International Travel Insurance: What It Covers, What You Need, and How to Choose (2025)
📌 In high-cost countries (USA/Canada/Japan), a single ER visit can exceed $3,500 and one hospital night can reach $5,000+ — aim for $250k–$1M medical depending on trip length and risk.
📌 Don’t pick on price alone: the real differences are medical limits, evacuation wording (“100% actual costs”), deductibles, and sub-limits (especially electronics).
📌 The #1 claim-denial drivers are predictable: excluded activities (scooter/ski/diving/trekking) and strict pre-existing condition rules (stability periods, questionnaires).
📌 Cancellation should match your true non-refundable spend — as a benchmark it often costs ~1% to 6% of the insured trip amount (CFAR typically adds +40% to +60%).
📌 Credit card insurance ≠ travel insurance: medical is often low, evacuation can be missing, and eligibility frequently requires paying the entire trip with the card.
📌 Long stays and complex itineraries need extra checks: trip-length caps, “already abroad” rules, and delay/missed connection triggers (6–12h) + daily caps.
📌 Comparing plans avoids expensive gaps: for the same trip, limits and exclusions can vary x3 to x10 — so the “cheapest” plan can be the weakest.
Best Travel Insurance Plans (Compare & Choose)
Compare the best international plans based on your nationality, destination, trip length and travel style. Results below update instantly.
Find the Right Coverage in 30 SecondsWhat Travel Insurance Covers (and Why It Matters)
Travel insurance isn’t “optional”—it’s what prevents a minor mishap from becoming a four-figure bill. In one policy, you typically get emergency medical care, evacuation & repatriation, cancellation/interruption, and baggage protection—but the real difference is in the limits, sub-limits, and exclusions (scooters, sports, pre-existing conditions) that decide whether a claim is paid or denied.
To make this instantly clear, the table below breaks down the main coverages, typical USD limits, real-life claim examples, and the one expert tip that helps you pick the right level for your trip.
Coverage 🧾 | What it covers ✅ | Typical limits (USD)* 💰 | Real claim example 🧠 | Expert tip 🎯 | Recommended for 👤 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🚑 Emergency medical | ER, hospital, surgery, prescriptions | $50k–$1M | ER visit + imaging: $1,000–$3,500 | Prefer $250k+ in high-cost countries | All trips (especially USA/CA/JP) |
🚁 Evacuation & repatriation | Medical transport to facility or home | 100% actual costs | Helicopter rescue: $30k–$70k | Avoid capped sub-limits (wording matters) | Cruise / Remote / Ski |
❌ Trip cancellation | Refund non-refundable bookings | $2k–$15k | Illness pre-trip: $3,000+ | Match your prepaid total | Families / Expensive trips |
🔄 Trip interruption | Cut trip short, return home, rebook | = cancellation or higher | Emergency return flight: $1,500+ | Often more valuable than cancellation | Long stay / Multi-stop |
⏳ Trip delay / missed connection | Meals, hotel, rebooking after delays | $100–$1,000+ | Missed connection + hotel: $250–$600 | Check trigger time (6–12h) + daily caps | Flights with connections |
🧳 Baggage & valuables | Lost/stolen/delayed items | $500–$2,000 | Essentials after delay: $200 | Check electronics sub-limits + keep receipts | All |
🛡️ Personal liability | Damage/injury to others | $100k–$2M | Accident involving a third party | Confirm scooters/2-wheelers are covered | Long stay / Scooter |
🆘 24/7 assistance | Hotline, doctors network, guarantees, direct billing | Included | Direct billing arranged with a hospital | Save the assistance number + policy ID | All |
*Limits vary widely by insurer and destination; always check deductibles, sub-limits (electronics), and exclusions (scooters/sports/pre-existing conditions).
Here’s why millions of international travellers choose to insure their trips:
- 🚑 Medical bills: common claims (falls, infections, accidents) can cost thousands—coverage helps avoid heavy out-of-pocket expenses.
- ⏳ Delays & cancellations: strikes, weather or disruptions can trigger hotel, meals, and rebooking reimbursements.
- 🆘 24/7 assistance: fast access to clinics, multilingual support, and sometimes direct billing with hospitals.
- 🚁 Evacuation & repatriation: the “rare but massive” risk—can reach $80,000–$150,000+ in remote areas or at sea.
