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Travel Medical Insurance: What to Know

Travel medical insurance provides financial protection while traveling, since many u.s. health insurance policies, including medicare and medicaid, don’t typically cover your medical expenses outside of the country..

Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.

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3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Updated October 12, 2023

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Table of contents

• Travel medical insurance
• What’s covered

Primary coverage

Secondary coverage.

• Medical evacuation
• Comprehensive coverage

Trip cancellation

• Insurance limitations

Though you never plan to have an accident or get sick during a trip, unexpected emergencies happen. Your U.S. health insurance likely won’t cover any visits to the hospital or emergency care in a foreign country. [1] To ensure you have coverage while traveling, you can purchase a stand-alone policy for travel medical insurance.

What is travel medical insurance?

Travel medical insurance can help fill in coverage gaps if you require emergency or routine medical services while traveling overseas. Even if you have international health insurance that includes care when traveling abroad, it won’t always cover the cost of medical treatments such as X-rays, lab tests, or ambulance services in a foreign country.

Travel medical coverage primarily protects you in the event of an emergency, so long-term travelers should look into purchasing a more comprehensive plan. To prevent extensive financial losses while abroad, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if you and your family members have adequate coverage before you travel.

Before selecting medical insurance coverage, you should compare travel health plans among multiple companies. Some of the best insurers to consider include Blue Shield, Allianz Travel Insurance, American International Group (AIG), HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance, GeoBlue, Generali Global Assistance (GGA), and more.

Does your health insurance plan cover you internationally?

Many health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, are only valid within the U.S. or your home state. While some employer U.S. health plans or private plans provide international travel insurance, it’s important you read the fine print so you know exactly what your policy covers in case of a medical emergency.

Many health insurance plans with international coverage only pay for emergencies that require immediate medical attention while overseas. For example, your insurance may cover a broken bone or a hospital visit if you’re experiencing chest pains. It likely wouldn’t cover any routine medical care.

What travel medical insurance covers

Travel medical insurance covers the cost of unexpected medical expenses while abroad. If you encounter an unexpected injury or illness, your travel medical insurance will reimburse you up to your plan limit.

You can choose from different types of medical travel insurance plans and add-ons when buying coverage. The best travel insurance for you will depend on factors such as where you intend to travel, for how long, and what you plan to do.

Here are five different types of coverage you may encounter while shopping for travel medical insurance.

The difference between primary and secondary coverage has to do with payment priority. With primary medical travel insurance, the insurance plan will pay your medical costs directly, even if you have another health insurance policy. You’ll file any medical claims directly with the company you bought travel medical insurance from, which can help speed up the payment process. [2]

With secondary medical travel insurance, you’ll need to file a claim with your primary healthcare insurance provider first — even if you don’t think the insurer will provide coverage. If the insurer denies your claim or doesn’t fully cover it, you can then file it with the medical travel insurance company.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance

An emergency evacuation can be very expensive — especially if it’s in a remote area. Medical evacuation insurance can help cover the costs associated with emergency transportation to an adequate treatment facility. It can also cover the costs associated with transporting you back to the U.S.

Comprehensive travel insurance plan

Some comprehensive policies include medical travel insurance and trip-cancellation coverage if you have to cancel your trip due to something such as severe weather or a natural disaster. Many comprehensive plans also cover trip interruption, medical evacuation, travel delay benefits, and baggage delay.

With medical travel insurance, you can often include trip cancellation insurance as an add-on for an additional cost. Trip cancellation insurance covers trip costs, including your flight, cruise, or train tickets, if you can’t go on your trip. It doesn’t cover any medical care you need while traveling. [3]

Limitations of travel medical insurance

Before confirming your travel plans, check with your insurance company to see if the plan has any limitations or exclusions. Travel medical insurance policies often don’t cover medical bills related to the following three situations.

Pre-existing conditions

A pre-existing condition is a medical condition or illness you’ve had for a certain period before purchasing insurance. It’s possible to purchase insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage. The policies are often time-sensitive and only provide coverage if purchased within a certain number of days of the trip deposit — often 14 days.

High-risk activities

If you’re planning to engage in risky activities or extreme sports, such as skydiving or bungee jumping, check if your travel insurance policy excludes the activities. Many insurance plans won’t cover these risky activities. However, you may be able to purchase extreme sports insurance for additional benefits coverage.

Geographic exclusions

Some insurers won’t provide coverage if you travel to a country that the U.S. Department of State has assigned a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory to. [4] Before traveling to a country with a travel advisory, check with your insurance company to see if your coverage applies.

Travel medical insurance FAQs

Before you take off on your next overseas adventure, you should look into buying a travel medical insurance plan, as well as how you can use it if you need it and how it differs from health insurance coverage.

Who should buy travel medical insurance?

Anyone traveling to a country where their health insurance provider doesn’t provide coverage should consider purchasing travel medical insurance. Certain destinations may require you to purchase it when applying for a visa or staying for a certain amount of time, too.

For example, Schengen Area countries in the European Union require people to have travel medical insurance if they apply for a travel visa, which you’ll need if you’re staying for more than 90 days. [5]

How do you use your travel health insurance?

If you have a medical emergency when traveling and need to use your travel health insurance plan, contact your insurance company immediately. Most travel insurance companies have 24/7 customer service hotlines you can contact for help and information. Your insurer can give you step-by-step instructions on what to do depending on your specific situation.

What is travel insurance vs. medical insurance?

The main difference between travel insurance and regular medical plans is travel insurance only covers you during travel. It’s only valid during your trip to protect you against medical emergencies while you’re away from your home country.

What does medical travel insurance cover?

Travel medical insurance can provide coverage if you have an unexpected illness, injury, or other medical emergency during a trip abroad. U.S. health insurance policies don’t usually cover overseas incidents.

Related articles

• Airbnb Travel Insurance: What Guests Should Know
• Does Travel Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

Visitor Insurance for Parents: What to Know

• Cheapest Travel Insurance
• What Is Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Insurance?
• Do You Need Group Travel Insurance?

What Does Cruise Insurance Cover?

• U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs . " Insurance Providers for Overseas Coverage ."
• Allianz Travel . " Primary Insurance Coverage ."
• Insurance Information Institute . " Should you buy travel insurance? ."
• U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs . " Travel Advisories ."
• U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs . " U.S. Travelers in Europe's Schengen Area ."

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U.S. Visitor Medical Insurance

For International Travelers Venturing to the United States

American Healthcare Can Be Expensive

That’s just one reason to consider adding U.S. visitor medical insurance to your pre-departure checklist.

Visitor health insurance can’t prevent you from breaking an ankle or coming down with the flu, but it could help you find quality healthcare and reimburse you for unexpected medical expenses so you can get the treatment you need and get back to enjoying your trip.

WorldTrips’ Atlas America® U.S. visitor medical insurance is designed for:

• USA tourists and leisure travelers
• Parents visiting their children in the U.S.
• Temporary workers and business professionals
• International students and exchange program participants

Atlas America U.S. Visitor Medical Insurance Highlights

Device Protection Now Available

Worried about traveling with expensive devices? You’re not the only one. That’s why WorldTrips has partnered with bolt to provide you with the option to add $2,000 of device protection coverage for damage to smartphones, tablets, and laptops as you travel the United States.

When you add device protection to your U.S. visitor medical insurance plan, you’ll get:

• Coverage for screen cracks, liquid damage, and other accidental damage to your devices
• Access to bolt's global repair network
• Access to bolt's 24/7 online claims process

Just click “Yes, Add Device Protection” when you get to the payment page of the checkout process. Depending on the cost of your plan, it may cost only cents per person per day to add device protection coverage.

Why Choose WorldTrips?

WorldTrips has provided U.S. visitor medical insurance to USA tourists and business professionals for over 25 years. We have designed our Atlas America plan to meet the needs of international visitors and to support you through unexpected travel emergencies.

Atlas America offers:

• Flexibility – Coverage is available for trips of up to 364 days. You can purchase a plan while traveling, extend your coverage after purchase, or cancel your policy if your plans change.
• Customizable Coverage – Choose the deductible, coverage length, and overall maximum that best align with your travel plans. Select from several optional coverage upgrades and add device protection if you’re worried about accidental damage to your phone, laptop, or tablet.
• Multilingual Travel Assistance – You will have access to our travel assistance services in several languages 365 days a year. Emergency services are available 24/7.

“WorldTrips is the best travel insurance company of 2024, based on our in-depth analysis of travel insurance policies."

Is U.S. Visitor Medical Insurance Required To Visit the U.S.?

Tourists and business professionals traveling to the United States on a B-1 or B-2 visa are not required to have U.S. visitor medical insurance. However, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer could request that you show proof of sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses .

Along with bank statements, pay slips, and credit cards, a visitor medical insurance plan like Atlas America could help demonstrate your ability to pay for expenses incurred in America by showing that you have coverage for unexpected medical expenses as you explore the country.

How Expensive Is Healthcare in the U.S.?

You’ve probably heard that healthcare in the United States is expensive, but just how expensive is it? A broken leg can cost up to $7,500 to fix in the U.S.  And the average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is around $30,000. 

Ask yourself: Could I afford to pay for an overnight hospital stay or treatment of a broken leg while taking in the sights? If not, consider purchasing a U.S. visitor medical insurance plan like Atlas America. You might be surprised how easily it fits into your budget.

How Much Does U.S. Visitor Medical Insurance Cost?

U.S. visitor insurance can be budget friendly—in fact, Atlas America plans start at less than $1 a day . The overall cost of your plan depends on several factors, including:

• Age – As your age group increases, so will your plan cost
• Destination – Trips that include the U.S. are more expensive to cover due to healthcare costs
• Trip Length – Longer trips are more expensive to cover
• Overall Maximum Limit – As your overall maximum limit increases, so will your plan cost
• Deductible – As your deductible increases, your plan cost will decrease
• Optional Upgrades – Coverage add-ons will increase your plan price

Real-World Examples of How U.S. Visitor Medical Insurance Works

You come down with an infection that requires inpatient hospitalization.

Medical emergencies are scary enough in your home country, let alone in a foreign country where you’re unfamiliar with the healthcare system and may not be fluent in English. A U.S. visitor medical insurance policy like Atlas America can refer you to a nearby hospital and provide translation assistance if needed.

Atlas America could also cover you for the cost of a local ambulance to transport you to the hospital, as well as room charges, diagnostic testing, and physician expenses resulting from covered injuries or illnesses for which you are hospitalized.

You’re exploring the U.S. with your two small children when you come down with a covered illness that requires a week-long hospital stay.

Because there are no other adults traveling with you and you’ll be unable to care for your children for a period lasting over 36 hours, your Return of Minor Children benefit can provide up to $50,000 of coverage to transport each child back to your home country.

If you’re traveling with a pet under the same conditions, your Pet Return benefit can provide up to $1,000 to return your pet to your home country to be cared for by a family member or friend.

For situations where you are confined to a hospital intensive care unit following a covered, life-threatening injury or illness, your Bedside Visit benefit can pay up to $1,500 to transport a family member to your bedside .

While visiting your children in the USA, you discover that your Airbnb has been broken into and your luggage has been stolen.

Unfortunately, your passport and travel documents were among the items that were taken. You have no idea how to go about acquiring a new passport and the language barrier is making it difficult for you to file a police report.

Thankfully, your Atlas America U.S. visitor medical insurance policy provides access to travel assistance services  available in multiple languages 365 days a year. Our customer support team can provide you with travel, legal, and foreign language assistance and help you to obtain a new passport and travel documents.

Your Lost or Stolen Passport/Travel Visa benefit can also reimburse you up to $100 for the cost of replacing your lost or stolen passport or travel visa. (Note that you must report the loss or theft to police within 24 hours and obtain a police report to be eligible for this benefit.)

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FAQs: WorldTrips' Travel Medical Insurance Plans

How Do I Register for a Member Portal Account?

2. Under “Continue Sign In” click “First-time user? Register for an account.”

3. On the Register page, enter the email address you wish to use to sign into your account. This email does not need to match the email address associated with your policy. Enter your policy number and select whether or not you are the insured or the insured’s legal guardian. Enter the insured’s first and last name as entered on the policy. (You can see how the insured’s name was entered on your ID card and fulfillment documents that were sent to you upon purchase.) Enter the insured’s date of birth. Then choose a password. Follow the password instructions noted on the page.

Read and agree to the terms and conditions by checking the box. Then click the “Continue” button.

  4. You will be taken to the Sign In page. Enter the email address and password you used to register your account and click “Sign In.”

5. To add an additional layer of security when signing into your account, you will be prompted to choose your preferred multifactor authentication method.

Options Include: a.  Okta Verify  - Click "Setup" if you wish to use a push notification sent to the mobile app

b.  SMS Authentication*  - Click "Setup" if you wish to enter a single-use code that is sent to your mobile phone

c.  Voice Call Authentication*  - Click "Setup" if you wish to follow voice instructions via  phone

d.  Security Question  - Click "Setup" if you wish to answer a security question

  * Please be sure to use a method which you will have continual access to on your travels. Do not use phone numbers that will not work outside of your current service area.

