Maccabi USA

Click on the links below for the frequently asked questions in the category.

However, if you still have questions, please call us at 215-561-6900 or email at [email protected] so we can assist you.

Return to FAQs>>

Are there visa requirements to travel?

Please consult the US State Department website.

Do I need a passport?

YES! All team members will need passports.  The Israel government suggest passports be valid through January 22, 2026, six months remaining after the day you leave the country.

What airport should I fly into?

Tev Aviv airport

Should I purchase trip insurance?

Yes! We advise all participants to purchase trip insurance. Please take into account that you will be participating in a sports competition, which may require additional coverage. Check with your provider for more details and coverage options.

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Maccabi travel insurance.

Travel Insurance

Traveling is one of the most exciting experiences that everybody loves to have. However, it is important to take note that unexpected situations can happen anytime, anywhere. It could be as minor as a delayed flight or as major as a medical emergency. That’s why it’s wise to prepare yourself with travel insurance, and Maccabi Travel Insurance is one of the best options available.

What is Maccabi Travel Insurance?

What Is Travel Insurance

Maccabi Travel Insurance is an Israeli-based travel insurance company that provides comprehensive coverage for both domestic and international travel. It offers a wide range of insurance policies for individuals, families, and groups, each designed to meet the traveler’s specific needs.

What Does Maccabi Travel Insurance Cover?

Travel Insurance Coverage

Maccabi Travel Insurance covers a broad range of travel-related incidents, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations or delays, lost or stolen luggage, and personal liability. It also provides coverage for adventure sports, such as skiing or scuba diving, and pre-existing medical conditions, subject to certain conditions.

Why Choose Maccabi Travel Insurance?

Why Choose Travel Insurance

Here are some reasons why you should choose Maccabi Travel Insurance:

  • 24/7 Assistance: Maccabi Travel Insurance provides round-the-clock assistance for emergencies, from medical assistance to arranging transportation.
  • Flexible Plans: Maccabi Travel Insurance offers various insurance plans with different coverage options, so you can choose the one that suits your needs.
  • Easy Claims Process: Maccabi Travel Insurance has a straightforward claims process, making it easy for policyholders to claim their benefits.
  • Competitive Prices: Maccabi Travel Insurance provides affordable insurance rates compared to other travel insurance providers.

How to Purchase Maccabi Travel Insurance?

Buy Travel Insurance

You can easily purchase Maccabi Travel Insurance online by visiting their official website. All you have to do is fill in the necessary information and choose the policy that suits your needs. You can pay through credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer.

Traveling without insurance is like driving without a seat belt — it’s risky. Maccabi Travel Insurance can provide you the peace of mind you need when traveling. With its comprehensive coverage, 24/7 assistance, and competitive pricing, Maccabi Travel Insurance is a reliable choice for travelers. So, the next time you plan your vacation, don’t forget to secure your travel with Maccabi Travel Insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is covered by maccabi travel insurance.

Maccabi Travel Insurance covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations or delays, lost or stolen luggage, personal liability, and adventure sports.

How can I purchase Maccabi Travel Insurance?

You can easily purchase Maccabi Travel Insurance online by visiting their official website and choosing the policy that suits your needs.

What is the claims process for Maccabi Travel Insurance?

Maccabi Travel Insurance has a straightforward claims process, making it easy for policyholders to claim their benefits.

Does Maccabi Travel Insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Maccabi Travel Insurance provides coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, subject to certain conditions.

What should I do in case of an emergency while traveling?

If you encounter an emergency while traveling, you should immediately contact Maccabi Travel Insurance’s 24/7 assistance hotline for help.

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travel insurance maccabi

Chaim V'Chessed

Traveler’s Insurance

Published on December 15, 2022 Print this guide

When you travel out of Israel, it is imperative that you be covered under a medical insurance plan. Standard kupat cholim coverage does not cover you out of Israel. If you are traveling to a country where you once held insurance, confirm before your trip whether the plan is still current. Standard plans often do not cover pregnancy-related issues, but there are traveler’s insurance plans available that do.

Note that traveler’s insurance must be purchased (a) before your trip and (b) in the country you start out from. For example, those who are traveling to Israel from the US should purchase a plan from a US provider.

If you are a resident of Israel, it is possible to purchase traveler’s insurance before your trip either through a private agent or through your kupat cholim .

Private Agencies

The insurance offered by private agencies is comparable to that offered by the kupot cholim , though every provider has somewhat different rates. One advantage of using a private agency is that the agency takes care of filing all claims for you. The agency will also deal with the insurance provider if there is a problem and see to it that you receive compensation. If you have difficulty speaking Hebrew, using an English-speaking agency can be especially helpful.

Private insurance agencies include, but are not limited to, the following:

Note that inclusion of an agent in this guide does not constitute a recommendation or an affiliation with Chaim V’Chessed.

Traveler’s Insurance via Kupot Cholim

Kupot cholim generally offer traveler’s insurance only to members of Bituach Leumi. If you have a supplemental insurance plan, a percentage of your traveler’s insurance price may be covered.

Meuhedet offers traveler’s insurance through the Harel insurance company. You can sign up with this insurance online or by calling *3833.

Clalit offers traveler’s insurance through the Clal insurance company. There is a 10‒25% discount for Clalit Mushlam members. There are many services available on the basic plan, and for additional fees there are more services and further coverage. You can sign up for Clal online or by calling *2700.

Leumit offers traveler’s insurance through the company Clal. You can learn more and sign up online , or call *9094 or 03-942-0425.

Maccabi offers a traveler’s insurance called “Maccabi Medi-clal Olami” through the company Clal. You can learn more and sign up with this insurance online . You can only apply online if you have an automatic payment plan. You can also sign up by calling *2627.

Harel Yedidim

Medical insurance for tourists and returning residents of israel

Health Insurance for students

Welcome to Israel

Medical insurance coverage for tourists and returning residents of israel.

It is recommended that tourists to Israel and returning residents purchase health insurance to cover medical expenses in Israel, including hospitalization as well as  medical care outside of hospitals. The major advantage of these plans is the access provided to the diverse medical services offered in Israel, without additional charge. Travel insurance policies purchased in your country of origin require the policyholder to pay for medical services in Israel and then request a reimbursement, which may not cover the entire expense. In comparison, our policies offer you peace of mind, from the time you land in Israel until you return home.

Those insured with us enjoy a health service network located throughout the country, on two options including:  doctors, laboratories'  facilities, pharmacies and more. 

Harel Insurance Company’s medical services are based on three options:

                ​

Maccabi : A healthcare system through Maccabi Health Care . Maccabi runs a network of clinics located throughout Israel, from Metulla to Eilat. All Maccabi clinics offer the Insured the services of nurses, family physicians, pharmacies and laboratories. The Insured may use the Maccabi Health Care services by presenting a membership number and an ID (as passport). No need to present a membership card at he time of the service.

Clalit : A healthcare system through Clalit Health Services. Clalit runs a network of clinics located throughout Israel, from Metulla to Eilat. All Clalit clinics offer the Insured the services of nurses, family physicians, pharmacies and laboratories. The Insured may use the Clalit health services by presenting a membership card at the time of the service.

Harel Private Services : A private healthcare system, which offers the Insured a choice of healthcare service providers from a list of contracted physicians, at a high level of availability. Harel is Israel's leading insurer for tourists and the only company that offers the option of private health services. Harel pays the service providers directly, so the Insured does not bear any expenses. There is no co-pay on Yedidim policies.

Rider for extra charge:

The insurance plan also  provides coverage for medical flight from Israel to your home country (with or without an accompanying physician).

Former residents of Israel who are visiting or returning to Israel may also purchase the policy described above and benefit from the 24-hour medical service provided to all our policy holders.

To join the health insurance :

Please see  here  the premiums and the summary of coverage of the policy.

To join the insurance through an online application form please click this link .

To download an application form as a PDF file, click here .

Please scan the completed, signed form and send it to our email address or fax 972-3-6874534  

For the detailed terms of the policy, press here.

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Israel’s Healthcare System

The entrance to the Rambam Hospital emergency room.

Israeli health care can provide you with the world’s most advanced treatments and surgeries. Medical tourists seek out Israeli hospitals, clinics, and dentists. But services vary for Israelis and for visitors from other countries. Here’s what digital nomads, tourists, and expats need to know about healthcare in Israel .

An Overview of Israel’s Healthcare System

In Israel, all citizens and permanent residents are covered by Israel’s National Health Insurance Law. Under this law, Israel’s citizens and residents have the right to receive healthcare “within a reasonable time and at a reasonable distance from their place of residence.”

To fund this system, Israeli citizens pay a tax of 3% to 5% of their income, and the government funds the rest. Many new citizens are entitled to free healthcare for six months to a year.

To receive their healthcare, Israelis join one of four public healthcare providers collectively called “Kupot Cholim.” The health services companies are — Maccabi, Meuhedet, Leumit, and Clalit — offering a standard Health Basket and Medication Basket, required by law. They also provide unique basket options.

For Israelis getting care through Kupat Cholim, there are co-payments for some standard services. The amount of a co-payment depends on the plan and individuals’ eligibility. Israelis can also choose to buy supplemental insurance (“Bituach Mashlim”) to get more services.

Israel has healthcare options for short- and long-term visitors. Due to the complexities of Israel’s health system, most visitors prefer to get coverage with an international health insurance program before they travel to Israel.

Learn More: Travel & Safety Tips When in Israel

Israel’s Healthcare System Pros & Cons

The health care system in Israel has its positives and negatives. Below are the strengths of the medical system in Israel and the challenges this system faces today.

