geoblue vs img travel insurance

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

IMG Travel Insurance: Is it Worth The Cost?

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 .

Table of Contents

IMG travel insurance plans and costs

Which img travel insurance plan is best for me, can you buy img travel insurance online, what isn’t covered by img travel insurance, covid-19 considerations, is img travel insurance worth it.

• Annual or single-trip policies are available.
• Coverage available for adventure travelers.
• Special medical insurance for ship captains and crew members, international students and missionaries.
• Claim approval can be lengthy.

Are you planning to travel soon? We don’t blame you — spending the last few years dealing with country shutdowns, testing requirements and travel restrictions has considerably impacted everyone.

If you’ve booked a vacation, you may wonder if you should purchase travel insurance. Among a variety of providers from which to choose, IMG insurance offers several different insurance plans. These include both short- and long-term policies, some of which include coverage for issues arising from COVID-19 illness.

Let’s look at IMG travel insurance, its different plans, and how to choose one that’s right for you.

» Learn more: Common myths about travel insurance and what it covers

The type of travel insurance you’ll want to purchase will depend on what kind of travel you’re doing. Are you looking specifically for medical coverage? How about trip insurance in case your plans go awry? You can be reimbursed in various circumstances if you have the proper insurance.

Single-trip plans

Single-trip plans are intended for those going on a trip for a predetermined period and returning home. This is compared to those who intend to take multiple trips within a year or those who will be abroad for a long time.

To get an idea of the options, we input a search for a 40-year-old female from Arizona traveling for two weeks to the U.K. on a $5,000 vacation.

IMG returned a total of 12 different plans. The cheapest plan, at $37.31, was limited strictly to health insurance. This includes coverage of up to $1,000,000 for unexpected illnesses and accidents.

The most expensive option, meanwhile, included medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and trip delay insurance. The total cost for this plan came out to $343.96.

Many travel credit cards offer complimentary trip insurance as long as you pay for the trip with your card, though coverage levels may vary.

Annual plans

Annual plans are built for those types of folks who travel often. This can be on many short trips or for longer-term absences from home.

For an idea of the annual plan coverage IMG offers, we put in a search for a 32-year-old man from Oregon, traveling for a year with a budget of $30,000.

In this case, IMG returned a total of 19 different plans. The cheapest plan cost $160.90 for the year and included worldwide health insurance and a deductible of $250.

It’s worth noting that you can alter the deductible amount — upping the deductible to $10,000 dropped the annual cost of the insurance down to just $65.60.

The most expensive option, meanwhile, cost $816.69 and included 24/7 telehealth access for non-emergency medical questions. Maximum coverage limits for the policy range from $2,000,000 to $8,000,000.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

The type of plan you’ll need will vary based on your travel habits. Here are some things you’ll want to think about when choosing your plan:

Look at coverage details

Some policies provide emergency medical evacuation coverage, while others skip this benefit entirely. This benefit may be more important to you if you travel to a remote location or engage in physical activity such as trekking.

More comprehensive plans may include other benefits such as assistance with acquiring a new passport, reimbursing reward mile redeposit fees or coverage for pre-existing conditions. If these are something you’re interested in, be sure to check that your policy includes these options.

Think long-term

If you’re planning on traveling multiple times within the year, compare the cost of purchasing several different single-trip policies to buying a year-long plan, which may save you money.

Use existing coverage

If you hold a credit card with trip insurance, you may want to skip purchasing insurance entirely. Depending on your card, you may already have emergency medical insurance, trip interruption insurance, rental car insurance, trip delay insurance and more.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

If you’re looking to purchase IMG travel insurance, you’ll first want to navigate its website: imglobal.com .

From there, you’ll be able to enter the details of your trip, including how many travelers you have, where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone. You’ll then be presented with various insurance plans to fit your needs.

We mentioned above that different plans have different levels of coverage. Still, in general, there are some things that you shouldn’t expect to be covered, including high-risk activities, intentional acts of harm and other designated events.

» Learn more: Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?

You’ll want to be aware that not all insurance plans cover instances of coronavirus. This is also true for IMG travel insurance; different plans have different levels of coverage and not all of these include COVID-19 protection.

If coronavirus is something you’d be covered for, you’ll want to double-check your plan before purchasing. Those that include coverage for COVID-19 will specify so like this:

» Learn more: Is there travel insurance that covers COVID quarantine?

The cost of your travel insurance will vary based on your coverage levels. Things that may bump up the price of your policy may include trip reimbursement insurance, cancel for any reason insurance and pre-existing condition coverage.

Yes, IMG offers international travel insurance. When getting a quote, you’ll be able to select the countries to which you’re traveling, though if you’re looking for a long-term plan, you can expect worldwide coverage.

Whether or not travel insurance is worthwhile will depend entirely upon your needs. If you have a credit card that provides complimentary insurance, that may suffice. Otherwise, purchasing a plan could help bring you peace of mind on your vacation and help you manage an unforeseen challenge if one occurs.

Some IMG travel insurance plans offer Cancel For Any Reason as an add-on. This benefit covers 75% of your nonrefundable trip cost and must be purchased within a specific time frame from your initial trip deposit. For example, for IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel LX plan you need to purchase CFAR within 20 days of trip deposit.

The cost of your travel insurance will vary based on your coverage levels. Things that may bump up the price of your policy may include trip reimbursement insurance,

cancel for any reason insurance

and pre-existing condition coverage.

Travel insurance can be a good option for those wanting coverage while away from home. The cost of your policy will vary based on the coverage you want — the better the plan, the more you can expect to pay.

Choosing whether or not to purchase travel insurance from IMG is a personal decision. However, if you’re heading out of town and want to be sure you’re covered, do your research and select a plan that suits your needs.

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 Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The best travel insurance policies and providers

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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?

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?

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

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 .