  6. Follow the setup instructions of your chosen multifactor authentication method. Then click “Finish.”

  7. On the resulting page, choose a "Forgot Password" question. Make sure you select a question with only one correct answer that is easy to remember.

  Type the answer into the blank box below "Answer." You will need this answer to access your account if you ever forget your Member Portal password and need to reset it.

  You may also choose to add a phone number for resetting your password or unlocking your account using SMS text message or a voice call if you don’t have access to your email.

  Click "Create My Account."

How Do I Submit a Claim?

You must complete, sign, and submit a Claimant's Statement and Authorization form along with proof of claim (itemized bills, payment receipts, medical records, police reports, etc.) for every incident. ( Click here to download the form in Spanish ).

Filing a Claim on Behalf of Someone Else? If you are filing this claim on behalf of another person, you MUST fill out the section of the Claimant's Statement and Authorization form labeled "Supplement D - Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information " – also known as a HIPAA form. This section must be signed by the policyholder in order for us to speak with you regarding any of the policyholder's Protected Health Information (PHI). Without this signed form, we may only disclose to you the status of the claim.

You can complete and submit the Claimant's Statement and Authorization form along with supporting documents in one of the following ways:

Via DocuSign within Member Portal (Most Efficient Approach)

1. Go to Member Portal (formerly Client Zone / Student Zone). 2. Log in to your account. If this is your first time using Member Portal, please click here to view instructions for registering your new account .

If you already have a Client Zone / Student Zone account, you do not need to register for a Member Portal account. Simply log in to Member Portal using your Client Zone / Student Zone login details.

3. Click "Claims and Appeals" in the main navigation menu. 4. Click “Submit New Claim Via DocuSign” button under the “Claimant’s Statement and Authorization Form” subheader in the “File a Claim” section and follow the instructions.

For more extensive step-by-step instructions, including screenshots, please see our Claims Guide .

Don’t Have Access to the Claims and Appeals Page? If you noted that you are not the insured or the insured’s legal guardian, you will see the Protected Health Information Authorization page in place of the Claims and Appeals page. Enter the insured’s email address and click “Send Request.” Once the insured has completed and submitted our HIPAA form, you will gain access to the Claims and Appeals page and have the ability to submit a claim within 3-5 days.

1. Download the Claimant's Statement and Authorization form. ( Click here to download the form in Spanish.) 2. Print, complete, and sign the form. Mail to: WorldTrips Claims Department PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A. WorldTrips is also happy to fax, e-mail, or mail the form(s) to you upon request. Important Note for Students For eligibility purposes, you must submit the following along with a Claimant's Statement and Authorization form: - A copy of your education-related visa (F-1, J-1, OPT, etc.) or valid I-20/DS2019 - Proof of full-time student status (not necessary if submitting a valid F-1 visa including OPT, or J-1 visa)

Can I Submit a Claim on Behalf of Someone Else?

How Do I Submit the Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (HIPPA Form) If I Did Not Complete This Section of the Claim Form?

If you have already submitted a claim on behalf of someone else and did not complete this section OR if WorldTrips has requested that you submit the Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (HIPAA), you do not need to fill out another claim form. You can submit the HIPAA form separately in one of the following ways:

Electronically via Member Portal

• Go to Member Portal .
• Log in to your account. If this is your first time using Member Portal, please click here to view instructions for registering your new account. If you already have a Client Zone / Student Zone account, you do not need to register for a Member Portal account. Simply log in to Member Portal using your Client Zone / Student Zone login details.
• Click "Claims and Appeals" in the main navigation menu.

If You See the Protected Health Information Authorization Page:

- Because you selected that you are not the insured or the insured's legal guardian upon registering for Member Portal, you do not yet have access to the Claims and Appeals page. - Under the "Protected Health Information Authorization" header, enter the insured's email address and click the "Send Request" button. - The insured will receive an email with a link to complete, sign, and submit the HIPPA form via DocuSign. You will gain access to the Claims and Appeals page and will be able to see the status of any pending claims within 3-5 days of the date the policyholder completed and submitted the form.

If You See the Claims and Appeals Page:

- Click the "Fill Out and Submit Via DocuSign" button under the "Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (HIPPA)" subheader in the "File a Claim" section. - Enter the insured's name and an email address and click the "Begin Signing" button. - Click the yellow "Continue" button, fill out the form and the required information (as noted by the red boxes); have the policyholder sign the form, and click the yellow "Finish" button. - Clicking "Finish" submits the document and sends a PDF of your signed Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information to the email address entered. Download or print a copy of your completed form for your records. If you do not receive a confirmation email with your completed form attached within 24 hours, please contact WorldTrips to make sure your form was properly submitted.

• Download the Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information .
• Print, complete, and have the policyholder sign the form.
• Mail to: WorldTrips Claims Department PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A.

When and How Will I Receive My Fulfillment Documents?

During the checkout process, you will have the option to receive your ID cards and other fulfillment documents by:

• Email only OR by
• Email and hard copy

If you select “Email only,” you will receive your ID cards and fulfillment documents by email as soon as your application has been processed and your credit card has been approved. This typically takes a few minutes or less.

If you select “Email and hard copy,” you will receive your ID cards and fulfillment documents by email as soon as your application has been processed and your credit card has been approved. You will also receive hard copies of your ID cards and fulfillment documents by mail to the address you entered on your application.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

What If I Do Not Agree with a Claim's Denial?

There may be situations when you choose to appeal how a claim was processed. You may appeal your claim decision using one of the following methods:

Submit the Claimant Appeal Request Form Via DocuSign within Member Portal:

• Sign into Member Portal . You will be presented with your Member Portal home page.
• Click “Claims and Appeals” in the main navigation menu at the top of the page. You will be presented with the Claims and Appeals page.
• Switch the toggle at the top of the page under the “Claims and Appeals” header from “Claims” to “Appeals.”
• To file an appeal via DocuSign, click the “Fill Out and Submit Via DocuSign” button under the “Claimant Appeal Request Form” subheader in the “File an Appeal” section.
• Enter your name and email address on the PowerForm Signer Information page and click the “Begin Signing” button.
• Click the yellow “Continue” button to the right.
• Fill in all the required information on the form (as indicated by the red text boxes) and sign everywhere a signature is required (as indicated by the yellow “Sign” boxes).
• Attach your supporting documents (medical records, receipts, itemized bills, etc.), if necessary, at the bottom righthand corner of the page via the yellow attachment boxes. If you have more than 3 attachments or exceed the 5MB attachment limit, see instructions for submitting additional documents here.
• When you are done, click the yellow “Finish” button at the bottom of the page. Clicking “Finish” submits your documents and sends a PDF of your signed Claimant Appeal Request Form to your email.
• Download or print a copy of your completed form for your records. If you do not receive a confirmation email with your completed form attached within 24 hours, please contact WorldTrips to make sure your form was properly submitted.

Want more detailed instructions including screenshots? See the “ Claimant Appeal Request Form Submitted Via DocuSign within Member Portal (Most Efficient Approach) ” section of our Claims Resource Center page .

• Download the Claimant Appeal Request Form. ( Click here to download the form in Spanish ).
• Fill out the form and email it, along with additional documentation that supports your reasoning and position (medical records, receipts, itemized bills, etc.), to [email protected]. OR Mail the form and supporting documents to: WorldTrips Appeals PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A

Submit a Written Appeal Letter Via Email or Mail

• Write a letter of appeal following the appeal procedure instructions outlined in your policy documents/certificate of coverage.
• Email this written letter of appeal, along with additional documentation that supports your reasoning and position (medical records, receipts, etc.), to [email protected] . OR Mail the form and supporting documents to: WorldTrips Appeals PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A

IMPORTANT! In order for our claims department to review the appeal, you must provide additional documentation or information to support a reversal of the denial. Please note that submission of the appeal will lead to re-evaluation of your claim but does not guarantee that the initial benefit determination will be altered.

Why Am I Receiving So Many Letters?

What Is Included in the Fulfillment Documents?

Your fulfillment documents will include:

Instructional Information

• How to seek medical treatment
• How to file a medical claim
• How to access  Member Portal  (our online self-service portal where members can manage their policies)
• How to contact WorldTrips

Declaration Page

• Link to the Description of Coverage for your policy
• Name, address, ID number, and citizenship of the insured
• Policy start and end dates and length of coverage
• Certain policy details including plan name, overall maximum limit, maximum per injury/illness, deductible, and any optional coverage elected
• Purchase date, payment type, and amount paid
• Name and address of plan administrator

Policyholder/Certificate Holder Notice

• Important notice about OFAC sanctions

European Union GDPR Data Protection Notice  (Note that you will only receive this notice if you are a citizen or resident of the European Union OR if you are a visitor traveling to the European Union)

• Information about our privacy policy
• How we use your personal and sensitive information and who we may disclose it to
• Information about your data protection rights
• How to opt out of marketing communications or withdraw your consent
• Name of insured(s)
• Certificate/policy number and effective date of coverage
• Instructions on how to file a claim
• Name and logo of PPO network
• Instructions on how to find a provider

Learn more about your ID card here .

How Do I Access My Visa Letter?

What Information Is Included in the Visa Letter?

• Your home country and citizenship
• Your destination country or countries
• Your certificate (policy) number
• Your policy’s effective date
• Your policy’s termination date
• An overview of your policy details, including your overall policy maximum, maximum per injury/illness, and deductible
• An overview of important benefits and their coverage amounts
• WorldTrips contact information

How Does My Deductible Work?

Deductible means the dollar amount of eligible expenses, as specified in your policy’s Schedule of Benefits and Limits, that you must pay before eligible expenses are paid. You only have to pay your deductible one time during the period of time your policy is active.

For example, let’s say you have an Atlas Travel policy and you’ve chosen a $100 deductible. You break your leg while traveling abroad and need to have surgery, which requires a short hospital stay. You would need to pay your $100 deductible before your benefits, such as Hospital Room and Board, would kick in. Once your $100 deductible is paid, your Atlas Travel plan would begin to pay 100% of your eligible expenses up to your plan’s overall maximum limit.

Note that some benefits are not subject to the deductible, as specified in your policy’s Schedule of Benefits and Limits. This means you would not be required to pay the deductible before any benefits that are not subject to the deductible would be activated.

Am I Eligible for an Atlas Travel Insurance Plan?

When Does My Atlas Travel Coverage Become Effective and When Does it End?

Your Atlas Travel insurance coverage becomes effective on the latest of: - the moment we receive your application and correct premium (if application and payment is made online or by fax) - 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the date we receive your application and payment (if application and payment are made by mail) - the moment you depart from your home country - 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the date you request on your application if the correct premium is received

Your coverage will end on the earlier of: - 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the last day of the period for which you have paid a premium - 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date requested on your application - the moment of your arrival upon return to your home country (unless you have started a benefit period or are eligible for home country coverage)

Does the Atlas Travel Plan Provide Any Home Country Coverage?

Atlas Travel does offer medical expense coverage in your home country in the following situations:

Benefit Period

While the certificate is in effect, the benefit period does not apply. Upon termination of the certificate, including when you return to your home country, the benefit period applies for up to 90 days only to eligible medical expenses directly related to an injury or illness that was diagnosed or treated while the certificate was in effect. The benefit period begins on the first day of diagnosis or treatment of a covered injury or illness made while you are outside your home country. The benefit period applies whether or not you return to your home country.

Incidental Home Country Coverage

You must have purchased three months of coverage for the Incidental Home Country Coverage to be in effect.

For individuals with the U.S. as a home country: For every three-month period during which you are covered hereunder, eligible medical expenses incurred in the U.S. are covered up to a maximum of 15 days.

For individuals with a home country other than the U.S.: For every three-month period during which you are covered hereunder, eligible medical expenses incurred in your home country are covered up to a maximum of 30 days.

Should you make a change to the location of your home country during the certificate period, you must notify us of such change within fifteen (15) days. Your new home country will govern the terms of any home country or incidental home country coverage. Any benefit accrued under a sin­gle three-month period does not accumulate to another period. Failure to continue your international trip or you returning to your home country for the sole purpose of obtaining treatment for an illness or injury that began while traveling shall void any incidental home country coverage.

Does the Atlas Travel Plan Include Any Coverage for Medical Expenses Related to COVID-19?

Policies purchased on or after July 15, 2020, do cover eligible medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. Eligible medical expenses are medically necessary expenses that are not subject to another plan exclusion.

What Are Atlas International and Atlas America?

Atlas Travel policyholders who are U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens traveling outside of the U.S. will be covered under Atlas International, which provides coverage outside of the United States.

Atlas Travel policyholders who are non-U.S. citizens (and home country is not the United States) traveling to the United States will be covered under Atlas America. (For the purpose of this American visitor insurance coverage, the United States also includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.)

The correct plan will be automatically selected for you when you purchase your Atlas Travel plan, depending on whether your trip includes coverage for the U.S. (You will only be covered for the U.S. if you are a non-U.S. citizen, your home country is not the United States, and all or part of your travel includes the U.S.)

