Category: Travel Gear

Posted: 7/12/2019 | July 12th, 2019

Travel insurance is probably the most boring topic when it comes to planning a trip. Nobody wants to focus on the worst-case scenario before they even leave home.

Plus, researching insurance is just plain tedious. There is a lot of fine print to scour, requiring you to read over the minutiae of each insurance plan before you pick the one that’s best for you.

But it’s also the most important topic too. Should something terrible happen while you’re on the road, you want to have the confidence that your insurance plan will cover you.

While none of us want to imagine getting hurt or robbed or having to cancel our plans, the fact of the matter is that these things happen. It’s rare, but shit you don’t expect does happen when you travel.

I never expected to break my camera in Italy.

I never expected to rupture my eardrum scuba diving in Thailand.

I never expected to get stabbed in Colombia.

And while these unfortunate events are few and far between, it’s always better to be safe than sorry (trust me!). Medical bills aren’t cheap. Emergency evacuations cost tens of thousands of dollars. Unless you have a stockpile of disposable income, chances are you’ll want to buy travel insurance for your next trip.

There are a lot of misconceptions about travel insurance, so you’ll also want to learn everything you can about your plan and the company that is covering you.

Will your plan cover pre-existing conditions? Is there an age limit or a limit on how long you can be out of your home country? Will you be able to see doctors for non-emergency visits? What about dental coverage?

There is a lot to learn, and it can be overwhelming if travel insurance is new to you.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be!

In this post, I’ll go over what is ACTUALLY covered by reputable travel insurance plans, so you know what to look for.

 

What Travel Insurance DOES Cover

Medical Emergencies
Chances are when you think of travel insurance, you’re picturing a medical emergency.

While accidents or serious illnesses while traveling abroad are rare, here’s what you can expect to be covered by a reputable insurance company:

• Your hospitalization fee
• Surgery costs
• Outpatient treatment costs
• Visits to registered medical practitioners (relating to your emergency injury)
• Prescribed medicines (relating to the injury)
• Medical evacuation (usually this is just to a local medical facility unless you have a more comprehensive plan from a company like MedJet. See below for more on evacuation.)

Emergency Evacuation
Medical evacuations due to accidents or natural disasters can cost upwards of $500,000. Naturally, this is where having a solid insurance plan comes in handy. Most insurance plans will evacuate you to a local hospital in case of injury or a nearby location in the case of a natural disaster.

In some cases, you will be repatriated back to your home country as well (though this is rare and usually only occurs in cases where local medical staff can’t provide the assistance you need).

Dental Emergencies
As with other medical emergencies, what’s covered here is accidental injury and sudden pain. For example, chipped teeth or a sudden infection.

General checkups are not covered, nor is major dental work that doesn’t relate to an injury or accident sustained abroad. And if you just want your teeth cleaned or a new filling, you’ll have to pay for that out of pocket.

Death Overseas
I know it’s never fun thinking about something like this happening, but knowing that you’re covered will give you and your loved ones peace of mind.

Should the worst happen, most insurance plans will cover the costs of a family member coming to get your body to take it home. Some policies will also include cremation services or burial overseas, should that be preferred.

Common exclusions would include death from alcohol or illicit narcotics, suicide, or pre-existing conditions not covered by the plan.

Flight Delays and Cancellations
If your flight gets delayed or canceled, you can apply for compensation from your travel insurance provider (assuming the airline doesn’t provide coverage for you). As long as the cancellation or delay is not your fault, you can apply for reimbursement. However, if you miss your flight because you slept in, that doesn’t count as a valid reason!

Be sure to keep all emails, receipts, and correspondence from your airline regarding the delay or cancellation, as you’ll need them to verify your claim and get reimbursed.

Trip Cancellation
If you need to cancel your trip — either before you depart or during your trip — for a verified medical reason, the death of a close relative, or the death of your travel partner, you can apply to get reimbursed from your insurance company.

To verify your claim, be sure to get a note from your doctor if you’re canceling due to illness. If you’re canceling due to a death, you’ll need to submit a copy of the death certificate (as well as other supporting documentation).

Lost or Stolen Property
If your bags get stolen while you’re traveling, most travel insurance companies will reimburse you for some or all of the items (there are usually limits on gear like laptops and cameras unless you buy a comprehensive plan with additional coverage). Be sure to file a police report. It will be necessary for making a claim.

Coverage will usually include compensation for delayed baggage or baggage that’s damaged in transit as well.

