United States: what are the best travel insurance plans in 2025?

Did you know that the cost of hospitalization in the Canada can reach $10,000 per day? A medical emergency, lost luggage, or even a canceled flight can quickly turn your trip into a nightmare. Purchasing travel insurance gives you peace of mind when facing the unexpected.

Whether you’re going on vacation, moving abroad, traveling the world, or studying overseas, it’s crucial to select a policy that fits your specific needs. But how does travel insurance actually work? What does it cover? How can you pay the right price and know what you really need?

At HelloSafe, we help over a million travelers every month compare travel insurance. Our experts have analyzed dozens of local U.S. insurance policies to provide you with a clear comparison and tailored advice.

Travel Insurance: Key Takeaways

• Is it mandatory? Travel insurance is not mandatory in the U.S., but it may be required for entering certain countries (like Cuba or the Schengen Area). Regardless, it is highly recommended to protect yourself from unexpected events abroad.
• Why get it? It covers emergencies while traveling, such as medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, lost luggage, or personal liability abroad.
• Cost: The cost of travel insurance varies based on destination, duration, and coverage. Expect to pay between $20 and $80 for a one-week trip, and $150 to $600 for annual coverage.
• Credit card coverage: Some credit cards include travel insurance, but with lower limits and strict conditions. These are often less comprehensive than dedicated travel insurance.
• Coverage differences by state: In the U.S., travel insurance is regulated at the state level, which means coverage and terms can vary depending on where you live or buy your policy. Always check your state-specific disclosures.

What Are the Essential Travel Insurance Benefits?

Here is a breakdown of the main benefits typically offered in travel insurance policies. We’ve categorized them as essential, important, or optional, and indicated how each one impacts the overall cost of your insurance. This will help you understand which guarantees significantly affect the final price and which ones you might consider adjusting based on your needs.

1. Emergency Medical Expenses and Hospitalization Abroad – 🛑 Essential

• Description: covers unexpected healthcare costs abroad, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescribed medication, and emergency treatment.
• Deductible: from $0 to $250 depending on the plan.
• Coverage limit: from $50,000 to $1,000,000, depending on the destination and the level of coverage.
• Common exclusions: undeclared pre-existing conditions, non-urgent medical care, injuries from risky sports without specific coverage.
• Impact on price: 🔺 High – this is often the most expensive benefit. The higher the coverage limit, the more costly the plan. For instance, $100,000 coverage is much cheaper than $500,000.
• ⚠️ Not recommended: AXA Gold Plan – Low medical coverage for international trips (only $100,000), no coverage for pre-existing conditions without early purchase, and a $250 deductible.

2. Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation – 🟠 Important

• Description: covers coordination and cost of returning you home in case of serious illness, accident, or death during your trip.
• Deductible: usually none.
• Coverage limit: typically up to 100% of actual costs, depending on medical necessity and location.
• Common exclusions: non-medical evacuations, incidents involving drugs or alcohol, unauthorized transport not approved by the insurer.
• Impact on price: 🔻 Low – while important, this benefit is often included in most plans and doesn’t significantly raise the premium.
• ⚠️ Not recommended: Allstate VIP Single Trip – does not clearly define evacuation terms, and medical repatriation may be limited unless pre-approved under specific emergency conditions.

3. Personal Liability Abroad – 🟠 Important

• Description: covers bodily injury or property damage unintentionally caused to third parties while traveling.
• Deductible: varies – typically between $100 and $250.
• Coverage limit: from $100,000 to $2,000,000, depending on the plan.
• Common exclusions: intentional damage, motor vehicle accidents, unreported risky activities, damage to family members or personal belongings.
• Impact on price: 🔻 Low – this benefit is inexpensive to insurers and has minimal effect on the overall cost.
• ⚠️ Not recommended: Staysure Expat Basic – Liability coverage capped at only $100,000, which is too low for destinations like the U.S. where legal claims can be very costly.

