Traveling—whether for vacation, business, or family visits—is one of life’s great pleasures. But unexpected mishaps like medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, or evacuation needs can turn a dream trip into a nightmare. That’s where travel insurance comes in: it protects your investment and gives you peace of mind while you explore the world. NerdWallet
In this guide, we’ll explore the top travel insurance providers for U.S. travelers, what to look for in a policy, and how to choose the right coverage for your trip. Whether you’re planning a short domestic getaway or an international adventure, this post has everything you need.
Why You Should Consider Travel Insurance
Before diving into the best companies, let’s clarify why travel insurance matters:
1. Protects Trip Costs
Travel insurance can reimburse you if you must cancel or interrupt your trip due to illness, injury, natural disasters, or other covered reasons. Investopedia
2. Emergency Medical Coverage
Standard U.S. health insurance often doesn’t cover medical costs abroad, and international medical bills can be extremely high. Travel insurance fills this gap. Investopedia
3. Evacuation & Repatriation
In serious medical situations, evacuation back to the U.S. (or to proper care) can cost tens of thousands of dollars—coverage that most policies include. IdealCare Insurance
4. Peace of Mind
Unexpected delays, lost baggage, or emergencies don’t have to ruin your trip. Having a good policy means you’re prepared for the worst.
What to Look for in Travel Insurance
When comparing policies, pay attention to these key features:
- Trip cancellation / interruption coverage
- Emergency medical / evacuation coverage
- Baggage loss & delay protection
- Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) options
- Pre-existing condition coverage
- Rental car coverage (if needed)
Also, buy the policy shortly after booking your trip—many benefits (like pre-existing condition waivers) require early purchase. Investopedia
Top Travel Insurance Companies in the USA
Here’s a breakdown of the best travel insurance options based on coverage quality, reputation, flexibility, and overall value.
1. Trawick International — Best Overall Value
Trawick International often tops expert lists for comprehensive protection at a competitive price. Its travel insurance plans include:
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Emergency medical and evacuation coverage
- Optional Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-on
Travelers especially like Trawick’s balance of coverage and affordability. NerdWallet
Best for: Most U.S. and international travelers looking for strong all-around coverage.
2. IMG (International Medical Group) — Best for Medical & Long Trips
IMG’s travel plans — including iTravelInsured LX — are highly rated for travel medical coverage and evacuation benefits, often reaching high dollar limits for care abroad. Forbes
Pros:
- Excellent medical & evacuation limits
- Good for long trips or multi-destination travel
Cons:
- Higher premium on some plans
Best for: Travelers who want strong health and evacuation protection.
3. WorldTrips — Best for Cardholders & Flexible Travelers
WorldTrips offers a range of plans and is often recommended when you already have some travel benefits through a credit card. Coverage includes:
- Trip cancellation & interruption
- Medical coverage
- Award travel redeposit fees in some plans
It also often includes pre-existing condition waivers if purchased timely. NerdWallet
Best for: Frequent travelers and those pairing coverage with credit card benefits.
4. Allianz Travel Insurance — Trusted & Well-Known Brand
Allianz is one of the most recognized names in travel insurance, covering millions of U.S. travelers yearly. Its plans typically offer:
- Comprehensive trip protection
- Emergency medical coverage
- 24/7 global assistance
Allianz also offers annual plans that are ideal for frequent travelers. Fun Place to Travel
Best for: Travelers seeking reliability and strong global support.
5. AXA Assistance USA — Best for U.S. Travelers & Ski Trips
AXA Assistance USA offers tiered plans (Silver, Gold, Platinum) with increasing benefits at each level. Coverage highlights include:
- Trip cancellation & interruption
- Emergency medical & evacuation
- Missed connection and travel delay benefits
It’s especially strong for travelers with ski or adventure plans. NerdWallet
Best for: Travelers who want customizable coverage and strong add-ons.
6. Seven Corners — Best for Students & Specialized Travel
Seven Corners delivers flexible insurance tailored to:
- Students studying abroad
- Families
- Specialty travel needs
Plans include cancellation, medical coverage, and evacuation, with solid pricing. Forbes
Best for: Students, expatriates, and families.
7. Travel Insured International — Best for Adventure & Global Reach
Travel Insured International stands out for its broad coverage including adventure activities, CFAR options, and global support. It’s often recommended for:
- Backpackers
- Long journeys
- Adventure travelers
This carrier frequently includes CFAR options and higher adventure coverage. All Policy Insurance
Best for: Thrill-seekers and global adventurers.
8. Heymondo — Best Budget & Digital-First Choice
Heymondo provides affordable travel insurance with basic but solid coverage through an easy-to-use app. Features:
- Medical and trip cancellation coverage
- Missed connection and baggage benefits
- CFAR available on some plans
Its app-centric approach makes buying and filing claims simple. All Policy Insurance
Best for: Budget travelers and tech-savvy users.
Travel Insurance for U.S. vs International Trips
While many policies work for both domestic and international travel, international plans often include higher medical and evacuation limits—a must if your regular health insurance doesn’t apply abroad. Investopedia
Domestic travel insurance can still be valuable, especially if you want cancellation, interruption, or baggage protection for expensive U.S. trips.
Tips for Choosing the Right Policy
1. Know Your Trip Costs
Calculate your non-refundable trip costs (flights, hotels, tours) and insure enough to cover them.
2. Review Medical & Evacuation Limits
For international travel, choose plans with high emergency medical and evacuation coverage.
3. Look for CFAR Options
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) adds flexibility but must typically be purchased within a short window after booking.
4. Understand Exclusions
Check for exclusions on things like adventure sports, pre-existing conditions, and government travel warnings.
Common Mistakes That Can Invalidate Travel Insurance
Even with good insurance, coverage can be denied if you:
Travel against official travel advice
Fail to disclose pre-existing medical conditions
Do activities not covered (e.g., extreme sports without endorsement)
Leave belongings unattended