If you’ve ever planned a big trip, you know how expensive it can be. For international travel, private insurance is essential because the U.S. government will not pay for your overseas medical care or emergency evacuation — and a medevac can exceed $100,000 (U.S. Department of State). Comprehensive travel insurance can also reimburse nonrefundable trip costs, cover baggage issues, and provide 24/7 assistance.
For most trips abroad, target at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $250,000–$500,000 (or more) for evacuation/repatriation, and expect a comprehensive policy to cost about 5%–10% of your insured trip cost (Wirecutter; Squaremouth; Forbes Advisor). If you want maximum cancellation flexibility, “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) typically refunds 50%–75% of prepaid, nonrefundable costs and usually must be added within a short window after your first trip payment (Wirecutter).
The 5 Best Cheap Travel Insurance Companies of 2025
- John Hancock: Best for single-trip value with solid medical/evac limits
- IMG: Best for adventure travel and strong international medical/evacuation options
- Allianz Global: Best for frequent travelers (multi-trip annual plans and proactive delay benefits)
- AXA: Best for high medical/evac limits and Schengen-compliant documentation
- World Nomads: Best for Adventure Sports and gear-focused travelers
| John Hancock | IMG | Allianz Global Assistance | AXA | World Nomads | |
| Best for | Single-trip value | Adventure & strong medical | Frequent travelers & SmartBenefits | High medical/evac & Schengen | Adventure Sports |
| Reviews.com Score | 4.2 | 4.75 | 3.4 | 4 | 2.75 |
| Recommended plan | Bronze, Silver, or Gold | iTravelInsured LX | AllTrips Prime (annual) or OneTrip Premier | Gold | Explorer Plan |
| A.M. Best financial strength rating | A+ | A | A+ | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Max trip length | 90 days | 180 days | 180 days | 60 days | 180 days |
| 24/7 worldwide assistance | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Free coverage for travelers under 18 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Adventure sports coverage | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Review period | 14 days | 10 days | 10 days | 10 days | 10 days |
Best for Solo Travelrs
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Clear tiering makes it easy to match benefits to trip value
- Competitive emergency medical and evacuation limits
- 24/7 assistance for referrals, coordination, and logistics
Cons
- No complimentary child coverage on most tiers
- Adventure sports may require specific riders or exclusions apply
Add-ons & Coverage
- Trip cancellation: up to 100% of insured cost; interruption up to 150% (varies by tier)
- Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) on select plans: typically reimburses 50%–75% if purchased within early window (Wirecutter)
- Baggage: tier-based limits; check per-item caps
- Medical evacuation: commonly $250K–$1M; confirm certificate
- 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
Plans
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
Best for Thrillseekers
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Wide range of medical-only and comprehensive plans
- Adventure-oriented benefits (e.g., search & rescue, gear) on upper tiers
- Optional CFAR on select products (buy early)
Cons
- Premiums can run higher for high-risk activities
- Read activity exclusions/limits carefully (altitude, diving, etc.)
Add-ons & Coverage
- Trip cancellation: up to 100% of cost (by covered reason); interruption up to 150% (plan-dependent)
- CFAR (where available): partial refund of 50%–75% with early purchase (Squaremouth)
- Baggage: tier-based; sports equipment rental benefits on LX
- Medical evacuation: up to $1M (plan-dependent)
- Search & rescue: typically up to $10,000 on LX
Plans
- Patriot Travel Medical Insurance
- Patriot America Plus
- Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance
- iTravelInsured Travel Insurance Lite, SE, LX
- GlobeHopper Senior
- Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical Insurance
Best for Frequent Travelerts
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Multi-trip (annual) and single-trip choices cover frequent flyers
- Proactive delay benefits via SmartBenefits (no receipts for fixed payouts)
- Kids may be included on some single-trip plans
Cons
- Some plans have lower emergency medical limits than top medical-focused competitors
- Optional upgrades vary by state; verify certificate
- Annual plan trip-length caps apply per trip
Add-ons & Coverage
- Trip cancellation: tiered up to plan maximums; interruption often up to 150%
- Epidemic Coverage Endorsement on many plans addresses sickness/quarantine (Allianz epidemic coverage)
- Lost baggage: tier-based; verify special item caps
- 24-hour hotline assistance + SmartBenefits delay payments (details)
Plans
- AllTrips Basic, Executive, Premier, and Prime
- OneTrip Prime, Basic, Premier, Emergency Medical, and Cancellation Plus
Best for Minimum Coverage
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Three tiers simplify picking essentials vs. higher limits
- Upper tiers may offer high evacuation ceilings (verify certificate)
- Good fit for Schengen proof requirements
Cons
- Availability varies by state; some add-ons limited
- Lower-tier medical limits may not meet $100,000 target for some itineraries
- Third-party underwriting typical; verify financial strength at purchase
Add-ons & Coverage
- Trip cancellation: up to 100% of costs; interruption: up to 150% (tier-based)
- Baggage: $750–$3,000 (check per-item sublimits)
- Medical evacuation: typically $100K–$1M on higher tiers
- 24-hour assistance included
Plans
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
Best for Minimum Coverage
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Broad activity list with higher-risk sports on Explorer
- Gear-friendly baggage benefits and interruption cover
- Ability to adjust coverage while traveling (restrictions apply)
Cons
- Trip cancellation maximums may be lower than some competitors
- Pre-existing condition coverage may be limited; check look-back rules
- Underwriting varies; verify financial strength at purchase
Add-ons & Coverage
- Trip cancellation: $2,500–$20K (plan-dependent); interruption benefits included
- Baggage: $1,000–$3,000 (review sublimits for electronics/gear)
- Medical evacuation: $300K–$500K (target higher for remote trips)
- 24-hour assistance and emergency coordination
Plans
- Standard
- Explorer
Cheap Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know
Quality before cost
Never pick a travel insurance company on price alone. Match benefits to your risks and destination first, then compare premiums. For most international trips, experts recommend aiming for ≥$100,000 in emergency medical coverage and ≥$250,000–$500,000 for evacuation/repatriation (Wirecutter; Forbes Advisor).
