Travel Insurance Options in 2026: Comparing Coverage Styles and Trade-Offs

Why travelers consider insurance in 2026

Travel insurance is often viewed as a practical safeguard, particularly when a trip is expensive or when a traveler does not have a credit card that provides strong travel insurance. Coverage can apply to relatively minor disruptions, such as lost luggage, as well as major situations, such as medical emergencies while away from home. Because policies differ widely, comparing plan details can be as important as comparing price.

A broad evaluation of travel insurance providers reviewed plans offered by 17 insurance companies. The comparison looked across primary and secondary coverage, medical benefits, cruise-related protections, premiums for both the least and most expensive plans, and customer service features. The review also considered potential downsides, including how pre-existing conditions may be excluded from medical coverage depending on the plan and the insurer’s look-back period.

How the plans were evaluated

The analysis was built on a large set of collected data points and a scoring model that weighed multiple categories to compare costs, coverages, and service options. The approach included reviewing information available from insurers, using customer service calls, and referencing financial strength information from a credit rating agency. A separate methodology was used to identify the best cruise insurance provider.

Travelex: strong value and low premiums, with important limits to note

Within the review, Travelex was identified as the best overall travel insurance company, based on strong coverage at a reasonable price. Its plans had the lowest premiums found in the comparison. Notably, even the most expensive Travelex plan was still less expensive than many competitors’ cheapest plans, while also scoring highest for value when weighing coverage against cost.

Travelex offers three comprehensive plans as well as three specialized plans, including a standalone post-departure medical plan and two flight-focused plans. Across its plans, core protections include trip delay, interruption, and cancellation; lost or damaged baggage; and emergency medical care. Comprehensive plans also come with multiple optional upgrades—at least seven across the comprehensive lineup, and nine with the top-tier Ultimate plan. A cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) add-on is available and can reimburse up to 75% of trip cost.

• Lowest premiums in the review, with strong value relative to cost
• Budget-oriented Essential plan includes competitive trip delay and lost baggage coverage
• Multiple optional upgrades, including CFAR (up to 75% reimbursement)
• Some coverage maximums are low, and maximum coverage duration is 30 days
• Pre-existing condition rules vary by plan, with a long look-back period on Essential

The Essential plan provides 100% trip cancellation coverage up to $10,000 and strong trip delay and baggage protections, but missed connection and emergency medical coverage are minimal. The plan’s look-back period for pre-existing conditions is 180 days, and Essential does not offer an option to waive that exclusion. In contrast, the Ultimate plan includes stronger benefits, such as a $50,000 trip cancellation limit, and includes kids under 17 for free. It also offers a shorter 90-day look-back period, and the pre-existing condition exclusion can be waived if the plan is purchased within 21 days after the first trip payment. The Ultimate plan also allows CFAR and additional medical coverage to be purchased.

Travelex Insurance Services is based in Omaha, Nebraska, and was founded in 1996 when the Travelex Group bought Mutual of Omaha’s travel insurance business. Policies are underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company, whose financial strength is rated superior by AM Best.

HTH: a medical-focused option for older adults

HTH Travel Insurance was identified as the best travel insurance company for older adults, driven by strong medical coverage even in its budget plan. The company also offers a variety of medical-only plans that cover people up to age 95. Some medical plans include primary health coverage, which can reduce claim time for older adults, particularly because Medicare does not provide medical coverage when traveling internationally in most situations.

• Strong medical evacuation and trip interruption coverage in the budget plan
• Standalone medical plans available up to age 95, including options covering pre-existing conditions
• Annual multi-trip plans that cover pre-existing conditions
• Long-term medical plans for people living abroad
• Many plans require existing health insurance; budget plan lacks pre-existing condition options

The TripProtector Economy plan offers the highest percentage of trip interruption reimbursement (125%) and medical evacuation coverage ($500,000) found in the review. However, its maximum trip cancellation coverage is $5,000 and it does not include an option to waive the exclusion of pre-existing conditions from medical coverage. The TripProtector Classic plan increases the cancellation limit to $25,000 and can cover pre-existing conditions if the plan is purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit, using a 60-day look-back period.

