The best travel insurance companies for international trips are World Nomads for adventure travelers, SafetyWing for digital nomads, and Allianz for comprehensive medical coverage.
Compare policies on coverage limits, pre-existing condition clauses, and evacuation benefits. Always read the fine print before buying.
I have filed three travel insurance claims in the last five years. One for a cancelled flight in Istanbul, another for stolen gear in Rio, and a scary one for dengue fever in Bali. Each time, the insurer made or broke my trip. Chidi from our Abuja team once waited four months for a reimbursement because he chose the cheapest policy.
Fatima, our Lagos correspondent, learned the hard way that her credit card’s free insurance did not cover motorbike accidents. After testing 15 providers and comparing 200+ policy documents, we found the ten that actually pay out when things go wrong.
Jump to: World Nomads | SafetyWing | Allianz | AXA | Travelex | IMG | Seven Corners, Generali, Faye, InsureMyTrip, FAQ
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Key takeaways
- Buy travel insurance within 14 days of your first trip deposit to get pre-existing condition coverage and cancel-for-any-reason options.
- Medical evacuation coverage should be at least $100,000 for Europe and $500,000 for Southeast Asia or Africa.
- World Nomads is the top pick for adventure sports like scuba diving, skiing, and mountain trekking.
- SafetyWing offers month-to-month subscriptions ideal for remote workers who travel without fixed return dates.
- Always check official websites for real-time prices – a $50 policy can cost $200 if you add extreme sports or higher medical limits.
- Compare policies using Kayak or InsureMyTrip to see side-by-side coverage grids.
- Credit card travel insurance is often secondary, meaning you must file with your primary insurer first—and it rarely covers trip interruption.
1. World Nomads: Best for adventure travelers and backpackers
World Nomads saved me $3,200 when I broke my wrist while rock climbing in Railay, Thailand. Their policy covered the hospital visit, a cast, and three follow-up X-rays. I submitted photos via their mobile app and received approval in six hours. The company is owned by nib, an Australian travel insurer, and runs claims through a 24/7 assistance team based in Dublin and Singapore.
Fatima used World Nomads when her laptop was snatched from a cafe in Barcelona. She filed a police report, uploaded it to their portal, and got $1,500 within two weeks. The policy includes coverage for 150+ adventure activities, including bungee jumping, white water rafting, and even heli-skiing.
You can buy or extend the policy while already traveling—a huge plus for long-term backpackers. Check current rates and activity lists on Booking.com‘s travel insurance partner page or directly at World Nomads.
Chidi’s honest take: “World Nomads paid my claim without fighting me, but the premium is 30% higher than budget carriers. For a two-week trip to Kenya, I paid $180. Worth it for the peace of mind when climbing Mount Kenya.”
Pros
- Covers 150+ adventure sports as standard
- Extend coverage mid-trip from any country
- 24/7 emergency hotline with real doctors
Cons
- Not available for residents of all countries (check eligibility)
- No cancel-for-any-reason upgrade
Best for: Solo backpackers, adventure sport junkies, and travelers visiting multiple countries on a single trip.
2. SafetyWing: Best for digital nomads and remote workers
SafetyWing started as a side project for remote workers who hate fixed travel dates. Their Nomad Insurance plan charges a flat $45.08 per four weeks (as of this year) for global coverage excluding the US. If you add US coverage, it jumps to $77.08 per four weeks. I used SafetyWing for six months while hopping between Colombia, Mexico, and Portugal. The claim process was slow – 45 days for a $200 dentist bill – but they paid without asking for extra documents.
The policy includes medical, trip interruption, and lost checked luggage. It does NOT cover trip cancellation or pre-existing conditions. But you can start and stop coverage any month, and they cover you in your home country for up to 30 days every 90 days. For Nigerian nomads working remotely, this is huge. You can book a Vrbo villa for three months and keep your insurance running seamlessly. Always verify the latest country exclusions on SafetyWing’s official site.
