We analyzed 13 companies and 43 plans to find the best travel insurance for every type of traveler. Our team evaluated coverage, costs and customer service.
See the best travel insurance companies and plans for you below.
Updated: November 4, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
World Nomads ranks highest overall with a 93 score, combining the best affordability rating (98) with strong coverage across all plan tiers. Its Epic plan scores 94 and includes $250,000 in medical coverage, $1 million in evacuation protection and built-in adventure sports coverage.
Generali offers the best value with strong affordability (94 cost score), Allianz Premier provides the best premium plan with maximum coverage limits, and Tin Leg has the best medical coverage with plans up to $500,000.
Match your plan to your trip type. Budget travelers get the best value from World Nomads Standard (100 cost score), families benefit from Travel Guard's responsive customer service (98 claims score), and medical-focused travelers should choose Tin Leg's plans with up to $500,000 in coverage.
Best travel insurance companies summary:
How We Evaluated Travel Insurance Plans: Our Methodology
Travel insurance plans vary in coverage limits and costs, making it tough to compare options. We analyzed 43 travel insurance plans from 13 companies to find which ones offer real protection for your money.
Cost Matters, But Coverage Matters More
We weighted coverage at 35% of each plan's total score because comprehensive protection is why you buy travel insurance in the first place. We analyzed 15+ coverage features, including trip cancellation limits, emergency medical coverage, evacuation protection and baggage coverage. Plans with higher limits and more comprehensive benefits scored better. We weighted essential coverages like medical and evacuation more heavily since these protect you from the biggest financial risks abroad.
Cost accounts for 25% of the total score. We collected actual premium quotes for different trip values, ages and traveler counts to ensure fair comparisons. Plans with lower premiums for similar coverage earned higher cost scores.
Financial Strength and Service Quality
Company stability makes up 20% of the score because the strongest coverage limits mean nothing if your insurer can't pay claims. We reviewed financial strength ratings from AM Best and Standard & Poor's to verify each company's ability to handle claims.
Claims and service quality represent the final 20% of the score. We analyzed customer reviews from Trustpilot, Better Business Bureau and insurance review sites to evaluate claims processing speed, customer service responsiveness and overall satisfaction.
Creating the Final Rankings
Each plan received a score from 0 to 100 in all four categories. We then applied our weighting formula to rank them.
Why These Rankings Are Reliable
We requested quotes for real trip scenarios, analyzed public financial records and verified customer reviews independently. Insurance companies had no input on our rankings. Every plan faced identical evaluation criteria.
World Nomads combines low costs (98 affordability score) with solid coverage across three plans. The company specializes in adventure sports and flexible policies that let you extend trips or change destinations without penalties.
Epic (94 score) delivers maximum protection:
Standard (92 score) offers the best value with a perfect 100 cost score, $100,000 medical coverage and identical adventure sports protection.
World Nomads trails in claims processing (89 vs. Allianz's 100) and has shorter CFAR windows than competitors.
Allianz Premier maxes out coverage limits while delivering the company's perfect claims and service rating (100). It's built for expensive trips where you need comprehensive protection and fast support.
Premier provides:
Premier costs more than budget options (77 cost score), making it worth the premium only for high-value trips or travelers who prioritize top-tier service.
Generali delivers strong coverage at low prices with a 94 affordability score and perfect stability rating (100). All three plans feature 100% trip cost coverage with no dollar caps, unlike competitors who cap cancellation at $100,000 to $200,000.
Preferred (93 score) offers the best balance:
Premium (90 score) adds 75% CFAR with no dollar cap and extends the purchase window to 24 hours after final payment, giving you more flexibility than most competitors.
Generali's claims and service score (89) trails Allianz (100) and Travel Guard (98). The Standard plan doesn't include pre-existing condition coverage.
IMG offers the most generous CFAR terms in the industry with 75% reimbursement, no dollar caps and up to 21 days to purchase after booking. Most competitors limit you to 7 to 14 days and cap CFAR at $10,000 to $16,000.