Pros of Israel’s Healthcare System

Israeli health care is consistently ranked amongst the best in the world. It is rated well by the World Health Organization and ranked fifth for innovation worldwide. Israelis praise their doctors’ expertise and skill with surgery. They receive affordable, quickly delivered mental health care and prescription drugs. Israel also provided strong health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a high and early uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.

Israel’s private medical system works in parallel to the Kupat Cholim system and offers the same excellent care. Medical tourism to Israel means that travelers can find multi-lingual private clinics, hospitals, and dentists. Their detailed web sites list a wide array of services and surgeries.

Cons of Israel’s Healthcare System

Health care in Israel, while still excellent, has been under stress for a decade. Expect long wait times for specialist appointments and surgeries. Appointments that use special equipment, like an MRI, may be scheduled at all hours of the day and night. And Israeli hospitals are crowded and noisy, considered by Israelis to be for emergencies only.

Israel’s government bureaucracy also impacts their healthcare system. You can change your Kupat Cholim, but only once a year, on a specific date.

There are also gaps in the Kupat Cholim system. Almost 80% of Israelis pay for extra insurance, either private or a Kupat Cholim supplement, to cover items like dental care. Be aware that visitors who need pregnancy care or give birth in Israel must pay for their care. Prenatal and postnatal care is provided partly by a mother’s Kupat Cholim clinic and by the Ministry of Health, through the “Tipat Halav” (Drop of Milk) maternal and child care clinics.

Challenges of Israel’s Healthcare System

For visitors and expats, the main challenge of healthcare in Israel is getting the information you need. Much official information about Israel’s healthcare system is only available in Hebrew. English-language information may be out of date, phrased in complex medical terms, or focused on treatments for medical tourists.

It can be hard to choose among Israel’s four Kupot Cholim. Different Kupat Cholim provide stronger services in different areas. For example, Clalit has the best network in rural and border areas. Many people who speak English register with Meuhedet or Maccabi.

It’s all right to ask for help finding a doctor or choosing a Kupat Cholim. In Israel, asking friends and family for a recommendation to a doctor is common. Hotels and your nation’s embassy can also direct you towards doctors and clinics who speak your language. And Israel’s Ministry of Health has an English-language site and sponsors a Doctors Channel where the videos, in Hebrew, have English subtitles.

Does Israel Have Universal Healthcare?

Israel provides a right to healthcare and universal healthcare for its citizens. To receive healthcare as an Israeli citizen, you must sign up for a Kupat Cholim, one of Israel’s public healthcare companies. Most costs are paid by the Kupat Cholim, or by co-payments at the time of service.

Each public healthcare plan in Israel provides the standard Health Basket and Medication Basket of services. That includes medical diagnosis and treatment, surgery, hospitalizations, treatment of chronic diseases, mental health care, addiction treatment, cancer care, and IVF treatments.

Much dental and optical care and other extras, such as choice of practitioner, are provided by supplemental Kupat Cholim insurance or paid for out of pocket.

Does Kupat Cholim Cover Dental, Optical, and More?

In Israel’s health system, the Kupat Cholim cover or subsidize many areas of care. The level of cover usually has three co-payment ranges for Israeli citizens, and a price for a patient from abroad. This list notes additional health care services, whether they are covered, and what they cost for a patient from abroad. Costs here are converted to US dollars.

  • Dental: Dental is not included, but can be added as a supplement. A standard dental exam costs $60 to $90.
  • Optical: Some Kupot Cholim cover eye surgery and contribute to vision aids. Again, vision care can be added as a supplement.
  • Mental Health: Mental health services are included. The co-pay for a therapy session is around $10.
  • Physical Therapy: Included: for a patient from abroad, this costs $60 to $80 per session.
  • Alternative Care: Each Kupat Cholim provides some alternative care, such as reflexology and acupuncture, often with a co-pay. These services cost $75 to $250 independently.
  • Prescription Drugs: Prescribed medications are supported by government subsidies, but you may need to make a co-payment. A prescribed antibiotic costs around $6.

How to Access & Receive Healthcare in Israel

Here is what visitors and expats need to know about navigating Israel’s healthcare system, especially in an emergency.

For Kupat Cholim Care, Register

Students and expats with visas can access Israel’s government healthcare system. They have options to register and pay to join Kupat Cholim. You can do so at Ben Gurion airport, online, or at a post office in Israel. When you sign up, you choose your plan, any sub-plans or supplements, and your specific clinic. You will then visit your specific clinic for your care.

For Expat Care, See A Private Doctor

Most visitors and foreigners are not covered by Kupat Cholim, which means they can’t go to a Kupat Cholim clinic. Instead, in Israel, they need to make an appointment to see a private doctor. A private doctor visit ranges from $80 to $300. Seeing a private specialist starts at $250 to $600.

Urgent Care and Emergency Rooms in Israel

If you need medical care urgently in Israel, you will choose between urgent care and emergency rooms.

Urgent care is for medical problems where you need treatment fast, but your condition is not life-threatening. If you are covered by a Kupat Cholim plan, your urgent care co-pay is usually covered with a co-pay, especially if you go to your recommended urgent care center. If you are not with a Kupat Cholim, you will pay out for your visit, between $90 and $150, more for prescriptions or treatments like an IV for dehydration.

Emergency rooms are for serious and life-threatening injuries. You must pay for your care there if you do not have a severe condition that gets an exemption. Examples of exempt conditions are fractures, dialysis, and hemophilia. If your condition is exempt, all fees will be covered by your Kupat Cholim. If you are not with a Kupat Cholim, you will have to pay, too, and the costs will be high, starting at $250.

When calling an ambulance in Israel, you must pay for the ambulance service. If you are insured by Kupat Cholim, you can get full or partial coverage, depending on the conditions.

Who is Eligible for Israeli Healthcare?

All Israeli citizens and official residents have a legal right to health care in Israel. New immigrants who already have immigration visas are eligible for Kupat Cholim cover immediately, too.

Foreigners in Israel for more than a short visit can sign up for a non-resident program with Kupat Cholim. Two examples are Maccabi’s Well-come Program and Meuhedet’s program for nonresident clients . Monthly fees for adult individuals range from to $115 to $450, depending on your age – very similar to many travel medical insurance programs.

Healthcare for Expats in Israel

For many visitors to Israel, their trip is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The city of Tel Aviv is popular with digital nomads. Young people often spend several months in Israel connecting with their heritage. Other travelers may be considering “making aliyah” – moving to Israel permanently. Those who do make aliyah, or who return to Israel after living abroad, may have to wait for Israeli healthcare while their immigration visas are processed.

All of these visitors, expats, and migrants can protect themselves in Israel with travel medical insurance.

Expat Insurance for Israel

Short-term visitors and digital nomads in Israel usually do best with travel medical insurance , which covers them both in and outside of Israel. Expatriates staying in Israel for longer will want to obtain international health insurance for longer-term coverage. This guarantees faster care, off the Kupat Cholim waiting lists. Forty percent of Israelis have private health insurance supplementing their Kupat Cholim plan to get faster and more reliable care.

International health insurance also supports care that expats need, like international medical records and repatriation costs. It helps manage the high costs of receiving private health services in Israel. And it lets you leave Israel and have treatment covered in another country.

The Best Health Insurance in Israel for US Citizens

GeoBlue Xplorer Global Medical Insurance

Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan

  • Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
  • Define your deductible and prescription benefits
  • For Foreigners in the US or US citizens abroad

The Best Health Insurance in Israel for Non-US Expats

Cigna Global Logo

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

  • The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
  • Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
  • The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
See Also: Health Insurance for UK Expatriates Living Abroad

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  • Health Insurance in Israel for Expats

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Egert Cohen

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While travel is exciting, it includes many potential mishaps. You need insurance to protect you in the case of emergency medical needs, unexpected expenses like trip cancellation and lost or stolen luggage.

We specialize in arranging all types of travel insurance for both Israeli residents and foreign citizens traveling overseas.

  • Harel “First Class” travel policy / Clal Blue Pass policy.  Up to $5 million overall coverage. These are excellent and comprehensive travel packages
  • Medical issues: Special policies which cover current / chronic conditions
  • Pregnancy: Coverage for up to 32 nd week.
  • Senior citizens coverage
  • Group policies to Poland / Europe
  • All policies cover Covid – 19 and can be used as proof of coverage.

The following are  approximate prices. Final price depends on destination, length of trip and optional additions (luggage, computers, etc).We also work with 2/3 different travel companies.

There is always an  additional premium for pre-existing conditions.

Our representatives will arrange the best rate for your particular trip .

USA coverage

  • $3.00 - $3.50
  • $5.80 - $6.60
  • $8.30 - $9.50
  • $11.30 - $11.40
  • $17.30 - $21.00
  • $21.00 - $22.30
  • $22.30 - $32.80

Rest of World Coverage

  • $1.80- $2.00
  • $3.00 - $3.10
  • $4.08 - $4.80
  • $6.35 - $6.80
  • $11.40 - $12.30
  • $11.40 - $14.30
  • $14.30 - $17.00
  • $3.00 - $3.30
  • $1.10 - $2.00

The recent earthquake in Nepal brought home to all the importance of having a comprehensive travel insurance plan. Two of the insurance companies that we work with (Harel and Clal) had extensive “search-and-find” teams on the ground within hours of the earthquake. We had one student insured with whom contact was lost after the first quake. When we checked the policy details, we found to our dismay that the policy had already ended, due to a human error on the part of the parent who took out the policy! We immediately contacted the insurance company, explained the mistake, and she was added on to the list of missing Israelis. Baruch Hashem, the next day she managed to contact her worried parents and soon after that, returned home.