4. Trip Cancellation Insurance – 🟡 Optional

• Description: reimburses prepaid travel expenses if you cancel for valid reasons (illness, family death, unexpected work issues, etc.). Often sold as an add-on.
• Deductible: around 10% of the trip cost.
• Coverage limit: from $5,000 to $100,000, depending on the policy and cost of the trip.
• Common exclusions: cancellations for personal reasons, undeclared pre-existing conditions, expired passport or visa, non-severe weather events.
• Impact on price: 🔺 Moderate to high – adds a significant cost, especially for expensive trips (typically 3–5% of trip value).
• ⚠️ Not recommended: Allianz OneTrip Basic – excludes cancellation due to natural disasters or adverse weather, and offers limited reasons for trip interruption or refund.

5. Travel Delay – 🟡 Optional

• Description: reimburses extra expenses like meals or lodging when your flight or transportation is delayed for a certain number of hours (typically 5+).
• Deductible: usually none.
• Coverage limit: from $150 to $1,500, with payouts based on delay duration.
• Common exclusions: delays announced over 24 hours in advance, delays due to strikes or weather known at the time of booking.
• Impact on price: 🔻 Low to moderate – this benefit adds limited cost to the plan but can be useful for frequent travelers.
• ⚠️ Not recommended: AXA Gold Plan – only covers up to $150 total for delays, which is insufficient for overnight disruptions.

6. Baggage loss, theft or damage – 🟡 Optional

• Description: reimbursement for personal belongings lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip.
• Deductible: between $50 and $100 depending on the policy.
• Coverage limit: from $500 to $3,000, often with sub-limits for valuables like electronics or jewelry.
• Common exclusions: unattended items, delayed baggage not reported promptly, thefts without police reports.
• Impact on price: 🔻 Low to moderate – mostly affordable unless you add extra protection for valuables.
• ⚠️ Not recommended: Allstate Single Trip VIP – covers baggage loss only up to $500, with tight sub-limits for valuable items.

7. Legal assistance abroad – 🟡 Optional

• Description: covers legal fees or bail if you face legal trouble while traveling.
• Deductible: varies by provider and case type.
• Coverage limit: from $3,000 to $15,000 depending on the plan.
• Common exclusions: legal issues from criminal acts, fraud, or pre-existing disputes.
• Impact on price: 🔻 Very low – this benefit is usually included and has little impact on premium.
• 💡 Expert tip: legal costs in countries like the U.S. or Australia can rise fast—choose coverage with at least $3,000 for legal fees and $15,000 for bail.

8. Extreme sports and risky activities – 🟡 Optional

• Description: covers injuries or accidents while engaging in high-risk sports (e.g., scuba diving, skydiving, mountaineering). Usually excluded from standard plans.
• Deductible: same as for “emergency medical and hospitalization” coverage.
• Coverage limit: same as the emergency medical coverage, from $50,000 to $1,000,000.
• Common exclusions: if not purchased as an option, most extreme activities are excluded.
• Impact on price: 🔺 High – this option significantly increases the total cost of your insurance.
• ⚠️ Discouraged provider: Allstate VIP Plan – excludes many common adventure sports even with upgraded coverage, unless specified at purchase.

Good to know

In a travel insurance policy, insurance covers financial risks (such as reimbursement for medical expenses, trip cancellation, or lost baggage), while assistance handles the organization and direct payment of emergency services (like medical evacuation or hospitalization). Insurance reimburses you, assistance acts immediately.

How can I lower the cost of my travel insurance?

Travel insurance can be a significant expense, especially for trips to high-risk or high-cost destinations like the United States. However, there are several ways to optimize your coverage without compromising on essential protections. Here are some expert tips to reduce your travel insurance bill while still staying well protected.

1. Compare plans to find the best value for money

Not all insurers offer the same rates for similar coverage. Using a travel insurance comparison tool helps you quickly identify the best deals based on your destination and the length of your trip.

2. Adjust your coverage to your actual needs

Don’t pay for more than you need. Here’s how to fine-tune your travel insurance policy to get the best value:

3. Take advantage of promotional offers and group rates

Some insurance providers offer discounts for:

✅ Families or groups traveling together
✅ Early sign-ups (purchasing your policy well in advance)
✅ Long-term policies (if you travel several times a year, an annual plan can be more cost-effective)

Also, don’t forget to use the HelloTravel promo code to reduce the price of all travel insurance plans listed on our comparison tool.