- 🧳 Baggage & valuables: delays and losses are frequent—especially important for essentials and electronics.
Higher-end plans often go beyond “basic” medical + baggage cover by adding the practical protections that actually save a trip: missed-connection and flight disruption benefits, coverage for electronics, emergency dental treatment, passport-loss assistance, and optional adventure-sports extensions when your itinerary includes higher-risk activities. In other words, many international insurers now bundle the gaps travellers most frequently discover too late—benefits that are often limited, conditional, or simply absent in credit card travel insurance.
Since coverage levels and exclusions vary widely between insurers, most travellers compare several offers before making a choice — especially when heading to destinations where medical care is notoriously expensive, like the US, Japan or Iceland.
Compare 100+ Plans in One ClickThe Different Types of Travel Insurance Available Worldwide
Travel insurance comes in many forms. Each type is designed for a specific travel style — short holidays, multiple annual trips, backpacking, cruises, business travel or visa applications. To help you understand at a glance what exists on the international market, here’s a clear summary of the main categories of travel insurance you may encounter worldwide.
🌐 Type of Travel Insurance | Ideal For | Typical Coverage & Key Features (USD) | Price Range (USD)* |
|---|---|---|---|
✈️ Single Trip | Holidays, weekend breaks, visits | Medical $50k–$500k · Cancellation $2k–$10k · Baggage $500–$2k · Trip length 30–90 days | $20–$80 |
🔁 Annual / Multi-Trip | Frequent travellers, business | Unlimited trips/year · 30–60 days each · Medical $250k–$500k · Often includes delay/missed connection | $120–$350/year |
🌍 Worldwide (incl. USA) / Worldwide (excl. USA) | Multi-country itineraries | Same policy type, very different pricing · “Incl. USA” usually costs more · Always check zone definitions | $50–$250 |
🏥 Travel Medical Only | Budget travellers, long stays, visa needs | Medical $100k–$1M + evacuation · Usually no cancellation/interruption | $25–$120 |
🧭 Long-Term / Backpacker | Gap years, RTW, WHV | 3–24 months · Medical $250k–$1M · Strong evacuation · Flexible extensions | $200–$800 |
🏠 Family Plans | Parents travelling with kids | One policy for all · Higher cancellation limits · Baggage cover for multiple travellers | $40–$150 |
👵 Senior Travel | Travellers 60+ | Higher medical limits · Options for stable conditions (plan-dependent) | $80–$250 |
🚢 Cruise Insurance | Cruises (ocean/river) | Evacuation from ship ($30k–$150k+) · Cabin confinement · Missed port/connection | $40–$120 |
❌ Trip Cancellation (standalone) | Prepaid, expensive trips | Reimbursement for non-refundable bookings · Often $2k–$15k | $20–$90 |
🔄 CFAR (optional add-on) | Maximum flexibility | Up to 50–75% reimbursement · Must be purchased early · Not available everywhere | +40–60% on base price |
🚗 Rental car / CDW add-on | Road trips, car rentals | Collision damage (CDW/LDW) + towing (plan-dependent) · Third-party liability often excluded | +$5–$30 |
💼 Business Travel | Corporate travellers | Electronics cover · Rebooking support · Premium assistance | $30–$100 |
🎓 Student / WHV / Expat | Long stays abroad | Medical $50k+ · Liability cover · Visa certificate (if required) | $150–$500 |
🇪🇺 Schengen Visa Insurance | Visa applicants | Mandatory €30,000+ medical (≈$33k) + repatriation · Embassy certificate | $20–$60 |
*Prices vary by age, destination (especially USA/Canada), trip length, medical limit, and optional add-ons (sports, CFAR, cruise).
Use HelloSafe to compare 136+ international travel insurance plans and instantly see which ones truly fit your trip (nationality, destination, duration, activities). Prices update in real time, and compliant certificates are delivered instantly for visas or urgent departures.
Compare Best Travel Insurance Plans.How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?
Travel insurance pricing looks “random” until you break it into three variables: who you are (age / nationality / residency), where you’re going (medical cost level, especially USA/Canada), and what you’re insuring (medical limit + cancellation amount + add-ons).
Most travellers pay ~4% to 10% of total trip cost for a comprehensive policy—but the spread widens fast for seniors, families, and high-cost destinations. The table below combines both typical averages and real-world examples so you can benchmark what’s normal.
