Who Is the Best Company to Get Travel Insurance in 2026: 8 Companies Compared
How we put this together: we compare official feature and pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public user reviews. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you pay.
Key takeaways
- There is no single best travel insurer for every trip, because price and coverage depend on destination, age, trip length and activities.
- World Nomads suits adventure travelers, Allianz suits US travelers who want a large, established insurer, and SafetyWing suits long-term travelers who want rolling cover.
- AXA and IMG suit travelers who need Schengen or international medical cover, while Faye suits US travelers who want app-based claims.
- Read policy exclusions, activity lists and pre-existing condition rules before buying. This article is general information, not financial advice.
Quick comparison
| Name | Who it suits | Starting price | Free option | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adventure travel | See website | No | Visit | |
| Established US travel cover | See website | No | Visit | |
| Long-term and nomad travel | $62.72 per 4 weeks | No | Visit | |
| Schengen and international trips | See website | No | Visit | |
| International medical cover | See website | No | Visit | |
| US travelers and app claims | See website | No | Visit | |
| US single-trip cover | See website | No | Visit | |
| US and international trips | See website | No | Visit |
The best company to get travel insurance
Travel insurance usually covers emergency medical care, trip cancellation or interruption, baggage and travel delay, but limits and exclusions vary widely by company and plan. A policy that suits a two-week holiday may not suit a year abroad, a ski trip or a trip with expensive gear. We compared official product pages, plan structures and typical use cases for the companies below, and we did not rank them by price alone, because quotes depend on personal details.

World Nomads is a well-known choice for adventure travelers. Its plans cover a long list of activities on higher tiers, including hiking, scuba and skiing within stated limits, plus emergency medical care, evacuation, trip interruption and baggage. Travelers buy cover for a defined trip, with Standard and higher-tier options that differ in limits and activity lists.
World Nomads can be pricier than subscription-style medical plans for trips longer than a month, and coverage details vary by country of residence and underwriter. That variation matters. Two travelers on a similar trip may receive different limits, exclusions or activity rules. Read the policy wording for your residence, check whether your planned activities are covered, and compare the total trip price rather than assuming World Nomads is cheapest or most complete.
- Broad activity coverage on higher plans
- Trip-based plans for defined holidays
- Gear and trip interruption options
- Often pricier for long trips
- Limits and underwriters vary by residence
- Activity cover must be checked plan by plan

Allianz Travel is one of the largest travel insurers in the US, with single-trip, multi-trip and annual plans across a range of tiers. Lower tiers focus on core medical, delay and baggage cover, while higher tiers add larger trip cancellation, interruption and rental car limits. Annual plans can suit frequent travelers who take several trips a year and do not want to buy a policy each time.
Allianz pricing is quote-based, so the same plan can cost very different amounts for different travelers. Trip cost, age, destination and length all affect the premium, and cancellation cover is usually tied to the insured trip cost. Allianz suits US travelers who want an established brand, a choice of tiers and assistance services, provided they compare the tier limits against their trip cost and medical needs.
- Large, established insurer with many plan tiers
- Single-trip and annual options
- 24-hour assistance services
- Quotes depend heavily on trip cost, age and destination
- Higher tiers needed for higher cancellation limits

