Best Travel Insurance Companies and Plans

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.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: May 1, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

World Nomads earns the highest company score (93/100), with a 98 affordability rating and coverage across all plan tiers. Its Epic plan scores 94 and includes $250,000 in medical coverage, $1 million in evacuation and built-in adventure sports coverage.

Generali offers the best value (94 cost score), Allianz Premier has the highest coverage limits and Tin Leg covers medical bills up to $500,000.

Match your plan to your trip type. World Nomads Standard (100 cost score) works best for budget travelers, Travel Guard suits families with its 98 claims score and responsive support, and Tin Leg is the right call for travelers who need high medical limits.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

World Nomads earns the top overall score (93) with the best balance of affordability and coverage. For premium trips, Allianz Premier has the highest limits and a perfect claims score. For pure value, Generali delivers strong coverage at the lowest prices in the tier.

Best Overall: World Nomads (93 score)
Best Premium: Allianz Premier (91 score, maximum limits)
Best Value: Generali (92 score)
Best Trip Cancellation: IMG
Best Medical: Tin Leg (up to $500,000)
Best Adventure Sports: World Nomads (sports coverage built in)
Best for Families: Travel Guard
Best Claims, Service, and CFAR: Allianz (100 score)
Best Baggage Coverage: AXA Platinum ($3,000 total, $750 per item)

Best Overall: World Nomads (93/100 Overall Score)

World Nomads

World Nomads has a 98 affordability score and covers three plan tiers, with a specialty in adventure sports and flexible policies; you can extend trips or change destinations without penalties.

Epic (94 score) offers maximum protection:

75% CFAR up to $11,250 (7-day purchase window)
$250,000 emergency medical, $1 million evacuation
$3,000 baggage ($500 per item)
200+ adventure activities, including skiing, scuba and rock climbing

Standard (92 score) has a 100 cost score, $100,000 medical coverage and the same adventure sports protection as Epic.

World Nomads scores 89 for claims processing, below Allianz's 100, and its CFAR windows are shorter than most competitors.

Best Premium Plan: Allianz Premier (91/100 Overall Score)

Allianz

Allianz Premier has the highest coverage limits in our analysis and a 100 claims and service score. It's built for expensive trips that need thorough protection and fast support.

Premier includes:

$200,000 trip cancellation (highest limit in our rankings)
80% "Cancel Anytime" coverage up to $16,000
$75,000 emergency medical, $1 million evacuation
$2,000 baggage ($750 per item)
24/7 customer support with global network access

Premier has a 77 cost score, so it's worth paying more only for high-value trips or travelers who put service quality first.

Best Value Travel Insurance: Generali (92/100 Overall Score)

Generali Global Assistance

Generali has a 94 affordability score and a 100 stability rating. All three plans include 100% trip cost coverage with no dollar caps; most competitors cap cancellation at $100,000 to $200,000.

Preferred (93 score) balances coverage and price well:

100% trip cost coverage (cancellation and interruption)
$150,000 emergency medical, $500,000 evacuation
$1,500 baggage ($500 per item)
Pre-existing condition waiver with no purchase restrictions

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.

Best Trip Cancellation Coverage: IMG (95/100 Coverage Score)

IMG

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:

75% CFAR with no dollar cap (21-day window, 48-hour notice)
$100,000 emergency medical, $500,000 evacuation
$1,000 baggage ($250 per item)
Comprehensive pre-existing condition waiver (21-day window)

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.

Best Medical Coverage: Tin Leg (94/100 Coverage Score)

Tin Leg

Tin Leg has the highest emergency medical limits of any plan we analyzed, up to $500,000, twice what most plans cover. Its seven plans let you match medical coverage to your budget.

Gold (91 score) has the highest medical limits Tin Leg offers:

$500,000 emergency medical and evacuation
75% CFAR with no dollar cap (14-day window, 48-hour notice)
100% trip cost coverage
14-day pre-existing condition waiver

Silver (93 score) includes $250,000 in medical coverage at a lower price while keeping strong coverage across all categories.

Tin Leg's 89 claims and service score trails top providers; it has fewer customer service hours and support options than Allianz or Travel Guard.

Best for Adventure Sports Coverage: World Nomads (98/100 Affordability Score)

World Nomads

World Nomads covers adventure sports in every plan; no add-on required. More than 200 activities qualify, including skiing, scuba diving, rock climbing and mountaineering. It's built for backpackers, digital nomads and anyone who changes plans mid-trip.

Epic (94 score) covers the widest range of activities:

200+ adventure activities with no location restrictions
75% CFAR up to $11,250
$250,000 emergency medical, $1 million evacuation

Explorer (93 score) includes the same adventure coverage with 50% CFAR and $150,000 medical at a lower price.

World Nomads' CFAR tops out at 75%, below Allianz's 80%, and its 89 claims score trails top providers.

Best for Families: Travel Guard (98/100 Claims and Service Score)

Travel Guard

Travel Guard has a 98 claims and service score, the second-highest in our rankings. It's a strong fit for families because its claims process is straightforward and it has $1,000 in missed connection coverage, useful when traveling with children.

