Best Travel Insurance Providers
Every trip begins with excitement, but even the best-planned journeys can unravel fast. Lost luggage, cancelled flights, or an unexpected illness abroad can turn a dream vacation into an expensive ordeal.
Nearly 30% of travellers end up filing a claim for trip disruptions, and the average claim reaches around £4,500. In places like the US or Switzerland, a single hospital stay can cost more than $1,000 per day.
And that’s where travel insurance comes in. It protects you from those surprises. In this guide, we’ll break down the best travel insurance providers, the coverage they offer, and how to choose the one that fits your travel style and budget.
Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is for unforeseen emergencies that can turn your vacation unpleasant. It helps you with last-minute trip cancellations, compensation in case of travel delays, hospitalization expenses, medical evacuation if needed, and much more.
Having travel insurance makes sure that you enjoy your vacation without giving two hoots about what if something doesn’t go as planned. Most top travel insurance providers also have 24/7 assistance, so they can help you with any need that may arise during your stay.
In case you’re looking for nomadic digital health insurance, you can read our blog on the top digital health insurance providers that understand your needs and requirements.
Best Travel Insurance Providers
Here is the list of the top five travel insurance providers:
1. Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz is one of the top-rated travel insurance providers when it comes to the insurance sector, and its travel insurance wing, Allianz Travel Insurance, is known for its global reach, comprehensive coverage options, and dependable customer support for both leisure and business travellers.
To date, Allianz Travel Insurance has helped more than 55 million people who have availed of travel insurance services. It provides protection from trip cancellation, medical bills and more. It also provides 24/7 assistance and a worldwide network of prescreened hospitals.
However, the premiums can be on the higher side, with entry-level plans lacking certain features (pre-existing condition waivers, adventure sports cover). You have to pay more to get these features for your trip.
2. World Nomads
Founded in 2022, World Nomads, which provides simple and flexible travel insurance and safety advice, is one of the best travel insurance companies. It is best suited for adventure-seeking travellers, as it covers many activities and sports. It also offers flexible plans for travellers who may extend mid-trip.
World Nomads instantly calculates the premium depending on which country you are going to and from where. It has travel insurance across 23 categories. You can add more features if required.
On the contrary, certain insurance policies may have age restrictions. At the same time, premiums for older travellers or risk-heavy trips can be pricey. Also, certain insurance comes in bundles. And you may not get to choose to remove certain features, even if it’s not required.
3. SafetyWing
SafetyWing is also among the top travel insurance providers that have a global reputation. It provides insurance policies that are flexible. It also has certain subscriptions for long-term travellers or digital nomads.
SafetyWing’s ‘Nomad Insurance’ covers extended travel and health worldwide. It lets you choose from two coverage levels based on your needs: essential or full health coverage. Essential plans start from $56.28 for four weeks for ages 18-19, while complete coverage will cost you $161.50/month for ages 18-39.
However, you need to be careful while buying SafetyWing travel insurance, as there is no coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Some of the reviews available online say that they face delays in claims.
4. IMG Global Travel Insurance
IMG offers a variety of plans for both single trips and long-term or annual travellers. The company provides strong medical and evacuation coverage, which is ideal for travellers seeking medical support abroad. Additionally, IMG offers specialty add-ons, such as adventure sports endorsements. It could be the best travel insurance for international travel that allows you to customize your coverage based on your activities.
On the downside, claim approval and processing can take time, with some users reporting delays. The cost of IMG plans may also be higher than some competitors’ for similar coverage levels, which could affect budget-conscious travellers.
Some users have raised concerns about customer-service responsiveness, noting that support can be slow or difficult to reach at times. Despite this, IMG remains a strong option for travellers prioritizing medical protection and flexible plan options.
5. Generali Global Assistance
Generali Global Assistance provides solid travel insurance with good cancellation and medical coverage options. It is particularly useful for travellers who want multi-level protection, offering standard and premium tiers to suit different needs.
However, premiums for higher-tier plans can be steep, which may make them less attractive for budget-conscious travellers. Adventure or extreme-sports coverage often requires an additional cost or comes with exclusions, limiting flexibility for active travellers.
Some reviews indicate that plan customization is limited unless you choose the more expensive options. Despite these drawbacks, Generali remains a strong choice for travellers seeking reliable medical and trip protection with tiered coverage options.
Final Words
You never really think you’ll need travel insurance until something actually goes wrong. Maybe your flight gets cancelled, or your bag doesn’t show up at baggage claim. It happens more often than you’d think.
Having insurance from the best travel insurance company just takes one big worry off your plate. Companies like Allianz, IMG, World Nomads, Generali, and AXA all have their own versions, so it’s worth spending a few minutes comparing what fits you best.
Once you’ve got everything you need, do a travel insurance comparison. And once that’s done, you can stop stressing about what might go wrong and just enjoy being on the road.