US: Best Travel Insurance Plans in 2025
- What exactly is travel insurance?
- The price of travel insurance
- What does travel insurance cover?
- The conditions to meet
- Why take out travel insurance?
- How to choose the right travel insurance?
- Do your current insurers offer travel insurance?
- FAQ
- On the same topic
travel insurance: key takeaways
1. Definition: Travel insurance protects your financial investment from unexpected events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost baggage.
2. Price: For a week in Europe, expect to pay between $150 and $300, or 4-8% of your total trip cost.
3. Coverage: It covers medical care, cancellations, and baggage issues; pre-existing conditions and high-risk activities are often excluded.
4. Bank cards and health insurances: Your credit cards and domestic health insurance, including Medicare, typically offer very limited or no coverage abroad.
5. Tips: Compare policies, read the exclusions, and buy coverage that matches your trip's cost, destination, and your health.
6. Other useful info: For full benefits like pre-existing condition waivers, purchase your policy within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit.
Why trust HelloSafe ?
HelloSafe is an international specialist in travel insurance comparison, advising over one million travelers every month. After analyzing 41 travel insurance policies available in the US, our experts share everything you need to know to choose the best one for you.
What exactly is travel insurance?
Travel insurance is a type of policy that financially protects you if unexpected events disrupt your trip. It usually covers emergency medical treatment, trip cancellation, lost or delayed baggage, and other travel-related risks. Plans and benefits vary by provider, destination, and traveler type.
Travel insurance is important because your regular health or credit card coverage often does not cover major expenses or emergencies abroad, leaving you exposed to significant costs.
Expert advice
Here are the situations where taking out travel insurance is especially recommended:
- Your US health plan offers limited or no coverage abroad.
- Your trip involves significant non-refundable prepaid costs.
- You are taking a cruise or a guided tour package.
- You have a pre-existing medical condition requiring attention.
- You are traveling to remote areas with limited medical facilities.
- Your itinerary relies on connecting flights or tight schedules.
- You plan to participate in adventure sports or high-risk activities.
The price of travel insurance
On average, travel insurance costs between 4% and 10% of the total price of your trip.
| Trip | Trip cost | Indicative price per person |
|---|---|---|
| One week in Mexico | $2,000 | $80 – $200 |
| Two weeks across Europe | $3,500 | $140 – $350 |
| One month in Southeast Asia | $4,000 | $160 – $400 |
| Ten days in Canada | $3,000 | $120 – $300 |
These prices are provided as an indication and may vary depending on the type of plan chosen (standard or premium) and the specific conditions of each insurer.
The price of your travel insurance depends on several factors:
- trip duration: longer trips typically increase the total premium.
- destination: countries with high medical costs, such as the United States or Japan, usually mean higher prices.
- traveller’s age: older travelers often pay significantly more for coverage.
- coverage level: premium plans with higher limits and lower deductibles are more expensive.
- options selected: adding “cancel for any reason,” extreme sports, or valuable belongings insurance can increase the cost.
What does travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance protects you from unexpected problems during your trip. Here's what it usually covers, and what it may not.
| Covered guarantee | Definition | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Trip cancellation | Reimburses non-refundable expenses if you must cancel your trip before departure. |
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| 🕒 Trip interruption | Covers costs if your trip is unexpectedly cut short due to an emergency. |
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| 🧳 Lost or delayed luggage | Pays for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage and personal items during your journey. |
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| 🚑 Emergency medical expenses | Key guarantee. Pays for urgent medical care or hospitalization while abroad. |
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| 🛫 Medical evacuation & repatriation | Key guarantee. Pays to transport you to adequate medical facilities or return home if necessary. |
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| ⚖️ Personal liability | Covers injury or damage you accidentally cause to others or their property while abroad. |
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| 🛠️ 24/7 assistance services | Gives access to emergency help (legal, medical, translation) at any time, anywhere. |
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| ⛑️ Accident lump sum insurance | Usually optional. Pays set amount for death or disability from an accident during your trip. |
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- For solid protection, select coverage matching your trip cost, at least $10k.