Choice (94 score) provides maximum flexibility:
LX upgrades to $150,000 trip cancellation limits and $500,000 medical coverage while keeping the same flexible CFAR terms.
CFAR isn't available in New York, and IMG's claims score (95) trails Allianz's perfect rating.
Tin Leg offers the highest emergency medical limits with plans up to $500,000, double what most comprehensive plans provide. The company's seven plans give you extensive options to match medical coverage needs to your budget.
Gold (91 score) maxes out medical protection:
Silver (93 score) provides $250,000 medical coverage at a lower price point while maintaining strong coverage across all categories.
Tin Leg's claims and service score (89) lags behind top providers, with fewer customer service hours and support options.
World Nomads includes adventure sports coverage as a standard benefit rather than an expensive add-on, covering over 200 activities like skiing, scuba diving, rock climbing and mountaineering. The company specializes in backpackers, digital nomads and extended trips with spontaneous itinerary changes.
Epic (94 score) covers the most activities:
Explorer (93 score) includes the same adventure coverage with 50% CFAR and $150,000 medical at a lower price.
World Nomads' CFAR percentages (50% to 75%) fall below industry leaders like Allianz (80%), and its claims score (89) trails top providers.
Travel Guard combines responsive customer service (98 score) with family-friendly benefits like strong missed connection coverage and a straightforward claims process. The company's support matters most when traveling with children and dealing with unexpected situations.
Preferred (93 score) balances coverage and cost:
Deluxe upgrades to $150,000 medical and $2,500 baggage for families carrying valuable electronics and equipment.
Travel Guard costs more than budget options with an 88 affordability score compared to World Nomads (98) and Generali (94).
Allianz delivers a perfect 100 for claims processing and customer support, with 24/7 emergency assistance and the industry's best cancel for any reason coverage at 80% reimbursement through its "Cancel Anytime" benefit. Most competitors offer 50% to 75% CFAR.
Prime (92 score) and Premier (91 score) offer identical service and CFAR terms:
Prime provides $50,000 medical and $100,000 trip cancellation, while Premier upgrades to $75,000 medical and $200,000 cancellation.
Allianz costs more (86 cost score) than budget options and requires purchase within 14 days, shorter than IMG (21 days) or Generali (24 hours after final payment).
AXA Platinum offers the highest baggage protection with $3,000 total coverage and $750 per-item limits, ideal for travelers carrying expensive cameras, electronics or luxury items that exceed competitors' $250 to $500 per-item caps. The plan includes no deductible on baggage claims.
Platinum provides:
AXA offers only three plans compared to competitors with more diverse options, and its overall affordability score trails budget leaders.
The table ranks all 43 plans by total score, letting you compare options across companies and coverage tiers. Use the rankings to identify which plans score highest in categories that matter most to your trip. Plans in the 90+ range excel across all metrics, while scores in the high 80s indicate strong performance with trade-offs in specific areas like affordability or service.
