet rating: 4.0
- Note: NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by their editorial team, considering consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Some TII plans offer primary medical coverage, which can be a significant advantage, especially in emergencies abroad.
Pros:
- Annual or single-trip policies are available.
- Plans include a variety of bundles, including pet, cruise, rental car, and theme parks.
- Flight bundle includes reimbursement for redeposit fees on award tickets.
Cons:
- Some customizations, like Cancel For Any Reason, are only available on higher-tier plans.
Why we picked it: Travel Insured International has many customization options. For instance, if you’re traveling with pets, the pet bundle can cover pet-related issues and offers kennel fee reimbursement.
- Basic plan cost: $120 for WorldWide Trip Protector Essential, about $7 below average
- Recommended for: Pet owners and cruise goers.
Best for Adventurous Travelers: World Nomads
World Nomads specializes in risk-taking travelers, backpackers, and those on active itineraries.
Pros:
- Standard plan covers up to $400,000 in emergency evacuation costs.
- Plans automatically cover 250+ adventurous activities.
Cons:
- Cancel For Any Reason upgrades and pre-existing medical condition waivers only available on higher-tier plans.
Why we picked it: Traditional travel insurance plans often exclude adventure sports. World Nomad’s entry-level Standard plan covers activities like skiing, bungee jumping, windsurfing, and parasailing. While more affordable, it offers less coverage. The Epic plan covers more dangerous activities.
- Basic plan cost: $91.17 for Standard, about $36 below average
- Recommended for: Thrill seekers.
Best for Medical Coverage: Travelex Insurance Services
- NerdWallet rating: 4.0
- Note: NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by their editorial team, considering consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Travelex’s plans focus on personalized protections based on travel style and trip type.
Pros:
- Top-tier plan provides more customization opportunities at an appealing price point.
- Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan and flight-only plan.
Cons:
- Fewer customization opportunities on the Essential plan.
Why we picked it: Travelex’s travel insurance plans focus on personalized protections tailored to your travel style and trip type. While the company offers comprehensive plans which include medical benefits, you can also choose between cheaper plans that don’t offer cancellation coverage but provide protections during your travels.
- Basic plan cost: $120 for Essential, about $7 below average
- Recommended for: Travelers who want top-notch medical coverage. Medical Coverage upgrade with $50,000 in medical expense coverage and $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage on top of what is already included.
Best if You Have Travel Credit Card Coverage: Seven Corners
- NerdWallet rating: 3.0
- Note: NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by their editorial team, considering consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
If you already have sufficient travel insurance via a credit card, consider one of its Travel Medical plans.
Pros:
- Annual, medical-only, and cruise plans are available.
- Cancel For Any Reason and low-cost Interruption for Any Reason upgrades are available, even for the cheapest plan.
- Pricier plan offers event ticket protection.
Cons:
- Offers only one annual policy option.
Why we picked it: Several optional add-ons are provided by Seven Corners. Interruption for Any Reason allows a refund of up to 75% of unused nonrefundable deposits 48 hours after the scheduled departure date. If you already have a credit card with travel insurance, one of Seven Corners’ medical-only plans might be just what you’re looking for.
- Basic plan cost: $124 for Trip Protection Basic, about $3 below average
- Recommended for: Traveling athletes and those attending events with expensive tickets.
Best for Long-Term Travelers: IMG
- NerdWallet rating: 3.5
- Note: NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by their editorial team, considering consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
With a wide range of plans, choosing the right IMG plan might be overwhelming for some travelers.
Pros:
- Coverage available for adventure travelers.
- Identifies medical providers with direct billing, which lowers out-of-pocket costs.
Cons:
- Claim approval can be lengthy.
Why we picked it: Offering a large selection of plans, IMG’s iTravelInsured Lite plan is a great option for longer trips for budget travelers. It covers trips up to 180 days, offering 100% trip cancellation and 125% trip interruption coverage. However, this variety requires a little more research to find the right coverage.
- Basic plan cost: $115.66 for iTravelInsured Choice, about $12 below average
- Recommended for: Long-term budget travelers.
Best for Travelers with Unpredictable Work Demands: Tin Leg
- NerdWallet rating: 3.0
- Note: NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by their editorial team, considering consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
Plans are generally affordable, though few customizations are available. This is a good fit for basic coverage.
Pros:
- In addition to Cancel For Any Reason, some plans offer cancel for work reasons coverage.
- Adventure sports-specific coverage is available.
Cons:
- Plans have overlap that can be hard to distinguish.
- Claim approval can be lengthy.
- Only one plan includes rental car damage coverage available as an add-on.
Why we picked it: Tin Leg’s Economy plan came in at $134 for our sample trip, which added about $7 to the average basic policy cost. If you have a job with an unpredictable schedule, you might consider a more expensive plan that allows adding on cancel for work reasons coverage, which covers 100% of trip costs.
- Basic plan cost: $134 for Tin Leg Economy, about $7 above average
- Recommended for: Those who have a lot of time on their hands to compare policies and look for bargains.