What Is Covered Under the Atlas Travel Insurance Plan?

Does the Atlas Travel Insurance Plan Provide Any Trip Cancellation Coverage?

Does the Atlas Travel Insurance Plan Meet Schengen Visa Requirements?

Can I Extend or Renew My Atlas Travel Insurance Coverage?

How Do I Extend My Atlas Travel Insurance Coverage?

Follow the below instructions to EXTEND your Atlas Travel medical insurance plan:

• Log into your Member Portal .
• On your Member Portal home page, click the box labeled "Extend or Renew My Policy" under the "How Can We Help You Today?" header.
• If you are eligible to extend your policy ad do not need to contact a broker or plan administrator in order to do so, you will see the "Extend Policy" page.
• Use the dropdown arrow to insert your new coverage end date and click "Next."
• Fill in your payment information.
• Review the Terms and Conditions and click the checkbox to acknowledge that you have read and accepted them.
• Click the "Submit" button to submit your extension request. Your coverage confirmation will be sent to the email address you entered.

How Do I Cancel My Atlas Travel Insurance Coverage?

Most members are able to submit a cancellation request online in Member Portal . Note that only members who have no claims are eligible for a premium refund.

After you create your Member Portal account ( click here for registration instructions) , log in and select “Policy Information” in the top righthand corner. Then select the “Modify Coverage Dates” box. If you are not eligible to cancel via Member Portal, you will see a message prompting you to contact your agent for assistance. If you are eligible to cancel via Member Portal, select “No” under the “Would you like to change your coverage start date?” question. Then select “Shorten or cancel your coverage.”

If Your Policy Has Not Yet Started…

You are eligible for a full refund of your premium for free. On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your coverage start date as your new coverage end date. Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days.

If Your Policy Has Already Started…

A $25 cancellation fee will apply and only the prorated portion of your premium will be refunded. On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your new coverage end date and click “Calculate Refund” to display the eligibility of the date selected and the amount that will be refunded. Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days.

Is My Group Eligible for an Atlas Group Travel Plan?

Does the Atlas Group Travel Insurance Plan Provide Any Home Country Coverage?

Yes. Atlas Group will provide foreign visitors with limited home country coverage. However, there are two types of coverage in the home country, all of which are restricted to medical expenses only:

Does the Atlas Group Plan Include Any Coverage for Medical Expenses Related to COVID-19?

If You Purchased Your Atlas Group Policy on Or After July 15, 2020: Your plan will cover eligible medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. Eligible medical expenses are medically necessary expenses that are not subject to another plan exclusion.

If You Purchased Your Atlas Group Policy Before July 15, 2020: Your plan contains an applicable exclusion and will NOT cover medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. The full exclusion reads: Charges resulting from a disease outbreak in a country or location for which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a level 3 or higher travel warning are excluded if:

- the warning has been in effect within the 60 days immediately prior to your date of arrival, or - within 10 days following the date the warning was issued you have failed to depart the country or location. You can review the exclusion by reading through the “General Exclusions” section of your Description of Coverage (DOC).

You will find your DOC in Member Portal . Sign in to the portal, click "Policy Information" in the navigation menu, and then click the box labeled "Description of Coverage."

What Are Atlas Group International and Atlas Group America?

Atlas Group policyholders who are U.S. citizens or non-U.S. citizens (and home country is not the United States) traveling outside of the U.S. will be covered under Atlas Group International, which provides coverage outside of the United States.

Atlas Group policyholders who are non-U.S. citizens traveling to the United States will be covered under Atlas Group America. (For the purpose of this American visitor insurance coverage, the United States also includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.)

The correct plan will be automatically selected for you when you purchase your Atlas Group plan, depending on whether your trip includes coverage for the U.S. (You will only be covered for the U.S. if you are a non-U.S. citizen, your home country is not the United States, and all or part of your travel includes the U.S.)

What Medical Expenses are Covered Under an Atlas Group Travel Plan?

Am I Eligible for an Atlas Nomads Insurance Plan?

When Does My Atlas Nomads Coverage Become Effective and When Does it End?

Your Atlas Nomads insurance coverage becomes effective on the latest of: - the moment we receive your application and correct premium (if application and payment is made online or by fax) - 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the date we receive your application and payment (if application and payment are made by mail) - the moment you depart from your home country - 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the date you request on your application if the correct premium is received

Your coverage will end on the earliest of: - 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the last day of the period for which you have paid a premium - 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the date requested on your application - the moment of your arrival upon return to your home country (unless you have started a benefit period or are eligible for home country coverage)

Does the Atlas Nomads Plan Provide Any Home Country Coverage?

Atlas Nomads does offer medical expense coverage in your home country in the following situations:

While the certificate is in effect, the benefit period does not apply. Upon termination of the certificate, including when you return to your home country, the benefit period applies for up to 90 days only to eligible medical and dental expenses directly related to an injury or illness that was diagnosed or treated while the certificate was in effect. The benefit period begins on the first day of diagnosis or treatment of a covered injury or illness made while you are outside your home country. The benefit period applies whether or not you return to your home country.

You must have purchased three months of coverage for the Incidental Home Country Coverage to be in effect. For every three-month period during which you are covered hereunder, eligible medical expenses incurred in your home country are covered up to a maximum of 30 days. Any benefit accrued under a sin­gle three-month period does not accumulate to another period. Failure to continue your international trip or you returning to your home country for the sole purpose of obtaining treatment for an illness or injury that began while traveling shall void any incidental home country coverage.

Does the Atlas Nomads Plan Include Any Coverage for Medical Expenses Related to COVID-19?

What Is Covered Under the Atlas Nomads Insurance Plan?

Does the Atlas Nomads Insurance Plan Provide Any Trip Cancellation Coverage?

Atlas Nomads does not provide any reimbursement if you must cancel your trip prior to departure. However, it does include a Trip Interruption benefit if you must end your trip early due to a covered reason. See “Trip Cancellation VS Trip Interruption: What Is the Difference?” for an explanation of the difference between trip cancellation coverage and trip interruption coverage.

Note that Atlas Nomads medical insurance has a lower premium than most travel insurance plans because it does not include a Trip Cancellation benefit. If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident looking for travel insurance with a Trip Cancellation benefit, you should consider Atlas Journey® trip cancellation insurance. Visit the Atlas Journey product page for details about this plan.

Does the Atlas Nomads Insurance Plan Meet Visa Requirements?

Can I Renew My Atlas Nomads Insurance Coverage?

Can I Extend My Atlas Nomads Insurance Coverage?

How Do I Cancel My Atlas Nomad Insurance Coverage?

On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your coverage start date as your new coverage end date. Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days.

Only premium for unused whole months (if paying in monthly installments) or unused days (if paid in full) will be refunded. On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your new coverage end date and click “Calculate Refund” to display the eligibility of the date selected and the amount that will be refunded. Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days. Please note that you cannot have filed any claims to be eligible for a premium refund.

Am I Eligible for a StudentSecure International Student Health Insurance Plan?

In order to be eligible for any of our StudentSecure international student health plans, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Must be:

1. a full-time student at a college or university, excluding online colleges and universities, or

2. within 31 days of being a full-time student at a college or university, or

3. a student under age 19 enrolled in a secondary school, or

4. a full-time scholar affiliated with an educational institution and performing work or research for at least 30 hours per week

The full-time student/scholar status requirement is waived for participants within the U.S. holding a valid F-1 visa or J-1 visa. Full-time status requirements remain in force for individuals holding M-1 or other category visas.

2. Must be residing outside home country for the purpose of pursuing international educational activities.

3. Must not have obtained residency status in the host country. Participants visiting the U.S. must hold a valid education-related visa. A copy of the I-20 or DS-2019 may be requested. For U.S. citizens and residents, the host country must be outside the U.S., including U.S. territories.

When Does Coverage Become Effective Once I Get a StudentSecure Plan?

When Does Coverage Terminate with a StudentSecure Plan?

Which Plan Should I Purchase, StudentSecure Elite, StudentSecure Select, StudentSecure Budget, or StudentSecure Smart?

Do StudentSecure Plans Provide Any Home Country Coverage?

Yes. StudentSecure will provide foreign visitors with limited home country coverage. You must have purchased three months of coverage for the incidental home country coverage to be in effect.

For every three-month period during which you are covered, eligible medical expenses are covered up to a maximum of 15 days. Any benefit accrued under a single three-month period does not accumulate to another period. Failure to continue your international trip or your return to your home country for the sole purpose of obtaining treatment for an illness or injury that began while traveling shall void any incidental home country coverage.

For all non-U.S. citizens electing coverage “excluding the U.S.” and for all U.S. citizens or residents, no coverage is provided within the U.S., except for U.S. citizens or residents during an eligible incidental home country visit or an eligible benefit period.

Does the StudentSecure Plan Include Any Coverage for Medical Expenses Related to COVID-19?

If You Purchased Your StudentSecure Policy on Or After May 15, 2020: Your plan  will cover  eligible medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. Eligible medical expenses are medically necessary expenses that are not subject to another plan exclusion.

If You Purchased Your StudentSecure Policy Before May 15, 2020: Your plan contains an applicable exclusion and  will NOT cover  medical expenses resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.

The following is included in the Description of Coverage:

Charges resulting from a disease outbreak in a country or location for which the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  have issued a level 3 or higher travel warning are excluded if:

• the warning has been in effect within the 60 days immediately prior to your effective date, or
• within 10 days following the date the alert/warning was issued you have failed to depart the country or location.

You can review the exclusion by reading through the “General Exclusions” section of your Description of Coverage (DOC).You will find your DOC in Member Portal at  worldtrips.my.site.com/MemberPortal . Sign into the portal, click "Policy Information" in the navigation menu, and then click the box labeled "Description of Coverage."

What International Medical Benefits Are Covered in a StudentSecure Insurance Plan?

Does StudentSecure Cover Any Pre-Existing Conditions?

Charges resulting directly or indirectly from any *pre-existing condition are excluded from StudentSecure Elite and StudentSecure Select during the first 6 months of coverage and from StudentSecure Budget during the first 12 months of coverage.

All StudentSecure plans include **Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions (excluding chronic and congenital conditions) up to a lifetime maximum of $25,000 for eligible expenses. Note that StudentSecure Smart provides Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions coverage only.

*Pre-existing condition means any injury, illness, sickness, disease, or other physical, medical, mental, or nervous disorder, condition, or ailment that, with reasonable medical certainty, existed at the time of application or at any time during the 12 months prior to the effective date of this insurance, whether or not previously manifested, symptomatic or known, diagnosed, treated, or disclosed to us prior to the effective date, and including any and all subsequent, chronic or recurring complications or consequences related thereto or resulting or arising therefrom.

**An acute onset of a pre-existing condition is a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence that is of short duration, is rapidly progressive, and requires urgent care. A pre-existing condition that is a chronic or congenital, or that gradually becomes worse over time, is not acute onset of a pre-existing condition.

The Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition benefit will only apply if all of the following conditions are met:

• The acute onset of a pre-existing condition does not directly or indirectly relate to a chronic condition or congenital condition; and
• Treatment must be obtained within twenty-four (24) hours of the sudden and unexpected outbreak or reoccurrence; and
• You must not be traveling against or in disregard of the recommendations, established treatment programs, or medical advice of a physician or other healthcare provider; and
• You must not be traveling with the intent or purpose to seek or obtain treatment for the pre-existing condition; and
• You must be traveling outside your home country

Is There Any Maternity or Newborn Care Coverage with a StudentSecure Insurance Plan?

I Am Planning to Play a Team Sport When I Study Abroad. Am I Covered with a StudentSecure Plan?

StudentSecure Elite and Select provide coverage for medical expenses resulting from injuries or illnesses sustained while participating in intercollegiate, interscholastic, intramural, or club sports. This benefit covers up to a maximum of $5,000 per injury or illness. StudentSecure Budget and Smart do not provide coverage for organized sports activities.

To be eligible for coverage, the sports or athletics must be sanctioned by your school and cannot be performed for any wage, reward, or profit.

All four StudentSecure plans include coverage for eligible medical expenses resulting from injuries or illnesses sustained while participating in leisure, recreational, entertainment, or fitness activities. Eligible expenses are covered up to the overall maximum limit. Please review the StudentSecure Description of Coverage for a list of excluded sports and activities.

Is There Mental Health Coverage with a StudentSecure Plan?

StudentSecure provides benefits for mental health disorders as long as treatment is not obtained at a student health center.

Under StudentSecure Elite, physician office visit care is covered up to a maximum of 40 visits. Inpatient care is covered up to a maximum of 40 days.

Under StudentSecure Select and StudentSecure Budget, physician office visit care is covered up to a maximum of 30 visits. Inpatient care is covered up to a maximum of 30 days.

Under StudentSecure Smart, physician office visit care is covered up to a $500 lifetime maximum. Inpatient care is covered up to a $5,000 lifetime maximum. Drug abuse and alcohol abuse are excluded under StudentSecure Smart.