If your wallet or passport is stolen, some plans will cover the cost of having a new passport or credit card mailed to you (this usually will depend on your residency). If your wallet is stolen with cash in it, most plans won’t reimburse you for the cash. One exception is the Explorer Plan from World Nomads, which covers up to $200 USD in cash compensation.

Damaged or Stolen Gear
Most travel insurance plans will include coverage for lost or stolen gear, such as laptops, cameras, and mobile phones. However, these high-ticket items usually have a cap on how much you’ll get back (usually under $1,000 USD per item). If you’re traveling with expensive gear, you’ll want to pay for supplementary coverage to make sure it’s sufficiently covered.

Be sure you have receipts for all your gear as well. Keep copies of them in your inbox, so if something happens, you can file your claim without having to track down copies.

What Travel Insurance Does NOT Cover

While every plan is different, here is a list of the most common things that will not usually be covered by your standard or basic travel insurance plan:

• Accidents sustained while participating in extreme activities, like hang gliding, paragliding, or bungee jumping (though you can often upgrade to plans that do cover those activities)
• Technical climbing or alpine hiking (again, some plans can be upgraded to cover these activities)
• Alcohol- or drug-related incidents (including death)
• Carelessness in handling your possessions and baggage
• Pre-existing conditions. For example, if you have diabetes and need to buy more insulin, you won’t be covered
• General checkups for non-emergencies
• Stolen cash (usually not covered by the standard “theft coverage,” though some companies, like World Nomads, can insure a limited amount of your cash)
• Missed flights or connections for reasons under your control

A few other notes about standard policies:

• If civil unrest makes your destination unsafe but your government hasn’t called for an evacuation, most insurance companies won’t evacuate you. (MedJet is the exception here. They have the best evacuation coverage.)
• Changing your mind about your trip, unfriending or breaking up with your travel partner, and pre-existing medical conditions don’t qualify for most trip cancellation plans
• If your visa is refused, you likely won’t be reimbursed if you decide to cancel your trip

Suggested Companies

To help you stay safe on your next trip, here’s a list of the best travel insurance companies:

My favorite company is World Nomads. I’ve been using them since I started traveling all the way back in 2003. They are reliable, and claims are processed quickly and fairly. The company was built by an ex-nomad so he gets the traveler mindset and knows what travelers need to stay safe.

As someone who is often traveling, I prefer World Nomads because I can purchase and renew my insurance policy online in a matter of minutes (it’s super easy). They have a very friendly and responsive staff who answer questions and help solve problems via social media, they have great customer feedback, and most importantly, they provide a lot of coverage at a fair price.

They are also endorsed by Lonely Planet and National Geographic, which tells you how good they are!

Other good travel insurance companies to consider

 

***

These days, I never leave home without travel insurance. Having had to make emergency claims a few times over the years, I’ve learned the hard way that it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Just remember that travel insurance is a for-profit industry, which means you really need to do your research before you purchase a plan. Be sure to read your plan and the fine print so you know what exactly is covered and what they expect if you try to make a claim.

Keep any receipts, emails, and documentation relating to your trip in a separate folder in your email inbox. That way, you can easily make a claim if you need to.

While the cost can seem like a lot up front, when you compare it to the potential cost of an emergency evacuation or a hefty medical bill, it’s peanuts.

Most insurance plans will only cost you a few dollars per day, providing you — and your friends and family — peace of mind in the process. If you ask me, that’s money well spent.

 

Last Updated: 6/7/21 | June 7th, 2021

Planning a trip can be a lot of fun: researching amazing bucket-list activities, daydreaming about picture-perfect beaches and epic hikes, booking the cheap flights that will take you to the world’s most amazing destinations. Planning gives you ownership of your trip and lets you imagine all the wonderful adventures you’ll have.

What is significantly less fun (yet equally important) is searching for the right travel insurance plan for your trip.

Reading through the fine print, searching out reviews you can trust, picking the best plan — it can be a little tedious.

It can also be a little overwhelming.

There are hundreds of companies out there, all offering seemingly similar plans. But they all have different prices too. Which one is the best? Which review is right?

To help you figure it all out, I wanted to share my thoughts on the best travel insurance companies on the market. I’ve been backpacking since 2004 and researching companies for a living since 2007. I’ve spent a lot of time reading the fine print. (Have you ever read NY’s insurance compliance laws? Well, don’t.)

To save you time, I’ve compiled a list of the best travel insurance companies. Whether you’re heading south to escape from work or traveling abroad on a round-the-world trip, this list will help you find a company that works for you and your budget.

 

OUR TOP PICK: World Nomads

I’ve been using World Nomads since I started traveling. Their plans are comprehensive and perfect for travelers visiting more than one country in a single trip.