- Deductible should not exceed $100. Epidemics, personal choice, and pre existing conditions are often excluded.
- Choose coverage equal to your total trip value, deductible below $100.
- Exclusions may include war, intentional acts, and foreseeable health issues.
- Minimum $2,000 coverage and deductible under $50 is recommended.
- Unattended baggage, luxury goods, and items in checked luggage can be excluded.
- Opt for at least $250k coverage, no deductible if possible.
- Exclusions often include pre existing conditions, high risk sports, and mental health care.
- Recommend at least $500k coverage, deductible below $100.
- Claims linked to self harm, political unrest, or unapproved transport are usually excluded.
- At least $1M coverage is best, deductible no more than $500.
- Exclusions: driving accidents, business activities, and intentional damage.
- Ensure this service is unlimited with a global hotline.
- Non critical requests, strikes, and remote support may be excluded.
- Look for at least $50k coverage, minimum deductible.
- Exclusions: extreme sports, substance use, and pre existing health issues are typical.
Reimbursement limits vary depending on the insurer and the plan selected (eco, standard, premium). They must always be checked in the general terms and conditions.
To find the travel insurance best suited to your profile and your trip, easily compare offers on HelloSafe.
The conditions to meet
To make sure your travel insurance is valid, you must meet several important conditions:
- Policy purchase timing: insurance must be bought before traveling. Buying after departure can result in no coverage for your trip.
- Trip start location: coverage usually applies only when the trip begins in the United States.
- Trip duration: the length of your trip must not exceed the maximum allowed by the policy, often 30 to 90 days.
- Accurate information: all personal and medical details must be declared truthfully at the time of purchase.
- Medical eligibility: you need to be medically fit to travel when the policy starts. Unstable pre-existing conditions may require a waiver.
- Covered activities: only activities listed in the policy are insured. Risky sports or special adventures may need additional coverage.
- Official travel advice: travel to countries under US government travel advisories may not be covered.
- Age and residency: you must be within the age limits and reside in the United States to qualify for most plans.
If you have specific needs, always check the full terms and conditions of your policy before departure.
Watch out!
Many travelers assume declaring a pre-existing condition is enough. However, for coverage to apply, you often need a specific waiver. This waiver must be purchased within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit and requires insuring your full trip cost. Miss this window, and your condition likely won't be covered.
Why take out travel insurance?
Unexpected accidents or illness can occur while traveling, and the costs of healthcare abroad can quickly lead to significant expenses if you are not protected.
Here are some common health-related costs encountered during travel:
| Type of treatment | Average cost ($ US) | What travel insurance covers |
|---|---|---|
| Sprained ankle while hiking |
| Up to 100%, plans in US typically cover up to $500,000 or more for medical care |
| Cut from a scooter accident |
| Up to 100%, including emergency care and minor surgery with total limit up to $500,000 |
| Food poisoning, hospital stay |
| Up to 100%, covers hospitalisation, diagnostics, and medication, up to $500,000 |
| Tooth infection requiring treatment |
| Limited, often up to $1,000 for emergency dental expenses |
| Respiratory infection, consultation |
| Up to 100% of outpatient consultation and medication charges |
- Europe: $500–$900
- North America: $1,500–$3,500
- Asia: $250–$700
- Europe: $750–$1,600
- North America: $2,500–$5,000
- Asia: $400–$1,000
- Europe: $2,200–$5,500
- North America: $5,000–$10,000
- Asia: $800–$2,500
- Europe: $350–$800
- North America: $700–$2,500
- Asia: $150–$400
- Europe: $120–$400
- North America: $250–$700
- Asia: $60–$250
Coverage varies greatly depending on the plan chosen (standard or premium) and the insurer. Refer to the general conditions and always compare with tools like HelloSafe.
