Check which travel insurance covers COVID-19 (test and treatment abroad). Or buy the Heymondo plan with a 15% discount (valid through April 2nd).
It’s only natural to want the best travel insurance you can find to cover you on your travels. As avid travelers ourselves, we know how stressful it can be to experience a mishap while abroad.
That’s why we always recommend purchasing international travel insurance before a trip. When you find yourself in the hospital or dealing with a missed flight, you’ll understand exactly why travel insurance is worth it.
6 Best Travel Insurance Companies of 2023
In this guide, we’ll compare the best travel insurance policies from different companies. While there are many worthy options, Heymondo stands out as the best international travel insurance company of 2023. Their plans offer the best value for your money, plus the company pays all medical expenses in advance so there are no deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses for policyholders. Besides of that, it’s also one of the best travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage.
We have also analyzed other top travel insurance options, so keep reading to discover the 6 best travel insurance providers. Additionally, you’ll find breakdowns of prices, coverage, and pros and cons so you can make an informed decision on the best travel insurance for you.
Best travel insurance companies of 2023
In terms of coverage, price, customer service, and reviews, these are the best travel insurance companies of 2023:
- Heymondo, the best travel insurance of 2023
- SafetyWing, the best travel medical insurance for digital nomads
- World Nomads, a very popular travel insurance company
- IMG, the best travel insurance for seniors
- Travelex, another top-rated travel insurance
- AIG, the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions
Travel insurance comparison – Coverage & price
To compare travel insurance, we’ve checked quotes and policies on various travel insurance websites for a 30-year-old American from Pennsylvania traveling to Mexico for one week, with a trip cost of $2,500. Out of all the plans each travel insurance company has, for this comparison, we’ve selected the most affordable option with a $0 deductible if the company offers a $0 deductible plan.
A comparison chart like this is the easiest way to look at the best travel insurance providers’ prices and coverage to see which plan will suit you best:
Price | $38.18 | $10.50 | $59.63 | $77 | $76 | $125.03 |
Deductible | $0 | $250 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Medical Expenses Paid Upfront | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Emergency Medical | $250,000 | $250,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | $15,000 | $15,000 |
Repatriation | $500,000 | $100,000 | $300,000 | $500,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
Trip Cancellation | $3,500 | Not covered | $2,500 | 100% of $2,500* | 100% of $2,500* | 100% of $2,500* |
Trip Interruption | $2,500 | $5,000 | $2,500 | 150% of $2,500* | 100% of $2,500* | 100% of $2,500* |
Baggage Loss | $1,700 | $3,000 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $500 | $750 |
Accidental Death | $10,000 | $25,000 | $5,000 | $25,000 | $10,000 | $30,000 |
COVID Coverage | •Testing | •Testing | •Treatment | •Treatment | • Testing | •Treatment |
BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE COMPANIES OF 2022 |
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*trip cost used for example
Which travel insurance is the best?
To determine the best travel insurance, we analyzed the results of the comparison chart above and paid special attention to travel insurance providers’ prices and medical coverage, the most important type of coverage for travelers.
Which travel insurance is the best?
All of our research points to Heymondo as the best travel insurance company. Not only are they the only travel insurance company to pay their customers’ medical expenses upfront, but their plans also offer the best coverage-to-price ratio.
Of course, all six of these top travel insurance companies have their merits, so below, you’ll find details on plans, prices, coverage, and pros and cons for each company.
1. Heymondo, the best travel insurance of 2023
Heymondo is by far the best travel insurance, whether you want a single-trip policy, an annual multi-trip plan, or a long-term plan. The company even offers cancellation-only coverage, although you must enroll within seven days of booking your trip.
All policies are customizable, include trip cancellation insurance, and cover coronavirus, including doctor-prescribed COVID testing. In fact, Heymondo was the first travel insurance company to add COVID-19 coverage to its policies. Moreover, all their plans provide great value for the money since you receive a high amount of coverage in all travel- and medical-related categories for an affordable price.
