If you’re heading overseas and you think your domestic health plan or that “travel insurance” your airline offered at checkout has you covered, you’re probably wrong.
Here’s the difference. Trip insurance — the thing airlines, hotels, and event sites sell you, mostly covers pre-departure cancellation. Travel insurance covers the stuff that hurts: medical bills, trip delays, lost baggage, and emergency evacuation. Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com, puts it simply:
Your domestic health plan? It won’t help you abroad. Most U.S. plans don’t cover overseas care, and the coverage your credit card throws in is too limited for anything serious. Most countries won’t force you to buy insurance, but that’s changing. Starting January 1, 2026, Georgia will require all foreign nationals to hold medical insurance for their entire stay.
Key Takeaways
The average basic plan for a 7-day trip to Mexico costs $85; you can pay as little as $52 (Berkshire Hathaway ExactCare Value) or as much as $103 (Arch RoamRight Pro), and the difference is in medical limits, pre-existing condition waivers, and delay coverage.
If you have a pre-existing condition, buy your policy within 14–21 days of your first trip payment — miss that window, and stable conditions that were treated in the last 60–90 days will be excluded.
Faye leads the pack on customer satisfaction with a 4.8 TrustPilot from over 4,000 reviews and a fully digital claims process, while Seven Corners offers coverage features and primary medical but has a 1.6 BBB customer review score and 36 complaints.
Table of Contents
How We Evaluated and Selected the Best Plans
Here’s the quick sanity check you can use on any quote you get. NerdWallet grades cost as “excellent” if the premium is less than 4% of your total trip cost and “poor” if it’s over 9%. Their full methodology weights cost and affordability at 35%, scope of coverage at 35%, consumer experience at 20%, and customizability at 10%.
Money’s top-picks criteria: at least $100,000 in medical coverage, $500,000 or more in medical evacuation, and short delay thresholds (12 hours is their cut-off). We surveyed over 20 insurers in April 2026 and pulled data from NerdWallet, Money, Squaremouth, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau. The baseline for comparison is a basic comprehensive plan for a 45-year-old from Illinois taking a 7-day trip to Mexico with a $2,000 trip cost. The average came in at $85.
Best Short-Term Medical Insurance Plans for International Travel
The right plan depends on your priority — medical limits, price, digital experience, or pre-existing condition coverage. Here are the 15 providers that made the cut, broken down so you can find your match.
Seven Corners — Best for Group Travel and Primary Medical Coverage
Seven Corners offers primary medical coverage, meaning they pay out first — you don’t have to file with your home insurer and wait. If you’re traveling with 10 or more people, they have a group insurance option. They also offer optional cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) and interruption-for-any-reason (IFAR) covering up to 75% of non-refundable costs. The basic plan costs $75, $10 below average.
The trade-off: Coverage features, but the BBB customer review score is 1.6 with 36 complaints. That suggests friction when you file a claim, despite the company’s A+ BBB rating and A (Excellent) A.M. Best financial strength. If smooth claims matter more to you than coverage features, look elsewhere.
Travel Insured International — Best for Multi-Trip Travel
Their annual multi-trip plan costs $94 per year for adults and $64 for children. Each trip gets $100,000 in accident and sickness coverage, $100,000 in medical evacuation, and $2,500 in baggage loss coverage. It covers trip delay at $200 per day after 12 hours, up to $5,000 per trip. The company has an A (Excellent) A.M. Best rating, 4.1 TrustPilot, and an A+ BBB rating with a 3.76 customer review score. You can cancel for free within 14 days.
The trade-off: Value if you travel multiple times a year, but it’s not available to residents of Missouri, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, or Washington. And the 12-hour delay threshold is longer than some competitors.
HTH Travel Insurance — Best for Medical Coverage Options
This is the plan to look at if you want to dial in your coverage exactly. HTH offers four medical benefit options — $50,000, $100,000, $500,000, or $1,000,000, with four deductible choices: $0, $100, $250, or $500. Trip interruption covers up to 200% of your tour cost. They cover travelers up to age 95, and their mPassport app gives you worldwide access. Plans include TripProtector Economy, Classic, and Preferred tiers.
The trade-off: The most customizable medical coverage on the list, but the TrustPilot score of 3.2 is based on two reviews — statistically meaningless. The BBB presence is minimal too.