A few lessons to learn: Never, ever travel overseas without comprehensive travel insurance. For a reasonable amount of money, you cover yourself for up to $1,000,000 with options for pre-existing conditions, maternity, medical evacuation, extreme sport, etc. Make sure you have an insurance agent that you can call in the middle of the night in case of emergency! (Whereas you can purchase travel insurance through your Kupat Cholim / travel agent – who, but your devoted insurance office (that’s us), will:

  • Issue a policy as you board the plane, having completely forgotten in the rush.
  • Extend your policy if you need to stay on unexpectedly.
  • Issue a policy even if you only realize two weeks into your stay, that you forgot.
  • Make sure that your Sabba’s heart condition and your daughter’s maternity is properly covered.
  • Deal with your claims personally and professionally when you return.
  • Even with the best planning and effort – everything is essentially in G-d’s hands!

Or Contact:

Pre-existing conditions (not included in the basic policy) Details of Coverage.

Sudden Deterioration of pre-existing illnesses/medical conditions where: In the 6 months preceding the arrival to Israel:

  • The medical condition has been stable.
  • No hospitalization.
  • No change in the dosage of medication being taken.

Coverage: Up to $10,000 Psychiatric emergency: up to $3,000

Exclusions:

  • Any condition for which the treatment was expected / for which a doctor in the applicant’s home country recommended the applicant not travel to Israel / for which the applicant was on a waiting list for an operation or treatment.
  • AIDS, transplants, M.S., dialysis, C.F., sexual diseases, heart disease, malignant diseases (such as cancer).
  • No cover for refills of medications related to the pre-existing condition.
  • Applicants over 49 years of age.

Coverage: Up to 35,000 nis Psychiatric emergency: up to 10,500 nis

The best travel insurance policies and providers

Katie Genter

It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.

Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.

Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.

Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.

So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.

The best travel insurance providers

To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .

When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

travel insurance maccabi

AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.

Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Preexisting conditions

Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:

  • You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
  • The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
  • You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Standout features

  • The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
  • You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
  • Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

travel insurance maccabi

If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.

travel insurance maccabi

See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.

Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:

  • You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
  • You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
  • You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
  • On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
  • Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
  • Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
  • For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).

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Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.

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The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.

Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:

  • You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
  • You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
  • Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
  • Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
  • American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.

Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.

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The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.

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In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.

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Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.

Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.

  • GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
  • GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.

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You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.

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See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.

For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.

  • Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
  • iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.

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See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.

Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:

  • You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
  • The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
  • All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
  • The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
  • Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
  • Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
  • For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.

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Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.

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See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:

  • You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
  • You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
  • You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
  • Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
  • You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
  • Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

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World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.

World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.

  • World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
  • World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

travel insurance maccabi

This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.

You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.

However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

travel insurance maccabi

There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.

However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.

Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

travel insurance maccabi

Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:

  • Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
  • Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
  • Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
  • Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
  • Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
  • Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
  • Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
  • Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.

Should I buy travel health insurance?

travel insurance maccabi

If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.

If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.

The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.

When and how to get travel insurance

travel insurance maccabi

For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.

However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.

You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.

Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.

Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.

For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.

If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

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Health insurance for tourists

Homepage » Health insurance for tourists

In Israel, every citizen is entitled to state health insurance which is given to him by virtue of his membership in one of the health funds. In addition, every person is entitled to purchase supplementary health insurances from the health funds and private health insurances after the insurance and to expand the health coverage provided to him according to his wishes and needs. But what about tourists who come to Israel for a vacation or a visit?

It is recommended that tourists arriving in Israel for a limited period and returning residents who have arrived in Israel for a short time purchase a health insurance policy for tourists, which offers medical coverage for people staying in Israel for a limited period.

The national collective makes it possible to purchase this type of insurance for tourists, guests from abroad, residents in relocation, those returning for a homeland vacation, and more. You can purchase the policy or get a quote through our online interfaces. The National Collective is an insurance agency with extensive experience in the field of tourist and guest insurance.

You can also get coverage for Corona - Covid-19 included in the insurance!

Filling out the tourist health insurance application form involves providing as much accurate information as possible. Filling out the forms required by the insurance company and submitting the request through the national collective allows you to make sure that the forms are filled out correctly and accurately, which will increase the chances of the policy being approved.

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TOP for the tourist Health insurance for tourists

The service is provided by leumit health services, ordering a doctor's visit to the house (through natalie) - free of charge including coverage for corona, medical flight at no extra charge, starting from- 13.0 ₪ for the day.

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Tourist insurance Tour & Care

The service is provided by klalit/maccabi health services, medical expenses during hospitalization., medical transportation.

(extra charge)

Starting from- 13.07 ₪ for the day

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Care 4U medical insurance For foreigners staying in Israel

The service is provided by general health services, emergency dental treatments - up to a ceiling of $500 for the insurance period, starting from- 14.2 ₪ for the day, what types of insurance are there.

The types of policies are divided according to the population for which the policy is intended:

Health insurance for tourists - intended for anyone who comes to visit Israel for a fixed period of time - tourists who come for a trip or vacation, clergymen and clergy who come to visit the holy places, and teenagers and students who come to Israel for studies for short and long periods.

Health insurance for returning residents - intended for residents of Israel in the past who stayed abroad for a long time and did not maintain their state health insurance rights. Returning residents can purchase the insurance and take care of health coverage until the procedures for renewing the normal insurance are completed.

Health insurance for foreign workers - intended for foreign workers who come to work in Israel in agriculture, nursing or construction, and were not brought to Israel by a professional union that takes care of them for health insurance.

What coverages does a health insurance policy for tourists include?

A health insurance policy for tourists provides health insurance for a short period that allows the insured to receive medical services in Israel.

The policy includes coverage for receiving medical advice, performing laboratory tests, x-rays, EKG, casts and bandages and dental treatments. Also, the insurance includes coverage for the tourist/guest for medical expenses for inpatient and non-inpatient medical tests and services and medications, all in accordance with the terms of the policy, the restrictions and deductible costs defined therein.

Is it possible to purchase health insurance for tourists for any period we want?

The insurance period is limited to a certain number of days, determined by the insurance company, while different insurance companies define the length of the possible insurance period according to the age of the insured. In addition, the tourist policies provide an option to extend the insurance for an additional period, with a limit to the maximum number of days, also fixed in the policy conditions.

Can the policy be extended to additional coverages?

You can purchase extensions to the tourist insurance policy and extend the coverage even to cases that are not included in the original policy. Among the proposed extensions you can find the following extensions:

Medical flight - a flight from Israel directly to the country of origin of the insured in a normal aircraft service accompanied by a medical team or in a special plane medically adapted to the condition of the insured.

Loss of organs - coverage in case of bodily injury caused as a result of a sudden, one-time and unforeseen event, which led to the complete, anatomical or functional loss of an organ or limb or parts thereof.

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Harel tourist insurance - debit card details.

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  • Insured details: must be the same as the one who filled out the offer form and the medical questionnaire * First Name Sure Name Passport Number
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Fitness and sports trainers / swimming / martial arts instructors - summary of policy conditions:

Below is an explanation of the terms of the policy (the most comprehensive and best in the country). It is important to know that the above policy was built after years of experience and extensive knowledge in the field.

Third party insurance includes professional liability for bodily injury only: Liability limit per case: varies according to the table below The insurance covers the operator's legal liability.

Deductible: NIS 4,000 only Deductible for ages 4-7: NIS 6,000 only Deductible for a swimming coach: NIS 9,000 only

Conditions for coverage: insured without claims The insured holds a certified trainer's certificate from a recognized institution subject to a first aid certificate Subject to a health declaration, if one of the trainee's answers is positive, he will have to bring a doctor's certificate. Limited to groups of 40 trainees Training age starting from 4 years old Will not apply to professional sports Regarding swimming coaches, the following conditions will apply: There is a qualified lifeguard in the pool - as required by law The pool meets the legal requirements regarding licensing and licenses An additional 50% premium will be charged for each additional coach

The program will not apply to extreme activities/adventure sports as well as to the sports classes listed below: adventure / extreme sports Skiing - water, snow air gliding abseiling Parkour omega Bungee jumping Paragliding / Kitesurfing water hockey Wall climbing Skateboards and roller blades

The coverage will not apply to the following sports: road race Ice skating Football Basketball Cycling

Opening a case: subject to a one-time payment.

Over 5 payments there are credit fees.

Subject to the terms of the policy. T.L.H

Garden or Afternoon - summary of policy conditions:

It is important to know that the above policy was built after years of experience and extensive knowledge in the field, in order to provide a comprehensive response to the injuries caused in the kindergarten!

A. Third party insurance: NIS 105 Liability limit per case 2,500,000 NIS - for the whole year 5,000,000 NIS. There is also an additional third party insurance (umbrella insurance that covers all kindergartens in the collective) within the limits of liability of: $1,500,000 per event and $6,000,000 per period - extended at no additional cost The insurance covers the kindergarten's legal responsibility towards: the children, the parents, or any stranger who enters the kindergarten, and is injured during their stay in the kindergarten/nursery. The policy also includes legal expenses above the liability limits. Criminal defense and libel. Deductible: 600 NIS only.