Perhaps the best feature of Heymondo’s policies, however, is that medical expenses are paid upfront for you, so you won’t have to file a claim and wait months for it to be processed. Instead, all you need to do is contact the Heymondo team whenever you run into an emergency, and they’ll direct you to the nearest hospital or doctor while handling the expenses for you.
Even with all these excellent features, Heymondo isn’t completely perfect. Pre-existing conditions aren’t covered, and only travelers up to the age of 69 can receive coverage under their plans. Still, as long as you’re a young, healthy traveler with no pre-existing conditions, Heymondo is a top travel insurance that will keep you covered on all of your adventures.
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We have been using Heymondo insurance policies for years (right now we have annual multi-trip travel insurance with them), and their customer assistance has been always outstanding. You can even get a travel insurance discount for being our reader here.
Heymondo travel insurance cost
In terms of this travel insurance company’s prices, the cheapest plan is Heymondo Basic, although there is a $250 deductible for medical expenses and the plan does not include cancellation or interruption coverage.
As such, the most affordable plan with the best coverage is the Top plan, which offers a $0 deductible for medical expenses and excellent travel-related coverage. The Premium plan includes higher coverage for a higher price, while the Medical plan only provides medical-related coverage, not travel-related coverage.
These are the costs of the Heymondo plans for a 7-day, 15-day, and 20-day trip from the United States to Mexico:
PLAN | MEDICAL COVERAGE | 7 DAYS | 15 DAYS | 20 DAYS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic | $250,000 | $19.98 | $42.83 | $54.25 |
Top | $250,000 | $38.18 | $76.63 | $88.00 |
Premium | $500,000 | $42.78 | $97.96 | $109.49 |
Medical | $500,000 | $36.63 | $73.57 | $84.97 |
HEYMONDO INSURANCE PRICES |
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Heymondo travel insurance reviews
If you want to read Heymondo travel insurance company reviews, head to Trustpilot, where you’ll see they have an incredible 4.5 out of 5 rating.
Below are a few of the real-life reviews you can read for yourself. These reviews are positive:
And here is one of the negative reviews:
2. SafetyWing, the best travel medical insurance for digital nomads
If your top priority is medical coverage, consider purchasing SafetyWing, the best international travel health insurance, particularly for remote workers.
This travel medical insurance company’s plans focus on medical-related coverage, although limited coverage for luggage, trip delays, and trip interruption is also included. Furthermore, all plans cover travelers worldwide, so you can hop from country to country and still be covered.
Best of all, their plans are perfect for long-term trips and digital nomads because you can choose to renew your coverage automatically. As soon as you select this option, your coverage will automatically be extended every 28 days until you choose an end date, making it easy and convenient to stay covered.
One drawback of SafetyWing, though, is the $250 deductible for medical expenses, which means that you’ll have to pay $250 worth of medical fees (per claim) before SafetyWing will cover your bills. You should also keep in mind that pre-existing conditions, unless they are not chronic or congenital, are not covered, and only travelers up to the age of 69 can be covered by their plans.
As such, if you don’t mind paying a deductible and you only want high-quality medical coverage, SafetyWing is the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you’d prefer a $0 deductible and comprehensive travel-related coverage in addition to excellent medical coverage, Heymondo may be the better option for you.
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SafetyWing travel insurance cost
At the moment, SafetyWing’s best travel insurance is the Nomad Insurance plan, which is useful for international travelers and digital nomads alike. However, SafetyWing is currently developing a Remote Health plan for individuals, which is a global health insurance plan for remote workers that will be released soon.
SafetyWing’s only other plan is the Remote Health plan for companies, which is health insurance for businesses with remote workers/employees around the world. Since this plan is not travel insurance and the Remote Health plan for individuals has not yet been released, we have restricted our pricing information to the Nomad Insurance plan.