See your Description of Coverage for other important details of this benefit.

Am I Covered with a StudentSecure Plan if I Have an Accident that Involves Dental Injuries?

All four StudentSecure international student medical insurance plans provide emergency dental treatment by a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM), or other licensed dental practitioner, necessary to resolve pain or to restore or replace natural teeth lost or damaged in an accident (up to a $500 plan period maximum).

Does StudentSecure Provide Coverage for an Emergency Medical Evacuation?

All four StudentSecure plans provide coverage for:

• Emergency air transportation to a suitable airport nearest to the hospital where you will receive treatment; and
• Emergency ground transportation necessarily preceding emergency air transportation, and from the destination airport to the hospital where you will receive treatment.

The evacuation must be agreed upon by you or your relative and travel arrangements must be approved in advance and coordinated by WorldTrips. Your attending physician must recommend the evacuation and certify that it is medically necessary and that transportation by any other method would result in the loss of your life or limb.

Does StudentSecure Have Emergency Reunion Coverage?

Yes. If you experience a covered emergency medical evacuation or you are hospitalized as inpatient for at least 5 days due to a covered, life-threatening condition, you will be eligible for:

• An economy, roundtrip air or ground transportation ticket for one relative from their home country to the area where you are hospitalized, and
• Reasonable expenses for lodging and meals for the relative in the area where you are hospitalized (15-day maximum)

Emergency Reunion benefits that are not related to an emergency medical evacuation will be paid only following the end of the inpatient hospitalization.

How Can I Access My Personalized Product Links?

I'm Worried About Acts of Terrorism in My Host Country. Is There Coverage for That?

StudentSecure Elite, StudentSecure Select, and StudentSecure Budget provide medical coverage for injuries and illnesses resulting from an act of terrorism, subject to a $50,000 lifetime maximum, provided all the following conditions are met:

• The injury or illness does not result from the use of any biological, chemical, cyber, radioactive or nuclear agent, material, device or weapon.
• You have no direct or indirect involvement in the act of terrorism.
• The act of terrorism is not in a country or location where the U.S. Department of State has issued a level 3 “reconsider travel” or higher travel advisory within the 60 days prior to your date of arrival.
• You have not failed to depart a country or location within 10 days following the date a level 3 or higher travel advisory to leave that country or location is issued by the U.S. Department of State.

StudentSecure Smart does not provide coverage for medical expenses incurred due to an act of terrorism.

An Act of Terrorism Is Defined as: An act, including but not limited to, the use of force or violence and/or the threat thereof, of any person or group(s) of persons, whether acting alone or on behalf of or in connection with any organization(s) or government(s) committed for political, religious, ideological or similar purposes including the intention to influence any government and/or to put the public, or any section of the public, in fear.

Is There Any Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage Included with a StudentSecure Plan?

In the event of your accidental death or dismemberment resulting from a covered injury, StudentSecure Elite and StudentSecure Select will provide the following benefit:

• Accidental Death – Principal sum to the beneficiary designated on your application
• Loss of Sight in Both Eyes or Loss of Two or More Limbs – Principal sum to you
• Loss of Sight in One Eye or Loss of One Limb – One-half of the principal sum to you

Loss of Sight  – Defined as complete, permanent, and irrevocable loss of sight.

Loss of Limb  – Defined as the arm when the severance is at or above (toward the elbow) the wrist, or the leg when the severance is at or above (toward the knee) the ankle. StudentSecure Elite and StudentSecure Select offer an optional AD&D Rider for an additional $25,000 lifetime maximum. StudentSecure Budget and StudentSecure Smart do not provide an Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit.

Note that the Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit is not available for losses resulting from an act of terrorism.

Should Something Happen and Death Occurs, Do You Cover the Transportation of Remains Back Home?

What If I Have to Go to the Hospital on the Day My StudentSecure Plan Terminates?

Can I Extend or Renew My StudentSecure Insurance Coverage?

How Do I Extend My StudentSecure Insurance Coverage?

Follow the below instructions to EXTEND your StudentSecure insurance plan:

• Log into your Member Portal account.
• If you are eligible to extend your policy and you do not need to contact a broker or plan administrator in order to do so, you will see the "Extend Policy" page.

How Do I Cancel My StudentSecure Insurance Coverage?

After you create your Member Portal account ( click here for registration instructions ), log in and select “Policy Information” in the top righthand corner. Then select the “Modify or Cancel Coverage” box.

If you are not eligible to cancel via Member Portal, you will see a message prompting you to contact your agent for assistance. If you are eligible to cancel via Member Portal, select “No” under the “Would you like to change your coverage start date?” question. Then select “Shorten or cancel your coverage.”

If Your Policy Has Not Yet Started …

If Your Policy Has Already Started …

A $25 cancellation fee will apply. On the “Shorten or Cancel Policy” page, select your new coverage end date and click “Calculate Refund” to display the eligibility of the date selected and the amount that will be refunded.

If Paying in Monthly Installments…

• You may only cancel in whole month increments. If you select a date in the middle of a monthly installment period, the following installment period will not be drafted.
• Only premium for unused whole months will be refunded.

If Paid in Full…

• Only premium for unused days will be refunded.

Once you click “Submit,” you will be routed to a confirmation page. You will also receive a confirmation email. Your refund will be applied to the original payment method used within 3-5 business days. Please note that after 60 days, no refunds will be granted.

What Is Trip Insurance?

Trip insurance is designed to protect your trip’s financial investment as you travel domestically or abroad. Designed for U.S. residents, trip insurance provides you with reimbursement for lost and stolen baggage, reimbursement for a trip that’s unexpectedly cut short, and medical coverage for unexpected sickness or injury.

Trip insurance may also include a Trip Cancellation benefit that reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses (cruise, tours, hotel accommodations, airfare, etc.) if you must cancel your trip due to a covered reason.

Atlas Journey Elevate, Atlas Journey Explore, and Atlas Journey Escape include a Trip Cancellation benefit, while Atlas On-The-Go does not. See the  Atlas Journey  or  Atlas On-The-Go  product page for more details.

What Are Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation?

Some covered reasons for trip cancellation include:

• A physician recommending that you or your traveling companion cancel your trip due to sickness or accidental injury
• Sickness or injury of your family member, business partner, service animal, or your traveling companion that requires medical treatment by a physician
• Your death or the death of your traveling companion, family member, business partner, or service animal
• Severe weather, natural disaster, or strike that causes your common carrier to shut down for 12+ hours
• A terrorist incident in a city listed on your itinerary within 30 days of your planned arrival

This is not an exhaustive list. Please visit the  Atlas Journey Policy Documents page to view the policy documents for your plan and state of residency. These documents include a full list of covered reasons for trip cancellation as well as conditions and exclusions.

What Are Covered Reasons for Trip Interruption?

Some covered reasons for trip interruption include:

• A physician recommending that you or your traveling companion end your trip early due to sickness or accidental injury
• Sickness or injury of your family member, business partner, or service animal that requires medical treatment by a physician

This is not an exhaustive list. Please visit the Atlas Journey Policy Documents page page to view the policy documents for your plan and state of residency. These documents include a full list of covered reasons for trip interruption as well as conditions and exclusions.

What Is a Trip Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) Benefit?

The Trip Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit is an optional benefit upgrade that could reimburse you for a percentage of the unused, nonrefundable, prepaid payments you made toward your trip if you must cancel for any reason not already covered by your Trip Cancellation benefit.

This benefit upgrade is available when you purchase an Atlas Journey Elevate or Atlas Journey Explore trip insurance plan within 21 days of the date your initial deposit for your trip is received. (It is not available for Atlas Journey Escape or Atlas On-The-Go.) You must cancel your trip at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure to receive reimbursement via the CFAR benefit.

Note that the percentage of your trip cost that will be reimbursed depends on your plan and the percentage you choose. Visit the State Disclosures page to view the policy documents for your plan and state of residency. These documents provide additional details specific to your plan.

*NOTE: Upgrade availability varies by plan level. An upgrade name and availability may vary by state of residence.

How Do I Purchase a Trip Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) Benefit?

Visit quote.worldtrips.com/ctp and enter your trip details under “Price My Plan.” Click the “View My Plans” button. On the next page labeled “Choose Your Plan,” click the “Select” button for the Atlas Journey plan you’d like to purchase. (Note that you must purchase an Atlas Journey Elevate or Atlas Journey Explore plan to add a Trip Cancellation for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit upgrade. The CFAR upgrade is not available for Atlas Journey Escape or Atlas On-The-Go.)

You will add your Trip Cancellation for Any Reason benefit upgrade on the following page labeled “Upgrade Your Plan.” Under the “Cancel for Any Reason” heading, select which percentage of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses (50% or 75%) you would like to be reimbursed if you cancel your trip for any reason 48 or more hours prior to your departure. Then click the “+” sign to add the upgrade to your plan.

Once this additional coverage is added, you will see it listed in the sidebar under “My Plan.” Note that your plan price will increase with each optional upgrade you add. Once you’ve selected all the upgrades you’d like to add to your plan, click the “Next Step” button toward the bottom of the page. Provide the information requested on the “Traveler Information” page and the “Trip Information” page. Then complete the checkout process to finish purchasing your plan.

Who Is Considered a "Traveling Companion" for Insurance Purposes?

Who Is Considered a "Family Member" for Insurance Purposes?

A family member means any of the following:

• Your or your traveling companion's legal spouse (or common-law spouse where legal)
• legal guardian, parent, or ward
• brother or sister - son or daughter
• grandparent or great-grandparent
• grandchild or great-grandchild
• aunt or uncle - niece or nephew
• domestic partner or civil union partner
• caregiver or child caregiver

Can I Buy Trip Insurance After Departing on My Trip?

What Is the Latest Date I Can Purchase Trip Insurance?

One day before your departure date is the latest date you can purchase Atlas Journey Elevate, Atlas Journey Explore, or Atlas Journey Escape trip protection insurance.

You can purchase Atlas On-The-Go trip interruption insurance the same day you depart for your trip.

If you need insurance coverage after you’ve departed on your trip and you are traveling outside of your home country, consider a travel medical insurance plan like  Atlas Travel ,  Atlas Premium ,  Atlas Group , Atlas Nomads , or  Atlas MultiTrip . These plans provide coverage for unexpected medical expenses (including COVID-19-related expenses) as well as some supplemental travel benefits. Note that coverage for these plans is only provided for eligible injuries, illnesses, and travel mishaps that occur after your coverage has gone into effect.

Can I Purchase Trip Insurance If I'm Not a U.S. Resident?

You must be a U.S. citizen or resident with a mailing address in the U.S. to purchase an Atlas Journey or Atlas On-The-Go trip protection insurance plan. If you’re not a U.S. resident and you are traveling outside of your home country, consider purchasing a travel medical insurance plan like Atlas Travel ,  Atlas Premium ,  Atlas Group , Atlas Nomads , or  Atlas MultiTrip . These plans provide coverage for unexpected medical expenses (including COVID-19-related expenses) as well as some supplemental travel benefits.

Note that there is no Trip Cancellation benefit included with travel medical insurance plans.

What Is a Pre-Existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition means an illness, disease, or other condition during the lookback period immediately prior to your effective date of coverage for which you: 1. received a test, examination, or medical treatment; 2. received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment; or 3. took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine.

Item (3) above does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription medication and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or *change in the required prescription throughout the lookback period before your coverage effective date.

*Change in required prescription means the dosage or frequency of a medication has been increased, reduced, stopped, and/or new medications have been prescribed due to the worsening of an underlying condition that’s being treated with the medication, unless the change is: 1. between a brand name and a generic medication with comparable dosage; or 2. an adjustment to insulin or anti-coagulant dosage. Your Atlas trip protection plan will not cover pre-existing conditions that existed during the lookback period, unless you qualify for a waiver of the pre-existing conditions exclusion. (Note that Atlas On-The-Go does not offer a waiver of the pre-existing conditions exclusion.) Review the policy documents for your plan and state of residency for specific coverage details.

What Is a "Lookback Period"?

How Do I Qualify to Have Pre-Existing Conditions Covered?

Atlas Journey will waive the pre-existing conditions exclusion if both the following apply:

• you purchase your plan within 21 days of the date you made your first payment toward your trip for Atlas Journey Elevate and Atlas Journey Explore or 14 days of the date you made your first payment toward your trip for Atlas Journey Escape; and
• you are medically able to travel on the date of purchase.

Atlas On-The-Go does not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. 

Review the policy documents for your plan and state of residency for more details. Policy documents are located on the Atlas Journey Policy Documents page.

What Kinds of Travel Assistance Services Are Included with My Plan?

Wherever you travel with your Atlas Journey trip protection coverage, you have access to multilingual travel assistance services 365 days a year. Some travel assistance services include:

• Worldwide travel, medical, emergency, and security assistance
• Pet assistance
• Concierge services
• Embassy and consular service
• Medical referrals
• Language interpretation
• Assistance with lost or stolen luggage and personal items
• Coordination of personal effects collection and return
• Search and rescue coordination
• Assistance with return of minor children
• Arrangements for aircraft and car return

See the full list of travel assistance services available to you.

