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Planning a trip<\/a> can be a lot of fun: researching amazing bucket-list activities, daydreaming about picture-perfect beaches and epic hikes, booking the cheap flights<\/a> that will take you to the world\u2019s most amazing destinations. Planning gives you ownership of your trip and lets you imagine all the wonderful adventures you\u2019ll have. <\/p>\n What is significantly less fun (yet equally important) is searching for the right travel insurance<\/a> plan for your trip.<\/p>\n Reading through the fine print, searching out reviews you can trust, picking the best plan \u2014 it can be a little tedious. <\/p>\n It can also be a little overwhelming.<\/p>\n 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?<\/p>\n To help you figure it all out, I wanted to share my thoughts on the best travel insurance companies on the market. I\u2019ve been backpacking since 2004 and researching companies for a living since 2007. I\u2019ve spent a lot of time reading the fine print. (Have you ever read NY\u2019s insurance compliance laws? Well, don\u2019t.)<\/p>\n To save you time, I\u2019ve compiled a list of the best travel insurance companies. Whether you\u2019re heading south to escape from winter or traveling abroad on a round-the-world trip<\/a>, this list will help you find a company that works for you and your budget.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick overview of SafetyWing’s Essential plan:<\/p>\n Additionally, electronics such as phones, laptops, and cameras are not covered as part of their Essential policy (you can buy an electronics theft add-on though). If the items are checked luggage and are lost\/stolen, you can get reimbursed up to $500 USD per item, but who checks their expensive items? <\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n SafetyWing<\/a> is a good option for anyone traveling on a tight budget who just needs basic emergency 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, SafetyWing’s Essential plan is the best. <\/p>\n Monthly plans start at $56.28 USD per month for travelers 18-39 years old. If you will be traveling in the USA, monthly plans cost $104.44 USD per month.<\/p>\n If you just want basic “I just want to be covered for the big stuff” coverage, this company is it (read more in our SafetyWing review<\/a>). They also have a Complete plan with even more robust coverage (it’s not as cheap, but it’s still very affordable).<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick overview of World Nomads:<\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Prices vary based on your age and country of residency, as well as where you’re going and for how long. Generally, a two-week policy costs around $100 for the Standard Plan, while an Explorer Plan is closer to $200 USD.<\/p>\n Most insurance companies just evacuate you to the nearest hospital in an emergency, but as a membership program, Medjet goes above and beyond to ensure that you\u2019re repatriated (i.e. sent back to the country you live in). You won’t be stuck in a foreign medical facility away from your friends and family. <\/p>\n There are both short-term and annual plans, too, so no matter what your travel plans are, you\u2019ll be able to find the affordable coverage that you need.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick overview of Medjet:<\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Medjet<\/a> 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 transported home. Learn more in my comprehensive Medjet review.<\/a><\/p>\n Annual plans for global coverage start as low as $315 USD per person.<\/p>\n With InsureMyTrip, you can compare plans from over 20 different insurance providers. It’s a great resource for senior travelers since many of the providers they recommend 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. <\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick overview of InsureMyTrip:<\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Since InsureMyTrip<\/a> is an aggregator, prices will vary based on your trip destination, country of residency, and travel plans.<\/p>\n While not the most comprehensive, many travel credit cards<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n However, something is better than nothing! <\/p>\n That said, while it can be tempting to rely on the free travel insurance from your credit card company, their plans are usually not that comprehensive and have minimal coverage and\/or limited compensation. This is especially the case with anything medical, as credit card travel insurance tends to focus on trip delays, cancellations, and interruptions. These free plans are best used as supplemental coverage in addition to a plan from one of the companies above. <\/p>\n But it\u2019s always great to have options (especially free ones). Be sure to learn more about the best travel credit cards<\/a> before your next trip (you\u2019ll have to read the fine print).<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: 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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n Nobody plans on getting hurt when they travel. And in a perfect world, we wouldn\u2019t. But we all know that this isn\u2019t a perfect world.<\/p>\n My bags were stolen when I was traveling in South Africa<\/a>.<\/p>\n I popped my eardrum while diving in Thailand<\/a>.<\/p>\n And I was even stabbed while backpacking in Colombia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Obviously, I didn\u2019t plan for any of these things to happen.<\/p>\n But they did.<\/p>\n 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\u2019re covered. Invest in your own safety and peace of mind. I promise you, it\u2019s worth the money!<\/p>\n My New York Times<\/em> best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you\u2019ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It\u2019s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the \u201cbible for budget travelers.\u201d<\/p>\n Click here to learn more and start reading it today!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Want to Travel for Free?<\/strong> Need a Rental Car?<\/strong> Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?<\/strong>\n\n
OUR TOP PICK: SafetyWing<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"SafetyWing](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2020\/safetywinglogo1.jpg\")
SafetyWing<\/a> is one of the newer players in the travel insurance world. It’s a Norwegian startup based out of California specifically focused on remote workers and digital nomads. You don’t have to set an end date for your trip, as the monthly subscription will simply renew until you cancel (which you can do at any time). To me, they are the best overall company out there. They offer really affordable and robust policies. <\/p>\n\n
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\n <\/p>\nWorld Nomads<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"World](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/WNlogo.png\")
World Nomads<\/a> offers comprehensive plans 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. <\/p>\n\n
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\nWorld Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.<\/em>
\n <\/p>\nMedjet<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Medjet](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2020\/medjetlogo.jpg\")
Medjet<\/a> is the premier membership program for medical transportation. Its extensive plans focus on crisis response and emergency transportation, with amazing staff on hand to help you through it all. <\/p>\n\n
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\n <\/p>\nInsureMyTrip<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"IMT](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/IMTlogo_edit.png\")
InsureMyTrip<\/a> isn\u2019t actually an insurance company that issues its own plans. Rather, it is a marketplace where you can search for plans, helping you compare prices and coverage so you can buy the plan that\u2019s best for you. Think of it as a Skyscanner<\/a> but for travel insurance. <\/p>\n\n
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\n <\/p>\nHonorable Mention: Credit Card Coverage<\/a><\/h3>\n
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day<\/span><\/h3>
![\"How](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/bookimages\/HowtoTraveltheWorldon75aDay.jpg\")
<\/div>\nBook Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nFind a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. <\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nTravel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation \u2014 all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites<\/a> to get started and see the latest best deals.<\/p>\n
\nDiscover Cars<\/a> is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best \u2014 and cheapest \u2014 rental for your trip!<\/p>\n
\nGet Your Guide<\/a> is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. <\/p>\n