Below are the prices of SafetyWing insurance for a 7-day, 15-day, and 20-day worldwide trip:
PLAN | MEDICAL COVERAGE | 7 DAYS | 15 DAYS | 20 DAYS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nomad Insurance | $250,000 | $10.50 | $22.50 | $30.00 |
SAFETYWING INSURANCE PRICES |
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SafetyWing travel insurance reviews
As we’ve said, SafetyWing provides some of the best international travel medical insurance on the market. On Trustpilot, this travel insurance company has earned an impressive 4.4 out of 5.
Below are a few of the positive things people have to say about SafetyWing:
And here is one of the negative reviews:
3. World Nomads, a very popular travel insurance company
World Nomads is definitely the best international travel insurance for anyone planning to participate in adventurous activities abroad.
This travel insurance company offers two main plans: Standard and Explorer. The Standard plan covers the basics (trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, lost luggage) and a variety of outdoor activities and sports. Alternatively, if you want higher policy limits and extra personal loss coverage, the Explorer plan is the one for you. You can check which adventure sports are covered in each plan here.
While World Nomads offers travel insurance for Europe, its COVID coverage is only for Americans. Both treatment and quarantine are covered, as well as trip delays, trip interruption, and emergency medical evacuation. Even better, all World Nomads plans include a $0 deductible for medical expenses.
There are a few disadvantages you should keep in mind, however. Although World Nomads provides solid coverage in all categories, you can, in fact, get similar or higher coverage for a more affordable price from other travel insurance companies, such as Heymondo. On top of that, you’ll need to file a claim to get reimbursed by World Nomads for medical expenses, which can involve lots of time and paperwork.
Ultimately, if you’d rather have your medical expenses paid upfront for you, Heymondo is a better bet. On the other hand, if you need coverage for cliff jumping, go-karting, or any other sports activity, stick with World Nomads.
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World Nomads travel insurance cost
As we’ve already mentioned, World Nomads offers two main travel insurance plans, the Standard and the Explorer. The Standard is the more affordable plan but still offers great overall coverage, while the Explorer plan offers extra coverage for more extreme activities for a slightly higher price.
To help you compare travel insurance, below are the prices of World Nomads travel insurance plans for 7-day, 15-day, and 20-day trips from the United States to Mexico:
PLAN | MEDICAL COVERAGE | 7 DAYS | 15 DAYS | 20 DAYS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard | $100,000 | $59.63 | $69.53 | $77.14 |
Explorer | $100,000 | $93.19 | $125.60 | $144.48 |
WORLD NOMADS INSURANCE PRICES |
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World Nomads travel insurance reviews
Overall, World Nomads is a travel insurance company with some pretty satisfied customers. If you look at World Nomads’ travel insurance reviews on Trustpilot, the company has received a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars.
Here are a few of the positive reviews:
And here is one of the negative reviews:
4. IMG Global, the best travel insurance for seniors
Another one of the best travel insurance companies, particularly for seniors, is IMG, which offers comprehensive coverage for short and long-term trips.
All of IMG’s plans cover travelers up to the age of 99 and include pre-existing condition coverage. There’s also a senior-specific travel medical insurance plan called GlobeHopper Senior for travelers aged 65 and up.
Moreover, this travel insurance company covers U.S. and non-U.S. residents, and many expats agree that its medical-only travel insurance is some of the best travel insurance for the USA. You can even choose your deductible and coverage when getting a quote.
Since IMG offers such a wide variety of plans (for students, families, expats, etc.), you should take the time to compare multiple plans to see which one works best for you. After all, there’s no denying that IMG’s plans have many perks, but younger travelers who want to save money and still get coverage that’s just as good may want to consider Heymondo instead.
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IMG Global travel insurance cost
Because IMG has such a vast number of plans, we’ve selected the most relevant ones for this travel insurance comparison. First, the Patriot International plans are travel medical insurance, which means they only cover medical-related expenses.
Next, the iTravelInsured plans offer both travel- and medical-related coverage. The iTravelInsured Travel Lite plan is the most affordable and basic, while the SE and LX versions of the plan offer more coverage. Finally, we’ve included the GlobeHopper Senior plan, a travel medical insurance for seniors, so you can get an idea of that plan’s cost.
