If you're traveling in 2021, check which travel insurance covers COVID-19 (test and treatment abroad).
Two of the most common questions we get are, which are the best travel insurance companies, and is international travel insurance worth it? As more countries open for tourism, you may be itching to start your next adventure. We get it! We are avid travelers, and we also know what it’s like to run into a mishap while abroad. That’s why we always recommend international travel insurance. When you find yourself in the hospital or dealing with a missed flight, you’ll be glad you are covered.
In this guide, we have compared travel insurance policies from different companies, including their coverage for medical expenses, emergency evacuations, trip cancellation, and even COVID-related issues (we have written a specific article on coronavirus travel insurance too).
Heymondo is the best international travel insurance company of 2021, as it has the greatest coverage-price ratio. Besides, this travel insurance provider pays all medical expenses in advance so there are no deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses for its policyholders. In addition, Heymondo includes extended COVID-19 benefits, so we consider it the best travel insurance of 2021.
We have also analyzed other top options, so keep reading to see the 8 best travel insurance providers. Most of them are great for short-term and single-trip plans, but there are a couple of long-term options, too.
Best travel insurance companies in 2021
To summarize, these are the top travel insurance companies of 2021:
1. Heymondo, the best overall travel insurance (single-trip, annual multi-trip and long-term)
2. World Nomads, the best travel insurance for backpackers
3. SafetyWing, the best travel insurance for nomads
4. Tokio Marine, the best medical travel insurance for seniors
5. IMG Global, the best expat travel insurance
6. AIG Travel Guard, the best travel insurance company for families
7. Travelex, the best travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
8. InsureMyTrip, the best travel insurance comparator
Comparison of travel insurance
To compare the best travel insurance companies, we have checked quotes and policies for a 30-year-old American traveling abroad for one week on 30+ travel insurance websites. From all the plans each company has, we have selected the cheapest one that includes not only medical expenses but also travel coverage such as trip interruption or baggage loss.
This chart will help you compare travel insurance prices and coverage for the top providers.
Price | $35.53 | $122.50 | $10.01 | $10.22 | $49 | $70.93 | $44 |
Deductible | $0 | $0 | $250 | $100 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Emergency Medical | $100,000 | $100,000 | $250,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $15,000 | $15,000 |
Repatriation | $500,000 | $300,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 | $500,000 | $150,000 | $100,000 |
Trip Cancellation | $3,500 | $2,500 | Not covered | Not covered | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
Trip Delay | $1,500 | $500 | $100 | $100 | $500 | $500 | $500 |
Baggage Loss | $1,700 | $1,000 | $3,000 | $1,000 | $750 | $750 | $500 |
Accidental Death | $10,000 | $5,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $30,000 | $10,000 |
COVID coverage | Testing/Treatment | Treatment* | Testing/Treatment | Testing/Treatment* | Treatment* | Treatment* | Treatment |
BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE COMPARISON FOR 2021 |
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*If contracted at your destination and as long as the government has not issued a travel warning for your destination country
InsureMyTrip isn’t included in the chart above because it’s a travel insurance comparison site, not a provider. That means that you can purchase different policies (IMG, Tokio Marine, Travelex, AIG, etc.) through InsureMyTrip and get some benefits compared to enrolling in the same policies directly from the insurance providers.
Which is the best travel insurance?
Now it’s time to dive into the 8 best travel insurance companies. I’ll explain the coverage options of each and why it’s the best travel insurance to buy in 2021.
1. Heymondo, the best overall travel insurance
Heymondo is the best travel insurance whether you want a single-trip policy, an annual multi-trip plan, or you’re going to be traveling long-term. The company even offers cancellation-only coverage, although you must enroll within seven days of booking your trip.
All the policies are customizable and cover coronavirus, including doctor-prescribed COVID testing. Heymondo was actually the first travel insurance company to add COVID-19 coverage to its policies. This includes benefits related to trip cancellation, interruption, and delays.
Another great thing about Heymondo’s international travel insurance is its 24/7 customer support app. Contact the team whenever you run into an emergency, and they’ll direct you to the nearest hospital or doctor and handle the expenses upfront. Along with no out-of-pocket payments, there is also no deductible.
Below is an example of the ‘Top’ Heymondo travel insurance for a 30-year-old American traveling worldwide for one week:
- Price: $35.53
- Deductible: $0
- Emergency medical coverage: $100,000
- Emergency evacuation: $500,000
- Trip cancellation: $3,500
- Trip interruption: $2,500
- COVID coverage: Testing/treatment
We have been using their insurance policies for years (right now we have annual multi-trip travel insurance with them), and their assistance has been always outstanding. You can even get a travel insurance discount for being our reader here.
2. World Nomads, the best travel insurance for backpackers
World Nomads is one of the top travel insurance companies if you’re planning to do adventure activities abroad.