B. Personal accidents for children: NIS 95 per child per year (coverage is valid during kindergarten activities) This insurance covers the kindergarten children against injury, God forbid (regardless of whether there was negligence) according to the following breakdown: 1. 580,000 NIS for disability from an accident. 2. 150,000 NIS in case of death (God forbid). 3. NIS 40,000 for medical expenses not included in the health basket. 4. NIS 200 for each day of hospitalization for up to a month. (over 3 days) 5. Also, the policy will cover compensation for the school fees for up to 3 months, due to the absence of a child due to an accident that happened as part of the activities in the kindergarten. Deductible: 3 days. Includes: unlimited activity hours, outdoor activity (every 10 children a responsible adult) car accidents, terrorism. Subject to the terms of the policy

third. Employers liability insurance at no additional cost, coverage of $5,000,000

d. Content insurance and business structure 200,000 NIS content 350,000 NIS structure Includes water damage to the structure and contents, glass panels, fire, burglary, simple theft. at no additional cost. This section can be expanded according to the customer's requirement. Natural damage deductible $2500. Earthquake $7,500 Cancellation of deductible for third-party damage and employers' liability 135 NIS per year (not included in the offer)

God. Personal accident insurance for kindergarteners, 24 hour coverage!!! (not included in the offer) and. 163,500 NIS - death from an accident, 163,000 NIS - disability from an accident, 4,500 NIS monthly compensation, 282 NIS, 218,000 NIS - death from an accident 218,000 NIS - disability from an accident Monthly compensation 6,000 NIS 376 NIS, 272,500 NIS - death from an accident 272,500 NIS - disability from an accident Monthly compensation NIS 7,500 470 NIS, Compensation from the 3rd day!

G. Coverage for days of illness / accident (not included in the offer) Compensation of 900 per week for up to 90 days. (Accident from the 8th day. Illness from the 15th day) This section does not cover: hernia, back pain, cosmetic events, riding two-wheelers/atvs and dangerous hobbies.

Home summer camp - summary of policy conditions:

It is important to know that the above policy was built after years of experience and extensive knowledge in the field.

Third party insurance': This chapter covers the insured's legal responsibility towards the public for operating a home camp The children are a third party to the insured and are considered third parties to each other.

Coverage: 1,000,000 NIS per event 2,000,000 NIS for the period Extension to this coverage up to 6,000,000 NIS for the insurance period. - including food poisoning. - including professional liability. Deductible: 600 NIS only.

personal accidents insurance: This chapter covers the children of the summer camp for bodily injury during their stay at the summer camp.

Coverage: accidental death 137,000 NIS Disability from an accident 300,000 NIS for complete and permanent disability. 5,000 NIS reimbursement of medical expenses that are not covered by the health fund including evacuation by ambulance. 100 NIS deductible

Employer liability coverage: This chapter covers your liability for hired workers at the summer camp Liability limit per case and period: $5,000,000 - a cost of 110 NIS per employee Payroll workers

The policy does not cover activities in the field / type B: Beaches, marine activities of any kind, pool events, river/river, amusement parks, water and amusement parks of all kinds, Adventure sports (mountain climbing, cave cliffs, climbing walls, bungee, abseiling, snow skiing, horse riding, parkour, Archery, activities include climbing above 0.5 m, riding mountain bikes, electric bikes, using foam/soap/water bubble guns, Pyrotechnics, fireworks, (except firecracker sticks, dry ice and balloon fireworks), dangerous substances and use of fire.

** Liability coverage will be given to the employee with a payslip only **For the avoidance of doubt, the liability of the subcontractors is not covered, **The right of replacement will not be waived against subcontractors of any kind. ** This form is only an extract and is subject to policy conditions only - T.L.H**

Kindergarten or kindergarten - summary of policy conditions:

Third party insurance' This chapter covers the insured's legal responsibility towards the public for operating a home key fob. The children are a third party to the insured and are considered third parties to each other

coverage: - 1,000,000 NIS per event - 2,000,000 NIS per period

personal accidents insurance This chapter covers the children of the daycare center for bodily injury during their stay in the daycare center

Coverage: - Death from an accident 137,000 NIS - Disability from an accident 300,000 NIS for complete and permanent disability - 5,000 NIS reimbursement of medical expenses that are not covered by the health fund - including evacuation by ambulance - Deductible NIS 100

The policy does not cover activities of any kind on beaches, marine activities of any kind, pool events, river/river, amusement parks, water parks and amusements of all kinds.

* Coverage up to 6 children only ** For the avoidance of doubt, the liability of the subcontractors is not covered ** The right of replacement will not be waived against subcontractors of any kind ** This form is only an extract and subject to policy conditions only - T.L.H

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Health Insurance

Medical insurance 2023-24.

Your daughter’s health insurance will be managed by Egert and Cohen, our long time agency, in cooperation with Chai Travel Assistance Services. Actual coverage will be provided by Maccabi, one of Israel’s leading Health Funds. You can find further information regarding the plan, as well as the form that you will need to complete, at the following link:  https://www.ctas.co.il/wellcome/harova.asp . Please carefully review all the information and then follow the instructions to complete the form and return it to Egert and Cohen. In order to be certain that the coverage is in order and that your daughter’s Maccabi membership card will be waiting for her upon arrival, please complete and submit the form no later than Monday, May 1st, 2023.

Please note the following important points:

  • Your basic Health Insurance premiums are included in tuition
  • There are small co-pays for medications and for specialist visits. These payments tend to be about US$ 6.00 per prescription (though it might be higher in the unlikely case that your daughter will need an unusually expensive medication) and US$12.00 (quarterly) for a specialist visit. Your daughter is responsible for all co-pays.
  • If your daughter has a pre-existing condition Maccabi will generally cover it, but you will need to indicate that on the registration form and pay a one time US$ 75.00 surcharge. Assuming that coverage is approved by Macabbi, Egert and Cohen will bill you separately for the surcharge. In the unlikely event that Macabbi refuses you coverage, Egert and Cohen will arrange for alternate health insurance for your daughter.
  • As noted above, the cost of the insurance’s basic program is covered by your tuition payments, but you will be responsible for any surcharges added to cover pre-existing conditions.
  • Please click here to see an important letter from Dr. Lazar Fruchter, Director of CHAI Travel Services with important information for students who are already taking prescription medications and wish to renew the prescription in Israel. 

Any questions regarding the policy should be directed to Rochel Leah Soffer, [email protected], at Egert and Cohen.

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11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in April 2024

Sean Cudahy

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that travelers need to be prepared for the unexpected — from a pandemic to flight troubles to the crowded airport terminals so many of us have encountered.

Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care or a policy that includes extreme sports, these are the best travel insurance providers to get you covered.

How we found the best travel insurance

We looked at quotes from various companies for a 10-day trip to Mexico in September 2024. The traveler was a 55-year-old woman from Florida who spent $3,000 total on the trip, including airfare.

On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $126.53. The costs displayed below do not include optional add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage or pre-existing medical condition coverage.

Read our full analysis about the average cost of travel insurance so you can budget better for your next trip.

However, depending on the plan, you may be able to customize at an added cost.

As we continue to evaluate more travel insurance companies and receive fresh market data, this collection of best travel insurance companies is likely to change. See our full methodology for more details.

  • Best travel insurance companies
  • Samsung Pay

Types of travel insurance

What does travel insurance cover.

  • What's not covered?

How much does it cost?

Do i need travel insurance, how to choose the best travel insurance policy, what are the top travel destinations in 2024, more resources for travel insurance shoppers.

  • Frequently asked questions

Best travel insurance overall: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

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Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

  • ExactCare Value (basic) plan is among the least expensive we surveyed.
  • Speciality plans available for road trips, luxury travel, adventure activities, flights and cruises.
  • Company may reimburse claimants faster than average, including possible same-day compensation.
  • Multiple "Trip Delay" coverage types might make claims confusing.
  • Cheapest plan only includes fixed amounts for its coverage.

Under the direction of chair and CEO Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has been around since 2014. Its plans provide numerous opportunities for travelers to customize coverage to their needs.

At $135 for our sample trip, the ExactCare Value (basic) plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers protection roughly $10 above the average price.

Want something cheaper? Air travelers looking for inexpensive, less comprehensive protections might opt for a basic AirCare plan that includes fixed amounts for its coverage .

Read our full review of Berkshire Hathaway .

What else makes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection great:

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers available at no extra cost.

Plans available for travelers going on a cruise, participating in extreme sports or taking a luxury trip.

ExactCare Value (basic) plan was among the least expensive we surveyed.

Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance

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Annual or single-trip policies are available.

  • Multiple types of insurance available.
  • All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
  • More expensive than average.
  • CFAR upgrades are not available.
  • Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.

Allianz Global Assistance is a reputable travel insurance company offering plans for over 25 years. Customers can choose from a variety of single and annual policies to fit their needs. On top of comprehensive coverage, some travelers might opt for the more affordable OneTrip Cancellation Plus, which is geared toward domestic travelers looking for trip protections but don’t need post-departure benefits like emergency medical or baggage lost.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic coverage cost $149, about $22 above average.

What else makes Allianz Global Assistance great:

Annual and single-trip plans.

Plans are available for international and domestic trips.

Stand-alone and add-on rental car damage product available.

Read our full review of Allianz Global Assistance .

Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG

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Travel Guard by AIG

  • Offers last-minute coverage.
  • Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
  • Plan available for business travelers.
  • Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
  • Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a variety of plans and coverages to fit travelers’ needs. On top of more standard trip protections like trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical coverage, the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available on certain Travel Guard plans, which allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and get 50% of your nonrefundable deposit back as long as the trip is canceled at least two days before the scheduled departure date.

At $107 for our sample trip, the Essential plan was below average, saving roughly $20.

What else makes Travel Guard by AIG great:

Three comprehensive plans and a Pack N' Go plan for last-minute travelers who don't need cancellation benefits.

Flight protection, car rental, and medical evacuation coverage, as well as annual plans available.

Pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver available on all plan levels, as long as it's purchased within 15 days.

Read our full review of Travel Guard by AIG .