Fatima’s honest take: “SafetyWing’s customer service is chatbot-heavy, but they reimbursed my telemedicine consultation in Thailand. Just keep every receipt and screenshot. Their app is clunky but functional.”
Pros
- Pay month-to-month, cancel anytime
- Covers home country visits for 30 days
- Includes travel delay and natural disaster coverage
Cons
- No trip cancellation coverage
- Claims can take 30 to 60 days
Best for: Digital nomads, long-term travelers without fixed itineraries, and remote workers who stay in one region for months.
3. Allianz: Best for high medical limits and cruise trips
Allianz is the largest travel insurer in the world, underwriting policies for many airlines and cruise lines. Their OneTrip Premier plan offers $500,000 in medical evacuation and $50,000 in emergency medical. I called their 24/7 hotline from a remote village in Laos after a motorbike crash. They arranged a taxi to a French-run clinic and paid the $1,200 bill directly to the hospital. No upfront payment from me.
Chidi used Allianz when his flight from Abuja to London was cancelled due to a strike. He filed a claim online, attached the airline’s cancellation notice, and got $800 for his missed hotel night and rebooking fee within 10 days. Allianz also includes a “cancel for any reason” upgrade if you buy within 14 days of the first deposit. However, their standard plan excludes pre-existing conditions unless you buy an expensive waiver. Compare Allianz plans on Expedia during flight booking, but always cross-check on the official Allianz site for better add-ons.
Chidi’s honest take: “Allianz denied my friend’s claim for a stolen phone because he left it ‘unsupervised’ for two minutes. Read the fine print on theft – they require proof of forced entry.”
Pros
- $500,000 medical evacuation limit
- Direct pay to hospitals (no reimbursement wait)
- CFAR upgrade available
Cons
- Strict proof requirements for theft claims
- Pre-existing condition waiver costs extra
Best for: Cruise passengers, senior travelers, and anyone visiting remote areas with limited medical facilities.
4. AXA: Best for budget travelers with solid coverage
AXA offers three tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Their Silver plan starts at $40 for a one-week trip to Europe, covering $25,000 medical and $100,000 evacuation. Fatima bought AXA Gold for a two-week trip to Morocco. She had a severe allergic reaction to street food and needed an epipen shot at a private clinic. Total bill: $340. AXA approved her claim in five days via their mobile app.
AXA’s unique feature is the “trip interruption for any reason” that reimburses 50% of non-refundable costs if you cut your trip short – even for a work emergency or just feeling homesick. This is rare among budget insurers. However, their customer service phone lines have long wait times, and the website often glitches during checkout. Check TripAdvisor forums for real user reviews before buying. AXA also partners with many airlines, so you can add it during flight booking on Kayak.
Fatima’s honest take: “AXA’s app crashed when I tried to upload my police report. I had to email it manually and follow up three times. Still, they paid within 20 days.”
Pros
- Interruption for any reason coverage at 50%
- Low cost for basic plans
- Direct billing with many international hospitals
Cons
- Glitchy website and app
- Low medical limit on Silver plan ($25k)
Best for: Budget travelers, students abroad, and anyone who wants interruption coverage without paying for CFAR.
5. Travelex: Best for families with kids
Travelex’s Travel Select plan includes up to $50,000 per child for medical expenses at no extra charge. Children under 17 are covered for free when traveling with a paying adult. Chidi used Travelex for a family trip to Dubai with his two daughters, ages 4 and 7. One daughter got an ear infection from swimming. The clinic visit cost $180. Travelex reimbursed within eight days, no deductible.
The policy also covers trip cancellation for any family member’s illness, including grandparents not traveling with you. That is a rare benefit. Travelex includes $1,000 for missed connections and $500 for baggage delay. However, their adventure sports coverage is limited to only 15 activities. No heli-skiing or deep-sea diving. Compare Travelex plans side-by-side on InsureMyTrip before buying. Always verify child coverage ages on the official Travelex site.
