How to Choose Travel Insurance (2026 Buyer's Guide)

Travel insurance seems complicated until you need it. The actual problem isn't just lost luggage; it's the six-figure medical bill from a scooter accident in Thailand or an emergency flight home. Your one-line answer: a comprehensive travel insurance policy is non-negotiable for international trips, especially if you're leaving North America.

This guide is for any international traveler leaving North America for more than a week, especially those venturing outside major tourist hubs or participating in adventure activities. Skip this if your trip is under 10 days, strictly within the US or Canada, and you have robust domestic health insurance that covers international emergencies. Also skip if you're only worried about lost luggage; your airline owes you for that, and a credit card can pick up the slack.

• Medical Evacuation. Costs to transport you to the nearest adequate medical facility or back to your home country for treatment.
• Pre-existing Condition Waiver. A benefit that removes the exclusion for pre-existing medical conditions if you meet certain criteria, often buying the policy within a specific timeframe of your initial trip deposit.
• Primary Coverage. Your travel insurance pays first, without requiring your personal health insurance to pay anything, often with a lower deductible or no deductible at all depending on the specific policy.
• Secondary Coverage. Your travel insurance pays only after your other insurance (e.g., your domestic health insurance) has paid its maximum, often covering deductibles or co-pays.
• Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR). An optional upgrade allowing you to cancel your trip for any reason not covered by the standard policy, typically reimbursing 50-75% of non-refundable trip costs.
• Adventure Sports Rider. An add-on to your policy that extends medical and evacuation coverage to activities often excluded by standard policies, such as scuba diving, climbing, or whitewater rafting.
• Deductible. The amount you must pay out-of-pocket for a covered claim before your insurance company starts to pay.
• Benefit Limits. The maximum amount an insurance company will pay for a specific type of coverage, such as medical expenses, trip interruption, or baggage loss.

1. Determine Your Coverage Needs. Before looking at policies, list your non-refundable trip expenses (flights, hotels, tours) and estimate potential medical risks. Are you scuba diving? Hiking remote trails? Will you have expensive gear? This helps identify necessary riders like adventure sports or high-value item coverage. Understand your existing health insurance's international coverage – most US plans offer little to none.
2. Compare Comprehensive Policies. Use comparison sites like SquareMouth.com or InsureMyTrip.com. Filter for high medical evacuation limits ($250,000 minimum) and emergency medical coverage ($100,000 minimum for international travel). Pay close attention to the deductible and if medical coverage is primary or secondary. Read multiple reviews, not just the company's marketing.
3. Address Pre-Existing Conditions. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, check policy wording carefully. To get a pre-existing condition waiver, you typically must buy the policy within 10-21 days of your initial trip deposit, insure 100% of your non-refundable trip costs, and be medically able to travel when you buy it. This is a critical step; don't skip it.
4. Review Credit Card Benefits. Examine your premium travel credit cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum). They often provide excellent trip delay, interruption, and rental car coverage, but almost never sufficient emergency medical or evacuation. Use these for certain benefits, but don't rely on them for medical emergencies.
5. Purchase Your Policy and Document Everything. Buy your chosen policy well in advance, ideally shortly after your first trip deposit, especially if you need a pre-existing condition waiver. Immediately download your policy documents, print a physical copy, and save digital copies to your phone and cloud storage. Note the 24/7 assistance number.
6. Inform Your Network and Pack Smart. Share your policy number, medical contact details, and the 24/7 assistance line with a trusted friend or family member. Pack a small card with this info in your wallet. If you have specific medical conditions, carry a doctor's note and a list of your medications and dosages, both generic and brand names.

• Screenshot your policy number and the 24/7 assistance line — offline access matters when your phone is stolen or has no signal.
• Read the full policy document (the 'Certificate of Insurance') for exclusions, especially around alcohol, drug use, and specific activities before you buy.
• Declare all pre-existing medical conditions accurately when applying. Failure to do so can invalidate your claim.
• Purchase 'Cancel For Any Reason' (CFAR) coverage if you need maximum flexibility, understanding it typically only reimburses 50-75% of non-refundable costs.
• Opt for at least $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage for anywhere outside of Western Europe, especially for remote destinations.
• Carry physical copies of your policy, passport, and critical contacts in a separate bag from your main wallet.

• Don't rely solely on credit card benefits for medical emergencies; they are usually secondary and have low limits for actual medical care.
• Avoid buying the cheapest policy without checking the medical and evacuation limits; a budget policy can be disastrous if you have a serious incident.
• Don't assume your domestic health insurance covers you abroad; most US plans only offer emergency care or none at all.
• Never lie on your application about pre-existing conditions or trip details; it's a guaranteed way to have a claim denied.
• Don't wait until the last minute to buy insurance, especially if you need pre-existing condition waivers or full trip cancellation coverage.
• Don't expect cover for reckless behavior like driving a scooter without a helmet in a country where it's illegal, or participating in unapproved extreme sports.

• For multi-month trips, consider a 'travel medical' policy like SafetyWing which can be renewed monthly, rather than a traditional single-trip policy.
• If you're doing adventure sports, always call the insurer to confirm that your specific activities (e.g., free diving to X depth) are covered, even with a rider.
• Before buying, check the insurer's credit rating (A.M. Best or Standard & Poor's) for financial stability; a cheap policy from an unstable company is worthless.
• Keep all receipts for medical expenses, medication, and even taxi rides to clinics. Scans are fine, but keep originals if possible.
• If a trip is cancelled, first seek refunds from the airline, hotel, or tour operator. Your insurance is for non-refundable expenses after those refunds.
• For expensive electronics, look into a dedicated gadget insurance policy like from Worth Ave. Group, as travel insurance limits are often too low.
• If you're renting a car, always choose primary rental car coverage through a premium credit card like Chase Sapphire Reserve, not just the basic CDW from the rental agency.
• Download the free app from MedjetAssist to easily access emergency medical transportation resources, even if you don't buy their specific membership.
• For significant medical emergencies, ensure someone at home knows your policy details and can advocate for you if you're incapacitated.
• If you have a chronic condition, get a letter from your doctor stating you're fit to travel, in case an airline or border agent questions your ability to fly.