This company is great for adventurous travelers who plan to do things like hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and even some extreme sports like rock climbing or bungy jumping. With 200 different activities covered, World Nomads is the best choice for active travelers.

Here’s a quick overview of World Nomads:

• Emergency medical and dental coverage
• Coverage for trip cancelations, delays, and interruptions
• Coverage up to age 69 (depending on where you’re from)
• Baggage protection
• Emergency evacuation (for medical emergencies and non-medical emergencies such as natural disasters)
• Medical transportation
• 24/7 customer assistance
• Coverage for some COVID-19 medical costs

Pros

• Comprehensive customer assistance
• Tiers for basic and premium coverage
• Can submit a claim after your trip ends
• Offers some COVID coverage
• Everything can be done via the website
• Trusted by brands like Lonely Planet, Eurail, and Intrepid Travel

Cons

• Claims paid by check
• No car rental coverage on the Standard Plan

This is my go-to insurance company and one I’ve been using for years. It was founded by backpackers, so they keep people who travel long-term in mind in their plans and customer service. They also offer the most trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage out there — more so than other companies we looked at.

Prices vary based on your age and country of residency, as well as where you’re going and for how long. As a general rule, a one-month policy costs around $120 USD for the Standard Plan. However, that drops to $105 USD for multi-month trips.

While World Nomads is pretty pricey compared to other companies listed here, they cover a lot more things than those companies. With them, really get what you pay for — and that is very comprehensive coverage. That’s why I like them. If you want comprehensive coverage (especially for your get), get World Nomads.

You can use the widget below to get a quote:

 
(Want to learn more? Check out my comprehensive World Nomads review!)
 

Safety Wing

Safety Wing is one of the new players in the travel insurance world. It’s a Norwegian startup based out of California that is specifically focused on remote workers and digital nomads.

Here’s a quick overview of Safety Wing:

• Offers affordable monthly plans with a deductible
• Plans can be purchased at home before you go or abroad after you’ve departed
• Claims can be filed online
• After being abroad for 90 days, you keep your medical coverage for 30 days in your home country
• Up to 2 children under 10 per family (1 per adult) can be included on your plan free of charge
• Up to $5,000 USD for trip interruption (with no deductible)
• Best for digital nomads and frugal travelers

Its plans are cheap but basic. It’s nice that they offer a flat monthly rate (based on coverage and age), but there is a $250 USD medical deductible you’ll have to pay.

Plus, electronics such as phones, laptops, and cameras are not covered, and in this day and age, that’s just crazy. (If the items are checked luggage and are lost/stolen, you can get reimbursed up to $500 USD per item, but who ever checks their expensive items?)

Pros

• Super affordable
• Offers some COVID-19 coverage
• Backed by a single insurance company
• Covers up to age 69

Cons

• Expensive deductible
• No trip cancellation coverage (and only minor trip delay coverage)
• Payout by check and wire transfer only (no direct deposit)
• Limited coverage for your gear and adventure activities

Safety Wing is a good option for anyone traveling on a tight budget who just needs basic coverage. If you want some medical coverage, don’t care about your electronics or robust trip cancellation or interruption, and just want an inexpensive plan, Safety Wing is probably best for you.

Monthly plans start at $40 USD per month, plus a $250 USD deductible. If you just want basic “I just want to be covered for the big stuff” coverage, this company is it.

Note: If you will be traveling in the USA, monthly plans cost $73 USD per month.
 

Medjet

Medjet is the premier membership program for medical transportation. Its extensive plans focus on crisis response and emergency transportation, and it has amazing staff on hand to help you through it all.

While many insurance companies will just evacuate you to the nearest hospital in an emergency, Medjet goes above and beyond to ensure that you’re repatriated (i.e. sent back to the country you live in) and not stuck in a foreign medical facility away from your friends and family.

There are both short-term and annual plans, too, so no matter what your travel plans are, you’ll be able to find the affordable coverage that you need.

Here’s a quick overview of Medjet:

• Extensive medical transport coverage that will get you home
• Allows you to determine to which medical facility to be moved
• Does not require government-issued warnings to initiate evacuation
• Medical transfer available in the US as well as abroad
• Limited time spent in foreign medical facilities
• Both short-term and annual plans
• Available for residents of the US, Canada, and Mexico

Pros

• Will get you home (not just to the nearest “acceptable” medical facility)
• Affordable annual plans
• Two tiers of coverage: basic and premium plans
• Offers some coverage for COVID-19
• Offers coverage up to age 74 (with potential extended coverage to 84)

Cons

• Only available to North American travelers (US, Canada, Mexico)
• No trip cancellation, trip delay, or baggage coverage

Medjet is the perfect company for anyone looking to avoid time spent in foreign medical facilities should an emergency or crisis occur. It’s a great supplement to more basic travel insurance plans, especially if you’re worried about being transportated home.