• Vacation Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do
• Things to Do
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Medical travel insurance advice - GeoBlue or IMG? - Air Travel Forum

• Tripadvisor Forums    
• Air Travel Forums

Medical travel insurance advice - GeoBlue or IMG?

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Air Travel forum

Contemplating travel medical insurance for 2 upcoming trips from US to Europe and hopefully 2 more next year. We are both 64 and looking at travel insurance plans for the first time. Mostly focused on medical insurance (will use credit card coverage for trip cancellation complications). Appreciate any recommendations, specifically feedback on GeoBlue and IMG claim experiences. TIA.

8 replies to this topic

A lot will depend on any pre-existing conditions.

I have not bought from.either of those companies (though others on this forum have recommended GeoBlue) but suggest you also look for something that includes emergency assistance and evacuatjon, in case something really bad happens and you cannot return home by normal means.Alternatively, you might be able to get an emergency assistance and evacuation policy separately and at low cost.

Also note that pre-existing condition rules may work very differently in other countries than they do in US, so don't pay any attention to something someone in another country says. Read your policy carefully, know how such a provision might be applied and when it might be waived. But don't assume such policies work the same in all countries (or even in all US states)

When it comes to insurance (any kind of insurance) what is right for one person, isn’t for another.

You need to read both policy terms paying attention to what is included and excluded. If you have any pre existing conditions, you need to get quotes from both to see if they will cover them and if so, how much will they load the premiums.

Then look for reviews from people who had to claim.

Just a few more words about pre-existing exclusions as these rules are generally different in the US than in other countries.

First, when you say GeoBlue I assume you are talking about an annual policy covering medical only. I have never bought one of those, but know its provisions will be subject to the laws of the state where it is sold -- which is most likely the state of your principal residence. Hopefully another forum member who has bought one will jump in and share their experience.

Also, you say you are 64. Do you plan on going on Medicare when you are 65? If you do, consider getting a Medicare supplement that covers international travel. About four of the standard policies do, but cover only 80% of covered expenses up to lifetime max of $50,000. So you would still probably want more coverage than that, but at least shouldn't have to worry about pre-existing condition exclusions, esp if you buy when first eligible.

Last year I bought an AXA Platinum policy before a 6 week trip to Portugal. One reason why I chose the plan was that it would be my *primary* medical insurance while abroad. I ended up breaking my wrist while on my trip, and required two surgeries in Portugal. AXA reimbursed me 100% of the claimed medical costs that I submitted.

Terriks brings up an important point about the coverage of medical bills. Some insurers offer secondary benefits which means you have to file a claim first with your regular insurance company before they reimburse you for their part.

For my recent trip I had chosen IMG, also because of the primary coverage. I had to go to the emergency room in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and IMG reimbursed me for 100% of the cost in a timely manner.

It's advisable to always select "primary" medical coverage, unless your existing insurance includes coverage outside the US.

The sometimes huge collateral cost associated with illness or injury like having a family member stay with you for recovery and sometimes other things may not be 100% covered,

https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherelliott/2019/09/07/need-know-medical-evacuation-coverage-before-you-travel/?sh=1355eba332c4

• Kiwi.com 7:55 pm
• 6 hour technical stop 7:51 pm
• British Airways Jet Kids Beds 7:08 pm
• Etihad cancel coach - options? 5:56 pm
• Indian with Green Card Flying USA to India through London 5:44 pm
• Kiwi.com safe & legit, but... 5:37 pm
• Which terminal does ryan air flights arrive at in Manchester 5:29 pm
• KLM flight - exceptional cirumstances 5:24 pm
• What does Staus:Ticketed on American Airlines Mean 4:52 pm
• Travelling with two passports - help! 4:47 pm
• Which Lounge Zurich 4:43 pm
• Heathrow T3 with sprained ankle! 3:59 pm
• Is Transit Visa Required at London(Heathrow) 3:44 pm
• Myflightsearch.com Is Continuing to Scam People 3:19 pm
• ++++ ESTA (USA) and eTA (Canada) requirements for visa-exempt foreign nationals ++++
• ++++ TIPS - PLANNING YOUR FLIGHTS +++++++
• Buy now or later? What's with these screwy ticket prices?
• Around-the-world (RTW) tickets
• All you need to know about OPEN JAW tickets
• Beware of cheap business class tickets (sold by 3rd parties)
• ++++ TIPS - PREPARING TO FLY +++++++++
• TIPS - How to prepare for Long Haul Flights
• TIPS - Being Prepared for Cancellations and Long Delays
• TIPS - How to survive being stuck at an airport
• Flights delays and cancellations resources
• How do I effectively communicate with an airline?
• Airline, Airport, and Travel Abbreviations
• Air Travel Queries: accessibility,wedding dresses,travelling with children.
• Connecting Flights at London Heathrow Airport
• TUI Airways (formerly Thomson) Dreamliner - Movies and Seating Information
• ++++ COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION ++++
• Covid-19 Coronavirus Information for Air Travel

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

Buying the Best Travel Medical Insurance for You [2024]

Christy Rodriguez

Travel & Finance Content Contributor

87 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 36 U.S. States Visited: 31

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3109 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

What Is Travel Medical Insurance?

Plan limits.

• Deductibles

Length of Trip

Does travel medical insurance cover covid-19, what doesn’t travel medical insurance cover, comprehensive travel insurance, health insurance, how does travel medical insurance work, how much does travel medical insurance cost, credit card coverage, travel medical insurance policies, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

The thought of getting sick or injured while traveling can be one of the most stressful aspects of planning a trip. Often, travelers assume that their primary health insurance will cover all costs of medical expenses on their trip, but not every health insurance plan covers every country and situation.

To ensure you have coverage if you need it, you may need to consider purchasing travel medical insurance. This can fill the gap between your regular insurance and any coverage you may have with your credit cards . We’ll break down all of the important details and tell you everything you should know about travel medical insurance.