Best for those who pack expensive equipment: Travel Insured International

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Travel Insured International

  • Higher-level plan include optional add-ons for event tickets and for electronic equipment
  • Rental car protection add-on for just $8 per day, even on lower-level plan.
  • Many of the customizations are only available on the higher-tier plan.
  • Coverage cost comes in above average in our latest analysis.

Travel Insured International offers several customization options. For instance, those going to see a show may want to add on event ticket registration fee protection. Traveling with expensive gear?Consider adding on coverage for electronic equipment for up to $2,000 in coverage.

Be sure to check which policies are available in your state. You will need to input your destination, residence, trip dates and the number of travelers to get a quote and see coverages.

What else makes Travel Insured International great:

Comprehensive plans include medical expense reimbursement accidents, sickness, evacuation and pre-existing conditions, depending on the plan.

Flight plans include coverage for missed and canceled flights and lost or stolen baggage.

Read our full review of Travel Insured International .

Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads

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World Nomads

  • Travelers can extend coverage mid-trip.
  • The standard plan covers up to $300,000 in emergency evacuation costs.
  • Plans automatically cover 200+ adventurous activities.
  • No Cancel For Any Reason upgrades are available.
  • No pre-existing medical condition waivers are available.

Many travel insurance plans contain exclusions for adventure sports activities. If you plan to ski, bungee jump, windsurf or parasail, this might be a plan to consider.

Note that the Standard plan ($72 for our sample trip), while the most affordable, provides less coverage than other plans. But it can be a good choice for travelers who are satisfied with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $2,500 or less, do not need rental car damage protection, find the limits to be sufficient and do not need coverage for certain more adventurous activities.

What else makes World Nomads great:

Comprehensive international travel insurance plans.

Coverage available for adventure activities, such as trekking, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Read our full review of World Nomads .

Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services

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Travelex Insurance Services

  • Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.
  • Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.
  • Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan.
  • Fewer customization opportunities on the Basic plan.
  • Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, keep in mind the Travel America plan only covers domestic trips.

For starters, basic coverage from Travelex Insurance Services came in at $125, almost exactly average for our sample trip.

Travelex’s plans focus heavily on providing protections that are personalized to your travel style and trip type.

While the company does offer comprehensive plans that include medical benefits, you can also choose between cheaper plans that don’t provide cancellation coverage but do offer protections during your travels.

Read our full review of Travelex Insurance Services .

What else makes Travelex Insurance Services great:

Three comprehensive plans available, two of which cover international trips.

Offers a post-departure plan geared exclusively toward disruptions after you leave home.

Two flight insurance plans available.

Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners

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Seven Corners

  • Annual, medical-only and backpacker plans are available.
  • Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available for the cheapest plan.
  • Cheapest plan also features a much less costly Interruption for Any Reason add-on.
  • Offers only one annual policy option.

Each Seven Corners plan offers several optional add-ons. Among the more unique is a Trip Interruption for Any Reason, which allows you to interrupt a trip 48 hours after the scheduled departure date (for any reason) and receive a refund of up to 75% of your unused nonrefundable deposits.

The basic coverage plan for our trip to Mexico costs $124 — right around the average.

What else makes Seven Corners great:

Comprehensive plans for U.S. residents and foreigners, including travelers visiting the U.S.

Cheap add-ons for rental car damage, sporting equipment rental or trip interruption for any reason.

Read our full review of Seven Corners .

Best for long-term travelers: IMG

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  • Coverage available for adventure travelers.
  • Special medical insurance for ship captains and crew members, international students and missionaries.
  • Claim approval can be lengthy.

While some travel insurance companies offer just a handful of plans, with IMG, you’ll really have your pick. Though this requires a bit more research, it allows you to search for coverage that fits your travel needs.

However, travelers will want to be aware that IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite is expensive. Coming in at $149.85, it’s the costliest plan on our list.

Read our full review of IMG .

What else makes IMG great:

More affordable than average.

Many plans to choose from to fit your needs.

Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg

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  • In addition Cancel For Any Reason, some plans offer cancel for work reason coverage.
  • Adventure sports-specific coverage is available.
  • Plans have overlap that can be hard to distinguish.
  • Only one plan includes Rental Car Damage coverage available as an add-on.

Tin Leg’s Basic plan came in at $134 for our sample trip, adding about $8 onto the average basic policy cost. Note that you’ll pay a lot more if you shop for the most comprehensive coverage, and there are eight plans to choose from for trips abroad.

The multitude of plans can help you find coverage that fits your needs, but with so many to choose from, deciding can be daunting.

The only real way to figure out your ideal plan is to compare them all, look at the plan details and decide which features and coverage suit you and your travel style best.

Read our full Tin Leg review .

Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe

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  • Covers up to $300 redepositing points and miles on eligible canceled award flights.
  • Optional add-on protection for business equipment or sports rentals.
  • Multi-trip or year-long plans aren’t available.

Selecting your travel insurance plan with TravelSafe is a fairly straightforward process. The company’s website also makes it easy to visualize how optional add-on elements influence the total cost, displaying the final price as soon as you click the coverage.

However, at $136, the Basic plan was among the more expensive for our trip to Mexico.

What else makes TravelSafe great:

Rental car damage coverage add-on is available on both plans.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage available on the TravelSafe Classic plan.

Read our full TravelSafe review .

Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance

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HTH Travel Insurance

  • Covers travelers up to 95 years old.
  • Includes direct pay option so members can avoid having to pay up front for services.
  • A 24-hour delay is required for baggage delay coverage on the TripProtector Economy plan.
  • No waivers for pre-existing conditions on the lower-level plan.

HTH offers single-trip and multitrip medical insurance coverage as well as trip protection plans.

At around $125, the Trip Protector Economy policy is at the average mark for plans we reviewed.

You can choose to insure group trips for educators, crew, religious missionaries and corporate travelers.

What else makes HTH Insurance great:

Medical-only coverage and trip protection coverage.

Lots of options for group travelers.

Read our full review of HTH Insurance .

As you shop for travel insurance, you’ll find many of the same coverage categories across numerous plans.

Trip cancellation

This covers the prepaid costs you make for your trip in cases when you need to cancel for a covered reason. This coverage helps you recoup upfront costs paid for flights and nonrefundable hotel reservations.

Trip interruption

Trip interruption benefits generally involve disruptions after you depart. It helps reimburse costs incurred for flight delays, cancellations and plenty of other covered disruptions you might encounter during your travels.

This coverage can cover the costs for you to return home or reimburse unexpected expenses like an extra hotel stay, meals and ground transportation.

Trip delay coverage helps cover unexpected costs when your trip is delayed. This is another coverage that helps offset the costs of flight trouble or other travel disruptions.

Note that many policies have a total amount a traveler can claim, with caps on per diem benefits, too.

Cancel For Any Reason

Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to recoup some of the upfront costs you paid for a trip even if you’re canceling for a reason not otherwise covered by your standard travel insurance policy.

Typically, adding this protection to your plan costs extra.

Baggage delay

This coverage helps cover the costs of essential items you might need when your luggage is delayed. Think toiletries, clothing and other immediate items you might need if your luggage didn’t make it on your flight.

Many travel insurance plans with baggage delay protection will specify how long (six, 12, 24 hours, etc.) your luggage must be delayed before you can make a claim.

Lost baggage

Used for travelers whose luggage is lost or stolen, this helps recoup the lost value of the items in your bag.

You’ll want to make sure you closely follow the correct procedures for your plan. Many plans include a maximum total amount you can claim under this coverage and a per-item cap.

Travel medical insurance

This covers out-of-pocket medical costs when travelers run into an emergency.

Because many travelers’ health insurance plans don’t cover medical care overseas, travel medical insurance can help offset out-of-pocket health care costs.

In addition to emergency medical coverage, many plans have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage for costs incurred when you must be taken to a hospital or return to your home country because of a medical situation.

Most travel insurance plans cover many trip protections that can help you be prepared for unexpected travel disruptions and expenses.

These coverage are generally aimed at protecting the money you put into your trip, expenses you incur because of travel trouble and costs incurred if you have a medical emergency overseas.

On top of core coverages like trip cancellation and interruption and travel medical coverage, some plans offer add-on options like waivers for pre-existing conditions, rental car collision damage waivers or adventure sports riders. These usually cost extra or must be added within a specified timeframe.

What’s not covered?

Typical travel insurance policies offer coverage for many unforeseen events, but as you research to select a plan, consider your needs. Though every plan differs, there are some commonly excluded coverages.

For instance, you typically can’t get coverage for a named storm if you bought the coverage after the storm was named. In other words, if you have a trip to the Caribbean booked for Sept. 25 and on Sept. 20 a hurricane develops and is named, you generally won’t be able to buy a travel insurance plan Sept. 21 in hopes of getting your money back.

Many plans also don’t cover activities performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any extreme sports. If the latter applies to you, you might want to consider a plan with specific coverages for adventure-seekers.

For numerous plans, a few other situations don’t qualify as an acceptable reason to cancel and make a claim, such as fear of travel, medical tourism or pregnancies (unless you booked a trip and bought insurance before you became pregnant or there are complications with the pregnancy). This is where a Cancel For Any Reason add-on to your coverage can be helpful.

You can also run into trouble if you give up on a trip too soon: a minor (or even multihour) flight delay likely isn’t sufficient to cancel your entire trip and get reimbursed through your plan. Be sure to review what requirements your specific plan has when it comes to canceling a trip, claiming trip interruption, etc.

Travel insurance costs vary widely. The final price of your plan will fluctuate based on your age, length of trip and destination.

It will also depend on how much coverage you need, whether you add on specialized policies (like Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing conditions coverage), whether you plan to participate in extreme sports and other factors.