There are two primary plans: Standard and Explorer. The Standard plan covers the basics (trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, lost luggage) and a variety of outdoor activities and sports. For higher policy limits and extra personal loss coverage, the Explorer plan is 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 and Canadians. If you or your travel partner contract the virus or must quarantine, the policy covers trip cancellation up to $2,500. It also covers flight delays of at least six hours due to border closures, travel bans, or mandatory quarantine restrictions.
However, the policy terms aren’t the easiest to understand, and the plans are for single trips only. You’ll also have to pay for medical expenses upfront and file a claim after your trip. Therefore, I prefer Heymondo; the support team handles those payments right away for you.
Below is an example of the Standard coverage benefits for a 30-year-old American traveling worldwide for one week:
- Price: $122.50
- Deductible: $0
- Emergency medical coverage: $100,000
- Emergency evacuation: $300,000
- Trip cancelation: $2,500
- Trip interruption: $2,500
- COVID coverage: Treatment (Only for American and Canadian travelers)
3. SafetyWing, the best travel insurance for nomads
SafetyWing is another top choice for long-term trips. I consider it one of the best travel insurances for nomads because you can subscribe once and forget about the policy. They will automatically charge a recurring payment every 28 days until you cancel or until 364 days have passed.
If you are looking for the best long-term travel insurance, it’s not the cheapest one nor the one with the highest coverage. But still, if you like having a flat monthly rate instead of extending the policy every 4-6 months, SafetyWing is very convenient.
However, keep in mind that there’s a $250 deductible. That’s why I prefer Heymondo, even for long-term plans, because it is cheaper, the coverage is more comprehensive, and there are no deductibles.
If you’re only looking for medical coverage, SafetyWing is a viable option. That said, I recommend doing a global travel insurance comparison first. Below is an example of a 30-year-old American traveling globally for one week using SafetyWing:
- Price: $10.01
- Deductible: $250
- Emergency medical coverage: $250,000
- Emergency evacuation: $100,000
- Trip cancelation: Not covered
- Trip interruption: $5,000
- COVID coverage: Testing/treatment
4. Tokio Marine, the best medical travel insurance for seniors
Tokio Marine boasts affordable prices and low deductibles, as well as COVID coverage depending on your policy. The plans serve US and non-US residents, and it’s known for being one of the best travel insurances for seniors.
You can customize your coverage and benefits to suit your needs, and you can add extras like crisis response protection. Their prices are very affordable, and you will be covered even if you’re 75 older, which is difficult to find in the other top travel insurance providers. Take into account that coverage may vary depending on your age.
While you get comprehensive coverage for a great price, keep in mind that you must purchase protection for at least five days. Alternatively, Heymondo lets you buy insurance only for the days you’re traveling, plus there are no deductibles and you don’t have to pay medical costs upfront.
Moreover, your Tokio Marine COVID-19 benefits depend on the Travel Warning Level of your destination country. This could be a huge disadvantage if you get the virus in a country with an ineligible Travel Warning Level.
The company’s two best travel insurance plans are Atlas International (most popular) and Atlas International Premium (most coverage). Below is the travel insurance cost for Atlas International:
- Price: $10.22
- Deductible: $100
- Emergency medical coverage: $100,000
- Emergency evacuation: $1,000,000
- Trip cancellation: Not covered
- Trip interruption: $10,000
- COVID coverage: Testing/treatment
5. IMG Global, the best expat travel insurance
IMG offers comprehensive coverage for short and long-term trips. The company covers US and non-US residents, and many expats agree that its only-medical travel insurance is one of the best travel insurances for the USA. You can even choose the deductible and coverage when getting a quote.
With IMG, you can find lots of different policies (for students, families, expats, etc.), so I suggest doing a comparison of travel insurance before enrolling. They also offer a Cancel for Any Reason plan that you may want to check out.
However, for single trips, it is not my top choice. Most of it plans only include COVID-19 coverage when there isn’t a travel warning for the destination country. The only plans that cover COVID-19 no matter what, are the iTravelInsured plans, and still the coverage is limited for its price compared with Heymondo.
Also, IMG doesn’t handle medical expenses upfront, so you’ll have to make a claim after your trip.
Here is an idea of the pricing with the iTravelInsured trip insurance:
- Price: $49.00
- Deductible: $0
- Emergency medical coverage: $100,000
- Emergency evacuation: $500,000
- Trip cancellation: $1,200
- Trip interruption: $1,500
- COVID coverage: Treatment
6. AIG Travel Guard, the best travel insurance company for families
TravelGuard from AIG has custom trip insurance policies for single-destination travel and annual plans, but only for US citizens. You can also purchase Cancel for Any Reason coverage from them.