IMG Travel Insurance — Best for High Dental Coverage
IMG throws in $1,000 of dental coverage with every plan. The industry norm is $750, so that’s a difference. Their medical plans go up to $500,000 in primary coverage, and they have dedicated medical plans with up to $8 million. They cover travelers up to age 99 and offer plans for airline and cruise travel.
The basic plan costs $75 — $10 below average. A.M. Best rates them A-, and they have a 4.6 TrustPilot score.
The trade-off: If you want maximum dental coverage and the ability to cover someone up to 99, IMG is the play. The BBB rating is B — lower than most competitors, but not a dealbreaker.
Faye — Best for Fully Digital Experience
Faye is the most modern option on the list. Everything runs through their mobile app — you file claims, track them, and get paid. The Faye Wallet connects to Google Pay and Apple Pay for faster reimbursement. They also offer flight delay and gate change info, baggage claim updates, and telehealth services. Every plan includes a pre-existing condition waiver.
Their 3-hour delay threshold is industry-leading. TrustPilot gives them a 4.8 out of 5 from over 4,000 reviews — the highest on the list. A.M. Best is A+, BBB is A+ with 24 complaints in three years.
The trade-off: The best customer satisfaction scores on the list and a slick digital experience. But there’s no phone concierge for complex emergencies — it’s all app-only.
John Hancock Travel — Best for Trip Delay Coverage
Their Gold plan reimburses up to $1,000 ($200 per day) after a three-hour delay. The Silver plan gives $750 ($150 per day) after three hours. The Bronze plan covers $500 after six hours. John Hancock also covers up to $200 in fees for redepositing points or miles on canceled award bookings — a benefit if you book travel with points.
They have the highest financial strength rating on the list: A.M. Best A++ (Superior). TrustPilot is 4.5, BBB is A+. The basic plan costs $89.
The trade-off: Trip delay coverage and highest financial strength. But you can’t easily compare plans on their website — you have to apply for a quote. Some add-ons may not be offered in every state.
WorldTrips — Best for Upgrades and Add-Ons
Their Elevate plan includes $250,000 in primary medical coverage, $750 in dental, and $1 million in evacuation and repatriation. The Explore and Escape plans also offer $250,000 medical and $1 million evacuation. Add-ons cover adventure sports, rental cars, pet care, and destination weddings. You can choose between 75% or 50% CFAR. A.M. Best is A++ (Superior).
The trade-off: The most flexible add-on menu of any provider here. But the number of options can be overwhelming.
Tin Leg — Best for Travelers with Unpredictable Work Demands
They offer nine plans, including specific options for adventure sports and cruises. The key feature is cancel-for-work-reasons coverage on some plans — valuable if your job might force you to cancel. The basic plan costs $65, $20 below average.
The trade-off: The 24-hour baggage delay minimum wait is longer than most competitors, and the plan lineup is confusing — it’s hard to tell the difference between some options.
Travelex — Best for Budget-Friendly Comprehensive Coverage
Three plans: Essential at $63, Advantage, and Ultimate. TrustPilot is 4.5. The Travel Med Go plan includes travel medical insurance international for post-departure coverage. The Ultimate plan includes kids at no extra cost.
The trade-off: At $63, the Essential plan is cheap — $22 below average. But pre-existing condition coverage and CFAR are available as add-ons on the most expensive Ultimate plan.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection — Best for Ultra-Low-Cost Basics
The ExactCare Value plan costs $52 — the cheapest plan we found. They also offer an AirCare plan that pays fixed benefits ($150 for any canceled flight, regardless of what you paid), and specialty plans for road trips, luxury travel, adventure, flights, and cruises. Berkshire says they may reimburse faster than average, including same-day.
The trade-off: At $52, you’re getting what you pay for. Lower medical limits, no pre-existing condition waiver, and the AirCare fixed benefits may not match your costs. The multiple “trip delay” coverage types can also be confusing.
Trawick International — Best for Affordable Primary Medical Coverage
The Pathway Essential plan costs $56 — the second-cheapest plan we found, and includes $25,000 in primary medical coverage, plus 100% trip cancellation and interruption. CFAR is available as an add-on on select plans.
The trade-off: The cheapest plan that still offers primary medical coverage. But reports of long claims resolution times are a concern.