🧭 Scenario / Policy Type | Typical duration | Who it’s for | What’s usually included | Typical price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
✈️ Short single trip | 1–2 weeks | Solo / couple | Medical + assistance + baggage (+/- cancellation) | $30–$120 |
👨👩👧 Family holiday | 1–2 weeks | 2 adults + children | Medical + assistance + baggage (+ cancellation depending on plan) | $80–$300 |
🔁 Annual / multi-trip | 12 months | Frequent travellers | Medical + assistance + delay/missed connection (trip duration caps apply) | $150–$400 / year |
🌍 Worldwide incl. USA | Up to 1 month | International itineraries incl. USA | Higher medical pricing band; watch zone definitions | $100–$250 |
🧭 Backpacker / long-stay | 3–12 months | RTW / WHV / gap year | Long-stay medical + evacuation; flexible dates | $200–$600 |
🚢 Cruise insurance | 1–3 weeks | Cruises | Evacuation-at-sea focus + missed port/connection + cabin confinement | $80–$200 |
👵 Senior traveller (60+) | 1–2 weeks | 60+ | Higher medical pricing, sometimes underwriting | $100–$350 |
❌ Cancellation-only plan | Depends on trip value | Trips with high prepay | Cancellation (covered reasons only) | $50–$200+ |
*Examples are indicative: two travellers on similar trips can pay very different prices depending on age, destination, and chosen medical/cancellation limits.
Use these as realistic pricing multipliers. They’re not universal rules, but they reflect how insurers typically price risk.
👵 How much more for a senior?
- Age 60–69: often +30% to +80% vs a 30–40-year-old on the same trip
- Age 70–79: often +80% to +200%
- 80+: can be +200%+, with stricter medical limits or exclusions Why: higher claim frequency + higher severity (hospitalisation, evacuation, complications).
👨👩👧 Family pricing: how much per person?
Family plans vary, but two patterns are common:
- Bundle pricing (best value): children may be free/low-cost when travelling with 2 adults → family premium can equal roughly 2.2 to 3.0 “adult premiums” total.
- Per-person pricing: family total is closer to 3.0 to 4.0 adult premiums depending on ages and destination. Practical rule: for a 1–2 week trip, budget ~$40–$120 per adult, and ~$10–$50 per child (low-cost destinations), then adjust upward for USA/Canada and higher medical limits.
❌ How much does cancellation add?
Cancellation pricing is driven by the insured trip cost, not by your destination.
- As a benchmark, cancellation often costs ~1% to 6% of the insured trip amount (higher if you add CFAR or insure a very expensive trip).
- Example logic: insuring $3,000 of prepaid costs might add ~$30–$180 to the premium depending on policy and flexibility. Expert tip: insure the non-refundable amount only—don’t over-insure “nice-to-have” costs.
🚑 Medical limit upgrades (the hidden lever)
- Moving from $50k → $250k often costs a modest step-up
- Moving $250k → $500k / $1M (especially USA/Canada) can be the biggest jump If you’re heading to the USA, pricing is often determined more by the zone + medical limit than by trip cost.
🏄 Add-ons (typical impact)
- Adventure sports: commonly +10% to +40%
- CFAR: typically +40% to +60%
Your premium can vary depending on your nationality and country of residence, destination and local healthcare costs, trip duration and activities (cruise, adventure sports, long stay), coverage limits and policy type, and the age of the traveller.
📊 Real-World Price Examples (in USD)
🏢 Insurer | 🌍 Traveller Profile & Destination | 💰 Real Price Example* |
|---|---|---|
Heymondo | 1-month trip in Europe, solo traveller | $107 for 30 days (Medical + Assistance) |
AXA Schengen – Annual Multi-Trip | Frequent traveller visiting Europe several times a year | $314/year (medical up to $100,000) |
ACS – Globe Traveller | 2-week holiday in Japan | $34–$45 for 14 days |
Chapka – Cap Assistance 24/7 | 1-week stay in Europe | $25 for 7 days |
Chapka – Cap Assistance 24/7 | 3-month worldwide backpacking trip | $240 for 90 days |
Heymondo – Annual Multi-Trip | Frequent traveller taking several trips a year | $290/year |
ACS – Globe Partner (under 40) | 15-day trip to Thailand | $32 for 15 days |
MondialCare – Long Stay/Expat | 1-year stay in Europe | $500+ per year |
Allianz Travel (US) | Basic single-trip plan for standard vacation | From $27 for simple trips |
These examples highlight how two travellers on similar itineraries may pay very different prices simply because of their nationality, destination, or chosen coverage level; through HelloSafe’s comparison tool, travellers can instantly compare dozens of policies and access negotiated premiums with leading insurers.