If you are traveling domestically within your own country, you will likely be covered by your primary health insurance. If you are traveling abroad, your coverage may not extend to those other countries. This is primarily where travel medical insurance comes into play.

Travel medical insurance is a type of international insurance designed to cover emergency health care costs you might face when you are traveling or vacationing abroad.

A travel medical policy can be an important addition to your trip since your primary health plan may not cover you fully if you need assistance outside of your home country. An uninsured injury or illness abroad can result in a huge financial burden that can be significantly reduced by having travel medical insurance.

Bottom Line: Travel medical insurance is recommended by the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to Allianz Travel, the most common overseas medical emergencies that are claimed include:

• Fractures from falls
• Cardiovascular problems such as a heart attack or stroke
• Trauma involving motor vehicles
• Respiratory problems such as a collapsed lung

So going with that first item, let’s say you’re exploring Europe and end up twisting your ankle on the beautiful, but uneven cobblestone streets in Rome. Depending on the plan you choose, you may be covered for:

• The cost of a local ambulance to transport you to the hospital
• Your emergency room co-payment
• The bill for your hospital room and board
• Any other eligible medical expenses, up to your plan limits

But there are limitations to travel medical insurance. Before you purchase a plan, it’s important to know exactly what you are buying — including which things are and aren’t included in your coverage.

What Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover?

Travel medical plans are designed to help in the event of an unforeseen illness or injury while traveling abroad. Travel medical insurance offers emergency medical expense coverage as well as emergency evacuation coverage. This means that the plan will reimburse you for reasonable and customary costs of emergency medical and dental care (up to the plan limits — discussed below).

It is important to look closely at all plans you are interested in since many important things are hidden in the details. You might also find it helpful to brush up on your insurance lingo before doing this.

Travel medical insurance covers emergency medical costs up to the plan limit. Plan limits vary greatly by plan but typically fall between $50,000 and $2,000,000. This is obviously a HUGE range, so you will have to determine the correct amount of coverage based on a few key items:

• How much (if any) will your own health insurance plan or credit card cover when you’re traveling outside of your home country? As we discussed above, Medicare doesn’t cover you at all outside of the U.S., so this would be an instance where you might want your plan’s coverage limit to be higher.
• How long is your trip? If you’re going to be away for more than 1 to 2 months, you might want a higher plan limit to account for the greater exposure to risk.
• Do you need extra coverage due to risky activities? For example, if you expect to ski, mountain climb, or do any other risky activities where you might get injured, you might want a higher plan limit.
• What do you feel comfortable with?  If you feel safer having $100,000 as opposed to $50,000, then that may be the right decision for you. This insurance plan should provide you a sense of security so you can enjoy your trip.

Most medical single trip plans have some sort of deductible that you must pay before any benefits will be paid. After this, your travel medical insurance will cover any remaining costs, up to the plan’s limit.

However, you will be offered the option to increase, decrease, or remove the deductible altogether. Based on this choice, the price you pay (aka the premium) will be affected accordingly. For example, if you choose a higher deductible, your premium will decrease. If you choose a lower (or no) deductible, your premium will increase.

You are covered by travel medical insurance based on the type of plan you purchase. These come in 3 types:

Single-Trip Coverage

This is the most common type of travel medical insurance. When you leave your home, go on a trip, and then return home, this is considered to be a single trip. While on your trip, you can still visit multiple countries and destinations all under the umbrella of this single trip. You will be covered for the duration of this trip under a single trip travel medical insurance plan.

Multi-Trip Coverage

Multi-trip coverage is for multiple trips and often purchased in 3-, 6-, and 12-month segments.

Long-Term Coverage

This is continuous medical coverage for the long-term traveler (think expats or people working abroad) and is typically paid on a monthly basis.

Many travel insurance policies offer good medical coverage, but not all plans cover expenses related to COVID-19 . If that’s important to you, make sure to verify that the plan you’re buying specifically covers you in case you contract COVID-19.

In general, cancellations due to fear of travel are not covered. However, some plans cover you if you or your covered traveling companion were to become sick as a result of COVID-19. This means that you could still receive benefits for the losses that are covered by the plan.

Many countries around the world , such as Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates, are even requiring travelers to hold a specific level of medical coverage to account for COVID-19-related medical care and evacuation.

In addition, “ Cancel for Any Reason ” has become a hot topic. This optional coverage is not available with all plans but lets you cancel a trip for a partial refund no matter what your reason — including unexpected travel bans, lengthy quarantine periods, or cancellations due to concerns over COVID-19.

Since travel medical insurance is meant to cover emergencies, certain types of expenses are excluded from most travel medical policies. In addition, for insurance purposes, a pre-existing condition is general defined as any condition:

• For which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within a defined period of time prior to your coverage date (varies from plan to plan, but is typically within 60 days to 2 years)
• That would cause a “reasonably prudent person” to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment prior to your coverage date
• That existed prior to your effective date of coverage, whether or not it was known to you (commonly includes pregnancy)

Hot Tip: You do not need a medical examination in order to purchase travel insurance. If you have a claim, the insurance company will investigate to ensure that your claim occurred during the coverage period of your policy and wasn’t a result of any pre-existing conditions.

Here are some of the most frequent exclusions:

• Pre-existing conditions as defined above
• Routine medical examinations and care (i.e. wellness exams, ongoing prescriptions, etc.)
• Routine prenatal, pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care
• Medical expenses for injury or illness caused by extreme sports
• Mental health disorders
• Injury caused by the effects of intoxication or illegal drugs
• Payments exceeding the plan limit

Unless you’ve purchased a comprehensive travel insurance plan, other exclusions include claims related to:

• Trip cancellation
• Lost luggage
• Rental car damage

Be sure to read the description of coverage for any plan you’re considering before you make the purchase. While reading the entire document front to back can be tedious, it’s better to know what’s excluded before you attempt to make a claim.