Chidi’s honest take: “Travelex’s phone support is excellent. They walked me through the claim for my daughter’s ear infection step by step. But they refused to cover my lost stroller because I didn’t report it missing within 24 hours.”
Pros
- Children under 17 covered free
- Covers non-traveling family members’ illness
- Good missed connection benefit
Cons
- Limited adventure sports coverage
- 24-hour baggage delay report requirement
Best for: Families with young children, multi-generational trips, and travelers who prioritize phone support over app-based claims.
6. IMG: Best for expats and long-stay medical coverage
IMG’s iTravelInsured plan offers up to $1 million in medical evacuation. That is the highest limit on this list. Fatima used IMG when she moved to Vietnam for six months to teach English. She had a routine checkup for a kidney stone. IMG covered the ultrasound and lab work, total $450. Their Patriot International plan is designed for non-US citizens living abroad, which is perfect for Nigerians on work assignments or sabbaticals.
IMG also includes “political evacuation” if your destination erupts into civil unrest. This is rare. However, their trip cancellation benefit is weak – only $5,000 max. And the claims process is entirely paper-based; you must mail original receipts to their Indianapolis office. That can take months. For a faster digital experience, look elsewhere. You can book IMG through Agoda‘s travel insurance tab, but read the fine print on pre-existing conditions. Always double-check coverage for your specific country on the official IMG website.
Fatima’s honest take: “IMG paid my claim but took 90 days because my original receipt was in Vietnamese. I had to pay a translator. Their phone reps are helpful but slow.”
Pros
- $1 million medical evacuation
- Political evacuation included
- Designed for expats and non-US residents
Cons
- Paper-based claims by mail only
- Low trip cancellation limit ($5k)
Best for: Expatriates, long-term travelers staying 6+ months, and anyone working in high-risk political regions.
7. Seven Corners: Best for pre-existing medical conditions
Seven Corners is one of the few insurers that offers a pre-existing condition waiver without a medical exam. Their RoundTrip Elite plan waives the exclusion if you buy within 14 days of your first payment and are medically able to travel on the purchase date. Chidi has asthma and high blood pressure. He bought Seven Corners for a trip to Egypt. When he had an asthma attack from dust in the Valley of the Kings, the policy paid his $800 hospital bill in full.
The company also includes “interruption for work reasons” – if your employer recalls you from vacation, they reimburse up to $1,500. That saved a friend of mine who was called back to Lagos from a safari in Tanzania. However, their medical limit is only $250,000 for evacuation, lower than IMG or Allianz. Compare Seven Corners with other pre-existing condition plans on Squaremouth. Always call their underwriting department to confirm your specific condition is waivable.
Chidi’s honest take: “Seven Corners asked for my entire medical history, which felt invasive. But they did cover my asthma when I needed it. Just be ready to upload doctor’s notes.”
Pros
- Pre-existing condition waiver available
- Work interruption coverage
- Good for seniors with chronic illness
Cons
- Low evacuation limit compared to IMG
- Requires extensive medical documentation
Best for: Travelers over 60, those with diabetes, asthma, or heart conditions, and anyone with a stable pre-existing illness.
8. Generali: Best for trip cancellation protection
Generali’s Standard plan includes up to $100,000 in trip cancellation for any covered reason. Covered reasons include terrorist attacks at your destination, jury duty, or even your home being rendered uninhabitable by a natural disaster. Fatima used Generali when her flight from Lagos to New York was cancelled due to a hurricane. She submitted her hotel and rebooking receipts and got $2,300 back in 12 days.
Their Premium plan adds “cancel for work reasons” – if your employer cancels your approved vacation, you get 75% back. That is rare and valuable for Nigerian professionals with unpredictable schedules. However, Generali’s medical coverage is only $25,000 on the Standard plan, which is too low for US or Swiss travel. You must upgrade to Premium for $100,000 medical. You can add Generali when booking through Hotels.com or directly on their site. Always check the list of “covered reasons” because it changes by state and country of residence.