What Should I Do if I Experience an Emergency While Traveling?

Contact us immediately, or as soon as possible, to report a cancellation, interruption, or delayed arrival. You can also contact us if you need assistance with a medical situation.

Call (866) 400-6090 (toll free) to reach us within the U.S. or +1 (603) 328-6387 (collect calls accepted) to reach us outside the U.S.

We recommend keeping your policy ID card on you at all times in case you need to provide proof of your insurance during a medical emergency. Ensure that you save all relevant documents regarding a travel mishap or medical emergency in the event you need to file a claim. Relevant documents could include receipts, itemized bills, medical records, police reports, reports of lost luggage, etc. Don’t hesitate to use your plan’s travel assistance services in the event of an emergency while you are traveling. See the travel assistance services available to you.

What Information Do I Have to Provide in Order to Purchase a Trip Cancellation Plan?

You will need the following trip information: - Total trip cost - Departure date - Return date - Primary destination - Initial trip payment date - Final trip payment date - Airline (optional) - Cruise line (optional) - Tour operator (optional)

You will need the following personal information for each traveler on your policy: - First and last name - Traveler(s) current age(s) and date of birth - Gender (optional) - Email address - Mailing address - City of residence - State of residence - Postal code - Phone number

What Do I Choose as My State of Residence?

How Do I Calculate My Total Trip Cost?

What Is Considered My Departure Date?

What Is Considered My Return Date?

Do I Enter My Current Age or My Age on My Departure Date?

What Is Considered the Initial Trip Payment Date?

What Destination Do I Choose if I'm Visiting Multiple Destinations?

When Will My Coverage Become Effective?

What Should I Do if I Need To Change the Details of My Insurance Plan After I Buy?

How Do I Access My Insurance and Policy Documents?

You will receive your plan documents via email as soon as your application has been processed and your credit card has been approved—this is typically within a few minutes of purchase. Your plan documents will explain your benefits and serve as proof of coverage for everyone insured under the policy.

The email will also include a link to your policy documents. Your policy documents explain each of your benefits in detail. They also include important information about policy exclusions and the free look period.

You can call us or email [email protected] at any time to request that we resend your insurance documents to your email. To reach us by phone within the U.S., call  (866) 400-6090  (toll free). To reach us by phone outside the U.S., call  +1 (603) 328-6387  (collect calls accepted). 

You can find sample policy documents for your plan and state of residency  on the Atlas Journey Policy Documents page .

Where Can I See My Coverage Limits?

How Do I Cancel My Trip Insurance Policy?

Atlas Journey Elevate, Atlas Journey Explore, Atlas Journey Escape, and Atlas On-The-Go each include a free-look period. This is the period after purchase in which you’re eligible for a refund if you decide to cancel your coverage.

Review the policy documents for your plan and state of residency to see how long your free-look period lasts. You can see sample policy documents for a specific plan by visiting the  Atlas Journey Policy Documents page .

If you have an Atlas Journey or Atlas On-The-Go plan and your policy number starts with a “T,” you may email us at [email protected] to cancel. Please include “Cancellation Request” in the subject line. If your policy number does  not  start with a “T,” this means you have a travel medical insurance plan, and you may submit a cancellation request online in Member Portal .

How Do I File a Claim?

What Supporting Documents Should I Include With My Claim?

Examples of supporting documents are as follows:

For a Trip Cancellation Claim :

• Itinerary/invoice for all trip arrangements
• Proof of payment for trip arrangements
• Proof of cancellation of all trip arrangements
• Documentation supporting your reason for cancellation (e.g., completed attending physician’s statement, death certificate and obituary, jury summons, etc.)

For a Trip Interruption/Travel Delay Claim:

• Documentation of the date you joined the trip and/or left the trip
• Receipts and proof of payment for any additional expenses claimed
• Documentation supporting your reason for interruption/delay (e.g., medical notes/records, death certificate, evidence of delay or cancellation by your common carrier including the reason for the delay or cancellation, etc.)

For an Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense Claim:

• Itemized invoices
• Medical notes/records
• Proof of payment for medical expenses incurred during the trip
• Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your primary health insurer (if coverage is excess)

NOTE: Benefit availability varies by plan. Any benefit name may vary by state of residency.

For a Baggage Damage or Loss Claim:

• A copy of your claim with the carrier that had possession of the items when they were lost/stolen
• A copy of the resolution of the claim with the carrier
• Itemized list of all items claimed, including the approximate age/date of purchase for each item claimed and proof of the replacement cost for a similar item from a retailer
• If loss was the result of theft, a copy of the police report filed at the time of loss

For a Baggage Delay Claim:

• Property Irregularity Report (PIR) issued by the common carrier (shows evidence of baggage delay)
• Documentation of the date your baggage was returned to you
• Receipts for personal articles purchased while your baggage was delayed

How Long Will It Take for You To Review My Claims?

How Do I Check the Status of a Claim I've Submitted?

How Do I Upload Supporting Documentation for a Claim?

How Long Will It Take To Receive Payment for an Approved Claim?

• If you choose to receive payment by ACH: You will be asked to enter your banking information. Payment will be deposited into your account immediately.
• If you choose to receive payment by paper check: We will mail your check within 3 business days via USPS first-class mail.

How Can I Appeal a Denied Claim?

There is no special form required to file an appeal. If you wish to appeal your claim, you may send us a letter explaining the reason you disagree with the denial of your claim. You will need to include your policy and/or claim number as well as documents that support your claim. Email or mail your reasoning, policy/claim number, and supporting documents to:

Mail: Attention: Co-ordinated Benefit Plans, LLC On Behalf of US Specialty Insurance Company P.O. Box 26222 Tampa, FL 33623

[email protected] (please include “Appeal” in the subject line)

Do I Have To Use a Doctor From a Specific List?

You are always free to use the medical providers of your choice. When seeking treatment within the U.S., however, you may reduce your out-of-pocket costs by visiting a provider within your preferred provider organization (PPO). A PPO is an organized network of hundreds of thousands of qualified medical practitioners and well-recognized hospitals in the U.S.

Refer to the "Schedule of Benefits and Limits" in the Description of Coverage for your plan to determine your coinsurance responsibility for in-network and out-of-network payments within the U.S., if applicable. Then visit our "Find a Doctor or Hospital" page to find U.S.-based providers within your PPO. Note that there is no PPO for traveling outside the U.S.

Do I Have To Pay the Doctor Up Front?

Many providers are willing to bill us directly, and we are happy to work directly with the provider. The provider should submit original itemized bills to WorldTrips. You, the patient, will still need to submit a completed Claimant's Statement and Authorization form to WorldTrips. If the provider requires you to pay for medical treatment at the time of service, you will need to file a claim for reimbursement. When seeking treatment, please ensure that you provide your name in the same format as provided for your insurance policy. You can check your name format on your fulfillment documents, ID card, or in Member Portal .

At the time of service, ask your medical provider for an itemized bill with the following information: 

• Provider name and address
• Provider tax ID (if U.S.-based)
• Your name, date of birth, and certificate ID number
• Itemized charges
• DX (diagnosis) code and CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) code
• Request your receipt for payment and complete medical records from the visit.

Can My Doctor Call if They Have Questions About What My Plan Covers?

What Happens if I Become Ill or Injured Over the Weekend and Need to Contact You?

What Is a Claimant's Statement and Authorization Form?

Where Do I Find the Claimant's Statement and Authorization Form?

- Click here to view the Claimant’s Statement and Authorization form. - You can fill out the form via DocuSign online in Member Portal . (See step-by-step instructions on how to file a claim via Member Portal.) - You can also contact us at 800-605-2282 to request a form by mail or fax.

How Do I Submit the Claimant's Statement and Authorization Form?

You can complete and submit the Claimant's Statement and Authorization form (along with supporting documents) in one of the following ways: Via DocuSign within Member Portal (Most Efficient Approach) 1. Go to Member Portal . 2. Log in to your account. If this is your first time using Member Portal, view instructions for registering your new account here.

NOTE: If you already have a Client Zone / Student Zone account, you do not need to register for a Member Portal account. Simply log in to Member Portal using your Client Zone / Student Zone login details.

3. Click "Claims and Appeals" in the main navigation menu. 4. Click the “Submit New Claim Via DocuSign” button under the “Claimant’s Statement and Authorization Form” subheader in the “File a Claim” section and follow the instructions. For more extensive step-by-step instructions, including screenshots, please see our “ How to File a Claim ” guide.

Don't Have Access to the Claims and Appeals Page? If you noted that you are not the insured or the insured’s legal guardian, you will see the Protected Health Information Authorization page in place of the Claims and Appeals page. Enter the insured’s email address and click “Send Request.” Once the insured has completed and submitted our HIPAA form, you will gain access to the Claims and Appeals page and have the ability to submit a claim within 3-5 days.

By Mail 1. Download the Claimant's Statement and Authorization form here. 2. Print, complete, and sign the form 3. Mail to: WorldTrips Claims Department PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A. WorldTrips is also happy to fax, e-mail, or mail the form(s) to you upon request.

Important Note for Students: For eligibility purposes, you must submit the following along with a Claimant's Statement and Authorization form: - A copy of your education-related visa (F-1, J-1, OPT, etc.) or valid I-20/DS2019 - Proof of full-time student status (not necessary if submitting a valid F-1 visa including OPT, or J-1 visa)

Do I Need to Send a Completed Claimant's Statement and Authorization Form with Every Bill?

I Completed the Claimant's Statement and Authorization Form and You're Asking for It Again - Why?

What Is An Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (Also Known as the HIPAA Form)?

How Do I Submit the Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (Also Known as the HIPAA Form?

You may complete and submit the form to us in one of the following ways:

- Electronically via Member Portal

• Log in to your account. If this is your first time using Member Portal, please click here to view instructions for registering your new account.  If you already have a Client Zone / Student Zone account, you do not need to register for a Member Portal account. Simply log in to Member Portal using your Client Zone / Student Zone login details. 

If You See the Protected Health Information Authorization Page: - Because you selected that you are not the insured or the insured's legal guardian upon registering for Member Portal, you do not yet have access to the Claims and Appeals page. - Under the "Protected Health Information Authorization" header, enter the insured's email address and click the "Send Request" button. - The insured will receive an email with a link to complete, sign, and submit the HIPPA form via DocuSign. You will gain access to the Claims and Appeals page and will be able to see the status of any pending claims within 3-5 days of the date the policyholder completed and submitted the form.

If You See the Claims and Appeals Page: - Click the "Fill Out and Submit Via DocuSign" button under the "Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information (HIPPA)" subheader in the "File a Claim" section. - Enter the insured's name and an email address and click the "Begin Signing" button. - Click the yellow "Continue" button, fill out the form and the required information (as noted by the red boxes), have the policyholder sign the form, and click the yellow "Finish" button. - Clicking "Finish" submits the document and sends a PDF of your signed Authorization Form for Use and/or Disclosure of Protected Health Information to the email address entered. Download or print a copy of your completed form for your records. If you do not receive a confirmation email with your completed form attached within 24 hours, please contact WorldTrips to make sure your form was properly submitted.

• Mail to: WorldTrips Claims Department PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124 U.S.A. 

How Long Will It Take for My Claim to Be Processed?

How Do I Find Out About the Status of Submitted Claims?

I Submitted Everything You've Requested - Why Are My Claims Still Not Processed?

Is the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) a Bill?

What Is Subrogation?

In health insurance, subrogation is the process through which an insurance company seeks to recover medical costs from another party’s insurance. For WorldTrips, it refers to those times when you or your family may have submitted a claim for medical care for which a third party is responsible. These types of claims could be car accidents, slip and fall claims, negligence claims, or product liability claims. In cases where a claim for services in the United States is in question, WorldTrips is responsible for administering the claim.

We use Equian, an independent company, to assist us with the investigation and recovery process for these subrogated claims. [equian logo?] - What Equian Will Do? As part of the investigation process, you may receive a letter or email directly from WorldTrips and Equian asking you to provide details regarding an incident or paid medical claim. The date of your consultation or treatment and the name of the healthcare provider will be listed on the letter and the investigation will be allocated an event number.

-What You Need to Do If you have been contacted by WorldTrips and Equian, you can fill out the online subrogation questionnaire at the following link: https://selfservice.troversolutions.com You will be asked to provide your event number, which was provided in the correspondence, so please have it ready to reference. You can also call the toll-free customer service number at +1 (800) 395-5568 to provide the information to an Equian customer service representative.

Customer service hours in the U.S. are as follows: - Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time - Friday: 8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time - How Helping Us Will Benefit You By providing WorldTrips and Equian with the requested accident-related information, you are able to take an active role in helping to control your healthcare costs. If Equian determines another party was responsible for your injuries, it may seek reimbursement from the responsible party or insurance.