What Travel Medical Insurance Isn’t

Now that we’ve let you know what is and isn’t covered by travel medical insurance, we’ll also breakdown the difference between travel medical insurance and other similar options.

Comprehensive travel insurance plans offer the most benefits of all plan types and will typically include medical coverage. It can offer you additional coverage for things like trip cancellation, trip delay and cancellation, lost luggage, and more. It’s the best way to cover a host of potential common travel-related problems.

Some comprehensive plans also offer additional coverage for things like rental car damage, Cancel for Any Reason, or a pre-existing condition waiver.

Bottom Line: Comprehensive travel insurance is a full-service plan and includes travel medical coverage as well as other coverages that will protect all aspects of your trip. 

You might be thinking that already have medical insurance provided by your employer or through Medicare. However, when you travel to other countries, your primary health insurance might not go with you. Before your trip, check to see whether your domestic plan provides any coverage once you’ve left your home country since many offer limited or no coverage.

In case of a medical emergency, you will want to be able to lay your hands quickly on your travel insurance plan’s contact information for the 24-hour Emergency Assistance program as well as your policy number, so make sure to keep this information somewhere that is easily accessible. Also, be sure you know how to place a call to that number from outside the country.

This is important because you’ll be required to call your travel insurance provider and notify them that you need to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible. Obviously, you may not be medically able to call before you seek emergency medical treatment, but you should do so as soon as you are able to.

The earlier you can call, the more likely it is that you can avoid any issues for payment of claims and you can also get help and advice from the company’s emergency assistance program.

Bottom Line: Specific details on when and how to contact your insurance provider in case of a medical emergency vary by plan and provider, so thoroughly review these details in your plan information.

For example, in the event of an emergency that requires emergency medical evacuation, your insurance provider will have to approve the evacuation and even make those arrangements for you. If you don’t call ahead to have them do this, the company may not approve the expense and you may be stuck paying for the evacuation in full.

Once you are actually at a medical facility to receive care, make sure to document the experience as thoroughly as possible. This means asking for copies of all of your records before you check out. You’ll need to provide these records to the insurance company when you eventually file your claim and having proof of treatment and costs will assist you in filing a successful claim and getting your money back as soon as possible.

Travel medical insurance plans can vary widely in price, but in general, plans cost anywhere between 4-10% of your total non-refundable trip cost. The pricing of any plan takes into consideration many things, including a few that we discussed above, to determine the cost. These include:

• Age of travelers
• Plan limits
• Supplemental plans such as “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage or coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Length of trip

In addition, if you decide that a comprehensive plan is a better choice for you, this will also increase the price.

Which Company Has the Best Travel Medical Insurance?

The best travel medical insurance company for you may be determined by what type and how much coverage you’d like to have. Let’s review a few options and companies to consider.

Many premium cards have some medical coverage, so be sure to look over all of the best credit cards for travel insurance coverage and protection.

For example, cardholders of The Platinum Card ® from American Express may already have $15,000 of secondary medical coverage . For many, this may be enough, but for others, you may not feel comfortable at this level of coverage and want to purchase a travel medical insurance policy.

If you are looking to purchase a plan from a reputable company, a few options include:

1. Patriot Travel Medical Insurance from IMG Global

For the out-of-country plans, Patriot offers:

• Short-term travel medical coverage
• Coverage for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Daily or monthly rates
• Freedom to seek treatment with the hospital or doctor of your choice

The following plans are available based on the level of coverage that you desire and you can request a quote through their website linked above.

2. GeoBlue Single Trip Traveler Medical Insurance

GeoBlue offers both the “Voyager Choice” and “Voyager Essential” single trip plans. Both plans allow you to choose your level of medical coverage (from $50,000 up to $1 million) and offer $500,000 in emergency medical transportation and repatriation coverage.

The main difference between the 2 plans is that the Choice plan does not require you to be covered by a primary health plan, but doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. The Voyager plan will cover all pre-existing conditions, but functions as a secondary coverage after your primary health plan.

3. Allianz Travel Medical Insurance

Allianz offers an Emergency Medical plan that offers additional benefits that extend beyond simply medical coverage. This plan is a comprehensive plan that covers lost baggage and trip cancellation and delay, in addition to emergency medical coverage. See just a few of these benefits below:

In addition, many companies, such as AAA,  offer travel insurance through Allianz, so you may receive a further discount if you reference your AAA policy.

Travel medical insurance can be beneficial for most travelers when traveling internationally as most primary health insurance plans won’t cover you abroad. We hope we’ve given you the tools you need to select a plan that works best for you and your travel needs.

At the end of the day, a travel medical plan is a great option if you’re traveling abroad and are not worried about covering trip costs due to a cancellation or added expenses due to a travel delay. Anyone looking for robust coverage for baggage or interruption should consider an upgrade to a more comprehensive plan.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

Frequently Asked Questions

How much travel medical insurance do i need.

When considering the amount of coverage you’d like for your travel medical insurance plan, consider the following:

• How much (if any) will your own health insurance plan or credit card cover when you’re traveling outside of your home country?
• How long is your trip?
• Do you need extra coverage due to risky activities?
• What amount of coverage do you feel comfortable with?

Refer to the section titled “Plan Limits” for more detailed considerations.

How long does it take to receive travel medical insurance?

Travel medical insurance coverage starts the day of your trip, so you want to make sure you sign up for it before you leave. Most plans allow you to buy insurance up until the day before your trip.

However, the best time to buy travel medical insurance is within 15 days of making the first payment on your trip, since buying early can often qualify you for bonus coverages.

Is travel medical insurance worth it?

Depending on your primary health insurance and any secondary coverage you might be eligible for, travel medical insurance can still be a great tool to protect you from financial hits caused by injury or illness.

