Insurance Tag

Top 10 Best Travel Insurance in the USA: The 2026 Expert Ranking

Travel in 2026 is expensive. From $1,500 economy seats to Europe to non-refundable safari lodges, the financial stakes are higher than ever.

While the new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) automatic refund rules have been a win for consumers, they have also created a false sense of security. Many travelers think, “If the airline has to refund me, why do I need insurance?”

The answer is simple: The airline will refund your ticket, but they won’t pay for the $50,000 emergency surgery in Mexico, the hotel you prepaid for in Paris, or the cruise that left without you because your connection was delayed.

We analyzed over 30 providers, scrutinized their 2025 policy updates, and dug into real claim satisfaction data to bring you the Top 10 Best Travel Insurance Companies in the USA.

 

The “Elephant in the Room”: DOT Refund Rules vs. Travel Insurance

Before we get to the list, let’s clear up the biggest confusion of 2025.

New federal regulations now require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds if they cancel your flight or significantly delay it (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international).

• What this covers: The cost of your airline ticket.

• What this DOESN’T cover: Your non-refundable hotel bookings, tours, medical emergencies abroad, lost baggage (beyond basic limits), and evacuation.

The Verdict: You no longer need insurance just for a basic flight cancellation. You need it to protect everything else.

 

The Top 10 Travel Insurance Companies (Ranked)

1. Seven Corners

• Best For: Emergency Medical & Large Groups

• The Scoop: If your biggest fear is getting sick or injured abroad, Seven Corners is the heavyweight champion. Their medical limits are incredibly high (often up to $500,000 or $1M), making them perfect for international trips to places where healthcare is pricey.

• Standout Feature: Their “RoundTrip” plans are highly customizable. They also offer excellent coverage for COVID-19-related medical expenses, which many insurers have quietly scaled back.

• The “Gotcha”: Their claim forms can be meticulous. Cross your t’s and dot your i’s, or expect delays.

• Estimated Price: ~$60 for a week in Europe (Standard Plan).

 

2. Trawick International

• Best For: Cost-Conscious Travelers & Students

• The Scoop: Trawick consistently pops up as the best value-for-money option. They offer “Safe Travels” plans that balance solid coverage with very competitive premiums. They are especially popular among students and digital nomads.

• Standout Feature: They treat COVID-19 exactly like any other illness for cancellation and medical, with no hidden exclusions.

• The “Gotcha”: Their website interface feels a bit dated compared to newer “insurtech” companies, but the coverage is solid.

• Estimated Price: ~

  $40–$

  50 for a standard trip.

 

3. Tin Leg

• Best For: “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) Upgrades

• The Scoop: Tin Leg (a Squaremouth exclusive brand) was built to compete on price and premium features. Their “Gold” plan is a bestseller because it offers high medical limits and an affordable option to add Cancel For Any Reason coverage, which pays out 75% of your costs if you just decide not to go.

• Standout Feature: One of the most affordable ways to get CFAR coverage in 2025.

• The “Gotcha”: You typically must buy the policy within 14-15 days of your first trip deposit to qualify for the pre-existing condition waiver.

• Estimated Price: ~$100 (including CFAR upgrade).

 

4. World Nomads

Best For: Adventure Travelers & Adrenaline Junkies

• The Scoop: Most insurance voids your coverage if you go skydiving, scuba diving below 30 meters, or heli-skiing. World Nomads is built for this. They cover over 150 adventure sports that others exclude.

• Standout Feature: You can buy a policy while you are already traveling—a rare feature in the industry.

• The “Gotcha”: They are pricey.[1] If you are just going to sit by a pool in Cancun, you are overpaying.

• Estimated Price: ~

  $80–$

  120 for a standard trip.

 

5. Allianz Global Assistance

• Best For: Families (Kids often fly free)

• The Scoop: Allianz is the giant you see at checkout on many airline sites. Their “OneTrip Prime” plan is a favorite for families because it often covers children 17 and under for free when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

• Standout Feature: Their “SmartBenefits” can proactively pay you $100 per person for flight delays without you even filing a receipt, tracking your flight automatically.