In our examples above, for instance, the 35-year-old traveler taking a $2,000 trip to Italy would have spent an average $76 for a basic plan to get coverage for things like trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, etc. That’s a little less than 4% of the total trip cost — lower than average.

If there were multiple members in a traveling party or if they were going on, say, a rock-climbing or bungee-jumping excursion, the costs would go up.

On average, travel insurance comes to about 5% to 10% of the trip cost. However, considering many of the plans reimburse up to 100% of the trip cost (or more) for disruptions like trip cancellation or interruption, it can be a worthwhile expense if something goes wrong.

It depends. Consider the following factors that might affect your decision: You’re young and healthy, all your bookings are refundable or cancelable without a penalty, your flights are nonstop, you’re not checking bags and a credit card you carry offers some travel protections . In that case, travel insurance might not be necessary.

On the other hand, if you prepaid a large chunk of money for a nonrefundable African safari, you’re going on a Caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane season or you’re going somewhere where the cost of health care is high, it’s not a bad idea to buy a travel insurance plan. Here’s how to find the best travel insurance coverage for you.

If you’re thinking of booking a trip and not planning to buy travel insurance, you may want to consider at least booking refundable airfare and not prepaying for hotel, rental car and activity reservations. That way, if something goes wrong, you can cancel without losing any money.

Selecting the best travel insurance policy comes down to your needs, concerns, preferences and budget.

As you book, take a few minutes to consider what most concerns you. Is it getting stranded because of flight trouble? Having the ability to cancel for any reason you see fit without losing money? Getting sick or injured right before departure and needing to postpone the trip? Injuring yourself or falling ill while overseas?

Ultimately, you want a plan that protects you, your money and the large investment in your trip — but doesn’t cost too much, either.

Medical coverage. If your priority is having adequate medical coverage abroad, you might want to look for plans with high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation.

Complex travel itinerary. If your itinerary has lots of flight connections, prepaid hotels and deposits for activities you can’t get back, prioritizing a plan with the best coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions may land at the top of your list.

Travel uncertainty. If you’re on the fence about a trip and have nonrefundable reservations, you may want to select a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason coverage option, which can help you recoup about 50% to 75% of the costs. This helps provide peace of mind, placing the decision on whether to travel entirely in your hands.

Car rentals. If you’re renting a car, a collision damage waiver is often worth looking into.

The following destinations are the top insured destinations in 2024, according to Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner).

The Bahamas.

Costa Rica.

Antarctica.

In 2022, travelers spent about 25.53% more on trips than they did before the pandemic.

As of December, NerdWallet analysis determined travel prices are 10% higher than pre-pandemic. Each statistic makes a strong case for protecting your travel investment as you plan your next trip.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for travel insurance.

What is travel insurance?

CFAR explained.

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance.

Methodology

We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight:

Breadth of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered plus the range of their standard plans. 

Depth of coverage: We considered two data points to get a sense of how much each company pays out for common travel issues — the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: By looking at the costs for basic coverage across multiple companies, we determined an average cost for shoppers to benchmark plan prices against.

Customizability: While standard plans can cover a lot of ground, sometimes you need something a little more personal.

Customer satisfaction. Using data from Squaremouth when available, and Google Reviews as a backup, we can give kudos to companies with better track records from their clients.

No, it doesn’t necessarily get more expensive the longer you wait to purchase. However, as you put off buying insurance, you may lose access to potential plans and coverage options.

In general, buying travel insurance within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

But, generally, many plans do allow you to buy coverage quite close to your departure date.

To get the most out of your travel insurance plan, buy it soon after making your initial prepayment or deposit to ensure you have access to the biggest menu of plans possible.

Select a plan that’s comprehensive enough to cover the travel scenarios you’re most concerned about or likely to encounter but not too expensive or laden with protections you’d never likely need.

Whatever your coverage, thoroughly review the plan so you understand what’s covered and what’s not, plus how to adhere to the plan’s rules for making a claim.

Travelers frequently use phrases like “trip insurance” and “travel insurance,” as well as “trip protection,” interchangeably, but they do mean different things, according to Stan Sandberg, founder of insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com.

Trip insurance, or trip protection, generally refers to predeparture (or preevent) coverage if you need to cancel. You may see these plans sold by airlines, online travel agencies or even ticketed event sellers.

“You could refer to it as the portion that protects the investment in the trip,” Sandberg says.

A travel insurance plan typically includes that — plus more comprehensive benefits to protect you during your trip, from medical coverage to trip delay and lost baggage protections, and many more elements, depending on the plan.

Though travel insurance is typically not required for international trips, your personal circumstances will play a key role in whether it’s a good investment.

For instance, young, healthy travelers with few prepaid trip expenses embarking on a relatively risk-free trip may not see a need to buy a plan.

Older travelers with complicated itineraries who are visiting destinations where they could potentially fall ill or get injured — or who could encounter bad weather or some other disrupting factor along the way — may want to buy coverage.

Consider a few key questions:

How well would your health insurance plan cover you if you needed to visit a hospital overseas?

How much did you prepay for a hotel or rental car?

How much money would you be out if weather or some other flight issue derailed your itinerary?

Could you afford an unexpected night in a city where you have a connecting flight?

Do you already have a credit card that provides some travel protections?

Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether you need travel insurance for your international trip.

In general, buying travel insurance

within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit

for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

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U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of April 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

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Travelex Insurance Services »

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Allianz Travel Insurance »

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HTH Travel Insurance »

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Tin Leg »

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AIG Travel Guard »

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Nationwide Insurance »

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Seven Corners »

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Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

  • Travelex Insurance Services
  • Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation when unexpected issues arise. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

  • Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
  • Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
  • HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
  • Tin Leg: Best Cost
  • AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
  • Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
  • Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
  • Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

  • 100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
  • Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
  • $750 in missed connection coverage
  • $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
  • Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

  • Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
  • $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
  • Up to $1,600 for travel delays
  • Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
  • Epidemic coverage

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

  • 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
  • Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
  • $500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

  • 100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
  • $500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
  • Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
  • $100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

  • Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
  • Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
  • Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage
  • $100,000 in emergency medical coverage

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

  • Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
  • $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
  • Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
  • $150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

  • 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost 
  • Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
  • Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
  • Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

  • 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
  • $2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
  • $1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
  • $250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

  • Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
  • $500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
  • Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
  • Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong June 2024 trip to Spain for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express . 

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or Travelex, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

  • TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
  • InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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Confused about entry requirements for your destination? Our  interactive map shows current travel rules and restrictions for each destination, including info on COVID-19 testing, necessary travel documents and quarantine periods.

Find out how our  Epidemic Coverage Endorsement can protect your next trip from certain losses related to COVID-19.

Why do I need travel insurance?

Because sometimes..., you have to cancel a trip last-minute..

Travel insurance can reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs — including vacation rentals, car rentals, hotels and flights — if you have to cancel for a covered reason.

Travel delays leave you stranded.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for eligible meals, accommodation and transportation expenses during a covered delay.

You get sick or hurt when you're far from home.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling. We can even arrange and pay for a medical evacuation if needed.

Fender-benders are unavoidable.

Renting a car means taking on a big financial risk; even a tiny scrape can cost you hundreds. Low-priced rental car insurance lets you drive worry-free.

You need help in a hurry.

Whether you're planning a week-long road trip or a weekend getaway, you never know what might happen. Travel insurance gives you access to our 24-Hour Assistance hotline for expert, personalized support in a crisis.

Why go with Allianz Travel Insurance?

As a world leader in travel protection, we help more than 70 million people answer the call of adventure with confidence every year.

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From protection for trip cancellation to medical bills abroad, our benefits are designed to help you explore reassured.

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I'm a financial planner, and I'd recommend annual travel insurance to anyone who loves to travel abroad

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

  • Frequent and spontaneous travelers will likely benefit from annual travel insurance policies.
  • Your credit card may come with some travel protections, but it may not be enough.
  • When choosing a policy, look at what it covers, not just what's cheapest.

Insider Today

Summer is just a few months away — and if you're planning a vacation this year, the last thing you want is an unexpected event to derail your plans (and cost you hundreds).

Flights get delayed or canceled constantly. Luggage disappears into the ether. Medical emergencies occur in remote destinations. Yet many jetsetters simply cross their fingers and hope for the best rather than prepare for the worst.

That's why, as a financial planner, I believe it's crucial to consider protecting your trips with the right insurance coverage. One option often overlooked, particularly by frequent travelers, is annual travel insurance .

Annual travel insurance covers all your trips within 365 days. Unlike stand-alone travel insurance, which only covers you for a specific trip, an annual policy covers any trips you take within the year.

That's why I tell clients who travel frequently that an annual policy is a good choice for their needs. By opting for an annual plan, you don't have to go through the hassle of booking multiple policies and potentially save money compared to purchasing individual trip coverage. Here's how it works.

What to look for in a policy

While specifics may vary depending on the insurer and plan tier, most include the following key benefits:

  • Trip cancellations or interruptions: You may be able to get reimbursed for expenses (even nonrefundable ones!) related to an illness, injury, or natural disaster that forced you to cancel or cut your trip short.
  • Emergency medical and dental care: If you fall ill or get injured while traveling, your insurance can help cover the cost of medical treatment.
  • Emergency evacuation: In a serious medical emergency or security situation, your policy will arrange and pay for transportation to a hospital or back to your home country.
  • Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage: If your luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged during your trip, you can get financial coverage for essential items while you wait for your stuff to be recovered or replaced.
  • Trip delays and missed connections: When your travel plans are disrupted due to issues like mechanical problems or severe weather, you may get reimbursement for additional expenses incurred, like meals, lodging, and transportation.