After you identify the right coverage levels, compare quotes. In 2025, a comprehensive policy generally runs about 5%–10% of your insured trip cost; older travelers, longer/international itineraries, and higher limits tend to cost more (Squaremouth). CFAR adds flexibility but usually increases the premium by roughly 40%–60% (InsureMyTrip).
Reliability
We started with leading third-party travel insurers and prioritized companies with strong financial strength and global assistance. Verify up-to-date financial strength on AM Best, which focuses on insurer claims-paying ability. Remember that ratings can change; always check the exact underwriting legal entity on your quote or certificate.
Know where insurance adds value versus regulated refunds. In the U.S., airlines must now automatically provide cash refunds for cancellations and “significant changes,” so use insurance primarily for nonrefundable land costs, medical/evacuation, and events outside airline obligations (U.S. DOT). Look for digital-first claims and proactive delay benefits that speed payouts for routine disruptions (Allianz SmartBenefits).
Essential coverage options
Great travel insurance should include well-defined core protections, transparent exclusions, and 24/7 assistance. Here’s what to look for based on current guidance:
How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance Company
- Insure prepaid, non-refundable costs: Include only deposits you can’t recover otherwise. Note that U.S. airlines must automatically issue cash refunds for cancellations or significant changes; use insurance for non-airline, nonrefundable components like hotels and tours (U.S. DOT).
- Don’t pay for double coverage: Some homeowners insurance policies cover personal property away from home; many credit cards include rental car CDW. Avoid duplicating benefits already included by your auto insurance or card.
- Decide on CFAR early: CFAR boosts flexibility but typically adds ~40%–60% to premium and reimburses only a portion (often 50%–75%). It usually must be purchased within 10–21 days of your first trip payment and requires insuring 100% of prepaid, nonrefundable costs (InsureMyTrip; Wirecutter).
- Shop smart on marketplaces: Compare multiple quotes and filter for medical ≥$100k and evacuation ≥$250k–$500k; match delay/baggage limits to your connections and gear; add sports riders if needed (Squaremouth; Wirecutter).
Cheap Travel Insurance Quotes Comparison
To compare the best cheap travel insurance companies, normalize quotes by insured trip cost. In 2025, comprehensive policies typically run about 5%–10% of trip cost; age and trip value are the biggest price drivers. Adding CFAR commonly increases premiums by ~40%–60% (Squaremouth; InsureMyTrip; Forbes Advisor).
| Travel Insurance Provider | Level 1 Plan | Level 2 Plan | Level 3 Plan |
| John Hancock | About 5%–7% of trip cost | About 6%–9% of trip cost | About 8%–10%+ of trip cost |
| IMG | About 5%–7% of trip cost | About 6%–9% of trip cost | About 8%–10%+ of trip cost |
| Allianz Global Assistance | About 5%–7% of trip cost | About 6%–9% of trip cost | About 8%–10%+ of trip cost |
| AXA | About 5%–7% of trip cost | About 6%–9% of trip cost | About 8%–10%+ of trip cost |
| World Nomads | About 5%–7% of trip cost | About 6%–9% of trip cost | N/A |
Cheap Travel Insurance FAQ
Methodology
We evaluated travel insurance providers using current independent editorial research and marketplace guidance on pricing, benefits, and consumer protections. We emphasized coverage breadth and clarity (including epidemic endorsements), emergency medical and evacuation targets, assistance services, optional upgrades (CFAR and pre-existing condition waivers), digital claims experiences (including proactive delay payouts), pricing value relative to trip cost, and financial strength verification via AM Best Consumer Access. We also accounted for regulatory changes like the U.S. DOT automatic airline refunds rule and ongoing standardization under the NAIC Model Act (NAIC; U.S. DOT).
- Essential Coverage: We prioritized plans with trip cancellation/interruption, travel delay, baggage protections, and 24/7 assistance — and targeted medical ≥$100,000 and evacuation ≥$250,000–$500,000 for most international itineraries (Wirecutter; Forbes Advisor).
- Pricing Benchmarks: We normalized quotes to 5%–10% of insured trip cost and recognized CFAR’s typical +40%–60% premium impact (Squaremouth; InsureMyTrip).
- Add-on Coverage and Flexibility: Plans offering CFAR (50%–75% reimbursement; early purchase required) and pre-existing condition waivers scored higher for flexibility (Wirecutter).
- Reliability and Financial Strength: We verified financial strength at the underwriting-entity level using AM Best Consumer Access and considered assistance capabilities and digital claims features (e.g., SmartBenefits).
- Market and Regulatory Context: We considered rising disruption from extreme weather and global events, and regulatory shifts that affect refunds and disclosures (e.g., DOT automatic refunds; NAIC Model Act) (Swiss Re Institute; NAIC).