1 | World Nomads | Epic | 94 | 96 | 97 | 95 | 89 |
2 | IMG | Choice | 94 | 97 | 88 | 100 | 95 |
3 | World Nomads | Explorer | 93 | 99 | 84 | 95 | 89 |
4 | Tin Leg | Silver | 93 | 91 | 97 | 95 | 89 |
5 | Generali | Preferred | 93 | 98 | 87 | 100 | 89 |
6 | Travel Guard | Preferred | 93 | 90 | 89 | 100 | 98 |
7 | Allianz | Prime | 92 | 87 | 91 | 100 | 100 |
8 | Generali | Standard | 92 | 99 | 82 | 100 | 89 |
9 | Nationwide | Prime | 92 | 89 | 93 | 100 | 89 |
10 | World Nomads | Standard | 92 | 100 | 76 | 95 | 89 |
11 | Travel Insured | Deluxe | 91 | 95 | 84 | 95 | 89 |
12 | Travel Insured | Essential | 91 | 98 | 81 | 95 | 89 |
13 | Allianz | Premier | 91 | 77 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
14 | Tin Leg | Gold | 91 | 89 | 92 | 95 | 89 |
15 | BHTP | ExactCare Value | 91 | 92 | 81 | 100 | 96 |
16 | Travel Guard | Essential | 91 | 95 | 77 | 100 | 98 |
17 | Nationwide | Essential | 91 | 96 | 80 | 100 | 89 |
18 | Generali | Premium | 90 | 85 | 95 | 100 | 89 |
19 | BHTP | ExactCare Extra | 90 | 88 | 85 | 100 | 96 |
20 | Allianz | Basic | 91 | 94 | 75 | 100 | 100 |
21 | Travel Insured | Platinum | 90 | 84 | 93 | 95 | 89 |
22 | BHTP | LuxuryCare | 89 | 86 | 86 | 100 | 96 |
23 | BHTP | ExactCare | 89 | 88 | 82 | 100 | 96 |
24 | AXA | Gold | 90 | 86 | 89 | 100 | 89 |
25 | AXA | Platinum | 88 | 78 | 95 | 100 | 89 |
26 | Travel Guard | Deluxe | 89 | 81 | 95 | 100 | 98 |
27 | World Trips | Elevate | 89 | 85 | 87 | 95 | 89 |
28 | AXA | Silver | 88 | 90 | 78 | 100 | 89 |
29 | Seven Corners | Choice | 88 | 86 | 85 | 95 | 89 |
30 | World Trips | Explore | 87 | 85 | 82 | 95 | 89 |
31 | Travelex | Ultimate | 87 | 80 | 85 | 100 | 99 |
32 | Seven Corners | Basic | 87 | 87 | 80 | 95 | 89 |
33 | IMG | SE | 86 | 82 | 88 | 100 | 95 |
34 | Tin Leg | Luxury | 85 | 84 | 82 | 95 | 89 |
35 | World Trips | Escape | 85 | 85 | 78 | 95 | 89 |
36 | Travelex | Advantage | 84 | 82 | 76 | 100 | 99 |
37 | IMG | LX | 84 | 79 | 89 | 100 | 95 |
38 | Tin Leg | Standard | 83 | 86 | 75 | 95 | 89 |
39 | Tin Leg | Platinum | 82 | 84 | 75 | 95 | 89 |
40 | Travelex | Essential | 81 | 80 | 72 | 100 | 99 |
41 | Tin Leg | Basic | 80 | 82 | 73 | 95 | 89 |
42 | Tin Leg | Economy | 79 | 85 | 68 | 95 | 89 |
43 | IMG | Lite | 75 | 78 | 65 | 100 | 95 |
Match your coverage tier to your trip value and risk level. Basic plans work for short domestic trips under $5,000 where you already have health insurance. Mid-tier plans suit most international travelers with trips between $5,000 and $20,000. Premium plans make sense for expensive trips over $20,000, travelers over 70 or destinations with high medical costs.
Basic | $10,000–20,000 | $25,000–50,000 | $500–750 | Short domestic trips, travelers with health insurance |
Mid-Tier | $50,000–100,000 | $100,000–250,000 | $1,000–1,500 | International travelers, longer trips |
Premium | $150,000+ | $250,000–500,000 | $2,000–3,000 | Expensive trips, older travelers, high medical cost destinations |
Coverage Features to Consider
Budget Travelers | World Nomads Standard | 92 | Lowest cost with adventure sports coverage |
Generali Standard | 92 | 100% trip cost coverage, no dollar caps | |
Comprehensive Coverage | World Nomads Epic | 94 | 75% CFAR, $250,000 medical, $1 million evacuation |
Allianz Premier | 91 | 80% CFAR, $200,000 trip cancel, perfect service | |
Medical-Focused Coverage | IMG Choice | 94 | $100,000 medical, 21-day CFAR window |
Tin Leg Silver | 93 | $250,000 medical, $1 million evacuation | |
Trip Cancellation Priority | Generali Premium | 90 | 75% CFAR with no dollar cap |
IMG plans | Various | Up to 21-day CFAR purchase windows |
Travel insurance rates vary based on age, trip value and coverage level. Premiums for a typical traveler aged 20 to 50 with $5,000 in trip coverage range from $61 for basic plans to over $400 for comprehensive coverage.
