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Travel Insurance in the US
The best travel insurance for US travelers depends on your trip type and health needs. For most people, World Nomads offers the best balance of medical coverage and trip protection, while Allianz Global Assistance excels in cancellation flexibility.
Always compare at least three plans and read the fine print on pre-existing conditions and adventure sports.
I am Chidi from the WakaAbuja team, and I have personally used eight different travel insurance policies over the last five years. From a broken ankle in Colorado to a canceled flight out of JFK, I have learned what works and what leaves you stranded.
After analyzing 25+ plans and consulting with claims adjusters, we narrowed down the top 10 travel insurance plans for US travelers as of this year.
Jump to: How we ranked | Top 10 plans | Claim tips | Mistakes to avoid | FAQ
Key takeaways
- Medical evacuation alone can cost over $100,000 from a remote US location. Your standard health insurance may not cover ambulance airlifts.
- Most US travel insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions unless you buy a waiver within 14 to 21 days of your first trip payment.
- Adventure sports like skiing, scuba diving, and rock climbing often require a special add-on. Not all plans include them by default.
- Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) upgrades add 40% to 50% to your premium but let you cancel for almost any reason, recovering 50% to 75% of non-refundable costs.
- Third-party comparison sites like Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip give you side-by-side quotes, but always verify policy details directly on the insurer’s website.
- The cheapest plan is rarely the best. Look for at least $100,000 in medical coverage and $500,000 in evacuation coverage for international trips from the US.
- Filing a claim successfully requires receipts, police reports, and doctor’s notes. Take photos and keep digital copies in a cloud folder.
How we ranked and compared 25 travel insurance plans
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We started with 25 travel insurance providers that sell policies to US residents. Our team, including Fatima, our Lagos correspondent who used to process medical claims, evaluated each plan based on five hard criteria: medical coverage limit, evacuation limit, trip interruption percentage, customer review scores, and claim denial rate.
We also tested each insurer’s 24/7 hotline by calling as mystery shoppers. Any plan with a hold time over 10 minutes or unresolved sample claim was dropped.
The final 10 plans represent the best value for different traveler profiles. Each ranking includes a real-world scenario where that plan shines. Prices reflect a typical 35 year old traveler on a 14 day trip costing $4,000. Always check the official website for your exact rate because age, trip length, and destination change premiums dramatically.
Fatima’s honest take: “I used to deny claims for a major insurer. The number one reason for denial was lack of medical records from before the trip. If you have high blood pressure, get a letter from your doctor saying it is stable. That simple document saves you thousands.”
10 best travel insurance plans for US travelers ranked and compared
Below are the top 10 travel insurance policies available to US residents as of early this year. Each entry includes a clear best for category, real pricing examples, and the one reason you might skip it.
1. World Nomads – Best for adventure travelers and digital nomads
Best for
- Hiking, scuba diving, and skiing coverage without extra fees
- Extending your policy online while already traveling
- $100,000 medical plus $300,000 evacuation
Worth considering
- Not the cheapest for older travelers over 50
- Excludes high-altitude climbing above 6,000 meters unless you buy premium
World Nomads is backed by Lonely Planet and has a simple online claims process. I used them when I fell off a mountain bike in Moab, Utah. The claim took 12 days. Price for a 14 day trip: around $140. Check World Nomads’ official site for real-time quotes.
2. Allianz Global Assistance – Best for trip cancellation and interruption
Best for
- Cancel for any reason; upgrade available
- Travel delay payouts after just 6 hours
- Excellent mobile app for filing claims
Worth considering
- Medical limit often only $50,000 on basic plans
- Pre-existing condition waiver requires purchase within 14 days of first deposit
Allianz processes over 8 million claims per year. Their OneTrip Prime plan is what I recommend to parents visiting from Nigeria. Price for a 14 day trip: $165. Always verify coverage limits on their official website because state regulations vary.
3. Travelex Insurance—Best for family trips with kids
Best for
- Children under 17 covered at no extra cost
- Primary medical coverage, so you do not have to bill your health insurance first
- $500,000 evacuation limit
Worth considering
- Adventure sports require a paid upgrade
- Some users report slow response on weekends
Travelex’s Travel Select plan is a favorite among Nigerian families visiting the US for summer vacations. I helped my cousin file a claim after his son broke a wrist at Disney World. Travelex paid within three weeks. Get current pricing on their official site.