Get My Best-Match PlansCredit Card Travel Insurance: What’s Really Included?
A lot of travellers think their credit card will “take care of everything” if something goes wrong abroad. In reality, that’s rarely true.
Some premium cards do offer a decent safety net, but most cards only include a few benefits, with tight conditions and limits that are much lower than what you’d get from a dedicated travel insurance policy.
🔍 Feature | 💳 Credit card insurance (Included? + watch-outs) | 🛡️ Standalone travel insurance | 🎯 Expert tip |
|---|---|---|---|
🚑 Emergency medical cover | ⚠️ Often limited or not included · When included: typically low limits ($2,500–$15,000) | ✅ Typically $50,000 → $1,000,000+ | For USA/Canada, aim $250k–$1M—card limits rarely protect you. |
🚁 Medical evacuation / repatriation | ❌ Rare or very limited | ✅ Usually covered (often “100% actual costs”) | Treat evacuation as non-negotiable for cruises, remote trips, skiing, safaris. |
🛫 Trip cancellation / interruption | ✅ Common on mid/premium cards · ⚠️ Caps often ~$1,500–$5,000 + strict “covered reasons” | ✅ Flexible limits (often $2k–$15k+) | Only insure the non-refundable amount—don’t over-insure. |
⏳ Trip delay cover | ✅ Sometimes · ⚠️ Often starts after 6–12h + daily caps | ✅ Frequently included with clearer triggers/limits | Check trigger time + max per day: that’s what decides the real value. |
🎒 Lost or delayed luggage | ✅ Generally yes · ⚠️ Low caps ($250–$1,000 common) + sub-limits on valuables | ✅ $500–$2,000 typical (plan-dependent) | Electronics are usually sub-limited—keep receipts and report fast. |
✈️ Travel accident insurance | ✅ Often included · ⚠️ Only severe cases (death/permanent disability) | ✅ May be included or optional | Don’t confuse “accident” with “medical”: it won’t pay your ER bill. |
🚗 Rental car coverage | ✅ Common · ⚠️ Usually collision damage only; third-party liability excluded | ✅ Available via add-on or included (varies widely) | If you rely on card CDW, verify eligibility rules + vehicle exclusions. |
🏄 Adventure sports (ski/diving/scooter) | ❌ Usually excluded | ✅ Optional add-on (often +10–40%) | If it’s in your itinerary, make sure it’s explicitly covered in writing. |
🧾 Deductibles (excess) | ⚠️ Can be high or unclear | ✅ Often low or optional | A cheap plan with a high deductible can be a bad deal in practice. |
📄 Eligibility conditions | ⚠️ Often requires paying 100% of trip with the card + strict documentation | ✅ Usually simpler eligibility; clearer claims process (varies by insurer) | If you didn’t pay the trip with the card, assume benefits may not apply. |
🆘 Assistance services | ✅ Usually a helpline · ⚠️ Not the same as financial coverage | ✅ 24/7 assistance + coordination + guarantees | Save the assistance number and policy ID before you depart. |
🧳 Trip length allowed | ⚠️ Often 30–90 days max | ✅ Up to 365+ days (long-stay plans available) | For long stays, a dedicated travel medical plan is usually mandatory. |
👵 Age limits | ⚠️ Common restrictions | ✅ Senior plans exist (pricing rises with age) | If you’re 60+, compare senior-friendly plans—don’t assume the card works. |
🔄 Claim approval | ⚠️ Documentation-heavy, strict interpretation is common | ✅ Often smoother, but still depends on wording | “Exclusions” are the #1 denial cause—read those first, not the marketing page. |
In most cases, card benefits stop well before the level of protection offered by a standalone travel insurance plan: evacuation and repatriation are often missing, adventure sports are usually excluded, and long stays are rarely covered.
Here are a few concrete examples of card benefits:
- Visa Signature (North America / UK): trip cancellation up to $5,000, lost luggage up to $3,000, trip delay up to $500 after 12 hours, but no emergency medical coverage.