With the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA) Law, How Can You Deny Pre-Existing Conditions?

How Do I Become Contracted with WorldTrips?

Are There Any Contract Fees or Production Requirements?

Do I Have to Carry a Health Insurance License in Every State?

Can I Sell WorldTrips' Portfolio of Products on My Personal Website?

How Can I View My Production?

When and How Are Commissions Paid?

Commissions are paid each month on the third to the last business day of the month for all commissions owed for all sales since the last commissions received.  You may also be eligible for a second commission payment if you sign up to receive payment by EFT (ACH/Wire) and are owed over $100.00 on the second Wednesday of each month. 

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WorldTrips international travel medical insurance products are underwritten by Lloyd's. WorldTrips is a service company and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. WorldTrips has authority to enter into contracts of insurance on behalf of the Lloyd's underwriting members of Lloyd's Syndicate 4141, which is managed by HCC Underwriting Agency, Ltd.

Understanding Travel Insurance Benefits

This article was created to help you become more familiar with insurance terms by defining some of the most common benefits of travel insurance plans.

Let's make this as easy as possible. What are you trying to insure?

Your Health And Trip

… you need Travel Medical Insurance!

View Travel Insurance Benefits

Just Your Trip

… you need Trip Cancellation Insurance!

View Trip Cancellation Benefits

Common Benefits of Travel Insurance Plans

If you are interested in purchasing an insurance plan that will cover both your health and travel costs, a travel insurance plan (also called travel medical insurance) is a great option. Not only will these plans cover you for doctor visits and hospitalizations, they come standard with emergency medical evacuation, repatriation and miscellaneous travel benefits like lost luggage.

Need Travel Insurance?

Common Benefits of Trip Cancellation Plans

If there is even a possibility that you may need to cancel your trip last minute trip cancellation insurance can help protect your investment. These plans won’t cover doctor visits, but they will help reimburse you for any travel expenses that you’ve already paid for (like a plane or cruise ticket).

Need Trip Cancellation Insurance?

Common Benefits of Both Trip Cancellation and Travel Medical Plans

Since trip cancellation and travel medical plans are both designed to cover aspects of your trip, there will naturally be some shared coverage.

If you are primarily looking to cover your trip we recommend the RoundTrip plan that includes travel benefits such as trip cancellation, trip interruption and trip delay. If you are more concerned about healthcare expenses that may be incurred outside of your home country, our Atlas Travel plan would be a better option. As with any insurance purchase it’s important to ensure that you read the policy details in full and always contact your insurance company directly to ask any questions you may have before purchasing a plan.

Want to learn more? Read our article Trip Cancellation or Travel Medical Insurance

Return to our "Insurance Explained" section for more information and help

June 1, 2020

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova; North Korea; Russia; Israel

This is a test environment. Please proceed to AllianzTravelInsurance.com and remove all bookmarks or references to this site.

Use this tool to calculate all purchases like ski-lift passes, show tickets, or even rental equipment.

Travel Insurance and COVID-19: The Epidemic Coverage Endorsement Explained

Here are real-world scenarios for how benefits may apply under plans containing the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement.

Trip cancellation when you’re diagnosed with covid-19.

Scenario: You’ve booked an adorable cottage for your family vacation to Sanibel Island, Florida. Three days before you’re supposed to leave, your spouse begins to feel unwell. You anxiously await his test results, then learn he has COVID-19. Your first concern is for his health; your second concern is all the money you’re going to lose on this vacation. It’s too late to get a refund. Can your travel insurance with the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement help?

Yes, if your plan also includes Trip Cancellation benefits. A serious illness suffered by the insured person, a traveling companion or a family member is a covered reason for trip cancellation. The Trip Cancellation benefit can reimburse you for nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs, up to the maximum benefit in your plan, if you must cancel your trip for a covered reason.

The Epidemic Coverage Endorsement specifically includes an epidemic disease, such as COVID-19, as a covered illness. The standard conditions apply. A positive COVID-19 test or diagnosis by a physician is considered verification of illness, even if the traveler is asymptomatic.

The Epidemic Coverage Endorsement also includes the serious illness of a family member who’s not traveling with you. Your trip cancellation can be covered if a family member is diagnosed with COVID-19 (or another epidemic disease) and their illness is considered life-threatening by a doctor or requires hospitalization.

Please note, coverage only applies to plans that include the applicable benefit and covered reason.  All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums.  See your plan for details.

Emergency Medical Care for COVID-19 While Traveling

Scenario: You’re traveling to visit your mom in Guatemala City. On your sixth day there, you awake with chills and a fever. You call us for assistance, and we recommend a highly regarded private hospital nearby. There, you’re diagnosed with COVID-19. You’re hospitalized as your condition grows worse. How can your travel insurance help?

If your plan includes the Emergency Medical Care benefit and the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, then you can be reimbursed for costs for emergency medical care for COVID-19 or another covered illness, up to your specific plan’s maximum limit for the Emergency Medical Care benefit.

This benefit is especially important if you’re traveling overseas. For example, hospitals in Guatemala (as in many other countries) may require payment before you can be treated, and may not accept your U.S. health insurance. 1  If you need to be admitted to a hospital for inpatient care for longer than 24 hours, Allianz Global Assistance can guarantee or advance payments, where accepted, up to the limit of your emergency medical/dental coverage.

Please note, coverage only applies to plans that include the applicable benefit and covered reason.  All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums.  See your plan for details.

Emergency Medical Transportation If You Are Diagnosed with COVID-19 While Traveling

Scenario: After months stuck at home, you decide it’s time for a radical change of scenery. You book a tiny beach bungalow in the town of Xcalak, on Mexico’s Costa Maya, and settle in for a week of fishing and sunbathing. Five days into your trip, you come down with a fever and begin feeling short of breath. The local clinic diagnoses COVID-19, but they’re not equipped to treat you. How can your travel insurance plan with the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement help?

If you’re diagnosed with an epidemic disease such as COVID-19 while you’re traveling and you require an emergency medical evacuation, then your Emergency Transportation benefit can help. Our medical team will consult with the local doctor. If they determine that the local medical facilities are unable to provide adequate treatment, then our team can arrange and pay for emergency medical transportation to the nearest appropriate hospital.

This benefit also includes medical repatriation. That means that once you’re ready to return home and continue your recovery, our team can arrange and pay for your transportation home, with medical accommodations if medically necessary.

COVID-19-Related Travel Delays

Scenario: You’re at the airport, about to fly to Seattle to see your sister. Ten minutes before your flight departs, you realize you’re at the wrong gate! You’re standing at A-6 and you should be at A-36. You sprint through the airport and make it to the end of the boarding line. Then the gate associate takes your temperature. “101,” she says. “I’m sorry, but you won’t be able to board.”

You try to explain that you’re hot because you were running. You took a COVID-19 test the day before, and it was negative. It’s no use: the airline won’t let you board. Now what?

Certain Epidemic Coverage Endorsements include a denied boarding covered reason under one or both of the Travel Delay and Trip Interruption benefits.  For customers with that covered reason included in their Epidemic Coverage Endorsement under Travel Delay or Trip Interruption, if a travel carrier denies you boarding based on a suspicion that you have a contagious medical condition, including an epidemic disease such as COVID-19, that can be a covered reason under the applicable benefit(s). This covered reason also applies if your traveling companion is denied boarding.

Please note that your benefits will not cover you if you don’t comply with the rules or requirements of your travel carrier or your destination! If, for instance, you’re required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, and you don’t have it, then your travel delay benefits can’t help you.

So how can travel insurance help? Your Travel Delay benefits can reimburse you for eligible expenses incurred during your delay, such as meals, transportation and lodging. Your Trip Interruption benefits can reimburse reasonable additional transportation expenses to continue your trip — such as, for instance, a ticket on a different airline — or accommodation and transportation expenses incurred while staying longer than expected. If you’re unable to continue your trip, then your trip interruption benefits can also reimburse you for your unused, non-refundable trip costs.

Trip Interruption When Individually Ordered to Quarantine Due to COVID-19 Exposure

Scenario: While you are on a cruise, the crew of your cruise ship is conducting random COVID-19 testing of passengers. A passenger who is not part of your traveling party but with whom you have had close contact tests positive for COVID-19. As a result, you or your traveling companion are ordered to quarantine while on board. Other passengers who are not close contacts of the ill passenger are allowed to continue freely moving about the ship as normal. Can travel insurance with the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement help?

Yes. If you or a traveling companion are individually ordered to quarantine before or during your trip because you were exposed to an epidemic disease, such as COVID-19, that can be a covered reason for Trip Interruption. Certain conditions must be met, however. For instance, benefits for quarantines only apply when an eligible traveler is specifically named and individually ordered to quarantine (not including generally or broadly applicable quarantines such as state “shelter in place” orders). Let’s say you must cancel a trip because your entire town or state (or your destination) is placed under stay-at-home restrictions. This would not be covered under your plan.  Other conditions and limitations apply.  See below for details.*

How can the Trip Interruption benefit help in a situation like this? If you have to interrupt your trip or end it early due to a covered reason, we can reimburse you for your unused, prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. This benefit can also reimburse you for additional accommodation costs and/or transportation costs during the interruption, or incurred to continue your trip or return home.

Please note, coverage only applies to plans that include the applicable benefit and covered reason.  All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums. Benefit may not cover the full cost of your quarantine. See your plan for details.

Trip Cancellation When Individually Ordered to Quarantine Due to COVID-19 Exposure

Scenario: A day before your planned vacation, you learn that you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19 at your workplace. Pursuant to a state directive, you are ordered to quarantine for 14 days, preventing you from taking your trip as planned. Can travel insurance with the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement help?

Yes, if your plan also includes Trip Cancellation benefits. If you or a traveling companion are individually ordered to quarantine before your trip because you were exposed to an epidemic disease, such as COVID-19, that can be a covered reason for Trip Cancellation. Certain conditions must be met, however. For instance, benefits for quarantines only apply when an eligible traveler is specifically named and individually ordered to quarantine (not including generally or broadly applicable quarantines such as state “shelter in place” orders). For example, if you must cancel a trip because your entire town or state (or your destination) is placed under stay-at-home restrictions, this would not be covered under your plan. Other conditions and limitations apply. See below for details.*

Please note, coverage only applies to plans that include the applicable benefit and covered reason. All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums. Benefit may not cover the full cost of your quarantine. See your plan for details.

Have questions? We’re here to help.   Contact us anytime with questions about the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement or how travel insurance can help with certain losses relating to COVID-19.

*- Benefits for quarantines only apply when an eligible traveler is specifically named and individually ordered to quarantine by order or official directive of a government, public regulatory authority, or the captain of a commercial vessel on which that eligible traveler is booked to travel during the covered trip, based on that eligible traveler’s exposure to COVID-19. The benefit does not cover travel restrictions (whether or not they are referred to as “quarantine”) that apply generally or broadly (a) to some segment or all of a population, geographical area, building, or vessel (including without limitation shelter-in-place, stay-at-home, safer-at-home, or other similar restriction), or (b) based on to, from, or through where the person is traveling. Coverage may not cover the full cost of your quarantine and is subject to applicable benefit limits. Read your plan documents for details.

Availability of Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, including specific benefits and covered reasons described here, varies by product and by state.  Products may not include all benefits or covered reasons described here.  See your plan for details on what your plan includes. Benefits may not cover the full cost of your loss.  All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums.  Be sure to review your plan carefully to understand what limits apply to your plan.

Related Articles

• 24-Hour Assistance Hotline: How We Can Help
• COVID-19 FAQs
• U.S. Coverage Alert - 2019 Coronavirus/COVID-19
• Travel.State.Gov

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in August 2024

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that travelers need to be prepared for the unexpected — from a pandemic to flight troubles to the crowded airport terminals so many of us have encountered.

If you don't have sufficient travel insurance coverage via your credit card , you can supplement your policies with third-party plans.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care or a policy that includes extreme sports, these are the best travel insurance providers to get you covered.

How we found the best travel insurance

We looked at quotes from various companies for a 10-day trip to Mexico in September 2024. The traveler was a 55-year-old woman from Florida who spent $3,000 total on the trip, including airfare.

On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $126.53. The costs displayed below do not include optional add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage or pre-existing medical condition coverage.

Read our full analysis about the average cost of travel insurance so you can budget better for your next trip.

However, depending on the plan, you may be able to customize at an added cost.

As we continue to evaluate more travel insurance companies and receive fresh market data, this collection of best travel insurance companies is likely to change. See our full methodology for more details.

Best insurance companies

Types of travel insurance

What does travel insurance cover, what’s not covered, how much does it cost, do i need travel insurance, how to choose the best travel insurance policy, what are the top travel destinations in 2024, more resources for travel insurance shoppers.

Top credit cards with travel insurance

Methodology

Best travel insurance overall: berkshire hathaway travel protection.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

• ExactCare Value (basic) plan is among the least expensive we surveyed.
• Speciality plans available for road trips, luxury travel, adventure activities, flights and cruises.
• Company may reimburse claimants faster than average, including possible same-day compensation.
• Multiple "Trip Delay" coverage types might make claims confusing.
• Cheapest plan only includes fixed amounts for its coverage.