There are three single-trip plans: Essential, Preferred, and Deluxe. The Preferred and Deluxe policies will cover children under 18 for free. All the plans include trip cancellation and interruption, as well as emergency evacuation and medical expenses.
Regarding COVID coverage, AIG’s single-trip and annual travel insurance benefits apply to any “Unforeseen” events. This could include getting COVID before your trip or while abroad, as long as you have a confirmed diagnosis. However, you won’t be covered if there is a Travel Warning, or the airline cancels your flight, or you’re quarantined during your trip due to COVID.
Comparatively, AIG is a bit pricier than other international travel insurance companies. The basic plan costs around $70, which is twice the price of Heymondo’s.
Here is an example of the Essential plan’s pricing for a 30-year-old American traveling for one week worldwide:
- Price: $70.93
- Deductible: $0
- Emergency medical coverage: $15,000
- Emergency evacuation: $150,000
- Trip cancellation: $1,200
- Trip interruption: $1,200
- COVID coverage: Treatment
7. Travelex, the best travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
Travelex is one of the best travel insurance companies if you have pre-existing medical conditions. The cost of travel insurance is decent and 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. However, it is only available for Americans.
In terms of coronavirus insurance, Travelex will cover cancellations before departure if you or a travel companion have a confirmed COVID diagnosis. You can also get covered for contracting COVID abroad, or if you need to quarantine due to a COVID diagnosis at your destination. Travelex won’t cover flights canceled by the airline or trip cancellations due to Travel Warnings.
To better compare Travelex against other global travel insurance companies, here is a pricing overview for the Basic plan:
- Price: $44.00
- Deductible: $0
- Emergency medical coverage: $15,000
- Emergency evacuation: $100,000
- Trip cancellation: $1,200
- Trip interruption: $1,200
- COVID coverage: Treatment
8. INSUREMYTRIP, the best travel insurance comparator
With over two decades of experience, InsureMyTrip is the best way to compare travel insurance.
InsureMyTrip’s comparison engine allows you to filter plans based on specific benefits, and there is a policy for any type of trip. Simply enter your search criteria, and the website will tell you which is the best travel insurance for your needs.
You can compare quotes and reviews from over 30 providers, including AIG, Travelex, Tokio Marine, and IMG. It’s free to get a quote, and there is even a best price guarantee, so you always know you’re getting the best deal.
Not only is the company known for its spot-on comparisons of travel insurance, but they also have excellent customer support. Their “Anytime Advocates” will investigate your claim if you think you were unjustly denied. These agents are available seven days a week and have helped customers recover over $1,000,000 in coverage.
That is why, if you’re interested in a Tokio Marine, IMG, TravelGuard or Travelex policy, I always recommend buying it through InsureMyTrip. You will enjoy the same price and coverage but with better customer support in case you need to make a claim.
You can’t purchase Heymondo through InsureMyTrip, but Heymondo pays medical expenses upfront and their travel support is already outstanding, so you won’t miss the “Anytime Advocates” service of InsureMyTrip.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have some questions about travel insurance companies, coverage and prices, check the FAQs below and leave a comment if you still have concerns.
Do I need travel insurance?
Buying travel insurance may seem like an unnecessary expense, but as soon as disaster strikes, you’ll regret not having it. Besides, many of the best comprehensive travel insurance policies include coverage for COVID-19, which is essential for travelers in 2021.
What are the different types of travel insurance?
If you compare travel insurance, you’ll find there are different types of coverage. For example, there is comprehensive travel medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance, baggage protection, and add-ons for things like rental cars.
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 also include COVID-19 coverage as part of their medical protection.
What isn’t covered by travel insurance?
It depends on the travel insurance provider, but many policies don’t include ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage, electronics, other personal belongings, rental cars, and sports or activities. However, there may be upgrade options for these things.
How much does travel insurance cost?
While it’s possible to find cheap travel insurance, the price depends on several factors. These include age, country of residence, your destination, the dates of travel, and the extent of the coverage. Single-trip policies average $2-$10 per day, and trip cancellation insurance can be as low as $10.
Which is the best travel insurance company?
It depends on what kind of coverage you need, but to summarize, these are the 8 best travel insurance companies of 2021:
1. Heymondo, the best overall travel insurance (single-trip, annual multi-trip and long-term)
2. World Nomads, the best travel insurance for backpackers
3. SafetyWing, the best travel insurance for nomads
4. Tokio Marine, the best medical travel insurance for seniors
5. IMG Global, the best expat travel insurance
6. AIG Travel Guard, the best travel insurance company for families
7. Travelex, the best travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
8. InsureMyTrip, the best travel insurance comparator
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 guide gave you a better idea of the best insurance for traveling. You can check here some tips from the CDC and remember that it’s always better to have medical travel insurance than no coverage at all. 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