Forbes Advisor evaluated 53 policies to find the best travel insurance using data provided by Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison provider. When companies had more than one travel insurance plan we used the highest-scoring plan. Some companies may have plans with richer benefits and/or lower prices than their top-scoring plans, so make sure to get travel insurance quotes to see your full range of choices. The benefits scored were:
Cost (25% of score): We scored the average cost for each travel insurance policy for trips to the popular destinations of Italy and Mexico for common traveler profiles:
- Couple, age 30 for Mexico trip costing $3,000
- Couple, age 40, for Italy trip costing $6,000
- Family of four for Italy trip costing $15,000
- Couple, age 65, for Italy trip costing $6,000
- Couple, age 70, for Mexico trip costing $3,000
Covid-related medical coverage (10% of score): Travel insurance policies were awarded points if they include coverage for Covid-related medical expenses.
Medical expenses (10% of score): Travel medical insurance was evaluated by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with travel medical expense benefits of $250,000 and up per person were given the highest points.
Medical evacuation (10% of score): Emergency medical evacuation/transportation coverage was evaluated by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 and up per person were given the highest points.
“Cancel for any reason” upgrade (10%): Travel insurance policies received points if “cancel for any reason” upgrades were offered. More points were awarded for “cancel for any reason” upgrades with reimbursement levels of 75%.
Baggage delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with baggage delay benefits kicking in at 12 hours or less were given points.
Baggage reimbursement benefits (5%): Travel insurance plans with baggage reimbursement benefits of $2,000 per person and higher were awarded points.
Hurricane and weather (5%): Plans received points If the required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage was 12 hours or less.
“Interruption for any reason” upgrade (5%): Policies were awarded points if they offered an “interruption for any reason” upgrade.
Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver (5%): Points were given to policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if purchased within a required timeline.
Travel delay required waiting time (5%): Policies with travel delay benefits kicking in after six hours or less were given points.
Trip interruption travel insurance (5%): Points were given if trip interruption reimbursement was 150% or higher.