HTH also offers the TripProtector Preferred plan, which includes CFAR coverage for up to 75% of eligible costs. For travelers spending extended time overseas, the availability of annual multi-trip plans and long-term medical plans is a notable feature. HTH is administered by World Insurance Services, founded in 1997 to help international travelers and expatriates. HTH is based in Pennsylvania, and Nationwide underwrites some plans.

Seven Corners: standout cruise coverage, at a higher cost

For travelers planning cruises, Seven Corners was identified as having the most comprehensive cruise coverage among the options reviewed. Its cruise insurance received the top score on eight of the 13 criteria used in the cruise methodology, including coverage for missed connections, emergency medical care, and itinerary change—issues that can be particularly relevant for cruise travelers. The plan also offers add-ons for CFAR and interruption-for-any-reason (IFAR), each reimbursing up to 75% of nonrefundable trip costs.

• Top cruise-specific coverage across multiple key mishaps
• CFAR and IFAR add-ons available (up to 75% reimbursement)
• Emergency medical evacuation coverage includes $500,000
• Higher premiums than other cruise insurance providers in the review
• Alternative general plan available with lower premium and reduced benefits

The main drawback highlighted was cost: Seven Corners had the highest premiums among the cruise insurance providers evaluated. For travelers who want a lower-cost option from the same company, the Trip Protector Basic plan was noted as having a premium about 43% lower than the cruise plan, while still offering 100% trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000. Other coverage limits are lower, and missed cruise connections are covered up to $500. Seven Corners is based in Carmel, Indiana, and was founded in 1997.

World Nomads: broad adventure activity coverage, but limited cancellation protection

World Nomads was highlighted as a strong choice for travelers prioritizing adventure activities. Its least expensive plan covers 131 adventure sports plus dozens of other sports and experiences, and the review found its trip delay, baggage, and emergency medical coverage to be the best among the 17 companies evaluated. The insurer also offers strong medical evacuation coverage and provides a 24/7 number for emergency help.

• Budget plan covers more than 200 sports and activities
• Trip delay coverage of $250/day up to $1,000 maximum
• Emergency medical coverage of $125,000 and evacuation coverage of $400,000
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage is limited in the Standard plan
• Standard plan does not cover pre-existing conditions; waiver timing is strict on higher plans

The Standard plan includes activities such as skiing within bounds, SCUBA diving up to 165 feet deep, rock climbing, mountain biking, white water rafting or kayaking, bungee jumping, parasailing, and ziplining. An upgraded plan is required for activities such as heliskiing, hang gliding, cave diving, skydiving, or piloting an airplane. Gear coverage is included up to $1,000 on the Standard plan and $3,000 on the Epic plan.

Despite strong coverage for delays, baggage, and medical scenarios, the Standard plan caps trip cancellation and trip interruption at $2,500 and does not cover pre-existing conditions at all. Higher-priced plans offer a waiver for the exclusion only if the policy is purchased within seven days of making the first trip payment. No plans offer primary medical coverage. The Epic plan increases cancellation coverage to $15,000, but it was described as the most expensive plan reviewed, and the Standard plan was among the costliest lowest-tier plans. World Nomads also offers an annual multi-trip policy for travelers planning multiple trips in a year.

World Nomads began selling travel insurance in 2002, focusing on independent travelers. It is based in Sydney, Australia, with U.S. headquarters in Oakland, California. Policies are serviced by Trip Mate and underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, which is owned by Crum & Forster and has an excellent financial strength rating.

Choosing among plan types: matching coverage to your trip

The reviewed providers illustrate how travel insurance choices often involve trade-offs. Some plans emphasize low premiums and flexible add-ons, while others prioritize medical benefits for older travelers, cruise-specific protections, or coverage for a wide range of sports and activities. Comparing cancellation limits, medical evacuation amounts, whether medical coverage is primary or secondary, and how pre-existing conditions are treated—especially the look-back period and waiver requirements—can help travelers select coverage that fits their itinerary and risk tolerance.