Annual plans start as low as $295 USD per person.
 

Insure My Trip

Insure My Trip isn’t actually an insurance company that issues its own plans. Rather, it recommends plans and helps you compare prices so you can buy the plan that’s best for you. Think of it as a Skyscanner but for travel insurance.

With Insure My Trip, you can compare plans from 23 different insurance providers. It’s a great company for senior travelers since many of the providers on the service offer coverage for those over 65. Moreover, they offer “cancel for any reason” insurance, so, if you cancel your trip for any reason, even ones not listed under regular policies, you’ll get a percentage of your trip back.

Here’s a quick overview of Insure My Trip:

• Guaranteed low prices
• Coverage for senior travelers over 65
• “Anytime advocates” ask the insurer to give your claim a second look if you think it was unfairly denied.
• Comparisons from 23 different companies to ensure you get the best plan
• Accommodation coverage if quarantined at your destination
• Reviews of each policy so you can see what other travelers are saying
• Coverage for travelers on cruises

Pros

• Tons of plans available
• Options for senior travelers
• Assistance with denied claims
• Offers “cancel for any reason” plans

Cons

• Since it’s is a third-party service, you’re dealing with a middleman.

Since Insure My Trip is an aggregator, prices will vary based on your trip destination, country of residency, and travel plans.
 

IMGlobal

IMGlobal provides insurance plans that are more akin to your standard US health insurance. It has comprehensive coverage for long-term travelers, plans for non-US citizens, and affordable plans for visitors to the US as well. Its plans cover single- and multi-destination trips.

I think this company is the best for expats and long-term travelers looking for a robust insurance plan that covers regular doctor visits, medication, and other routine care. Most travel insurance plans are emergency care plans, whereas IMGlobal is there for the everyday visits and the emergencies.

They offer three plans for US residents and three for non-US residents. (If you’re coming to the US, your plan also covers COVID coverage.)

Pros

• Plans for students business travelers, and immigrants
• Available for non-US citizens
• Can make claims even after your coverage ends
• Can choose your own coverage limits
• Available with deductibles or not — it’s your choice
• Certain acute pre-exisiting conditions are covered up to age 69
• Up to $10,000 USD for trip interruption

Cons

• Minimal coverage for lost/damaged baggage
• No trip cancellation coverage
• No coverage for rental cars on their main travel plans

Plan prices vary a lot since you can choose your coverage as well as your deductible (your out-of-pocket expense before the plan covers everything). You can pick coverage from $25,000 USD to $8,000,000 and deductibles from $0 to $25,000. The lower the coverage and higher the deductible, the cheaper price will be.

For a standard policy with $100,000 coverage and no deductible, you’re looking at $45 USD per month. This policy would be comparable to SafetyWing, but less comprehensive than World Nomads. For something with more coverage, expect to spend at least $75 USD per month.
 

Honorable Mention: Credit Card Coverage

While not the most comprehensive, many travel credit cards include some degree of travel insurance. Coverage is often limited and might only apply to trips or items purchased with the card. And there may be limited dates of coverage too.

However, something is better than nothing!

That said, while it can be tempting to go for a free insurance plan from your credit card company, their plans are usually not that comprehensive and have minimal coverage and/or limited compensation. These free plans are best used as supplemental coverage in addition to a plan from one of the companies above.

But it’s always great to have options (especially free ones). Be sure to learn more about the best travel credit cards before your next trip (you’ll have to read the fine print).

Note: If you’re traveling with a lot of expensive gear and electronics and want to be sure you’re covered, consider a policy from Clements. While its coverage isn’t as convenient to purchase as the companies above (you need to order a quote via email or phone), it has higher coverage available for gear and electronics if you think you’ll need it.

***

Nobody plans on getting hurt when they travel. And in a perfect world, we wouldn’t. But we all know that this isn’t a perfect world.

My bags were stolen when I was traveling in South Africa.

I popped my eardrum while diving in Thailand.

And I was even stabbed while backpacking in Colombia.

Obviously, I didn’t plan for any of these things to happen.

But they did.

And I was lucky I had travel insurance to help me cover the costs. So, before you head out on your next trip, make sure that you’re covered. Invest in your own safety and peace of mind. I promise you, it’s worth the money!
 

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