In addition, travel medical insurance can help organize assistance in extreme circumstances (such as medical evacuation). You can also pick the appropriate level of coverage to make you feel comfortable.

Does AAA offer travel medical insurance?

Yes, AAA offers travel medical insurance, but it is usually serviced by another company such as IMG Global or Allianz. You will normally receive a greater discount if you mention your AAA insurance policy, so don’t forget to include this when you request a quote!

Can you get travel insurance when already abroad?

Most companies do not offer travel insurance policies once your trip has already begun. There are a few reputable companies, such as  World Nomads and  SafetyWing , that are set up for long-term travel.

These companies allow you to purchase plans once your trip has already begun, but the rates may be higher than a plan that was purchased prior to leaving for your trip.

Was this page helpful?

About Christy Rodriguez

After having “non-rev” privileges with Southwest Airlines, Christy dove into the world of points and miles so she could continue traveling for free. Her other passion is personal finance, and is a certified CPA.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

• Travel Insurance Plans
• GeoBlue Cost

Compare GeoBlue Travel Insurance

Why you should trust us, geoblue travel insurance review 2024.

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.

GeoBlue travel insurance specializes in offering medical travel insurance plans . These specialized plans cover healthcare costs while traveling abroad but lack trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other standard travel insurance services. This GeoBlue travel insurance review looks at what GeoBlue offers and what it may lack.

This medical-only travel insurance option may only be suitable for some globetrotters. But travelers who are a fit will find GeoBlue provides extensive coverage options and access to a worldwide network of healthcare providers with cheap travel insurance .

Of course, travelers should always check with their regular health insurer first. Your standard health insurance may provide limited coverage abroad. Even if you still want supplemental coverage, you should know if it would be primary or secondary. Here's what you need to know before investing in GeoBlue plans.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. A subsidary of Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers strong medical plans as long as you have a regular health insurance plan, but it doesn't have to be through Blue Cross
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers long-term and multi-trip travel protection
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Multiple complaints about claims not being paid or being denied
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Does not provide some of the more comprehensive coverage like CFAR insurance
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers who do get claims paid may need to file multiple claim forms

Travel Insurance Plans from GeoBlue

GeoBlue offers three distinct medical travel insurance plans for individual travelers with varying levels of coverage. It also has a few group travel insurance plans for larger parties. Regular health insurance plans, destination, budget, and other factors play into the shopping experience. GeoBlue recommends each program for specific groups, but all three can be used for extended periods or multiple trips.

Here's an overview of the types of coverage included in each GeoBlue individual plan:

Additional Coverage Options from GeoBlue

GeoBlue offers fewer riders or additional coverage options compared to other providers. Looking at the descriptions above, the three plans give a detailed list of included services, not all of which will be applicable during the average trip. The Voyager and Trekker plans have no additional coverage options.

However, the Xplorer plan is aimed at long-term travelers (including those who temporarily work internationally). So it provides two optional riders that come in handy if you're outside your home country for months at a time:

• Enhanced Prescription Drug Rider: Provides up to $25,000 of coverage for prescription drugs per calendar year.
• Basic US Benefits Rider: Provides healthcare benefits in the United States, emergency medical care, inpatient hospital coverage, and prescription drugs coverage.

GeoBlue Travel Insurance Cost

The price you pay for travel insurance can vary widely depending on several factors. Typically, your trip destination, duration, age, insurance plan, and any additional coverage options you add to the base plan will play a role. In GeoBlue 's case, you'll also have the opportunity to select your deductible and maximum coverage limits with some plans, which can impact your travel insurance premiums.

For instance, a 30-year-old who plans to go on a weeklong trip to France would have the following options with GeoBlue's Voyager Choice plan, which offers a choice of deductible and coverage limits.

• $11.68 premium with a $60,000 medical limit and $500 deductible
• $20.08 premium with a $1 million medical limit and $0 deductible

Meanwhile, two travelers in their sixties interested in purchasing GeoBlue's annual Trekker plan would have a choice between the following plans.

• $250 for the Trekker Essential plan with a $500,000 medical limit and a $200 deductible
• $390 for the upgraded Trekker Choice plan with a $1 million medical limit and a $100 deductible

Are you traveling long-term or looking for flexibility around your destination and end date? We recommend checking in with GeoBlue to make sure you understand the rules.

Unfortunately, many customers find themselves in a pinch without coverage because they went outside the stated terms of their insurance policy. GeoBlue agents can answer questions and clarify terms as needed.

How to File A Claim with GeoBlue

The easiest way to submit a claim with GeoBlue travel insurance is to file it through its online Member Services page or mobile app.

Policyholders can also file claims via mail, fax, or email. If you wish to submit physical paperwork, the company asks that you send it to one of the following addresses:

Mail: GeoBlue

Attn: Claims

933 First Avenue

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Fax: +1.610.482.9623

Email: [email protected]

See how GeoBlue travel insurance stacks up against the competition. 

GeoBlue Travel Insurance vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Both GeoBlue and Allianz offer single-trip, standalone medical insurance plans. In addition, both provide coverage for emergency medical transportation, emergency medical claims, and baggage loss. However, there are a few differences.

GeoBlue supplies coverage for non-emergent inpatient and outpatient visits and accidental death or dismemberment. It also explicitly includes preexisting conditions pending you travel with a regular health insurance plan. Meanwhile, Allianz issues coverage for epidemics and other travel services like cancel for any reason coverage.

In addition, the two plans are structured differently. Allianz offers payouts up to a set dollar amount. GeoBlue covers a certain percentage of qualifying medical costs after a met deductible.