💡 Travel insurance can also include trip cancellation, lost baggage, personal liability abroad, rental car coverage, and emergency evacuation. These guarantees can be important if you face an unforeseen problem while traveling.
How to choose the right travel insurance?
Travel insurance policies in the United States differ greatly in reimbursement, deductibles, and conditions. Knowing which criteria to compare will help you find useful guarantees and avoid unexpected expenses.
| Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Reimbursement limits | Define the maximum amount paid for medical, cancellation, or baggage claims. | Select at least $250,000 for medical coverage abroad and $500,000 for evacuation benefits. |
| 📉 Deductibles | Affect how much you must pay out-of-pocket before coverage begins. | Favor plans with deductibles under $100 for reduced upfront expenses and simpler claims. |
| 👤 Traveller’s age | Influences premium and available coverage, especially for seniors. | Compare plans by age. The insurer Heymondo does not increase prices for people over 62. |
| 🧍 Traveller profile | Affects tailor-made coverage based on needs such as student, business, or family. | Choose policies adapted to your situation for more relevant and tailored benefits. |
| 🗓️ Trip duration | May limit how long insurance protects you while traveling. | Check maximum duration allowed and if re-entry to the US resets the coverage period. |
| 🌏 Geographic area | Plan must cover all regions or countries you will visit or transit through. | Ensure all destinations and stopovers are included, especially remote or high-cost regions. |
| 🧗 Planned activities | Some sports and activities are excluded from standard policies. | Add coverage for extreme sports, trekking, or adventure activities if you plan to do them. |
| 🏦 Existing coverage | Benefits may overlap or be limited by other insurances or credit cards. | Check what your health plan and bank card already cover before choosing extra protection. |
| 📑 Conditions and exclusions | Outline when the policy does or does not pay out. | Read exclusions for pre-existing conditions, risky destinations, and high-value items. |
| 💻 Online comparison & purchase | Helps efficiently select and filter options fitting your needs and budget. | Use HelloSafe to compare plans based on age, destination, and coverage type in the US. |
Good to know
When traveling abroad, immediate medical advice is invaluable. Some insurers provide a guarantee of 24/7 telemedicine services via an app, a huge plus when facing unfamiliar healthcare systems. Heymondo, for example, includes this feature, letting you chat with a doctor directly from your phone anytime, anywhere.
Do your current insurers offer travel insurance?
It is reasonable to wonder if your current insurances, such as credit card protection or public health insurance, can offer you travel insurance, but unfortunately, the guarantees are often limited compared to a dedicated policy. Here is a summary table to help you review your current insurance and what it covers.
| Type of insurance | Travel insurance included? | What it covers | Why Travel Insurance is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public health insurance | Never | Domestic care only. No overseas treatment or evacuation. Often excludes medical costs abroad and all trip risks. | Travel insurance provides $250,000–$500,000 medical and up to $1 million evacuation coverage, plus trip cancellation and baggage protection. |
| Private health insurance | Limited coverage | Some emergency medical care abroad, often capped under $50,000. Rarely covers evacuation or any trip-related losses. | Travel insurance adds higher medical limits and covers non-medical claims like cancellation, lost baggage, and medical repatriation. |
| Classic credit card (Visa Classic, Amex Blue, Mastercard Standard) | Limited coverage | May provide $1,500–$10,000 trip cancellation, $1,500 baggage, usually little or no medical. Many exclusions apply. | Travel insurance covers up to $50,000–$200,000 for trip protection, $3,000 baggage, major medical, and emergencies without card restrictions. |
| Premium credit card (Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Mastercard World Elite) | Limited coverage | Higher limits on cancellation ($10,000–$20,000), $2,000–$3,000 baggage; medical rare, evacuation not always included. | Travel insurance can reach $500,000–$1 million medical, unlimited evacuation, broader trip coverage, and is not limited to card use. |
Expert advice
Some important coverages such as trip interruption due to a relative’s illness or death is almost never covered by bank cards and health insurances. Always check the exclusions of your existing policies. In any case, buying travel insurance tailored to your trip is safer.