Under the direction of chair and CEO Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has been around since 2014. Its plans provide numerous opportunities for travelers to customize coverage to their needs.

At $135 for our sample trip, the ExactCare Value (basic) plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers protection roughly $10 above the average price.

Want something cheaper? Air travelers looking for inexpensive, less comprehensive protections might opt for a basic AirCare plan that includes fixed amounts for its coverage .

Read our full review of Berkshire Hathaway .

What else makes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection great:

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers available at nearly all plan levels. 

Plans available for travelers going on a cruise, participating in extreme sports or taking a luxury trip.

ExactCare Value (basic) plan was among the least expensive we surveyed.

Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance

Annual or single-trip policies are available.

• Multiple types of insurance available.
• All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
• More expensive than average.
• CFAR upgrades are not available.
• Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

Allianz Global Assistance is a reputable travel insurance company offering plans for over 25 years. Customers can choose from a variety of single and annual policies to fit their needs. On top of comprehensive coverage, some travelers might opt for the more affordable OneTrip Cancellation Plus, which is geared toward domestic travelers looking for trip protections but don’t need post-departure benefits like emergency medical or baggage lost.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic coverage cost $149, about $22 above average.

What else makes Allianz Global Assistance great:

Annual and single-trip plans.

Plans are available for international and domestic trips.

Stand-alone and add-on rental car damage product available.

Read our full review of Allianz Global Assistance .

Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG

Travel Guard by AIG

• Offers last-minute coverage.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
• Plan available for business travelers.
• Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
• Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a variety of plans and coverages to fit travelers’ needs. On top of more standard trip protections like trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical coverage, the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available on certain Travel Guard plans, which allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and get 50% of your nonrefundable deposit back as long as the trip is canceled at least two days before the scheduled departure date.

At $107 for our sample trip, the Essential plan was below average, saving roughly $20.

What else makes Travel Guard by AIG great:

Three comprehensive plans and a Pack N' Go plan for last-minute travelers who don't need cancellation benefits.

Flight protection, car rental, and medical evacuation coverage, as well as annual plans available.

Pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver available on all plan levels, as long as it's purchased within 15 days.

Read our full review of Travel Guard by AIG .

Best for those who pack expensive equipment: Travel Insured International

Travel Insured International

• Higher-level plan include optional add-ons for event tickets and for electronic equipment
• Rental car protection add-on for just $8 per day, even on lower-level plan.
• Many of the customizations are only available on the higher-tier plan.
• Coverage cost comes in above average in our latest analysis.

Travel Insured International offers several customization options. For instance, those going to see a show may want to add on event ticket registration fee protection. Traveling with expensive gear?Consider adding on coverage for electronic equipment for up to $2,000 in coverage.

Be sure to check which policies are available in your state. You will need to input your destination, residence, trip dates and the number of travelers to get a quote and see coverages.

What else makes Travel Insured International great:

Comprehensive plans include medical expense reimbursement accidents, sickness, evacuation and pre-existing conditions, depending on the plan.

Flight plans include coverage for missed and canceled flights and lost or stolen baggage.

Read our full review of Travel Insured International .

Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads

World Nomads

• Travelers can extend coverage mid-trip.
• The standard plan covers up to $300,000 in emergency evacuation costs.
• Plans automatically cover 200+ adventurous activities.
• No Cancel For Any Reason upgrades are available.
• No pre-existing medical condition waivers are available.

Many travel insurance plans contain exclusions for adventure sports activities. If you plan to ski, bungee jump, windsurf or parasail, this might be a plan to consider.

Note that the Standard plan ($72 for our sample trip), while the most affordable, provides less coverage than other plans. But it can be a good choice for travelers who are satisfied with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $2,500 or less, do not need rental car damage protection, find the limits to be sufficient and do not need coverage for certain more adventurous activities.

What else makes World Nomads great:

Comprehensive international travel insurance plans.

Coverage available for adventure activities, such as trekking, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Read our full review of World Nomads .

Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services

Travelex Insurance Services

• Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.
• Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.
• Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan.
• Fewer customization opportunities on the Basic plan.
• Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, keep in mind the Travel America plan only covers domestic trips.

For starters, basic coverage from Travelex Insurance Services came in at $125, almost exactly average for our sample trip.

Travelex’s plans focus heavily on providing protections that are personalized to your travel style and trip type.

While the company does offer comprehensive plans that include medical benefits, you can also choose between cheaper plans that don’t provide cancellation coverage but do offer protections during your travels.

Read our full review of Travelex Insurance Services .

What else makes Travelex Insurance Services great:

Three comprehensive plans available, two of which cover international trips.

Offers a post-departure plan geared exclusively toward disruptions after you leave home.

Two flight insurance plans available.

Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners

Seven Corners

• Annual, medical-only and backpacker plans are available.
• Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available for the cheapest plan.
• Cheapest plan also features a much less costly Interruption for Any Reason add-on.
• Offers only one annual policy option.

Each Seven Corners plan offers several optional add-ons. Among the more unique is a Trip Interruption for Any Reason, which allows you to interrupt a trip 48 hours after the scheduled departure date (for any reason) and receive a refund of up to 75% of your unused nonrefundable deposits.

» Jump to the best cards with travel insurance

The basic coverage plan for our trip to Mexico costs $124 — right around the average.

What else makes Seven Corners great:

Comprehensive plans for U.S. residents and foreigners, including travelers visiting the U.S.

Cheap add-ons for rental car damage, sporting equipment rental or trip interruption for any reason.

Read our full review of Seven Corners .

Best for long-term travelers: IMG

• Coverage available for adventure travelers.
• Offers direct billing.
• Claim approval can be lengthy.

While some travel insurance companies offer just a handful of plans, with IMG, you’ll really have your pick. Though this requires a bit more research, it allows you to search for coverage that fits your travel needs.

However, travelers will want to be aware that IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite is expensive. Coming in at $149.85, it’s the costliest plan on our list.

Read our full review of IMG .

What else makes IMG great:

More affordable than average.

Many plans to choose from to fit your needs.

Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg

• In addition Cancel For Any Reason, some plans offer cancel for work reason coverage.
• Adventure sports-specific coverage is available.
• Plans have overlap that can be hard to distinguish.
• Only one plan includes Rental Car Damage coverage available as an add-on.

Tin Leg’s Basic plan came in at $134 for our sample trip, adding about $8 onto the average basic policy cost. Note that you’ll pay a lot more if you shop for the most comprehensive coverage, and there are eight plans to choose from for trips abroad.

The multitude of plans can help you find coverage that fits your needs, but with so many to choose from, deciding can be daunting.

The only real way to figure out your ideal plan is to compare them all, look at the plan details and decide which features and coverage suit you and your travel style best.

Read our full Tin Leg review .

Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe

• Covers up to $300 redepositing points and miles on eligible canceled award flights.
• Optional add-on protection for business equipment or sports rentals.
• Multi-trip or year-long plans aren’t available.

Selecting your travel insurance plan with TravelSafe is a fairly straightforward process. The company’s website also makes it easy to visualize how optional add-on elements influence the total cost, displaying the final price as soon as you click the coverage.

However, at $136, the Basic plan was among the more expensive for our trip to Mexico.

What else makes TravelSafe great:

Rental car damage coverage add-on is available on both plans.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage available on the TravelSafe Classic plan.

Read our full TravelSafe review .

Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance

HTH Travel Insurance

• Covers travelers up to 95 years old.
• Includes direct pay option so members can avoid having to pay up front for services.
• A 24-hour delay is required for baggage delay coverage on the TripProtector Economy plan.
• No waivers for pre-existing conditions on the lower-level plan.

HTH offers single-trip and multitrip medical insurance coverage as well as trip protection plans.

At around $125, the Trip Protector Economy policy is at the average mark for plans we reviewed.

You can choose to insure group trips for educators, crew, religious missionaries and corporate travelers.

What else makes HTH Insurance great:

Medical-only coverage and trip protection coverage.

Lots of options for group travelers.

Read our full review of HTH Insurance .

As you shop for travel insurance, you’ll find many of the same coverage categories across numerous plans.

Trip cancellation

This covers the prepaid costs you make for your trip in cases when you need to cancel for a covered reason. This coverage helps you recoup upfront costs paid for flights and nonrefundable hotel reservations.

Trip interruption

Trip interruption benefits generally involve disruptions after you depart. It helps reimburse costs incurred for flight delays, cancellations and plenty of other covered disruptions you might encounter during your travels.

This coverage can cover the costs for you to return home or reimburse unexpected expenses like an extra hotel stay, meals and ground transportation.

Trip delay coverage helps cover unexpected costs when your trip is delayed. This is another coverage that helps offset the costs of flight trouble or other travel disruptions.

Note that many policies have a total amount a traveler can claim, with caps on per diem benefits, too.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to recoup some of the upfront costs you paid for a trip even if you’re canceling for a reason not otherwise covered by your standard travel insurance policy.

Typically, adding this protection to your plan costs extra.

Baggage delay

This coverage helps cover the costs of essential items you might need when your luggage is delayed. Think toiletries, clothing and other immediate items you might need if your luggage didn’t make it on your flight.

Many travel insurance plans with baggage delay protection will specify how long (six, 12, 24 hours, etc.) your luggage must be delayed before you can make a claim.

Lost baggage

Used for travelers whose luggage is lost or stolen, this helps recoup the lost value of the items in your bag.

You’ll want to make sure you closely follow the correct procedures for your plan. Many plans include a maximum total amount you can claim under this coverage and a per-item cap.

Travel medical insurance

This covers out-of-pocket medical costs when travelers run into an emergency.

Because many travelers’ health insurance plans don’t cover medical care overseas, travel medical insurance can help offset out-of-pocket health care costs.

In addition to emergency medical coverage, many plans have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage for costs incurred when you must be taken to a hospital or return to your home country because of a medical situation.

Most travel insurance plans cover many trip protections that can help you be prepared for unexpected travel disruptions and expenses.

These coverages are generally aimed at protecting the money you put into your trip, expenses you incur because of travel trouble and costs incurred if you have a medical emergency overseas.

On top of core coverages like trip cancellation and interruption and travel medical coverage, some plans offer add-on options like waivers for pre-existing conditions, rental car collision damage waivers or adventure sports riders. These usually cost extra or must be added within a specified timeframe.

Typical travel insurance policies offer coverage for many unforeseen events, but as you research to select a plan, consider your needs. Though every plan differs, there are some commonly excluded coverages.

For instance, you typically can’t get coverage for a named storm if you bought the coverage after the storm was named. In other words, if you have a trip to the Caribbean booked for Sept. 25 and on Sept. 20 a hurricane develops and is named, you generally won’t be able to buy a travel insurance plan Sept. 21 in hopes of getting your money back.

Many plans also don’t cover activities performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any extreme sports. If the latter applies to you, you might want to consider a plan with specific coverages for adventure-seekers.

For numerous plans, a few other situations don’t qualify as an acceptable reason to cancel and make a claim, such as fear of travel, medical tourism or pregnancies (unless you booked a trip and bought insurance before you became pregnant or there are complications with the pregnancy). This is where a Cancel For Any Reason add-on to your coverage can be helpful.

You can also run into trouble if you give up on a trip too soon: a minor (or even multihour) flight delay likely isn’t sufficient to cancel your entire trip and get reimbursed through your plan. Be sure to review what requirements your specific plan has when it comes to canceling a trip, claiming trip interruption, etc.

Travel insurance costs vary widely. The final price of your plan will fluctuate based on your age, length of trip and destination.

It will also depend on how much coverage you need, whether you add on specialized policies (like Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing conditions coverage), whether you plan to participate in extreme sports and other factors.

In our examples above, for instance, the 35-year-old traveler taking a $2,000 trip to Italy would have spent an average $76 for a basic plan to get coverage for things like trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, etc. That’s a little less than 4% of the total trip cost — lower than average.

If there were multiple members in a traveling party or if they were going on, say, a rock-climbing or bungee-jumping excursion, the costs would go up.

On average, travel insurance comes to about 5% to 10% of the trip cost. However, considering many of the plans reimburse up to 100% of the trip cost (or more) for disruptions like trip cancellation or interruption, it can be a worthwhile expense if something goes wrong.

It depends. Consider the following factors that might affect your decision: You’re young and healthy, all your bookings are refundable or cancelable without a penalty, your flights are nonstop, you’re not checking bags and a credit card you carry offers some travel protections . In that case, travel insurance might not be necessary.

On the other hand, if you prepaid a large chunk of money for a nonrefundable African safari, you’re going on a Caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane season or you’re going somewhere where the cost of health care is high, it’s not a bad idea to buy a travel insurance plan. Here’s how to find the best travel insurance coverage for you.