Allianz Travel Insurance Review

GeoBlue Travel Insurance vs. AIG Travel Guard

AIG 's essential travel insurance plan provides medical evacuation coverage, security evacuation coverage, trip delay, and other coverages. In line with the low price, the essential plan's limits for each section are limited. For example, travelers would get a max of $15,000 medical travel insurance coverage. The company does not offer a standalone medical plan.

AIG Travel Guard customers may or may not be eligible for a preexisting conditions waiver, whereas GeoBlue's plans specify preexisting coverage as long as you have a permanent health insurance plan from your work or otherwise.

AIG focuses primarily on single-trip coverage options, though it does provide an annual travel insurance plan. GeoBlue's website recommends plans for different travelers, but all three programs allow for multiple trips or extended travel times.

Regardless, if you want broader protection for necessary medical treatments, you will likely be served with a plan from GeoBlue. On the other hand, if you're looking for more trip cancellation and other standard travel insurance coverages, you will steer towards AIG.

AIG Travel Insurance Review

GeoBlue Travel Insurance vs. World Nomads Travel Insurance

The travel insurance plans sold by World Nomads differ slightly from GeoBlue's. Rather than focusing exclusively on covering your medical costs and limited baggage loss, World Nomads offers a comprehensive insurance option. Its plan also includes trip cancellation, interruption, and more coverage.

In addition, World Nomads' plan covers a wide range of adventure sports, compared to the two (downhill skiing & scuba diving) covered by GeoBlue. Looking at the two companies side by side, you may see many of the same services. However, the two companies offer staggered benefits. World Nomads has a more extensive list to cover whatever comes your way.

However, GeoBlue is more thorough in covering preexisting conditions and other medical services if its terms are followed. If you look at the details, GeoBlue covers higher amounts for the services it includes.

World Nomads Travel Insurance Review

When reviewing GeoBlue travel insurance, we compared its products against those of other top travel insurance providers. In particular, we examined the available plan options, supplemental policies, claim limits, inclusions, exclusions, and sample policy premiums.

Selecting the best policy for you and your travel companions is about finding a policy with the correct type of coverage and adequate claim limits. That said, price is also an essential factor for many consumers. In addition, trip-specific riders for things like rental care coverage or adventure activities may be necessary for some travelers.

As such, we take all that into account when writing our reviews. Then individual readers can make decisions based on their travel plans and needs. You can learn more about how we rate travel insurance products here .

GeoBlue FAQs

The exact definition of legitimacy can often be subjective. However, GeoBlue currently holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. In addition, the company earns largely positive reviews from its customers.

GeoBlue travel insurance works in most places around the globe. Fortunately, the company provides a comprehensive service map to help potential customers determine if their destination is covered before applying.

Most GeoBlue travel insurance plans are meant to provide international coverage. However, the Xplorer plan offers the option to add a supplemental rider extending its coverage to include the United States.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

• Main content

• Best Extended Auto Warranty
• Best Used Car Warranty
• Best Car Warranty Companies
• CarShield Reviews
• Best Auto Loan Rates
• Average Auto Loan Interest Rates
• Best Auto Refinance Rates
• Bad Credit Auto Loans
• Best Auto Shipping Companies
• How To Ship a Car
• Car Shipping Cost Calculator
• Montway Auto Transport Reviews
• Best Car Buying Apps
• Best Websites To Sell Your Car Online
• CarMax Review
• Carvana Reviews
• Best LLC Service
• Best Registered Agent Service
• Best Trademark Service
• Best Online Legal Services
• Best CRMs for Small Business
• Best CRM Software
• Best CRM for Real Estate
• Best Marketing CRM
• Best CRM for Sales
• Best Free Time Tracking Apps
• Best HR Software
• Best Payroll Services
• Best HR Outsourcing Services
• Best HRIS Software
• Best Personal Loans
• Best Fast Personal Loans
• Best Debt Consolidation Loans
• Best Personal Loans for Bad Credit
• Best Personal Loans for Fair Credit
• Home Equity
• Best Home Equity Loan Rates
• Best Home Equity Loans
• Best Checking Accounts
• Best Free Checking Accounts
• Best Online Checking Accounts
• Best Online Banks
• Bank Account Bonuses
• Best High-Yield Savings Accounts
• Best Savings Accounts
• Average Savings Account Interest Rate
• Money Market Accounts
• Best CD Rates
• Best 3-Month CD Rates
• Best 6-Month CD Rates
• Best 1-Year CD Rates
• Best 5-Year CD Rates
• Best Jumbo CD Rates of April 2024
• Best Hearing Aids
• Best OTC Hearing Aids
• Most Affordable Hearing Aids
• Eargo Hearing Aids Review
• Best Medical Alert Systems
• Best Medical Alert Watches
• Best Medical Alert Necklaces
• Are Medical Alert Systems Covered by Insurance?
• Best Online Therapy
• Best Online Therapy Platforms That Take Insurance
• Best Online Psychiatrist Platforms
• BetterHelp Review
• Best Mattress
• Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Best Mattress for Back Pain
• Best Adjustable Beds
• Best Home Warranty Companies
• American Home Shield Review
• First American Home Warranty Review
• Best Home Appliance Insurance
• Best Moving Companies
• Best Interstate Moving Companies
• Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
• Cheap Moving Companies
• Best Window Replacement Companies
• Best Gutter Guards
• Gutter Installation Costs
• Best Window Brands
• Best Solar Companies
• Best Solar Panels
• How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
• Solar Calculator
• Best Car Insurance Companies
• Cheapest Car Insurance Companies
• Best Car Insurance for New Drivers
• Same-day Car Insurance
• Best Pet Insurance
• Pet Insurance Cost
• Cheapest Pet Insurance
• Pet Wellness Plans
• Best Life Insurance
• Best Term Life Insurance
• Best Whole Life Insurance
• Term vs. Whole Life Insurance
• Best Travel Insurance Companies
• Best Homeowners Insurance Companies
• Best Renters Insurance Companies
• Best Motorcycle Insurance

Partner content:  This content was created by a business partner of Dow Jones, independent of the MarketWatch newsroom. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission.  Learn More

GeoBlue Travel Insurance Review (2024)

Get a free quote to protect your next vacation below.

from Geoblue via Squaremouth.com

Josh Lew is a travel journalist and writer based in the midwestern U.S. He has been active for the past decade, covering airlines, international destinations and ecotourism for sites like TravelPulse and TreeHugger. He currently contributes to content writing agency World Words.