- Mastercard World Elite: trip cancellation or interruption up to $1,500–$3,000 and travel medical in select countries between $15,000 and $25,000, below the $50,000+ generally recommended for international travel.
- American Express Platinum: medical assistance and evacuation (depending on country), trip cancellation up to $10,000 and strong baggage coverage, but still lower medical limits than many dedicated insurers and often subject to paying the entire trip with the card.
Credit card benefits work best as a free bonus, but not as a substitute for travellers who need reliable protection abroad.
Credit card insurance can reduce your costs, but only if the coverage matches your travel profile; for most international trips — especially long stays, trips to countries with expensive healthcare, or Schengen visa applications — travellers still need a dedicated travel medical policy.
How to Choose the Best Travel Insurance Plan
Choosing the best travel insurance isn’t about picking a “famous” insurer—it’s about matching coverage to the real risks of your trip: your destination’s medical cost level, your trip logistics (connections, cruise, long stay), and what you’d actually lose if things go wrong (medical bills, evacuation, non-refundable bookings).
Use this simple 4-step method to avoid under-insuring (or overpaying):
- Set your medical limit by destination (this is the main cost driver)
- Insure only what you can’t get back: set cancellation/interruption to your true non-refundable trip cost.
- Validate evacuation wording + exclusions: look for strong evacuation terms and confirm activities (scooter/ski/diving) are covered if relevant.
- Check the “fine print triggers”: delay/missed connection wait time, daily caps, trip-length limits, and “already abroad” rules.
Before you buy, check these deal-breakers ✅
- 🌍 Zone definition: “Worldwide incl. USA” vs “excl. USA” (most common mistake).
- 🧾 Deductible + sub-limits: especially electronics/valuables and per-person caps.
- 🏄 Activities: scooters/2-wheelers, skiing, diving, trekking altitude—must be explicitly covered.
- 🩺 Pre-existing conditions: exclusions, stability period, or medical questionnaire rules.
- ⏳ Triggers & caps: delay starts after 6–12h? daily hotel/meal cap? missed connection conditions?
- 🧳 Eligibility rules: max trip length, “already travelling” acceptance, waiting period.
- 📄 Claim rules: required proof (receipts, medical reports, police report for theft) + claim deadlines.
- 🏥 Direct billing / guarantee of payment: can save you thousands upfront in hospitals.
Now choose based on your profile first, then sanity-check against your destination.
Travel Insurance for Every Traveller
Start with your traveller profile, because it predicts both pricing and claim risk. Keep it simple: lock in medical + evacuation (the biggest bills), then add what your profile is most likely to trigger—cancellation for families and expensive trips, delay/missed connection for frequent flyers, long-stay eligibility for backpackers, and evacuation-at-sea for cruises. Finally, sanity-check the two most common claim denials: excluded activities (scooters/sports) and pre-existing condition rules (stability periods, exclusions).
👤 Traveller profile | ✅ Prioritise these coverages | 🎯 Expert tip (why it matters) |
|---|---|---|
🎒 Backpacker / long-stay | Medical + evacuation · Long-stay eligibility | The #1 trap is trip duration limits and “already abroad” rules—choose a plan built for extended stays. |
👨👩👧 Family | Cancellation/interruption + medical · Higher baggage | Families lose the most on prepaid costs—set cancellation to non-refundable spend, and watch per-person sub-limits. |
👵 Senior (60+) | Higher medical + evacuation · Pre-existing condition options | Pricing rises with age, but the real risk is denial: check pre-existing condition wording (stability period, exclusions). |
💼 Business traveller | Medical (esp. USA) + delay/missed connection · Electronics cover | Work trips suffer most from disruption—delay coverage + electronics sub-limits matter more than baggage totals. |
🛳️ Cruise traveller | Evacuation-at-sea + interruption | Cruise claims are evacuation-driven: verify “100% actual costs” vs capped limits, plus missed port/connection triggers. |
🏄 Adventure / sports | Adventure add-on + medical + evacuation | If it’s not explicitly listed, assume it’s excluded—check exact definitions for scooters, skiing, diving, trekking altitude. |
✈️ Budget / weekend break | Medical + basic assistance | Don’t overpay for cancellation if bookings are refundable—focus on medical + assistance and skip fancy add-ons. |
✈️ Multi-leg / many connections | Delay + missed connection + interruption | Connection rules decide reimbursement: check trigger times (6–12h), daily caps, and rebooking support terms. |
Travel Insurance for Every Destination
Destination is what determines “how much is enough” for medical coverage. As a quick benchmark, many travellers use $50k–$250k for Europe and much of Southeast Asia, $100k–$300k for higher-cost regions like Japan/UAE, and $250k–$1M for the USA/Canada. Then refine your choice based on what actually drives claims locally: activity accidents in SEA, evacuation in remote areas, and disruption for complex itineraries.