It's important to note that annual travel insurance plans have limitations. Certain high-risk activities, pre-existing medical conditions, and travel to specific regions may be restricted or require additional coverage.

Some travelers may assume that their credit card's built-in travel protections are enough. While many travel rewards credit cards offer perks like rental car insurance, trip cancellation, and baggage reimbursement, the coverage limits are often much lower than a dedicated annual travel insurance plan.

Credit card coverage for emergency medical care is also particularly limited — capped at a few thousand dollars — which may not be enough in the face of a major international medical emergency.

How much travel justifies an annual plan?

For the occasional traveler who takes one or two trips a year, single-trip policies will probably work for you. But if you fall into any of these buckets, you may want to consider an annual policy:

  • Regular international travelers (three or more trips abroad yearly)
  • Road warriors frequently away for work
  • Adventurers engaging in high-risk activities like heli-skiing, scuba diving, or mountain climbing
  • Cruisers and tour group travelers
  • Students or retirees taking extended trips throughout the year
  • Those visiting developing countries with limited medical care

Annual plans cover all of your trips within a 365-day period after purchasing. They're basically a bundle of multiple policies into one package deal. This means you only have to buy one policy to manage, locking in your coverage for the year.

How to decide if an annual policy makes sense for you

Start by reviewing your travel plans this year — and your risk tolerance. Calculate how much buying individual travel insurance policies would cost you over the next year and compare it to the price of an annual plan.

Don't just focus on the premium — carefully evaluate coverage limits, exclusions, and deductibles to ensure you have enough protection for your needs.

An annual policy gives you the flexibility to take spontaneous trips without the hassle of obtaining last-minute insurance. More importantly, it provides peace of mind, knowing that you're covered for a wide range of travel disruptions and emergencies.

As the busy summer travel season ramps up, definitely explore protecting your trips with insurance, especially if you're jetting off internationally. Spending hours on the phone trying to rebook canceled flights or worrying about affording an overseas medical emergency is no way to vacation.

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Open Access

Peer-reviewed

Research Article

Air travel during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes as gestational age and weight at birth: A retrospective study among 284,069 women in Israel between the years 2000 to 2016

Contributed equally to this work with: Hila Shalev Ram, Shai Ram

Roles Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

* E-mail: [email protected]

Affiliation Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel

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Roles Investigation, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

Roles Writing – original draft

Affiliations Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel

Affiliation Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Roles Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

Affiliations Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel

  • Hila Shalev Ram, 
  • Shai Ram, 
  • Netanella Miller, 
  • Yael Shalev Rosental, 
  • Gabriel Chodick

PLOS

  • Published: February 6, 2020
  • https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228639
  • Reader Comments

Table 1

The American College of Gynecology (ACOG) recommendation does not limit air travel during pregnancy, yet the evidence for air travel effect on adverse pregnancy outcomes is limited and debatable. Study objectives were to examine the association between air travel during pregnancy and preterm birth together with decreased birth weight.

Study design

A retrospective cohort study.

The study evaluated 628,292 women who gave birth to singleton infants from 9/2000 to 9/2016 and classified them into “air travel during pregnancy” or not, based on flight insurance as proxy. Multiple linear regression models were utilized to examine the relationship between air travel during pregnancy and newborn's gestational age and birth weight, while accounting for socioeconomic status, diabetes, high-risk pregnancies, and smoking.

A total of 41,677 (6.6%) births of women who air traveled during pregnancy was included, and 586,615 (93.4%) births of women who did not. Air travel during pregnancy was associated with a statistically significant (p<0.0001) but negligible increase in birth weight (9 gr. 95% CI: 4.8 to 14.5 gr.) and gestational age (0.36 days. 95% CI: 0.24–0.48).

The study results provide no evidence that air travel during pregnancy is related to adverse effects on gestational age or birth weight. These findings corroborate the current recommendations of ACOG.

Citation: Shalev Ram H, Ram S, Miller N, Rosental YS, Chodick G (2020) Air travel during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes as gestational age and weight at birth: A retrospective study among 284,069 women in Israel between the years 2000 to 2016. PLoS ONE 15(2): e0228639. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228639

Editor: Salvatore Andrea Mastrolia, Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi, ITALY

Received: August 11, 2019; Accepted: January 21, 2020; Published: February 6, 2020

Copyright: © 2020 Shalev Ram et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Data Availability: Data cannot be shared publicly as it's computerized private data of a large health organization in Israel. Data are available from the Ethics Committee Bait Balev Medical Center Institutional Review Board for researchers who meet the criteria for access to confidential data. Contact information for the Ethics Committee- [email protected] .

Funding: The authors received no specific funding for this work.

Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Introduction

Worldwide, air travel has grown steadily over the years with the number of travelers mounting from one billion in 1990 to four billion in 2017[ 1 ]. Due to this increase, it is necessary to relate to potential health hazards associated with air travel, including adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women.

The notion that air travel may affect the course of pregnancy is based on environmental changes during the flight. In an average commercial flight at about 35,000 ft, the cabin pressure decreases from atmospheric pressure of 760 mmHg to about 560 mmHg. Consequently, oxygen saturation drops, during both long and short flights in all age groups, to a mean saturation of 90–93% in a healthy population and as low as 80% in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases[ 2 , 3 ]. Fibrinolytic activity is reduced by the relative hypoxia in the cabin and leads to a release of vein wall relaxing factors[ 4 ], that might enhance venous stasis. Moreover, even in normal pregnancies, uterine artery blood flow, which can help compensate for the altered blood flow at altitude, was found to be reduced during flights[ 5 ]. Therefore, the effect of cabin pressurization, especially in complicated pregnancies with compromised uteroplacental blood flow is concerning.

Despite the plausible impact of environmental and physiological changes during a flight on pregnancy, and consequently on adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm delivery or low birth weight, data regarding this issue are scarce and controversial. A few studies found a significantly increased risk of preterm birth [ 6 , 7 ] and lower weight at birth[ 6 ] among women who have air traveled during pregnancy, while other studies have suggested no effect[ 8 – 10 ]. However, these studies, were limited in size, restricted to populations with predisposing factors, or lacked an adjustment for important confounding factors.

Despite the inconclusive literature, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) stated in their last update, that in the absence of obstetric or medical complications, air travel is safe [ 11 ]. This recommendation is not supported by high-level evidence. The present analysis was conducted in order to fill the gap of direct, well-powered studies on the association between flying during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, namely low gestational age at birth and low birth weight.

Materials & methods

Study population.

This study was conducted using the computerized data of Maccabi healthcare services, a 2.3 million patient integrated care organization in Israel, which covers 22–25% of the pregnant population in Israel[ 12 ]. The study protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Bait Balev Medical Center Institutional Review Board with document number 0026-18-BBL. Ethics committee waived the requirement for informed consent as this was a retrospective study. All data was fully anonymized before analysis.

Maccabi healthcare services’ female members, who gave birth during the study observation period—2000 through 2016, were eligible for analysis. Stillbirths, births under gestational age of 24 weeks and women who had multiple gestations were excluded, leaving 717,551 women who met eligibility criteria. Out of those, 89,259 (12.4%) were excluded due to, missing data on gestational age or birth weight, leaving 628,292 observations in the final cohort. Approximately 97% of the 20.1 million air travels per year in Israel are international[ 13 ]. The travel insurance rates in Israel are about 95% according to the Israel consumers council[ 14 ] as in other well-developed countries, such as Australia, in which the travel insurance rates are 92%[ 15 ]. Furthermore, domestic air travels in Israel, which do not require health insurance, are relatively short (up to 45 min). The cooperation between “Maccabi healthcare services” with “Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd”, one of the largest insurance companies in Israel (which provides discounted flight insurance for Maccabi healthcare members), assisted in accessing women who air traveled by air. Data regarding insurance policy purchases among the study population have been collected. In order to detect if a woman traveled by air during pregnancy, each policy day of inbound and outbound flights were obtained.

Study outcomes and other study variables

Adverse pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight and low gestational age at birth, were the primary outcomes of interest. These variables were analyzed as continuous variables and also as binary variables (for low birth weight under 2500 grams and for gestational age under 37 weeks). Data regarding date of birth, gestational week at birth and birth-weight were extracted from the Maccabi healthcare services database since this information is routinely provided to Maccabi healthcare services by the Israeli Ministry of Health.

“ High-risk” pregnancies were identified through “Maccabi healthcare services” computer database of women diagnosed as "high-risk” pregnancy. Women with “high-risk" pregnancies are diagnosed in ‘Maccabi Healthcare Services’ computerized database if the pregnancy threatens the health or life of the mother or her fetus. This includes women with e xisting health conditions , such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney diseases; or a history of recurrent pregnancy loss[ 16 ], preterm birth, or other problems with previous pregnancy. Pregnancies with medical conditions that occur during pregnancy such as intrauterine growth restriction of the fetus, recurrent bleeding, placenta previa and gestational diabetes of pregnancy are also diagnosed as “high-risk” pregnancies. Other collected data included the number of siblings, gestational age at delivery, diagnosis of pre-gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and pre-gestational diabetes were taken from electronic health records and were diagnosed by the assignment of the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Also, data regarding fertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and non-IVF fertility treatments, were obtained. Smoking status and socio-economic status were derived directly from the electronic health records for the participants. The level of socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed according to the poverty index of the child's address enumeration area, as defined by the 2008 national census [ 17 ]. The poverty index is based on several parameters, including household income, educational qualifications, crowding, material conditions, and car ownership, census of population, and housing. SES levels range between 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest). In this study, SES below four was considered as low SES, SES between 4 to 7 was considered medium SES, and SES between 8 to 10 was considered as high SES.