• The “Gotcha”: Per-person medical limits can be lower on basic plans compared to Seven Corners.

• Estimated Price: ~$150 for a family of 4 (Domestic).

 

6. Travel Guard (by AIG)

• Best For: High-Risk Travelers & Pre-Existing Conditions

• The Scoop: Backed by AIG, this is the “premium” option. Their “Preferred” and “Deluxe” plans are famous for their Pre-Existing Condition Waivers, provided you buy early (usually within 15 days of deposit).

• Standout Feature: Unmatched global reach. If you need a medical evacuation from a remote jungle, AIG has the network to actually make it happen.

• The “Gotcha”: You pay for the brand name. Premiums are generally 10-15% higher than budget carriers.

Estimated Price: ~

• $75–$90 for a standard international trip.

7. IMG (International Medical Group)

• Best For: Long-Term Travelers & Seniors (65+)

• The Scoop: IMG specializes in “GlobeHopper” plans designed for people staying abroad for months, not days. They are a top choice for retirees spending the winter in Spain or Florida.

• Standout Feature: They offer renewable policies that act more like temporary health insurance than standard trip protection.

• The “Gotcha”: Deductibles can be high unless you customize the plan.

• Estimated Price: Varies heavily by age and trip length.

 

8. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP)

• Best For: Tech-Savvy Travelers & Fast Claims

• The Scoop: Yes, Warren Buffett’s company sells travel insurance, and it’s excellent. They are known for their “ExactCare” line and incredible technology.

• Standout Feature: The BHTP app allows for “Pic-and-a-click” claims. For certain flight delays and baggage issues, they pay instantly to your bank account or debit card.

• The “Gotcha”: Their strict “luxury” focus means they don’t have a dirt-cheap “bare bones” plan.

• Estimated Price: ~$160 for a premium comprehensive plan.

 

9. Travelex

• Best For: Families on a Budget

• The Scoop: Travelex is a household name that competes directly with Allianz. Their “Travel Select” plan allows you to customize upgrades (like “Adventure Sports” or “Car Rental Collision”) so you don’t pay for what you don’t need.

• Standout Feature: Like Allianz, they have strong “Kids Travel Free” incentives on select plans.

• The “Gotcha”: Medical limits on their basic “Travel Basic” plan are relatively low ($15k), which is risky for international travel.

• Estimated Price: ~$45 for a basic plan.

 

10. John Hancock

• Best For: protecting Flight Points & Miles

• The Scoop: Most insurance only reimburses the cash value of a ticket. John Hancock (partnering with Seven Corners for administration) has distinct language that helps reimburse the redeposit fees for lost frequent flyer miles if you have to cancel.

• Standout Feature: The “Gold” plan has a “Missed Connection” window of just 3 hours, which is much more generous than the industry standard of 6-12 hours.

• The “Gotcha”: Pricing is on the higher end of the spectrum.

• Estimated Price: ~ $60–$80.

Expert Guide: How to Avoid a Denied Claim in 2025

I read through hundreds of one-star reviews so you don’t have to. Here are the top 3 reasons claims get denied and how to avoid them:

1. The “Pre-Existing” Trap: If you visited a doctor for anything (even a checkup that resulted in a new prescription) in the 60-180 days before buying insurance, it might be excluded.

   • The Fix: Buy your insurance within 14 days of making your first trip deposit. This usually triggers the “Pre-Existing Condition Waiver.”

2. The “documentation” Failure: Airlines now give automatic refunds, but insurers still need proof.

   • The Fix: If you get delayed, do not leave the airport without a written statement from the airline (or an email) confirming the reason for the delay.

3. The “Fear of Travel”: You cannot cancel just because you are scared of a new COVID variant or a protest on the news.

   • The Fix: If you want this flexibility, you must purchase a “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) upgrade. It costs about 40% more, but it’s the only way to cancel for non-covered reasons.

 

Final Verdict:
For the best balance of price and medical safety in 2025, Trawick International is our top pick. For families, look at Allianz. For those needing absolute medical certainty, go with Seven Corners.

Safe travels!

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