Preferred (93 score) balances coverage and cost:

$1,000 missed connection coverage
$50,000 emergency medical, $1 million evacuation
50% CFAR with no dollar cap (15-day window, 48-hour notice)
$1,000 baggage ($500 per item)
Pre-existing condition waiver (15-day window)

Deluxe raises medical coverage to $150,000 and baggage to $2,500, which helps families carrying laptops, cameras or other electronics.

Travel Guard's 88 affordability score is below World Nomads (98) and Generali (94), so budget travelers will pay more here.

Best Claims and Service + Best CFAR: Allianz

Allianz

Allianz scores 100 for claims processing and customer support, the highest in our rankings. Its "Cancel Anytime" benefit reimburses 80% of trip costs, more than the 50% to 75% most competitors offer.

Prime (92 score) and Premier (91 score) share the same service and CFAR terms:

80% "Cancel Anytime" coverage up to $16,000
24/7 multilingual customer support
Direct billing with medical providers (no upfront payment)
Claims processed within 10 business days
Pre-existing condition waiver (14-day window)

Prime includes $50,000 medical and $100,000 trip cancellation. Premier raises those limits to $75,000 medical and $200,000 cancellation.

Allianz has an 86 cost score and requires purchase within 14 days of booking, shorter than IMG's 21-day window or Generali's 24-hour post-payment option.

Best Baggage Coverage: AXA Platinum ($3,000 Total, $750 per Item)

AXA

AXA Platinum has the highest baggage limits we found, $3,000 total and $750 per item. Most plans cap per-item coverage at $250 to $500, so AXA is a better fit for travelers carrying cameras, laptops or luxury goods. There's no deductible on baggage claims.

Platinum includes:

$3,000 total baggage (highest in our rankings)
$750 per-item limits (three times higher than most plans)
No deductible on claims
75% CFAR with no dollar cap
$250,000 emergency medical, $1 million evacuation

AXA offers only three plans compared to competitors with more diverse options, and its overall affordability score trails budget leaders.

Best Travel Insurance Plans Ranked: All 43 Plans by Score

The table ranks all 43 plans by total score. Plans scoring 90 or above perform well across cost, coverage, stability and claims. Plans in the high 80s are strong overall but show trade-offs, usually in 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

What Is the Best Travel Insurance Coverage for You?

Your coverage tier should match your trip value and risk. Basic plans work for short domestic trips under $5,000, especially if you already have health insurance. Mid-tier plans cover most international travelers with trips between $5,000 and $20,000. Premium plans are worth the cost for trips over $20,000, travelers over 70 or destinations where medical care is expensive.


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

CFAR reimbursement: 50% to 80%, with purchase windows ranging from seven days to 24 hours after final payment
Baggage coverage: $500 to $3,000 total, with per-item limits from $100 to $750
Emergency evacuation: $100,000 to $1 million
Pre-existing conditions: must buy within 10 to 21 days of your first trip payment
Deductibles: $0 to $50, depending on coverage type
CFAR isn't available in all states; New York residents are excluded from most plans

Best Travel Insurance Plans by Need


	IMG plans	Various	Up to 21-day CFAR purchase windows
Trip Cancellation Priority	Generali Premium	90	75% CFAR with no dollar cap
	Allianz Premier	91	80% CFAR, $200,000 trip cancel, perfect service
Budget Travelers	World Nomads Standard	92	Lowest cost with adventure sports coverage
	Generali Standard	92	100% trip cost coverage, no dollar caps
	Tin Leg Silver	93	$250,000 medical, $1 million evacuation
Comprehensive Coverage	World Nomads Epic	94	75% CFAR, $250,000 medical, $1 million evacuation
Medical-Focused Coverage	IMG Choice	94	$100,000 medical, 21-day CFAR window

Best Travel Insurance Rates

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.

Six factors determine what you'll pay. Age has the biggest impact for travelers over 65, but trip cost, destination, traveler count, coverage add-ons, and medical history all factor in.

What Affects Your Premium:

Your age (65+ pays 2 to 3 times more)
Your trip cost
How many people travel with you
Where you're going (medical costs vary by country)
Extra coverage like CFAR or adventure sports
Your medical history

The biggest savings come from timing your purchase right and matching your coverage level to your actual trip needs.

How to Pay Less:

Buy within 14 to 21 days of booking to qualify for pre-existing condition coverage.
Look at what you get, not just what you pay.
Take several trips per year? Buy an annual plan.
Bundle policies to save money.

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

FAQ: Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Here are answers to the most common questions about travel insurance, from whether you need it to when to buy and what it covers.

Is travel insurance required to travel?

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.

When should I buy travel insurance?

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.

Is travel insurance worth it for domestic trips?

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.

Can I buy travel insurance after I've already booked my trip?

Yes, but earlier is better. Most pre-existing condition waivers and CFAR add-ons require purchase within 10 to 21 days of your first trip payment. You can buy coverage up until your departure date, but waiting means losing access to those benefits.

Does travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

It can, if you buy within the plan's waiver window or 10 to 21 days after your first deposit, and you're medically stable at purchase. IMG offers the longest window at 21 days, while Generali allows purchase up to 24 hours after final payment.

How We Evaluated Travel Insurance Plans: Our Methodology

Best Travel Insurance: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.

His insights on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among others.

Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

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