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics were used to assess the distribution of variables; continuous variables were summarized as mean values with standard deviations, and categorical variables were summarized as counts and percentages. To ensure that pregnancy outcomes during the study period were most likely not constituted with an external cause, the multivariant analysis included known risk factors that affect preterm labor and weight at birth such as age, high-risk pregnancies, fertility treatments, smoking, socioeconomic status, number of siblings, and pre-eclampsia. Several multivariable analyses with birth weight in grams and gestational age at birth in days, as continuous variables were performed by multiple linear regression modeling, estimated by using ordinary least squares. Low birth weight (under 2,500 gram) and preterm birth (under 37 weeks), as binary dependent variables, were also examined and analyzed by logistic regression (presented in Tables G and H in S1 Appendix ) .

Other measurements of exposure were examined, including the effect of the number of flights and timing of flights by trimesters during the index pregnancy (presented in Tables D-F in S1 Appendix ) . “Exposure time” is the potential number of weeks that a pregnant woman might undertake air travel. Women who have experienced preterm birth, had shorter exposure times, which could have had an impact on the results. Thus, we conducted another analysis ( presented in Tables B and C in S1 Appendix ), which was limited to women who air-traveled before a gestational age of 32 weeks and gave birth after 32 weeks, meaning that each woman had a 32 week “exposure time”. The same analysis was done for 34 weeks as well.

The threshold for statistical significance was P < 0.05. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM-SPSS' GLM (general linear model) procedure (IBM Corp. Released 2017. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY).

A total of 628,292 live births was included in the study. Among the study population, 6.6% air traveled during pregnancy. Compared to unexposed pregnancies, women who did air travel during pregnancy were older (31.8±4.8years vs. 30.1±5.4 years) and of higher SES level (7.1±1.7 vs. 5.8 ±2.0). Furthermore, women who air traveled had higher prevalence of high-risk pregnancies (10.5% vs. 7.6%) gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (7.7% vs. 6.3%) and fertility treatments (including IVF) (8.8% vs. 5.8%) than the unexposed group, but lower rates of smoking during pregnancy (4.4% vs. 5.9%) (p<0.0001 for these variables, Table 1 ) .

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228639.t001

During the study period, the proportion of women who air traveled during pregnancy has increased between the years 2000 and 2014, particularly among higher SES groups ( Fig 1 ) . As presented in Fig 2 , the majority of women that air traveled during the second trimester, with a growing proportion traveling as late as mid-third trimester. Air travel during pregnancy was associated with neglectable effects on gestational age (39+0 ±1.6 weeks in air travel group vs 39+1 ±1.7 weeks in control group, p-value <0.0001) and weight at birth ( 3263 ±477 grams in air travel group vs 3269±492 grams in control group, p-value = 0.01) ( see Table A in S1 Appendix ).

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228639.g001

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228639.g002

In a multivariable model for weight at birth, air travel during pregnancy was associated with a statistically significant yet clinically neglectable increase of 9 grams (95% CI:4.8–14.5, p-value <0.0001). Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and siblings were associated with increased birth weight as well, while a negative association was calculated for high-risk pregnancies, pre-eclampsia, smoking, and fertility treatments ( Table 2 ). Similarly, in the multivariable model for gestational age at birth, air travel during pregnancy was associated with a minimal increase of 0.36 days (95%CI:0.24–0.48, p-value <0.0001). The most significant association was calculated for high-risk pregnancies, with a decrease of more than eight days. All other variables decreased the gestational age differently ( Table 3 ).

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228639.t002

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228639.t003

Additionally, frequency of air travels per pregnancy, timing of the flight during pregnancy (first, second or third trimester), analysis for preterm birth (under 37 weeks) and low birth weight (under 2,500 gram) as dependent categorial variables, and analysis of which we removed the effect of "exposure time" on pregnancy outcomes were examined by multivariable models. All analyses have shown similar results (see Tables B-E in S1 Appendix ).

Principal findings of the study

In this observational retrospective cohort study of over 628 thousand live births, a statistically significant but clinically neglectable difference in birth weight and gestational age was found between women who air traveled during pregnancy and women who did not. The clinically non-significant results were consistent across specified subgroups and different timing of exposure. Moreover, the study showed a rise in air travels during pregnancy and a correlation to socio-demographical status. Women of a high SES flew more during pregnancy than women of a lower SES. Also, the data reveals that most flights occur during the second trimester.

Results of the study in the context of other observations

This large cohort study supports the findings of a smaller study on 222 singleton pregnancies women[ 8 ], which did not find a correlation between air travel during pregnancy and preterm birth. However, except for a small cohort, this study did not take into account important confounders such as smoking, GDM, fertility treatments, and socioeconomic differences. Another retrospective cohort study which compared pregnancy outcomes between 3,693 flight attendants to all other births in Norway [ 9 ], found that the risk of low birth weight was lower for the female cabin attendants than for the referents, and suggested no increased risk of preterm birth. This study did not consider important confounders as well.

However, a study conducted by Chibber et al. on 992 pregnant women [ 6 ], found that air travel was significantly associated with increased risk of preterm birth between 34 and 37 weeks (adjusted odds ratio 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.8). The dramatic differences between exposed and unexposed women in birth-weights (2684 ± 481 g vs. 3481 ± 703 g) as well as in gestational age at birth (36.1 ± 0.8 vs. 39.2 ± 2.1) and significant racial differences raise concerns regarding residual confounders which were not considered. Our finding of which most women fly during the second trimester could be explained by ACOG’s official recommendation, which claims that the most common obstetric emergencies occur in the first and third trimesters[ 11 ] and also by the limitations of insurance companies for pregnant women[ 18 ].

Strengths and limitations

The main strengths of this study include: (1) the sample size, which is, to the best of our knowledge, the largest ever used, (2) the accurate information obtained on many risk factors that may affect gestational age and birth weight, which provided the ability to conduct appropriate statistical analysis, (3) the consistency of the results when analyses were stratified for gestational age at birth, frequency of air travel, or timing of the flight during pregnancy, (4) some of this study’s results reinforce its reliability, by demonstrating well known negative effects on gestational age and birth weight of high-risk pregnancies, pre-eclampsia, smoking during pregnancy and fertility treatments and positive effect on weight at birth in women with GDM [ 19 – 23 ].

Although this study was conducted on a large and diverse database, unfortunately not all the essential information was available. For example, information about destinations and flight length. However, according to the Ben Gurion annual report[ 13 ], the vast majority (83%) of the flights taken, was to destinations with flight duration of between 2 to 6 hours, while 4% were under 2 hours and the rest (13%) are over 6 hours [ 24 ]. Thus, we can carefully assume that our dataset includes a range of about 6 hours for over 80% of the flights. We believe, that if there was an effect of short air travel (up to 6 hours), assuming they are the vast majority of flights during pregnancy, on gestational age or weight of birth, we would have seen a difference between the groups in the multiple analysis. Yet, we cannot claim based on this data, that air travel is safe for a long duration of flights (More than 6 hours). Another limitation is that domestic air travel in Israel, which is relatively short (up to 45 min) and does not require health insurance, was classified as non-travelers supposing they didn’t fly international. Moreover, it can be assumed that some women purchased their flight health insurance via other insurance companies rather than ‘Clal’ or did not buy flying insurance at all. However, members of ‘Maccabi’ get a discounted flight insurance through ‘Clal’ and therefore it is likely that a significant portion of women bought their insurance through ‘Clal’. We assume that the proportion of women that did not buy insurance at all or bought an insurance through ‘Clal’ and did not fly is negligible in such big cohorts. Another limitation of our study is that women with high-risk pregnancies who flew during a pregnancy had fetuses of a higher birth weight which may result in self-selection bias.

Implications for research

Given the raise of pregnant women air travelling, and the various factors that may adversely affect birth outcomes during flights (cabin pressurization[ 2 , 3 ] and maternal physiological changes[ 25 , 26 ], other pregnancy adverse events such as pregnancy loss, thromboembolism, and newborn's health should be investigated in similarly large and unselected cohorts. Moreover, the effect of long air travel (more than 6 hours) should be thoroughly investigated.

To conclude, the statistically significant difference in birth weight and gestational age between women who air traveled during pregnancy and women who did not was clinically neglectable. These small effects of flights on gestational age and birthweight are reassuring for pregnant women and their clinicians to fly during pregnancy, especially for short flights, and provide concrete statistical evidence in line with and corroborating the current recommendations of ACOG. Data are needed for a wider range of flight durations, including long flights.

Supporting information

S1 appendix. tables a-h..

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228639.s001

  • 1. Air transport, passengers carried, world [Internet]. Available from: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IS.AIR.PSGR
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  • 12. Health M of. Annual healthcare Report 2016. 2016.
  • 13. Ben Gurion Airport Annual Report. 2017;
  • 14. The Consumers council. Travel Insurance Survey [Internet]. 2019. Available from: http://www.anet.co.il/Dev2Go.web?id=412915&sNewsID=39142
  • 15. Research QM. Survey of Australians’ Travel Insurance Behaviour [Internet]. 2016. Available from: https://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/all-travellers/insurance/Documents/survey-travel-insurance-behaviour-web.pdf
  • 17. Statistics. ICB of. Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (2011)—Census of Population and Housing Publication. 2011.
  • 18. Airline restrictions on pregnant travellers [Internet]. Available from: https://www.covermore.com.au/pregnancy-cover/airline-restrictions
  • 22. Risk factors for preterm birth subtypes- berkowitz1998.pdf.
  • 24. H S. Ben Gurion Annual report 2017—Duration Calculation.

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