SafetyWing is built for long-term travelers and digital nomads who do not fit a single-trip model. Its Nomad Insurance Essential plan is billed per 4 weeks, can be started while abroad in many cases, and covers emergency medical care, evacuation, trip interruption and travel delay. For ages 10 to 39, SafetyWing lists $62.72 per 4 weeks for Essential cover, with add-ons for adventure sports, electronics theft and US coverage.
SafetyWing Essential is a safety net for emergencies, not a full health plan. Pre-existing conditions are excluded on Essential, and baggage and electronics limits are modest unless add-ons are bought. The Complete plan, at a higher monthly price, adds broader health cover on a 12-month commitment. SafetyWing suits open-ended travel, but travelers who need cancellation cover for an expensive prepaid trip should compare a traditional single-trip policy as well.
- Rolling subscription cover that can start abroad
- Simple monthly-style billing
- Complete plan adds broader health cover
- Essential plan excludes pre-existing conditions and has modest baggage and electronics limits
- US cover costs extra for non-US residents
AXA Assistance is a major global travel assistance and insurance brand, with products sold in many countries under local AXA entities. In Europe, AXA Schengen plans are widely used to meet visa requirements, with low-cost options that cover emergency medical care and repatriation. In the US, AXA Assistance offers travel plans with medical, cancellation and baggage cover through its US site.
The key point is that AXA is not one identical product worldwide. Plan names, limits, exclusions and underwriters vary by country of residence, so a review of a European AXA plan may not match a US quote. Check the product for your residence, confirm Schengen compliance where a visa requires it, and read the medical and activity exclusions for your trip.
- Schengen visa-compliant options in Europe
- Global assistance network
- Range of trip and annual plans
- Products and limits vary by country
- US and European offers are not the same
IMG Global, also known as International Medical Group, specializes in international medical and travel insurance for travelers, expatriates and students abroad. Its plans include travel medical cover for short trips and international health plans for longer stays, with higher coverage limits than many trip-based policies on some tiers. That range suits people who need medical cover abroad for months, not just a holiday.
IMG plan selection takes care, because deductibles, coinsurance, area of cover and pre-existing condition rules vary by plan. A lower premium with a high deductible may not suit a traveler who wants low out-of-pocket costs for a hospital visit. Compare the medical limit, deductible and evacuation cover, and confirm whether the US is included or excluded for your plan.
- Strong international medical plans
- High coverage limits on some plans
- Options for expatriates and long stays
- Plan choice can be confusing
- Quotes depend on age, destination and deductible
Faye is a newer US travel insurer that puts claims, trip details and support inside an app. Its whole-trip plans cover emergency medical care, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage and delay, with tiers that differ in limits. The app focus appeals to travelers who want to file a claim from a phone, track a trip and contact support without paper forms.
Faye is built mainly for US residents, and policy terms vary by state, so non-US travelers should look elsewhere. As with other US insurers, price depends on trip cost, age and destination, and cancellation cover is tied to insured trip cost. Faye suits US travelers who value a modern claims experience, provided the tier limits match their trip cost and medical needs.
- App-based claims and trip management
- Whole-trip cover for US residents
- Clear plan tiers
- US-resident focus
- State-specific policy terms
- Quotes depend on trip details
Travelex Insurance Services offers single-trip travel plans for US travelers, with tiers that step up medical, cancellation, interruption and baggage limits. Families and groups can be covered together, and some plans offer cancel-for-any-reason upgrades that reimburse a percentage of trip cost when bought within a set window after booking. That upgrade appeals to travelers with uncertain plans.
Cancel-for-any-reason cover is not the same as full cancellation cover. It usually requires buying the policy soon after booking, cancelling a set number of days before departure and reimbursing only part of the trip cost. Read those terms carefully, and compare the total premium with the standard tier before adding the upgrade. Travelex suits US travelers who want a straightforward single-trip choice with clear tiers.
- Clear single-trip plan tiers for US travelers
- Family and group options
- Optional cancel-for-any-reason upgrades on some plans
- Quotes vary by trip and age
- Cancel-for-any-reason terms are strict and time-limited
Seven Corners offers trip protection, annual multi-trip and travel medical plans for US and international travelers. Its range includes plans for short holidays, frequent travelers and longer international stays, with assistance services for medical emergencies abroad. That breadth makes it a useful comparison point when a single insurer does not fit your trip pattern.
Breadth also means complexity. Plan names and rules differ, and a travel medical plan is not the same as a trip cancellation plan. Check whether you need cancellation cover for prepaid costs, medical cover abroad, or both, and choose the plan type first. Then compare limits, deductibles and exclusions within that type, rather than comparing a medical plan with a cancellation plan as if they were the same.
- Range of trip, annual and travel medical plans
- Options for US and non-US travelers
- Liaison and assistance services
- Many plans with different rules
- Medical and cancellation limits must be checked plan by plan
How we picked these
We compared official product pages, plan types and typical travelers for each company, rather than ranking by a single quote that would not apply to most readers. We favored companies that are actively selling travel insurance in 2026, cover a distinct trip pattern, and publish clear plan structures. Where pricing was quote-based, we wrote See website, except for SafetyWing Essential, where a published per-4-week price for younger travelers is stated. We did not claim hands-on testing, and we treated third-party price comparisons as background only.
How to compare travel insurance without missing the exclusions
Start with your trip, not the brand. Write down destination, dates, trip cost, activities, gear value and any pre-existing conditions that matter to you. Then check each policy for medical limits, evacuation, cancellation and interruption limits, baggage and delay limits, activity exclusions and pre-existing condition rules. A cheap policy that excludes your main activity or your main medical risk is not good value.
Next, check timing rules. Many cancellation benefits, pre-existing condition waivers and cancel-for-any-reason upgrades require buying the policy within a set window after booking. If you book late or buy late, those benefits may not apply. Buy early when cancellation cover matters, and keep the policy wording, not just the sales summary.
Finally, understand claims. Note what documents you need for a medical claim, a delay claim or a baggage claim, and whether direct billing or reimbursement applies. Save receipts, medical reports and travel disruption notices during the trip. This article is general information, not financial advice, and it does not replace reading the full policy wording for the plan you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best company to get travel insurance?
There is no single best company for every traveler. World Nomads suits adventure trips, Allianz suits many US travelers who want an established insurer, SafetyWing suits long-term travel, and AXA, IMG, Faye, Travelex and Seven Corners suit different trip patterns and residences. Compare limits, exclusions and quotes for your exact trip before choosing.
How much does travel insurance cost?
Cost depends on age, destination, trip length, trip cost and plan tier, so quotes vary widely. SafetyWing Essential lists $62.72 per 4 weeks for ages 10 to 39, while most other companies in this roundup price by quote. Get quotes for the same trip from at least two companies, and compare limits, not just premium.
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
It depends on the plan. Some US trip plans offer a pre-existing condition waiver if you buy within a set window after booking and meet other terms. SafetyWing Essential excludes pre-existing conditions, while other plans may cover them after a waiting period or review. Read the policy wording for your plan, and do not assume cover.
Does travel insurance cover adventure activities?
Only if the activity is listed as covered on your plan and tier. World Nomads higher tiers cover many adventure activities, SafetyWing offers an adventure sports add-on, and other insurers vary by plan. Check the activity list, height and depth limits and whether a guide or safety equipment is required.
Should I buy annual or single-trip travel insurance?
Single-trip cover suits one defined holiday, especially when trip cost is high and cancellation cover matters. Annual multi-trip cover suits frequent travelers who take several trips a year, but per-trip length limits apply. Long-term or open-ended travel often suits a subscription-style plan such as SafetyWing, provided medical and trip limits fit your needs.
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