Below are the prices of Patriot International and iTravelInsured plans for a 30-year-old American taking 7-day, 15-day, and 20-day trips from the U.S. to Mexico. To generate the price of GlobeHopper Senior insurance, we used the example of a 69-year-old traveling from the U.S. to Mexico for 7 days, 15 days, and 20 days:
PLAN | MEDICAL COVERAGE | 7 DAYS | 15 DAYS | 20 DAYS |
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Patriot International Lite | $100,000 | $10.68 | $22.88 | $30.50 |
Patriot International Premium | $2,000,000 | $15.66 | $33.56 | $44.75 |
iTravelInsured Travel Lite | $100,000 | $69 | $69 | $69 |
iTravelInsured Travel SE | $150,000 | $77 | $77 | $77 |
iTravelInsured Travel LX | $500,000 | $130 | $130 | $130 |
GlobeHopper Senior | $100,000 | $49.44 | $105.94 | $141.25 |
IMG INSURANCE PRICES |
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IMG Global travel insurance reviews
As one of the top travel insurance companies, it’s no surprise that IMG has received fantastic reviews from its customers. On Trustpilot, IMG currently holds a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Here are a few of IMG’s positive reviews:
And here is one of the negative reviews:
5. Travelex, another top-rated travel insurance
Travelex is one of the best travel insurance companies if you have a pre-existing medical condition. They offer relatively affordable travel insurance with solid coverage, as well as some of the best American domestic travel insurance.
On top of that, if you purchase a Travel Select plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment, you’ll receive a Pre-existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver, and your pre-existing medical conditions will be covered.
Another important advantage of this plan is that it covers children under 17 for free. There are even upgrade options for things like rental cars, Cancel for Any Reason, and additional medical coverage. Keep in mind, though, that this plan only covers American residents.
Travelex’s other main travel insurance plan is the Travel Basic plan, which is just that: basic. This quality isn’t necessarily a problem, but the plan does offer rather low medical expense coverage, particularly for its price, and it does not include pre-existing condition coverage.
As such, we would recommend choosing Travelex’s Travel Select plan over the Travel Basic plan, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or want a high amount of medical coverage.
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Travelex travel insurance cost
While the Travel Basic plan may be Travelex’s best-priced travel insurance plan, as we’ve already noted, the Travel Select plan provides better coverage. Even though it’s slightly higher priced than the Basic plan, it includes travel insurance for Mexico and other foreign countries.
Below are the prices of Travelex’s plans for 7-day, 15-day, and 20-day trips from the United States to Mexico:
PLAN | MEDICAL COVERAGE | 7 DAYS | 15 DAYS | 20 DAYS |
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Travel Basic | $15,000 | $76 | $76 | $76 |
Travel Select | $50,000 | $105 | $105 | $105 |
TRAVELEX INSURANCE PRICES |
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Travelex travel insurance reviews
Travelex has received some of the best travel insurance reviews out there since the company has a 4.57 out of 5 on InsureMyTrip.
Here are some of the positive reviews that customers have left:
And here is one of the negative reviews:
6. AIG, the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions
We’ve already looked at some excellent travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions, but AIG’s TravelGuard easily wins the title of best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions. All of their plans include a pre-existing condition waiver as long as the policy is purchased within 15 days of your initial trip payment, so you’ll be covered no matter how affordable a plan you choose.
Moreover, AIG offers custom trip insurance policies for single destination travel, as well as annual plans, but only for U.S. citizens. You can also purchase travel insurance with Cancel For Any Reason coverage from them.
AIG sells three single-trip travel insurance plans: Essential, Preferred, and Deluxe. The Preferred and Deluxe policies cover children under 18 for free, and all plans include solid trip cancellation and interruption coverage, as well as emergency evacuation and medical expense coverage.
Speaking of medical coverage, this area represents AIG’s biggest weakness. Their plans are some of the most expensive out of all the travel insurance companies we compared, yet their plans offer rather low medical expense coverage, especially for such an elevated price.