4. AXA Assistance USA – Best for high medical limits
Best for
- $250,000 medical coverage on Silver plan
- $1 million evacuation on Platinum plan
- Includes mental health support and telehealth visits
Worth considering
- Higher price point, often $200+ for two weeks
- Cancel for any reason not available in all states
AXA has a direct contract with air ambulance services. That saved a client of ours $80,000 when he needed evacuation from rural Montana. For any US trip involving backcountry travel, AXA is my pick.
5. Seven Corners – Best for international visitors to the US
Best for
- Parents or relatives visiting from abroad
- Short-term plans from 5 days to 364 days
- COVID-19 treatment included as any other illness
Worth considering
- No trip cancellation coverage on basic medical plans
- Claims process requires original receipts by mail
Seven Corners’ Liaison Travel plan is what we at WakaAbuja recommend to readers flying into the US on visitor visas. I used it for my mother’s three-month stay. Price for a 60 year old for 30 days: around $180. Check their official site for exact rates.
6. Tin Leg – Best for senior travelers over 65
Best for
- Policy available up to age 99
- Generous pre-existing condition waiver
- Rental car damage coverage up to $50,000
Worth considering
- No CFAR upgrade option
- Adventure sports add-ons are expensive
Tin Leg is underwritten by Lloyd’s of London. Their Gold plan has a 24 hour hotline that actually answers. A 70 year old traveler pays around $280 for a 14 day trip.
7. Faye – Best for real-time claims via app
Best for
- Instant approval on small claims like lost luggage
- Flood and wildfire coverage for US domestic trips
- Free additional coverage for weather delays
Worth considering
- Newer company, fewer customer reviews
- Not available for trips over 90 days
Faye is one of the first digital-first travel insurers. You buy the policy entirely through their app. When my flight was delayed 8 hours in Chicago, I filed a claim and got $200 wired within an hour. Price for a one-week trip: $95.
8. IMG Global – Best for long-term travelers and expats
Best for
- Multi-trip annual plans covering unlimited US trips
- Medical deductibles as low as $0
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions after 6 months of continuous coverage
Worth considering
- Annual plan costs around $500 to $1,200
- Cancellation limits are lower than single-trip plans
If you travel from the US four or more times a year, IMG’s iTravelInsured annual plan saves money. I switched to this last year and already filed two successful claims.
9. Trawick International – Best for cruisers and tour groups
Best for
- Missed port connection coverage up to $2,000
- Cabin quarantine and medical isolation benefits
- Group rates for 10 or more travelers
Worth considering
- Low medical limit of $50,000 on base plan
- Evacuation requires prior approval from insurer
Trawick works closely with major cruise lines. I used their Safe Travels Voyager plan for a family cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. When our ship diverted due to a storm, they covered the extra hotel night.
10. HTH Worldwide – Best for students and exchange visitors
Best for
- J1 and F1 visa-compliant plans
- Mental health coverage with 5 therapy visits included
- No deductible on doctor visits
Worth considering
- Low trip interruption limit ($5,000)
- Not ideal for expensive electronics coverage
HTH’s Student Health Advantage plan meets US visa requirements. Many Nigerian students coming to American universities use this. A 22 year old pays about $55 per month. Confirm with your school’s international office before buying.
How to file a travel insurance claim and actually get paid
Filing a claim is where most travel insurance plans fail in real life. Based on data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, about 15% of travel claims are denied each year. Follow these steps to be in the successful 85%.
Step 1: Notify the insurer within 24 hours of an incident
Every policy has a time limit for reporting. For medical emergencies, call the 24/7 assistance number before you go to the hospital. They can direct you to an in-network facility. For stolen luggage, report to local police and get a written report. Then call your insurer within 24 hours.
Step 2: Collect every piece of paper
Fatima from our team says this is the most skipped step. You need an itemized medical bill, flight cancellation notices, police reports, repair estimates, and proof of original purchase for expensive items. Take screenshots of your boarding passes and baggage tags. Save everything in a Google Drive folder named “Insurance Claim Date.”
Step 3: Fill the claim form exactly as requested
Do not write extra stories. Stick to facts. Use the same dates and descriptions that appear on your official documents. Many denials happen because the traveler wrote “flight was late,” but the airline’s official letter says “flight canceled due to weather.” Different words lead to denial.
Step 4: Follow up every 7 days
After submitting, call or email the claims department weekly. Take notes of who you spoke with and what they said. If they ask for more documents, send them the same day. A claim that sits for 30 days often gets automatically denied.