Sabrina Lopez is an editor with over six years of experience writing and editing digital content with a particular focus on home services, home products and personal finance. When she is not working on articles to help consumers make informed decisions, Sabrina enjoys creative writing and spending time with her family and their two parrots.

GeoBlue is a bit different from other top travel insurance providers . In a world of comprehensive trip insurance, this independent licensee of Blue Cross Blue Shield keeps it simple by offering straightforward single-trip and multi-trip health plans.

This insurance brand caters to all types of travelers, from vacationing families to adventure-seekers living or studying abroad for extended periods. With features like a network of doctors who bill GeoBlue directly and coverage for pre-existing conditions, GeoBlue is for people who only need medical coverage when traveling.

At the same time, those seeking trip cancellation insurance won’t find what they are looking for with GeoBlue, which only offers modest interruption and lost baggage coverage.

GeoBlue Travel Insurance Overview

GeoBlue has plans designed for different types of travelers. Its single-trip and short-term coverage is branded as “GeoBlue Voyager.” These options have travel medical coverage limits ranging from $50,000 to $1 million and include accidental death and dismemberment, emergency evacuation , repatriation and prescription drug reimbursement.

In addition to different coverage limits, this insurer has deductible options ranging from $0 to $500. Also, patients can use telemedicine services for non-emergency care.

Trekker-branded insurance coverage is for frequent international travelers needing medical coverage across multiple trips. Meanwhile, Navigator and Xplorer plans to provide emergency and non-emergency healthcare benefits to expats, students, maritime crew members and missionaries.

Pros and Cons of GeoBlue

Compare geoblue to the competition.

Use the table below to compare GeoBlue to other travel insurance providers. However, keep in mind that other providers will cover more costs for your trip, such as cancellation and interruption, whereas GeoBlue just provides travel medical insurance. 

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

What Does GeoBlue Cover?

GeoBlue’s Voyager Essential and Voyager Choice are budget-friendly travel insurance options focusing on medical services. Essential does not require a U.S.-based primary health plan, but Choice does.

Here is what you get with the GeoBlue Voyager Essential plan.

• $50,000 to $1 million emergency and non-emergency medical coverage
• $500,000 for medical evacuation
• $25,000 for death, dismemberment, or repatriation costs
• 50% prescription drug coverage up to $5,000
• $500 baggage coverage per trip or $100 per bag
• $1,000 trip interruption insurance

If you plan to take multiple trips or live abroad for more than six months, the Xplorer or Trekker plans can provide long-term protection.

Optional Riders

A rider is an addition to a standard insurance agreement. It amends the details or adds other coverage to the policy. For instance, a rider could raise coverage limits or make exceptions for a pre-existing condition.

Because of the varying coverage limits and deductible choices on the Voyager Essential plan, riders are usually not necessary. However, Voyager Choice offers several upgrades that may be worthwhile to some travelers.

• $50,000 death and dismemberment coverage
• 100% coverage for prescription drugs up to $5,000
• No 180-day exclusion for pre-existing conditions
• $50 per day for trip interruptions involving quarantine

Though both these plans are open to all U.S. citizens, Voyager Choice requires that you have an active health insurance policy in the U.S.

Policies Offered

GeoBlue travel insurance plans focus on medical care, including emergencies and regular outpatient office visits. However, other coverages are also a part of some plans.

All policies offer $25,000 for specified hazardous activities, such as alpine skiing and scuba diving (diving certification required for coverage).

How Much Does GeoBlue Travel Insurance Cost?

Travel insurance policy prices depend on different factors, including the cost of your trip, your age, pre-existing medical conditions, your destinations, coverage limits, the length of your stay, and other factors. The insurer will ask about these different variables during the signup process.

Cost of International Travel Insurance

Quotes represent the cost for a month-long trip from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, 2023 for a 40-year-old traveler from Texas. The plan has a $0 deductible and $1,000,000 in medical coverage.

Voyager plans have $1,000 in trip interruption and $500 in lost baggage coverage.

Read More: Travel Health Insurance For Visitors To USA

Does GeoBlue Offer 24/7 Travel Assistance?

GeoBlue says it offers 24/7/365 assistance for all medical insurance plans through its mobile app, site and a toll-free international call center.

The app includes self-service features like virtual insurance ID cards, in-network doctor listings, medication dose conversions and access to telemedicine services on compatible devices. Telemedicine services are via Teledoc Health and include same-day appointments and additional communications, such as appointment notes, via the policyholder’s phone.

Insured customers can also contact GeoBlue via phone on toll-free and collect-call hotlines. Operators are able to coordinate services listed on the policy, check coverage eligibility and find doctors in the country.

GeoBlue Customer Reviews

GeoBlue has over 80 reviews on Squaremouth and a rating of 4.63 out of 5 as of June 2023. Many of the customers mentioned that they needed international health insurance without cancellation or other travel coverage and found that GeoBlue was the best fit for their needs. Some reviewers struggled to find information about healthcare providers in GeoBlue’s network in their destination country.

Here are four reviews from verified customers on Squaremouth.