If you’d prefer a plan with a higher amount of medical coverage for a more affordable price, SafetyWing and Heymondo are better options.
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AIG travel insurance cost
As we’ve already pointed out, AIG does not have the best travel insurance rates; in fact, they’re some of the highest.
Below are the prices of AIG plans for 7-day, 15-day, and 20-day trips to Mexico from the U.S.:
PLAN | MEDICAL COVERAGE | 7 DAYS | 15 DAYS | 20 DAYS |
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Travel Guard Essential | $15,000 | $125.03 | $115.59 | $113.43 |
Travel Guard Preferred | $50,000 | $143.02 | $149.83 | $159.83 |
Travel Guard Deluxe | $100,000 | $172.30 | $196.52 | $217.08 |
AIG INSURANCE PRICES |
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AIG travel insurance reviews
In terms of travel insurance reviews, on InsureMyTrip, AIG has received a 4.57 out of 5. Here are some of the positive reviews:
And here is one of the negative reviews:
Best travel Insurance coverage
Now that you know all about the best travel insurance of 2023, it’s time to look at what kind of coverage these top travel insurance plans should include. That way, you’ll know exactly what to look for when you compare travel insurance.
Emergency Medical Expenses
A good travel insurance plan should, at a minimum, cover any medical expenses you might incur from an illness or injury, such as testing, treatment, and hospitalization. Additionally, the best travel insurance policies should include coronavirus coverage since travel nowadays means dealing with the very real possibility of contracting COVID-19.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Emergency medical expense coverage is probably the most important type of travel insurance coverage, so don’t sacrifice coverage to save money. Instead, if you want to get a good deal, buy travel medical insurance, which offers a high amount of medical coverage for an extremely affordable price; it really is the best of both worlds.
Evacuation and Repatriation
Evacuation and repatriation are important categories of travel insurance coverage that often get overlooked. Essentially, if you get injured in the middle of nowhere and need to be transported to a hospital or become so ill that you need to be flown back to your home country for medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation coverage pays for the (very expensive!) transportation fees.
As such, all good travel insurance providers should include a high amount of evacuation and repatriation coverage in their plans, so you’re not stranded without proper medical care in an emergency.
Trip Cancellation
Most travel insurance plans should include some kind of trip cancellation coverage for reasons such as illness, inclement weather, strikes, and jury duty. With the majority of travel insurance plans, however, you will not be reimbursed if you cancel your trip for a reason that’s not covered by your plan.
Trip Cancellation
As such, if you want the ability to cancel your trip for any reason and be reimbursed for your trip costs, it may be worth it to purchase a Cancel For Any Reason add-on in addition to your travel insurance plan.
Trip Interruption
A work-related issue, serious illness, painful injury, or the death of a family member could easily occur while you’re traveling and cause you to cut your trip short. Consequently, all the best travel insurances include trip interruption coverage, which reimburses travelers for pre-paid trip expenses like flights and hotels when they have to pause their trip or end it early.
Baggage Loss
While they’re not terribly common problems anymore, baggage loss and delays, especially if you’re flying, still occur much more frequently than you’d expect. That’s why it’s always a good idea to make sure your travel insurance covers baggage loss. That way, if it does happen to you, you’ll at least be reimbursed enough to be able to purchase some new clothes and toiletries.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have any questions about travel insurance companies, coverage, and prices, be sure to check the FAQs below.
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance is a contract in which an insurance company assumes financial responsibility, up to a certain limit specified in the policy, for expenses incurred as a result of unexpected events while traveling. These unexpected events can include anything from sudden illnesses and flight delays to baggage loss and inclement weather.
How does travel insurance work?
Once you purchase travel insurance and your trip starts, if anything unexpected happens while you’re traveling and it’s covered by your plan, you’ll be eligible for reimbursement from the travel insurance company. In most cases, you’ll have to file a claim (fill out a form and submit evidence) with the company before you can get reimbursed. This reimbursement process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Is it worth it to pay for travel insurance?