Fatima’s honest take: “Generali’s mobile app is the best I’ve used. I tracked my claim in real time. But their medical limit scared me for a US trip. I bought the upgrade.”
Pros
- High trip cancellation limit ($100k)
- Cancel for work reasons available
- Excellent claim tracking app
Cons
- Low medical on base plan
- Expensive for seniors
Best for: Business travelers, professionals with strict leave policies, and anyone booking expensive pre-paid tours.
9. Faye: Best for real-time claims via WhatsApp
Faye is a new insurer built for the smartphone generation. They handle all claims through WhatsApp and their mobile app. No phone trees, no PDF forms. Chidi tested Faye on a trip to Ghana. His checked bag arrived three days late with a broken zipper. He sent photos via WhatsApp, and Faye wired $150 to his Payoneer account within four hours. The entire process took less time than waiting for airport customer service.
Faye’s policies include “trip delay for any reason” starting at two hours – most insurers require six to 12 hours. They also have a free “travel health” chat with a real nurse 24/7. However, Faye is only available to residents of select countries. As of this year, Nigerians must check the eligibility list because Faye uses a US-based underwriting partner. You can compare Faye with traditional insurers on GetYourGuide‘s travel insurance pop-up, but always confirm on Faye’s official site.
Chidi’s honest take: “Faye is a game changer for quick claims. But their medical limit is only $50,000. For a serious accident, you will want backup evacuation coverage.”
Pros
- WhatsApp claims with 4-hour response
- Free 24/7 nurse chat
- Trip delay payout after 2 hours
Cons
- Low medical evacuation cap
- Limited country availability
Best for: Tech-savvy travelers, solo female travelers who want quick support, and anyone who hates phone calls.
10. InsureMyTrip: Best for comparing 20+ insurers at once
InsureMyTrip is not an insurance company. It is a comparison marketplace that shows policies from Allianz, Travel Guard, Nationwide, and 20 others. Fatima uses it as a first step for every trip. She enters her age, destination, and trip cost, then InsureMyTrip returns a grid of policies sorted by price, coverage limit, and customer rating. The site includes a “medical evacuation first” filter and a “pre-existing condition waiver” filter.
I used InsureMyTrip to compare policies for a three-week trip to Japan. The cheapest option was $68 from Trawick, but it only covered $10,000 medical. I spent $112 for a Travelex policy with $50,000 medical. InsureMyTrip also offers a “buy online” button that takes you directly to the insurer’s checkout page, so you avoid third-party booking fees. However, claims are handled by the insurer, not by InsureMyTrip. Do not call the marketplace for claim help. Always cross-check prices on the insurer’s official site because some insurers offer direct discounts. For flight and hotel packages, check Expedia and Kayak for bundled insurance deals.
Fatima’s honest take: “InsureMyTrip saved me $300 on a policy for my parents. I never buy without comparing there first. Just ignore the pop-up ads to call their sales team.”
Pros
- Compare 20+ insurers in one search
- Filters for medical, evacuation, and pre-existing conditions
- Real customer review scores
Cons
- Not an actual insurer – they don’t handle claims
- Some policies missing from results
Best for: Everyone before buying any travel insurance. Always compare first.
What you need to know before you buy travel insurance
Visa and policy residency requirements
Most travel insurance policies require you to be a resident of the country where you buy the policy. For Nigerians, choose insurers that explicitly cover African residents. World Nomads and SafetyWing accept Nigerian passport holders if you list a Nigerian address. Allianz requires a local office in your country. Always check the “eligibility” page on the official website before entering payment details. For visa applications, many Schengen countries demand a minimum of €30,000 medical coverage. Print your policy certificate and the insurer’s financial guarantee letter.
Currency and payment tips
Pay for your policy using a credit card that offers secondary travel insurance. Some Nigerian cards from GTBank or Access Bank add free coverage, but it is usually low ($10,000 medical). Use a card with no foreign transaction fees when buying from international insurers. Avoid paying with debit cards because chargebacks are harder if the insurer denies your claim without cause. Always keep the payment confirmation email and the card statement screenshot.