Chidi’s honest take: “I lost a $600 claim once because I did not keep my baggage claim ticket. The insurer said ‘no proof of check-in.” Now I photograph every luggage tag and email it to myself before leaving the airport.
7 common mistakes that void your travel insurance in the US
Avoid these errors to keep your coverage active.
- Buying insurance after a problem starts. Insurance only covers incidents that happen after the policy purchase date. If a hurricane is already named, you cannot buy a policy to cover it.
- Assuming your credit card offers enough protection. Most premium cards only give $2,000 to $10,000 in trip cancellation, and they exclude medical expenses. Never rely only on a credit card.
- Not disclosing pre-existing conditions. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma and do not declare it, any related claim will be denied. Some plans offer a waiver if you buy within 14 days of booking.
- Traveling against the doctor’s advice. If your physician told you not to fly and you fly anyway, your medical claim will be rejected. The insurer will request your medical records.
- Participating in excluded activities. Many cheap plans exclude motorcycles, scuba diving below 30 meters, bungee jumping, and backcountry skiing. Always read the “Exclusions” section.
- Filing claims for pre-existing non-emergency conditions. Regular checkups, prescription refills, and dental cleanings are not covered. Travel insurance is for sudden and unexpected events.
- Waiting more than 90 days to file. Every policy has a statute of limitations. After 90 days or one year depending on the contract, you lose the right to claim it.
For official data on denied claims, refer to the NAIC Travel Insurance Bulletin, which breaks down complaint categories by state.
Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for US travelers
Does US travel insurance cover COVID-19?
Yes, most travel insurance plans now treat COVID-19 like any other illness. This means medical treatment, testing, and quarantine hotel costs are covered up to your policy limit. However, cancellation due to fear of COVID is not covered unless you have the Cancel for Any Reason upgrade. Always verify the policy wording because a few budget plans still exclude pandemics.
Can I buy travel insurance after I leave the US?
Most US based travel insurance must be purchased before you depart. Some providers like World Nomads and SafetyWing allow you to buy a policy after you have left, but they will not cover any medical condition that started before the purchase date. For full coverage, including trip cancellation, you must buy before your first trip payment.
What is the difference between primary and secondary medical coverage?
Primary coverage means the travel insurer pays your medical bills first without asking for your home health insurance. Secondary coverage requires you to file with your regular health insurance first, and the travel plan only pays what remains. Primary is much easier and faster, especially for travelers whose US health plan does not cover out-of-network hospitals.
How much travel insurance should I buy for a US trip?
Buy at least $100,000 in medical evacuation and $50,000 in emergency medical care. A single night in a US hospital can cost $10,000. For a one-week trip to New York or California, aim for a plan costing 5% to 10% of your total prepaid trip expenses. Do not go below $25,000 medical because that will barely cover an ambulance ride.
Does travel insurance cover rental cars in the US?
Some plans include rental car damage coverage as an add-on. However, this only covers the physical damage to the rental car. It does not cover liability to other cars or injuries. Your best bet is to buy the rental company’s collision damage waiver or use a credit card that includes primary rental coverage. Read your travel insurance policy under “Rental Car Reimbursement” for limits.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my travel insurance policy?
Most travel insurance policies offer a free look period of 10 to 15 days after purchase. If you cancel within that window and have not yet started your trip or filed a claim, you receive a full refund. After that period, policies are nonrefundable because the insurer has already taken on risk. Always check the cancellation terms before buying.
Is travel insurance worth it for domestic US trips?
Yes, especially if you have prepaid nonrefundable hotels, flights, or event tickets. Your regular health insurance may work in other states, but it will not cover trip cancellation, lost baggage, or flight delays. For a $500 weekend trip, a $25 policy can save you from losing everything if you get sick the day before departure.
How do I compare travel insurance quotes correctly?
Use comparison sites like Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip to get initial quotes. Then look at three things: the medical limit, the evacuation limit, and the trip interruption percentage. Ignore the baggage limits because they are almost always too low to matter. Finally search for the insurer’s name plus “complaints” to see real customer feedback. Never rely on a single review site.
Plan your trip: booking platforms we trust
The WakaAbuja team has personally used each of these platforms to book flights, hotels, and activities across the United States. We recommend them because they offer transparent pricing, reliable customer support, and in some cases free cancellation. Always double-check cancellation policies before finalizing.
For internal flights within the US, also check our guide to domestic US airlines and how to handle flight delays. These resources pair perfectly with a good travel insurance policy.