It may be tempting to skip purchasing travel insurance, but if you’re traveling abroad, having travel insurance is a must. You could fall ill, get seriously injured, lose your luggage, or miss a flight, and the cost of paying for any of these mishaps out of your own pocket would be much higher than the price of travel insurance. In the long run, it’s cheaper and smarter to purchase travel insurance and not need it than it is to need travel insurance and not have it.
Which international travel insurance is best?
It depends on what kind of coverage you need, but in summary, these are the 6 best travel insurance companies of 2022:
- Heymondo, the best travel insurance of 2022
- SafetyWing, the best travel medical insurance for digital nomads
- World Nomads, a very popular travel insurance company
- IMG, the best travel insurance for seniors
- Travelex, another top-rated travel insurance
- AIG, the best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions
What is the average cost of travel insurance?
While it’s possible to find cheap travel insurance, the price of travel insurance depends on several factors. These include your age, country of residence, destination, travel dates, and the extent of the coverage. Single-trip policies average $2-$10 per day, and trip cancellation insurance can be as low as $10.
What does travel insurance cover?
The best comprehensive travel insurance will cover emergency medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, trip cancellation, interruptions/delays, and lost baggage. Many plans also include COVID-19 coverage as part of their medical protection.
Does international travel insurance cover COVID-19?
Yes, nowadays, most international travel insurance does cover COVID-19. However, each travel insurance company will have a different coverage policy. For instance, some plans might cover testing, treatment, and quarantine, while others may only cover treatment. Our guide to travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage can help you find the best plan to suit your needs.
Which is the best travel insurance for the USA?
We already have a guide on the best travel insurance for the U.S., but to sum it up, these companies offer the best travel insurance for the United States:
- Heymondo, the best travel insurance for the USA (overall winner)
- SafetyWing, the best health insurance for visitors to the USA
- World Nomads, another travel insurance for parents and relatives visiting the USA
- World Trips, a great U.S. work visa health insurance
- Trawick International, another great student travel insurance to the USA
- IMG, the best travel insurance for U.S. citizens visiting the USA
Which is the best travel insurance for Europe?
We also have a guide to the best travel insurance for Europe. In a nutshell, the best international travel insurance for Europe is as follows:
- Heymondo, the best Europe travel insurance
- World Nomads, a cheap insurance for European travel
- IMG, the best medical travel insurance for Europe
- Travelex, a reliable European holiday insurance
- World Trips, a good travel insurance for Europe
Can I buy travel insurance for multiple trips?
Yes, you can get multi-trip insurance if you’re going to visit several destinations. Many companies, including Heymondo, offer this type of coverage.
I hope this travel insurance comparison and guide helps you choose the best travel insurance for your next trip. No matter which policy you choose, just remember that any travel insurance coverage is better than no coverage at all.
If you’d like to find out more about Heymondo, the best travel insurance company of 2023, head to our Heymondo travel insurance guide to read our personal review of this insurance and get details on all their plans. Also, if you’re planning a trip that will last at least three months, you may want to look into long-term travel insurance, which is often cheaper than single-trip insurance.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment, and I’ll be happy to help!
Hi, I found your article and your site as one in a million. Thanks for letting us know how to go about getting the best travel insurance. Please, I will want to know which or both insurance pays in advance (1) Heymondo (2) World Nomads.
Hi Lucky, Heymondo is currently the best travel insurance. World Nomads has stopped all activity due to the Covid-19. However, Heymondo is providing insurance covering also the coronavirus medical assistance and testing.
Let me know if you have any questions,
Ascen
I’m glad I found your article. We finally decide to follow your advice and purchasing World Nomads Explorer. Our plan was to hike to the Grand Canyon bottom and I got injured on my way down.
The assistance was great and they covered all the medical expenses in advance. I will buy that insurance if I can make my knee work properly again!
Thanks for letting us know. I have had to use it a couple of times but never for a injurey when hiking. Did you need helicopter rescue? Please let me know.
Dan