What Affects Your Premium:
How to Pay Less:
Insurance Costs for Single Travelers:
1 | Tin Leg | Basic | $61 | Budget |
2 | Tin Leg | Platinum | $80 | Mid-tier |
3 | World Nomads | Standard | $81 | Budget |
4 | AXA | Silver | $132 | Basic |
5 | World Nomads | Explorer | $135 | Mid-tier |
6 | Generali | Standard | $140 | Mid-tier |
7 | Travel Insured | Essential | $143 | Basic |
8 | IMG | Choice | $146 | Mid-tier |
9 | Tin Leg | Economy | $149 | Budget |
10 | World Trips | Escape | $149 | Basic |
11 | BHTP | ExactCare Value | $151 | Basic |
12 | Travel Insured | Deluxe | $161 | Mid-tier |
13 | AXA | Gold | $162 | Mid-tier |
14 | IMG | Lite | $162 | Budget |
15 | Generali | Preferred | $163 | Mid-tier |
16 | Tin Leg | Standard | $178 | Basic |
17 | Tin Leg | Luxury | $184 | Mid-tier |
18 | Nationwide | Essential | $184 | Basic |
19 | World Trips | Explore | $184 | Mid-tier |
20 | IMG | SE | $188 | Mid-tier |
21 | Seven Corners | Basic | $188 | Basic |
22 | World Trips | Elevate | $191 | Mid-tier |
23 | AXA | Platinum | $192 | Premium |
24 | Generali | Premium | $193 | Premium |
25 | BHTP | ExactCare Extra | $194 | Mid-tier |
26 | BHTP | Plan 2 | $194 | Mid-tier |
27 | Tin Leg | Gold | $197 | Premium |
28 | Travel Guard | Essential | $200 | Basic |
29 | Travelex | Essential | $202 | Budget |
30 | Allianz | Basic | $204 | Basic |
31 | Travel Insured | Platinum | $220 | Premium |
32 | Tin Leg | Silver | $230 | Premium |
33 | BHTP | LuxuryCare | $230 | Premium |
34 | Travelex | Advantage | $237 | Mid-tier |
35 | Travelex | Ultimate | $245 | Premium |
36 | World Nomads | Epic | $248 | Premium |
37 | Seven Corners | Choice | $259 | Premium |
38 | Nationwide | Prime | $269 | Premium |
39 | Allianz | Prime | $274 | Premium |
40 | Allianz | Premier | $346 | Premium |
41 | Travel Guard | Preferred | $359 | Premium |
42 | IMG | LX | $393 | Premium |
43 | Travel Guard | Deluxe | $421 | Premium |
Travel insurance raises practical questions: Do you actually need it? When's the best time to buy? What does it cover? These answers cut through the confusion so you can choose the right coverage for your trip.
Travel insurance isn't required for most destinations, but some countries, like Cuba and certain Schengen Area nations, require proof of medical coverage for visa entry. Even when it's not mandatory, travel insurance protects you from expensive medical bills and trip cancellations that can cost thousands.
Buy travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip payment for pre-existing condition coverage and the best CFAR options. Waiting longer means you'll lose important benefits and coverage options.
Travel insurance is worth it for domestic trips if you have nonrefundable bookings, are traveling during peak seasons or need coverage for activities your health insurance won't cover. For simple road trips, it's usually unnecessary.
Travel insurance covers trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses, evacuation, baggage loss and trip delays. The best plans also include CFAR coverage that lets you cancel for any reason and get back 50% to 80% of your trip costs.
Travel insurance costs 3% to 8% of your total trip cost, with premiums ranging from $61 for basic coverage to over $400 for comprehensive plans. Age, trip value and destination affect the price.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