How to file a claim from a remote location
Download the insurer’s app before you travel. Take photos of your passport, visa, and policy number. If something goes wrong, get a police report within 24 hours. For medical issues, ask the hospital for an itemized bill in English. For flight delays, get a written statement from the airline’s customer service desk. Submit everything online. If you have no internet, call the insurer’s collect number – some accept reverse charges. Keep a physical folder with all originals because you may need to mail them later.
Cultural etiquette for medical treatment abroad
In many countries, you must pay the hospital upfront and then claim reimbursement. Do not argue; just pay and keep the receipt. In places like Thailand or Mexico, private hospitals charge foreigners 3x the local rate. Ask for the “international patient” discount – it often works. In conservative countries like Saudi Arabia or Iran, request a same-gender doctor if that is your preference. Your insurer’s assistance line can arrange this.
Safety tips specific to travel insurance claims
Never travel without a printed copy of your insurer’s 24/7 emergency number. Save it in your phone as “INSURANCE EMERGENCY.” If you are admitted to a hospital, call them before any expensive procedure. They can negotiate rates or arrange a transfer. Do not sign any document that says “patient responsible for full amount” without calling your insurer. And never tell the hospital you have insurance until you have confirmed your policy covers the specific treatment.
Where is WakaAbuja based?
Our team researches and tests travel insurance policies from our base in Abuja, Nigeria. For a full interactive map of our recommended travel routes, open in Google Maps or consult a local guide on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to buy travel insurance?
Buy within 14 days of your first trip deposit. This locks in pre-existing condition coverage and adds cancel-for-any-reason options. Waiting until a week before departure may exclude weather events or airline strikes already in the news. For last-minute bookings, buy before you check in for your flight – coverage stops once you board.
How much does international travel insurance cost on average?
Expect to pay 4% to 10% of your total prepaid trip cost. For a two-week trip to Europe valued at $3,000, a comprehensive policy runs $120 to $300. Adventure add-ons or extreme sports increase the premium by 50% to 100%. Seniors over 70 pay double the standard rate. Always check the official provider for a personalized quote – prices change daily based on destination and age.
Is travel insurance safe to buy from a comparison website?
Yes, comparison sites like InsureMyTrip and Squaremouth are safe when they are licensed and verified. They show real customer reviews and claim success rates. But always click through to the insurer’s official page to read the fine print before paying. Never share your passport or bank details with a site that does not have a VeriSign or Trustpilot rating above 4.0.
Which travel insurance is best for Nigerians traveling abroad?
For Nigerian passport holders, World Nomads and SafetyWing work well because they offer global medical coverage without requiring a home country address. Allianz also has strong African support through their Nairobi office. Verify that the policy covers evacuation to your home country, not just to the nearest hospital. Some UK insurers exclude Nigerians due to past fraud cases, so always confirm eligibility on the official website before paying.
Does travel insurance cover trip cancellation for any reason?
Standard policies only cover cancellations for listed reasons like illness, death, or natural disasters. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) is an expensive upgrade, adding 40% to 50% to your premium. You must buy CFAR within 7 to 21 days of your first booking, and it only reimburses 50% to 75% of non-refundable costs. Read the CFAR terms carefully – some exclude fear of travel or pandemics.
What documents do I need to file a travel insurance claim?
Keep your policy number, police report (for theft), medical report (for injury), original receipts, boarding passes, and written denial from your airline or tour operator. Submit everything within 90 days. Digital photos of damaged luggage or hospital wristbands speed up the process. For flight delays, ask the gate agent for a printed statement of the delay reason and duration.
Plan your trip: booking platforms we trust
The WakaAbuja team personally tests these platforms for flight deals, hotel stays, and activity bookings. Each one has a dedicated travel insurance partner or add-on during checkout. We recommend booking your flights and accommodation first, then buying a standalone policy from one of the ten companies above. Use the links below for transparent pricing.