4. Avoid unnecessary options

Some insurance policies automatically include costly add-ons (extreme sports, valuables coverage, premium assistance) that you may not actually need. Read the terms carefully and ask to remove any extras that don’t apply to your trip.
By following these tips, you can reduce the cost of your travel insurance by 30% to 50% while still staying well protected.

How to find the best travel insurance for me?

Depending on your profile and travel plans, you won’t need the same level of coverage. Here are some expert tips to help you choose the most suitable travel insurance.

How am I currently covered (credit card, health insurance, and government programs)?

When traveling, it’s essential to understand what’s already covered by your credit card insurance, private health insurance, or public healthcare programs—if any. In the United States, the healthcare system is predominantly private, with no nationwide universal coverage for international travelers. U.S. residents may have employer-based health plans, private insurance, or Medicare/Medicaid, but these typically do not cover medical expenses abroad.

Understanding the limitations of your current coverage helps avoid unnecessary costs and lets you determine if a dedicated travel insurance policy is necessary. Here’s a guide to help you see more clearly.

1. Public health programs: no coverage abroad

👉 What you need to know:

• In the U.S., there is no equivalent to a national public healthcare system like France’s Sécurité Sociale. Programs like Medicare and Medicaid do exist, but they do not cover medical expenses incurred abroad.
• If you rely on Medicare and travel internationally, you are generally not covered for emergency care, hospital stays, or evacuation.
• Even Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits are not valid overseas, except in very limited circumstances.

📌 Expert tips:

• If you're a Medicare recipient, purchase travel medical insurance before leaving the country—it’s essential.
• Some Medicare Advantage plans may include limited emergency overseas coverage, but always check your plan’s specifics before departure.

2. Private health insurance: limited coverage abroad

👉 What you need to know:

• In the U.S., employer-sponsored health plans (e.g., from Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare) or individual private health insurance may include some emergency benefits abroad, but they are often limited in time and scope.
• Coverage abroad may be restricted to emergencies only, with caps on reimbursement and no guarantee of direct payment to foreign healthcare providers.
• These plans typically do not include travel-related protections like trip cancellation, baggage loss, or emergency repatriation.

📌 Expert tips:

• Before you travel, call your insurer to clarify what is covered overseas and ask for a written confirmation.
• If you're traveling for more than a few weeks or outside of major cities, consider standalone travel insurance for broader protection, especially if your plan has a high deductible or limited international benefits.

3. Credit card: useful protection, but often limited

👉 What you need to know:

• Premium credit cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Platinum, and Capital One Venture X often include travel insurance, but coverage is conditional:
• The trip must be fully or partially paid with the card.
• Coverage typically lasts no more than 60 to 90 days per trip.
• Reimbursement limits are often insufficient for serious incidents, especially in high-cost countries like the U.S.
• Examples:
• Chase Sapphire Preferred includes up to $500,000 for emergency medical evacuation, but no coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Amex Platinum offers trip cancellation/interruption and medical evacuation, but excludes standard medical care unless you enroll in a separate plan.
• Capital One Venture X covers trip delay and lost luggage, but has no emergency medical benefit unless paired with a third-party policy.

📌 Expert tips:

• Always check the benefits guide of your card before relying on it for coverage.
• For trips longer than 60–90 days, you'll need dedicated travel insurance.
• If you hold a basic card (e.g., Visa Classic or standard Mastercard), coverage is either extremely limited or non-existent – a separate policy is essential.

A. Fruchard

Insurance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and an experienced entrepreneur in the insurance and personal finance sector, Antoine uses his experience and in-depth knowledge of the market to help Internet users make the right choices. With an MBA in economics, he is a committed expert whose mission is to make personal finance and insurance issues simple and understandable. With a rich career marked by the creation of innovative companies, Antoine's ambition has always been to bring transparency to complex issues and to give power back to consumers. With HelloSafe, he continues to translate this vision by providing accurate advice, impartial comparisons and detailed explanations of travel insurance. He has analysed hundreds of contracts to reveal the best options available on the market.