FAQ
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Travel insurance is not generally mandatory for US travelers, but some countries require proof of coverage for entry. For example, Cuba and Schengen-area countries may ask for valid insurance at the border. Even where not required, travel insurance is strongly recommended, especially for trips involving costly flights or destinations where healthcare is expensive, like France or Japan. Medical emergencies or major cancellations can lead to large out-of-pocket expenses. Having insurance reduces your financial risks in these situations.
When is it recommended to purchase travel insurance?
The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip. Purchasing early ensures you're protected if you need to cancel before departure. Most insurers require you to buy coverage within 14–21 days of your initial deposit for pre-existing medical conditions and maximum benefits. If you wait until just before your trip, you may lose access to important coverage options. Early purchase also covers trip delays, interruptions, and nonrefundable expenses right away.
How do I purchase travel insurance?
1/ Compare: Use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform to evaluate top policy options for your needs.
2/ Check guarantees and exclusions: Read all details—each policy differs on medical, cancellation, baggage and sports coverage.
3/ Purchase online: Complete the process securely on the insurer’s website in just a few minutes.
4/ Receive the certificate: Download or receive your official plan certificate, which you may need to show abroad or at border controls.
Can I purchase travel insurance after booking?
Yes, you can purchase travel insurance after booking but it’s best to do so soon. Buying coverage promptly after your first payment gives you access to more benefits, like waivers for pre-existing health conditions or coverage for trip cancellation. Delaying may mean fewer options and can exclude certain events already in progress.
How do I make a claim?
To make a claim, contact your insurer as soon as an incident occurs. Prepare documentation such as receipts, police reports, or medical records, depending on your claim. Most insurers have user-friendly online forms or app-based claims. Complete all fields accurately, submit required documents, and respond promptly if asked for more information. Your insurer will update you on the process and payout.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Travel insurance is not generally mandatory for US travelers, but some countries require proof of coverage for entry. For example, Cuba and Schengen-area countries may ask for valid insurance at the border. Even where not required, travel insurance is strongly recommended, especially for trips involving costly flights or destinations where healthcare is expensive, like France or Japan. Medical emergencies or major cancellations can lead to large out-of-pocket expenses. Having insurance reduces your financial risks in these situations.
When is it recommended to purchase travel insurance?
The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip. Purchasing early ensures you're protected if you need to cancel before departure. Most insurers require you to buy coverage within 14–21 days of your initial deposit for pre-existing medical conditions and maximum benefits. If you wait until just before your trip, you may lose access to important coverage options. Early purchase also covers trip delays, interruptions, and nonrefundable expenses right away.
How do I purchase travel insurance?
1/ Compare: Use HelloSafe’s travel insurance comparison platform to evaluate top policy options for your needs.
2/ Check guarantees and exclusions: Read all details—each policy differs on medical, cancellation, baggage and sports coverage.
3/ Purchase online: Complete the process securely on the insurer’s website in just a few minutes.
4/ Receive the certificate: Download or receive your official plan certificate, which you may need to show abroad or at border controls.
Can I purchase travel insurance after booking?
Yes, you can purchase travel insurance after booking but it’s best to do so soon. Buying coverage promptly after your first payment gives you access to more benefits, like waivers for pre-existing health conditions or coverage for trip cancellation. Delaying may mean fewer options and can exclude certain events already in progress.
How do I make a claim?
To make a claim, contact your insurer as soon as an incident occurs. Prepare documentation such as receipts, police reports, or medical records, depending on your claim. Most insurers have user-friendly online forms or app-based claims. Complete all fields accurately, submit required documents, and respond promptly if asked for more information. Your insurer will update you on the process and payout.
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