Travel Guard — Best for Pre-Existing Condition Waivers
This is one of the best options if you have a pre-existing condition. The waiver is included on their Essential, Preferred, and Deluxe plans — not just the most expensive tier, as long as you buy within 15 days of your first trip payment. The Essential plan costs $81, $4 below average.
The trade-off: The waiver is on most plans, but the maximum trip length is 60 days for most plans, and trip interruption does not cover trips paid with points and miles. CFAR reimburses up to 50% and is limited to higher-level plans.
AEGIS (formerly GoReady) — Best for Pet Coverage and Direct Booking
Their Choice plan includes pet evacuation and veterinary expenses. They may also rebook flights and hotels directly — you do not have to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement. The basic plan is $69, $16 below average.
The trade-off: Pet coverage and direct booking are features. But the 60-day trip limit is restrictive, and some coverages appear on the basic plan — not the premium ones.
Arch RoamRight — Best for Family Travel and Hazardous Sports
Their Pro and Pro Plus plans include free coverage for one child under 18 per insured adult. The hazardous sports add-on covers bungee jumping, parachuting, and skydiving. Pre-existing condition waivers are available on all plans. They are top-rated on Squaremouth and TrustPilot. The basic plan costs $103.
The trade-off: Free child coverage is valuable for families, and the hazardous sports add-on is for adventure travelers. But there is no CFAR option, and the basic plan is $18 above average.
ARDI — Best for Travelers to Georgia Under the 2026 Mandate
Starting January 1, 2026, Georgia requires medical insurance for all foreign nationals for the full duration of their stay. ARDI’s Welcomer policy meets that requirement: a 30,000 GEL aggregate limit, from 2 GEL per day, issued online in two minutes with no prior registration. It covers emergency hospitalization, urgent outpatient care, medical evacuation, and repatriation, plus extras like tourist civil liability, interpreter services, and legal assistance. ARDI also has a Vitamins program (tiers A through E) for longer stays, with tiers C through E meeting the 30,000 GEL minimum.
The trade-off: This is a country-specific requirement, not a general travel insurance option. But it’s worth watching — more countries may follow Georgia’s lead. Your credit card travel insurance will not meet this legal requirement, so follow a definitive guide on when to buy travel medical insurance to avoid coverage gaps and financial risk.
How Much Does Short-Term Medical Insurance Cost?
The average basic plan for a 7-day trip to Mexico for a 45-year-old from Illinois with a $2,000 trip cost is $85. General rule from Generali Global: travel insurance runs 4% to 12% of your total trip cost.
Here’s what the price spread looks like:
- Cheapest plans: Berkshire Hathaway ExactCare Value ($52), Trawick Pathway Essential ($56), Travelex Essential ($63)
- Most expensive basic: Arch RoamRight Pro ($103)
- Annual multi-trip: Travel Insured International ($94 adult, $64 child)
The $52 Berkshire Hathaway plan versus the $85 average — what does that $33 buy you? Higher medical limits, pre-existing condition waivers, and better delay coverage. That’s the trade-off. Don’t just compare premiums. Compare what you’re covered for.
Pre-Existing Conditions: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
This is the single most common reason travel insurance claims get denied. Here’s how it works. Most plans cover COVID-19 as they would any other illness, but you should check the specific policy for exclusions related to pandemics or government travel advisories.
A pre-existing condition is any injury or illness that was diagnosed or treated during the lookback period. That is typically 60 to 90 days before you buy the policy, though it can go up to 180 days with some insurers. To get the waiver, you need to buy your policy within 14 to 21 days of making your first trip payment. Miss that window, and stable chronic conditions are excluded.
The classic failure pattern: A guy with stable high blood pressure books a trip in January, buys insurance in February (outside the 14–21 day window), has a medical issue in March, and discovers his condition is excluded because of the 60–90 day lookback.
Providers with waivers on all or most plans: Faye (all plans), Travel Guard (within 15 days on Essential, Preferred, and Deluxe), Seven Corners (with medical bundle), Travel Insured International (with medical bundle). Travelex offers it on the most expensive Ultimate plan.
Digital Experience: Which Insurer Makes It Easiest?
The choice between a fast, modern digital experience and a traditional insurer with phone support depends on how you handle emergencies.