🌍 Destination | 🩺 Medical limit (target) | ✅ Prioritise these coverages | 🎯 Expert tip (why it matters) |
|---|---|---|---|
🇪🇺 Europe / Schengen | $50k–$250k | Medical + assistance · Baggage (optional) · Cancellation (if prepaid) | Healthcare is usually manageable, but delays/lost bags/cancellations are common trip killers—match cancellation to non-refundable spend. |
🌏 Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia) | $50k–$150k | Medical + evacuation · Activities cover (scooter/diving) | The big risk is accidents (often scooters)—claims get denied when activities aren’t explicitly covered. |
🇯🇵 Japan / 🇸🇬 Singapore / 🇦🇪 UAE | $100k–$300k | Higher medical + strong assistance | Care is high-quality but pricey: choose a plan with easy access + direct billing/guarantees to avoid paying upfront. |
🇺🇸 USA / 🇨🇦 Canada | $250k–$1M | Very high medical + evacuation | Medical pricing is extreme: prioritize high medical limits over extras—avoid “Worldwide excl. USA” policies by mistake. |
🌍 Africa (mixed, often remote) | $100k+ | Evacuation + strong assistance + medical | The cost isn’t only treatment—it’s logistics: evacuation to a suitable hospital can become the main bill. |
🦘 Australia / 🇳🇿 New Zealand | $100k–$300k | Medical + assistance | Non-resident care can be expensive; ensure ER + hospitalisation are covered with solid limits. |
🚢 Cruises (any region) | $100k–$500k | Evacuation-at-sea + interruption | A “small” issue at sea becomes expensive fast—evacuation can be the difference between a $0 and a five-figure bill. |
✈️ Worldwide multi-country | Depends on itinerary (often $100k+) | Medical + evacuation + delay/missed connection | Complex itineraries create domino effects: prioritize missed connection/delay triggers and airport-to-airport support. |
🇪🇺 Schengen visa (requirement) | €30,000+ (≈$33k) | Visa-compliant medical + repatriation | The key is not the limit—it’s the certificate validity (dates + territory) to avoid visa refusal. |
These numbers aren’t random: a quick ER check for chest pain in the USA can exceed $3,500, and a single overnight hospital stay in New York can run $5,000+—while an emergency evacuation from a remote area can easily reach five figures. Align the plan with the destination, and you’ll pay the right price for the right risk—not too much, and definitely not too little.
Why Choose HelloSafe for Travel Insurance?
Choosing travel insurance shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle. HelloSafe makes it simple: our smart comparison tool scans 136+ international plans and instantly finds the ones that match your nationality, your trip and your coverage needs — all at negotiated prices you won’t find on insurers’ websites.
As an independent licensed broker, we don’t push any brand; the tool focuses only on what matters: the right protection at the best price. Whether you’re an American visiting Italy, an Indian traveller applying for a Schengen visa or a Filipino heading to Japan, you get options tailored to your real profile rather than generic offers.
The best part is that once you’ve picked your plan, the confirmation email — including the full insurance certificate — is sent to you right away, which is especially handy if you’re dealing with a visa appointment, preparing for a cruise or getting ready to leave on short notice.