Best for Booking Travel with Points and Miles: TravelSafe
- NerdWallet rating: 4.0
- Note: NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by their editorial team, considering consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
TravelSafe’s Basic plan comes with a frequent traveler reward benefit, reimbursing up to $150 in points and miles redeposit fees if you need to cancel award reservations.
Pros:
- Covers up to $300 redepositing points and miles on eligible canceled award reservations.
- Optional add-on protection for business equipment and sports rentals.
Cons:
- Certain destinations are excluded in annual plans.
Why we picked it: Even TravelSafe’s Basic plan offers a frequent traveler reward benefit, reimbursing up to $150 in points and miles redeposit fees if you must cancel award reservations. Those looking for Cancel For Any Reason coverage may add it to the Classic plan.
- Basic plan cost: $145 for Basic, about $18 above average
- Recommended for: Those booking with points and miles.
Best for Group Travel Insurance: HTH Insurance
- NerdWallet rating: 4.5
- Note: NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by their editorial team, considering consumer complaint and customer satisfaction data.
HTH offers a discount on insurance plans for groups traveling together, a potential advantage for cost-conscious groups.
Pros:
- Covers travelers up to 95 years old.
- Includes direct pay option so members can avoid having to pay upfront for services.
Cons:
- Baggage delay must exceed 24 hours before coverage kicks in on the basic plan.
- No waivers for pre-existing conditions on the lower-level plan.
Why we picked it: HTH offers single-trip and multi-trip medical insurance coverage, as well as trip protection plans. You can choose to insure group trips for educators, crew, religious missionaries, and corporate travelers. A group rate of 10% off standard rates is available for parties of five or more.
- Basic plan cost: $140.91 for Trip Protector Economy, about $14 above average
- Recommended for: Travelers searching for group trip coverage, including missionaries and crew.
Understanding Travel Insurance Coverage
Most travel insurance plans include protections against unforeseen events, helping you prepare for unexpected travel disruptions and expenses. These coverages primarily protect your financial investment, the expenses incurred due to travel problems, and the costs associated with a medical emergency should one arise.
- Trip cancellation: Covers prepaid costs when you cancel for a covered reason to recoup upfront costs for flights and nonrefundable hotel reservations.
- Trip interruption: Covers costs incurred during covered disruptions after departure, like flight delays and cancellations, which may return you home or reimburse unexpected expenses.
- Trip delay: Covers unexpected costs when your trip is delayed, helping offset the costs of travel disruptions. Many policies have a per diem benefit cap.
- Cancel For Any Reason: Allows you to recoup some of the upfront costs you paid for a trip, even when canceling for a reason not covered by your policy, usually at an additional cost
- Baggage delay: Covers costs for essential items (toiletries, clothing, etc.) when luggage is delayed. Many plans specify a minimum delay time before a claim can be filed.
- Lost baggage: Allows you to recoup the lost value of items if your luggage is lost or stolen. Plans include maximum claim and per-item caps.
- Travel medical insurance: Covers out-of-pocket medical costs if travelers experience an emergency; it can also include medical evacuation or repatriation.
Plan benefits vary significantly, so consider your needs when picking the best policy. For example, plans often exclude extreme sports, which may require specialized coverage for adventurous activities. You should also consider the reasons you may be excluded from being covered by your plan, such as fear of travel, medical tourism, or pregnancies.
Choosing the Right Travel Insurance Policy
Selecting the right travel insurance policy depends on your specific needs, concerns, preferences, and budget. Consider what concerns you most. Is it the likelihood of being stranded, the freedom to cancel without penalty, or the risk of illness abroad?
- Medical coverage: Prioritize plans with high medical emergency and evacuation limits.
- Complex itineraries: Choose plans with excellent coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions.
- Travel uncertainty: Select a plan with Cancel For Any Reason coverage to regain some costs.
- Car rentals: Consider a collision damage waiver if your credit card doesn’t offer rental car coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Insurance
- Does travel insurance get more expensive closer to the trip? While waiting to purchase travel insurance won’t necessarily increase the price, it can limit your choices.
- Best time to buy: Within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit for your trip.
- Is there a difference between trip insurance and travel insurance?
- Trip insurance or trip protection generally refers to predeparture coverage for cancellations and is usually a pre-event option, or coverage for cancelling your trip.
- Travel insurance includes trip protection plus more comprehensive benefits for use during the trip.
- Do I need travel insurance for international trips? It’s not typically required, but it’s wise to consider the following:
- Older or younger travelers; pre-existing medical conditions; non-refundable bookings; flight connections and baggage checks.
Consider these questions:
- How well does your current health insurance cover care overseas?
- How much did you prepay for hotels or rental cars?
- How much money would you lose if weather or flight issues disrupted your plan?
- Could you afford an unforeseen stopover in a layover city?
- Do you have a credit card that provides travel protections?
Maximizing Rewards with Travel Credit Cards
Choosing the right travel credit card is crucial for your travel goals. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2025:
- 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