Faye is the winner for digital. Fully app-based claims, Faye Wallet with Google Pay and Apple Pay, 24/7 chat, and a 4.8 TrustPilot from over 4,000 reviews. They have had 24 BBB complaints in three years.
Seven Corners is at the other end. Coverage features, but a BBB customer review score of 1.6 with 36 complaints. Filing a claim there involves calling a claims line and waiting on hold.
Must-Have Add-Ons for Your International Trip
Most add-ons have fine print that changes what you think you’re buying. Here’s what matters.
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR): This is the most misunderstood add-on. It reimburses 50% to 75% of your costs, not 100%. And it has strict timing rules — you must buy it within 14 to 21 days of your first deposit. “Any reason” still has exclusions. Read the policy.
Adventure sports: Most standard plans exclude them. Arch RoamRight has a hazardous sports add-on covering bungee jumping, parachuting, and skydiving. WorldTrips offers adventure sports as an add-on.
Points and miles: John Hancock is unique here — they cover up to $200 in redeposit fees for canceled award bookings.
Pet coverage: Seven Corners covers pet kennel expenses up to $500. AEGIS covers pet evacuation and veterinary expenses.
Rental cars: WorldTrips offers rental car collision coverage as an add-on.
Country-Specific Requirements: Georgia’s 2026 Mandate and What It Means for Travelers
This is a concrete example of travel insurance becoming a legal requirement for entry, not a nice-to-have. Starting January 1, 2026, all foreign nationals entering Georgia must hold medical insurance for the full duration of their stay. The minimum coverage limits are defined by regulation.
If you’re heading to Georgia, ARDI’s Welcomer policy is the straightforward option: 30,000 GEL limit, from 2 GEL per day, issued online in two minutes. For stays of a year or longer, ARDI recommends transitioning to their Vitamins annual plan (tiers C through E meet the minimum).
Don’t show up in Tbilisi with a credit card’s travel insurance and expect to get through. You won’t.
How to Choose and Buy Short-Term Medical Insurance: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s the process for any trip, not just this one.
Step 1: Assess your coverage needs. What matters most? Medical priority? Pre-existing conditions?
Total trip cost? Activities? Destination requirements?
Step 2: Compare quotes. Use marketplaces like Squaremouth or TravelInsurance.com to see multiple plans side by side.
Step 3: Declare pre-existing conditions during application. Don’t skip this. If a condition is stable and you are within the waiver window, you are covered. If you hide it, you are not.
Step 4: Read the policy details. Pay attention to exclusions. Most plans exclude extreme sports, fear of travel, pregnancy (unless you booked and bought insurance before becoming pregnant), and medical tourism.
Step 5: Buy within 14–21 days of your first trip payment. This is the rule that matters most. It secures pre-existing condition waivers and CFAR add-ons. Miss it, and those options are gone.
Final Verdict: Choosing the Right Plan for Your Trip
Here’s the decision framework:
- Medical coverage is your priority: HTH (up to $1M with four deductible options) or IMG (up to $8M in dedicated medical plans)
- Cost is your priority: Berkshire Hathaway ExactCare Value ($52), Trawick Pathway Essential ($56), Travelex Essential ($63)
- You want a digital-first experience: Faye (app-only, 4.8 TrustPilot)
- You have a pre-existing condition: Faye (waiver on all plans) or Travel Guard (within 15 days)
- You travel multiple times a year: Travel Insured International ($94/year)
- You are worried about trip delays: John Hancock Gold ($200/day after 3 hours)
- You want the most add-on options: WorldTrips
- You are traveling in a group: Seven Corners (10+ travelers)
- You are going to Georgia after January 2026: ARDI Welcomer (mandatory)
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between trip insurance and travel medical insurance?
Trip insurance — the stuff airlines and hotels sell at checkout — mostly covers pre-departure cancellation. Travel medical insurance covers the things that actually hurt: medical bills, emergency evacuation, trip delays, and lost baggage. If you’re going overseas, you want travel medical insurance, not just trip cancellation coverage.
What does Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) actually cover?
CFAR reimburses 50% to 75% of your non-refundable trip costs — not 100%. You must buy it within 14 to 21 days of your first deposit, and “any reason” still has exclusions spelled out in the policy. It’s an add-on, not a magic refund button, and it costs extra on top of your base plan.