Here’s a quick look at what users usually find most helpful:
🌐 What HelloSafe Offers | 💬 Why Travellers Love It |
|---|---|
Smart plan-matching tool | Shows options that truly fit your nationality, destination and trip type |
Negotiated rates | Often cheaper than buying directly from insurers |
Instant insurance certificate | Perfect for urgent departures and visa requirements |
Independent licensed broker | Recommendations stay neutral and non-promotional |
Coverage available for all nationalities | Works for travellers from the US, UK, India, Philippines, Nigeria, Kenya and more |
Clear side-by-side comparison | Helps you understand coverage limits at a glance |
100% online enrolment | Fast, convenient, no paperwork at any stage |
Secured payment in your local currency | No unexpected bank fees or conversion charges |
Refund if your visa is not approved | Peace of mind for Schengen, UAE, Turkey, Japan and other visa-required trips |
Many travellers say it feels like getting insured without the usual hassle — straightforward, fast and tailored to their plans; with HelloSafe, you sort out your coverage in a few minutes and can focus on the enjoyable part: your trip.
SSS
Travel insurance protects you from unexpected costs during a trip — medical care abroad, cancelled flights, lost baggage, emergency evacuation and more. Instead of paying out-of-pocket for expensive incidents (a $3,000 ER bill in the US, a $1,000 lost bag, a last-minute cancelled hotel), the insurer reimburses you according to the coverage you choose. It’s a financial safety net that keeps your trip from turning into a costly problem.
Many travellers think they won’t need it until they face a medical issue abroad. Even a simple clinic visit can cost hundreds of dollars in Japan, Dubai or Australia, and emergency care in the US can reach thousands. Travel insurance also protects prepaid bookings, luggage and emergencies like missed connections or evacuation. If you’re travelling internationally, especially outside your home healthcare system, insurance is strongly recommended.
Typical coverage includes medical expenses, hospitalisation, emergency evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost or delayed baggage and travel delays. Depending on the plan, you may also get coverage for adventure sports, electronics, rental car damage or passport replacement. Each insurer sets its own limits and exclusions, so it’s worth comparing a few plans to see exactly what’s covered and what isn’t.
Prices depend on your nationality, destination and trip length. A short getaway to Europe might cost around $40–$70, while a month in the United States can easily reach $150 or more. Long-stay or backpacker policies often fall between $150 and $300, and family plans usually range from $80 to $250 depending on how many people are travelling and their ages. Destinations with expensive healthcare — especially the US, Japan and the UAE — tend to push premiums higher.
Yes, as long as the policy meets Schengen rules: at least €30,000 (around $33,000) in medical coverage, full repatriation, and validity across all 27 Schengen countries. Many insurers offer specific “Schengen visa” plans because embassies require a compliant certificate. With HelloSafe, the certificate is emailed instantly, which helps applicants submit their visa files without delays.
The terms are often used interchangeably, but most insurers use “travel medical insurance” to refer to emergency care abroad such as injury, illness and hospitalisation. “Travel health insurance” can sometimes include broader benefits like telemedicine or outpatient care. For most travellers, what matters is the medical limit, exclusions and emergency assistance rather than the label.
Most comprehensive policies do include cancellation cover, but only for specific situations such as illness, injury, family emergencies, natural events or airline strikes. Travellers who want extra flexibility often look at Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-ons, which typically reimburse 50–75% of non-refundable trip costs, provided the upgrade is purchased shortly after the trip is booked.
Not always. Many insurers exclude pre-existing conditions unless you buy a special add-on or meet specific conditions. Some plans offer partial coverage if the condition has been stable for a certain period (for example 90–180 days). Travellers with chronic illnesses should choose insurers that offer medical questionnaires or dedicated options to avoid claim denial later.
Usually not. Activities such as scuba diving, skiing, trekking, motorbike riding or surfing often require an adventure-sports add-on. Without it, related accidents may not be reimbursed. If your trip includes high-risk activities, common in Southeast Asia, New Zealand or the Alps, make sure the plan explicitly includes them.
Most modern plans include COVID-19 coverage for medical treatment, hospitalisation and sometimes travel disruption. However, exclusions still exist — especially for cancellations related to government restrictions. Always check whether COVID-19 falls under “covered reasons” and whether quarantine expenses are reimbursed.
Some insurers allow it, but coverage may start after a waiting period, usually 24–72 hours. Not all companies support travellers who are already overseas, which is why it’s best to purchase before departure. If you’re currently abroad, HelloSafe’s tool can show plans available for “already travelling” profiles.
Focus on three elements: your destination and local medical cost level, your planned activities and the value of your prepaid bookings. Compare medical limits, exclusions and prices side by side. Since HelloSafe is an independent broker, the tool shows the most relevant plans for your nationality and itinerary with negotiated prices and an instant certificate.
