Our Review of the Top 10 Travel Insurance Providers for Any Destination
Reviews of the Top 10 Best Travel Insurance Companies
Quality Verified
Updated: October 27, 2022
Quality Verified
Updated: October 27, 2022
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Whether you're planning your honeymoon, a family trip to Hawaii or a business trip to meet new clients, travel insurance can provide protection when your plans go astray. There are generally three main types of travel insurance: travel cancellation and disruption; medical assistance and evacuation; and baggage loss and delay. We researched dozens of travel insurance companies to pick the best in the industry. The right plan for you may depend on the nature of your travels, who is traveling and your budget. But whatever your needs, these 10 picks are financially stable, reliable companies with a good track record and comprehensive coverage.
Our Top 10 Travel Insurance Providers
Our Methodology
We reviewed dozens of travel insurance providers to come up with this list of top companies. Our criteria for inclusion included:
Before You Buy
Experts recommend you do your homework before buying a travel insurance policy. The industry is known for excessive exclusions and confusing language in small print. The National Consumer League recommends that you:
Check to see if you're already covered through another policy.
Lots of insurance policies (including home, auto, and life) and credit cards offer partial coverage for trip interruption or medical emergencies.Read the fine print - especially regarding exclusions.
Things like pre-existing conditions, pregnancy-related issues, job loss or travel in a country that has reported a high threat of terrorism may be excluded.Remember that you can get your money back.
Lots of travel insurance companies allow you to get your money back if you cancel the plan within ten days (before travel).Don't purchase travel insurance through airlines.
Airlines aggressively push these cancellation insurance plans and pay commissions of 10 to 40 percent to the travel agents who sell them.
Consumer Reports recommends that you use an online travel insurance broker to search for a good match for your travel. Sites like Squaremouth, InsureMyTrip.com, or QuoteWright.com all allow you to shop and compare quotes. Even if you use such a service, however, Consumer Reports recommends contacting the carrier directly to go over the coverage and fine print before purchasing a policy.
Resources
U.S. Travel Insurance Association (USTIA)
This professional association represents travel insurance companies and promotes ethical and professional industry standards. You can search its database for member organizations.National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Provides information and advice for consumers regarding when and how to purchase travel insurance.Insurance Information Institute (III)
The III is dedicated to promoting a public understanding of insurance. It has a page providing travel insurance facts.Your state Insurance Commissioner
All insurance is regulated at the state level. NAIC provides an interactive map so that you can click on your state and be directed to your state's Insurance Commissioner.Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The BBB allows you to search its vast online database to check on the reputation and any complaints that have been filed against a company.
About Mary Purcell, MA