If you’re thinking of booking a trip and not planning to buy travel insurance, you may want to consider at least booking refundable airfare and not prepaying for hotel, rental car and activity reservations. That way, if something goes wrong, you can cancel without losing any money.

Selecting the best travel insurance policy comes down to your needs, concerns, preferences and budget.

As you book, take a few minutes to consider what most concerns you. Is it getting stranded because of flight trouble? Having the ability to cancel for any reason you see fit without losing money? Getting sick or injured right before departure and needing to postpone the trip? Injuring yourself or falling ill while overseas?

Ultimately, you want a plan that protects you, your money and the large investment in your trip — but doesn’t cost too much, either.

Medical coverage. If your priority is having adequate medical coverage abroad, you might want to look for plans with high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation.

Complex travel itinerary. If your itinerary has lots of flight connections, prepaid hotels and deposits for activities you can’t get back, prioritizing a plan with the best coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions may land at the top of your list.

Travel uncertainty. If you’re on the fence about a trip and have nonrefundable reservations, you may want to select a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason coverage option, which can help you recoup about 50% to 75% of the costs. This helps provide peace of mind, placing the decision on whether to travel entirely in your hands.

Car rentals. If you’re renting a car, a collision damage waiver is often worth looking into.

The following destinations are the top insured destinations in 2024, according to Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner).

The Bahamas.

Costa Rica.

Antarctica.

In 2022, travelers spent about 25.53% more on trips than they did before the pandemic.

As of December, NerdWallet analysis determined travel prices are 10% higher than pre-pandemic. Each statistic makes a strong case for protecting your travel investment as you plan your next trip.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for travel insurance.

What is travel insurance?

CFAR explained.

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance.

We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight:

Breadth of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered plus the range of their standard plans. 

Depth of coverage: We considered two data points to get a sense of how much each company pays out for common travel issues — the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: By looking at the costs for basic coverage across multiple companies, we determined an average cost for shoppers to benchmark plan prices against.

Customizability: While standard plans can cover a lot of ground, sometimes you need something a little more personal.

Customer satisfaction. Using data from Squaremouth when available, and Google Reviews as a backup, we can give kudos to companies with better track records from their clients.

No, it doesn’t necessarily get more expensive the longer you wait to purchase. However, as you put off buying insurance, you may lose access to potential plans and coverage options.

In general, buying travel insurance within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

But, generally, many plans do allow you to buy coverage quite close to your departure date.

To get the most out of your travel insurance plan, buy it soon after making your initial prepayment or deposit to ensure you have access to the biggest menu of plans possible.

Select a plan that’s comprehensive enough to cover the travel scenarios you’re most concerned about or likely to encounter but not too expensive or laden with protections you’d never likely need.

Whatever your coverage, thoroughly review the plan so you understand what’s covered and what’s not, plus how to adhere to the plan’s rules for making a claim.

Travelers frequently use phrases like “trip insurance” and “travel insurance,” as well as “trip protection,” interchangeably, but they do mean different things, according to Stan Sandberg, founder of insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com.

Trip insurance, or trip protection, generally refers to predeparture (or preevent) coverage if you need to cancel. You may see these plans sold by airlines, online travel agencies or even ticketed event sellers.

“You could refer to it as the portion that protects the investment in the trip,” Sandberg says.

A travel insurance plan typically includes that — plus more comprehensive benefits to protect you during your trip, from medical coverage to trip delay and lost baggage protections, and many more elements, depending on the plan.

Though travel insurance is typically not required for international trips, your personal circumstances will play a key role in whether it’s a good investment.

For instance, young, healthy travelers with few prepaid trip expenses embarking on a relatively risk-free trip may not see a need to buy a plan.

Older travelers with complicated itineraries who are visiting destinations where they could potentially fall ill or get injured — or who could encounter bad weather or some other disrupting factor along the way — may want to buy coverage.

Consider a few key questions:

How well would your health insurance plan cover you if you needed to visit a hospital overseas?

How much did you prepay for a hotel or rental car?

How much money would you be out if weather or some other flight issue derailed your itinerary?

Could you afford an unexpected night in a city where you have a connecting flight?

Do you already have a credit card that provides some travel protections?

Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether you need travel insurance for your international trip.

In general, buying travel insurance

within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit

for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Earn 5 free nights at an IHG property after $4k in spend (each night valued at up to 60k points).

• GeoBlue Travel Insurance Overview
• GeoBlue's Travel Insurance Plans

Purchasing and Managing Your GeoBlue Policy

Geoblue customer service reviews, compare geoblue travel insurance.

• Why You Should Trust Us

GeoBlue Travel Insurance Review 2024: Premier Medical Coverage Abroad

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Travel medical insurance can save you from steep costs if you experience a medical emergency while traveling, especially when traveling abroad, where your primary health insurance won't cover you. GeoBlue Travel Insurance can offer the protection you seek at low rates. Here's what you need to know before investing in a GeoBlue plan.

GeoBlue Travel Insurance Summary

GeoBlue travel insurance specializes in medical travel insurance  plans. These plans cover healthcare costs while traveling abroad but lack trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other coverages often associated with travel insurance. As such, this medical-only travel insurance option may only be suitable for some globetrotters.

Like many of the best travel insurance companies , GeoBlue offers very good coverage for a specific group of people. In this case, GeoBlue provides extremely cheap travel insurance  for younger travelers with no pre-existing conditions.

Older travelers may need to look elsewhere, as there is a steep increase in premiums. Additionally, GeoBlue charges extra to cover pre-existing conditions . The extra cost isn't as noticeable when you're younger, but it's more substantial for older travelers.

One great benefit of GeoBlue is a refund policy. GeoBlue allows you to cancel your policy and receive a full refund up to the day before your policy goes into effect.

GeoBlue's Travel Insurance Plans

GeoBlue offers three distinct medical travel insurance plans for individual travelers with varying levels of coverage. It also has a few group travel insurance plans for larger parties. Regular health insurance plans, destination, budget, and other factors play into the shopping experience. GeoBlue recommends each program for specific groups, but all three can be used for extended periods or multiple trips.

Here's an overview of the types of coverage included in each GeoBlue individual plan:

Additional Coverage Options from GeoBlue

GeoBlue offers fewer riders or additional coverage options compared to other providers. Looking at the descriptions above, the three plans give a detailed list of included services, not all of which will be applicable during the average trip. The Voyager and Trekker plans have no additional coverage options.

However, the Xplorer plan is aimed at long-term travelers (including those who temporarily work internationally). So it provides two optional riders that come in handy if you're outside your home country for months at a time:

• Enhanced Prescription Drug Rider: Provides up to $25,000 of coverage for prescription drugs per calendar year.
• Basic US Benefits Rider: Provides healthcare benefits in the United States, emergency medical care, inpatient hospital coverage, and prescription drugs coverage.

GeoBlue Travel Insurance Cost

Travel insurance coverage varies greatly, and the amount you pay reflects the range of protection. However, since travel insurance protects your financial investment, it's typically worth spending a few extra dollars for higher coverage maximums, especially for medical insurance and evacuation expenses.

To receive a quote with GeoBlue, you need to provide your age, duration of travel, and ZIP code. You do not need to input your budget for the trip or your destination to receive a quote.

We ran a few simulations to offer examples of how much GeoBlue single trip Voyager plan will cost for travelers of various ages. Rates vary based on deductibles, desired coverage limits, and whether they want pre-existing condition coverage. 

• A 23-year-old from an Illinois ZIP code taking a week-long trip: $8.56 to $16.16.
• A 30-year-old from a California ZIP code for two weeks: $20.55 to $38.40
• A 65-year-old couple from a New Jersey ZIP code for two weeks: $139.20 to $270 ($69.60 to $135 per person)

GeoBlue offers a multi-trip plan, that can cover multiple trips over a year. A 35-year-old would pay $184 for annual travel insurance with GeoBlue.

How to File A Claim with GeoBlue

The easiest way to submit a claim with GeoBlue travel insurance is to file it through its online Member Services page or mobile app.

Policyholders can also file claims via mail, fax, or email. If you wish to submit physical paperwork, the company asks that you send it to one of the following addresses:

Mail: GeoBlue

Attn: Claims

933 First Avenue

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Fax: +1.610.482.9623

Email: [email protected]

Customer reviews of GeoBlue are relatively scarce. The greatest concentration of reviews is on its SquareMouth page, where it averages 4.6 stars out of five across just over 100 reviews. Its Trustpilot page paints a negative picture of GeoBlue's services, receiving 1.8 stars across an admittedly small sample size of 25 reviews. Google reviews on its headquarters in Pennsylvania add shades of gray to the black-and-white reviews on Trustpilot and SquareMouth, averaging 3.2 stars across over 110 reviews. 

Customers complained that GeoBlue refused to issue payouts due to issues out of their control. One reviewer reported that they did not receive their payout because the clinic they received care at couldn't itemize their costs when filing paperwork with GeoBlue. Complaints also mentioned agents unfamiliar with policy specifics.

Despite mixed reviews, GeoBlue has a highly rated mobile app on both the Apple app store and Google Play store. Its iOS app has 4.7 stars across 4,300 reviews. Its Android app has 4.2 stars across 800 reviews.

See how GeoBlue travel insurance stacks up against the competition. 

GeoBlue Travel Insurance vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Both GeoBlue and Allianz offer single-trip, standalone medical insurance plans. In addition, both provide coverage for emergency medical transportation, emergency medical claims, and baggage loss. However, there are a few differences.

GeoBlue supplies coverage for non-emergent inpatient and outpatient visits and accidental death or dismemberment. It also explicitly includes preexisting conditions pending your travel with a regular health insurance plan. Meanwhile, Allianz issues coverage for epidemics and other travel services like cancel for any reason coverage.

In addition, the two plans are structured differently. Allianz offers payouts up to a set dollar amount. GeoBlue covers a certain percentage of qualifying medical costs after a met deductible.

Read our Allianz travel insurance review here.

GeoBlue Travel Insurance vs. AIG Travel Guard

AIG 's essential travel insurance plan provides medical evacuation coverage, security evacuation coverage, trip delay, and other coverages. In line with the low price, the essential plan's limits for each section are limited. For example, travelers would get a max of $15,000 medical travel insurance coverage. The company does not offer a standalone medical plan.

AIG Travel Guard customers may or may not be eligible for a preexisting conditions waiver, whereas GeoBlue's plans specify preexisting coverage as long as you have a permanent health insurance plan from your work or otherwise.

AIG focuses primarily on single-trip coverage options, though it does provide an annual travel insurance plan. GeoBlue's website recommends plans for different travelers, but all three programs allow for multiple trips or extended travel times.

Regardless, if you want broader protection for necessary medical treatments, you will likely be served with a plan from GeoBlue. On the other hand, if you're looking for more trip cancellation and other standard travel insurance coverages, you will steer towards AIG.

Read our AIG Travel Guard travel insurance review here.

GeoBlue Travel Insurance vs. World Nomads Travel Insurance

The travel insurance plans sold by World Nomads differ slightly from GeoBlue's. Rather than focusing exclusively on covering your medical costs and limited baggage loss, World Nomads offers a comprehensive insurance option. Its plan also includes trip cancellation, interruption, and more coverage.

In addition, World Nomads' plan covers a wide range of adventure sports, compared to the two (downhill skiing & scuba diving) covered by GeoBlue. Looking at the two companies side by side, you may see many of the same services. However, the two companies offer staggered benefits. World Nomads has a more extensive list to cover whatever comes your way.

However, GeoBlue is more thorough in covering preexisting conditions and other medical services if its terms are followed. If you look at the details, GeoBlue covers higher amounts for the services it includes.

Read our World Nomads travel insurance review here.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Rated GeoBlue Travel Insurance

When reviewing GeoBlue travel insurance, we compared its products against those of other top travel insurance providers. In particular, we examined the available plan options, supplemental policies, claim limits, inclusions, exclusions, and sample policy premiums.

Selecting the best policy for you and your travel companions is about finding a policy with the correct type of coverage and adequate claim limits. That said, price is also an essential factor for many consumers. In addition, trip-specific riders for things like rental care coverage or adventure activities may be necessary for some travelers.

As such, we take all that into account when writing our reviews. Then individual readers can make decisions based on their travel plans and needs. You can learn more about how we rate travel insurance products here.

GeoBlue FAQs

GeoBlue lacks any trip cancellation coverage and other trip inconvenience benefits. However, it's also far cheaper than many comprehensive travel insurance policies.

While GeoBlue covers pre-existing conditions, you'll have to pay extra. 

GeoBlue coverage targets international travel for US residents or US residents traveling abroad. GeoBlue provides secondary medical, so it'll kick in after your primary health insurance plan has issued its payout. As such, it's less useful for US residents traveling within the US.

You can utilize GeoBlue's resources such as its highly rated mobile app and online directory to find a healthcare provider.

To file a claim with GeoBlue, you typically need to submit the necessary documentation, including medical records and receipts, within a specified timeframe. Timely submission is crucial for efficient claim processing, especially since customer reviews allude to a long and difficult claims process.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

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