“Really pleasant person at GeoBlue assisted me pre-departure when I had some difficulties accessing membership cards via the internet. She was very patient and very helpful. We had no health incidents while traveling, but we expect to purchase similar coverage next time we travel out of the U.S.” —Catherine from GA “My trip to Israel was canceled by the tour company one week before we were to leave. I sent an e-mail to GeoBlue to inform them that the trip had been canceled. Within minutes I received an e-mail from GeoBlue that my insurance had been canceled and that I would receive a refund to my credit card ASAP. I hope to re-schedule this trip as soon as possible and I will only use GeoBlue for securing travel insurance. I could not have been more satisfied with the service and would highly recommend them to anyone considering travel insurance in the future.” —Pamela S. Johnson from OH “I had my suitcase stolen while on my trip in Sweden. When I returned, I filed a claim ($500 total, $100 per item for lost/stolen Item) and have been turned down twice, the latest because I have no receipts for the items lost (we are talking suitcase, [clothes], shoes, electric toothbrush, toiletries, etc. [Things] that people do not keep receipts on). The first denial was noted as not providing medical records and receipts, as if they hadn’t even bothered to read the claim. I did provide them with the police report that I was provided, the report that the Gate 1 tour company provided, and a break-down of what was in the suitcase, including prices.” —Kenneth from AL “I have been constantly asked by the medical doctor in Greece over a 6 month period to help them as I made 2 visits to the doctor and they claim they were not paid. Since I [contracted] Covid I also had bloodwork, chest X-rays, etc., 2 visits in all. I paid direct to the hospital [on my] first visit and met my deductible . ($250 or 240.50 euros). The doctor claims they were never paid by GeoBlue! I called from Greece, which is very expensive, to GeoBlue twice and asked that they [please] straighten this out. I sent 2 emails stating the same. But to this day the doctor’s secretary is writing to me to secure payment for them. I was sick in May — it is now November! I told the doctor that you are in GeoBlue’s network and you should be contacting GeoBlue to get paid. Most annoying and frustrating.” —Martha from FL

Note: GeoBlue responded to the above review with the following : Thank you for your review! A response to your claim inquiry email was sent on 11/16/2022, please check your email and spam folder for our resolution to your claim issue.

How To File a Claim with GeoBlue

GeoBlue offers several options for filing a claim. Customers with travel medical plans will have access to the Member Hub and mobile app. Both allow for electronic claims submission. The process includes filling out a claims form and submitting scans or images of medical bills and supporting documents. You can also file a claim by fax, email or traditional mail.

GeoBlue has country-specific phone numbers for some destinations.

Is GeoBlue Worth It?

GeoBlue focuses on providing health insurance for people traveling outside of their home country. You can use deductible and coverage limit options to change the cost and level of protection of your policy.

GeoBlue stands out for travel health insurance because it offers telemedicine, a worldwide network of doctors, direct payment for in-network services and both short and long-term insurance options. We recommend requesting a quote from GeoBlue, along with at least two other travel insurance providers, to make sure you get the best value for your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions About GeoBlue

Does geoblue cover pre-existing conditions.

Some GeoBlue programs cover pre-existing conditions. For single-trip coverage, the Voyager Choice plan covers all pre-existing conditions. The basic Voyager Essential also does, but it has a six-month exclusion period from the coverage start date.

Does GeoBlue have policies for group travel?

GeoBlue offers group options for both of the Voyager plans. If you travel with a group of five or more people, you qualify for a 10% discount. Group members must be 95 years old or younger.

Does GeoBlue have a plan for expatriates?

The GeoBlue Xplorer plan is for expats and their family members who plan to be outside the country for at least three months during the year. Explorer Essential has no U.S. coverage, while Xplorer Premier offers comprehensive coverage at home and abroad.

Does GeoBlue offer trip cancellation insurance?

GeoBlue does not have traditional trip cancellation insurance. Voyager plans include $1,000 in trip interruption coverage and $25 to $50 per day for quarantine-related delays.

Other Insurance Resources From MarketWatch Guides 

Gain insight into our ratings for the best home, renters, pet, travel or life insurance providers and find affordable recommendations for necessary insurance products.

• Prominent Pet Insurance Companies
• Premier Travel Insurance Companies
• Outstanding Homeowners Insurance Providers
• Top Renters Insurance Firms
• Budget-friendly Renters Insurance Providers
• National Term Life Insurance Providers
• Cost-effective Homeowners Insurance Companies

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

At ConsumersAdvocate.org, we take transparency seriously.

To that end, you should know that many advertisers pay us a fee if you purchase products after clicking links or calling phone numbers on our website.

The following companies are our partners in Travel Insurance:  Travel Guard Insurance ,  Travelex ,  TravelInsurance.com ,  Seven Corners ,  Generali Global Assistance ,  Trawick International ,  Squaremouth ,  John Hancock , and  Faye .

We sometimes offer premium or additional placements on our website and in our marketing materials to our advertising partners. Partners may influence their position on our website, including the order in which they appear on the page.

For example, when company ranking is subjective (meaning two companies are very close) our advertising partners may be ranked higher. If you have any specific questions while considering which product or service you may buy, feel free to reach out to us anytime.

If you choose to click on the links on our site, we may receive compensation. If you don't click the links on our site or use the phone numbers listed on our site we will not be compensated. Ultimately the choice is yours.

The analyses and opinions on our site are our own and our editors and staff writers are instructed to maintain editorial integrity.

Our brand, ConsumersAdvocate.org, stands for accuracy and helpful information. We know we can only be successful if we take your trust in us seriously!

To find out more about how we make money and our editorial process,  click here.

Product name, logo, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within our site are the property of their respective trademark holders. Any reference in this website to third party trademarks is to identify the corresponding third party goods and/or services.

EDITOR'S PICK

Best Price Guarantee By Comparing Top Providers In A Single Platform

• Buy online and get instant coverage by email
• 24/7 emergency assistance worldwide
• Over 100,000 verified customers with 5-star reviews and $3.5 billion in protected trip costs
• Includes coverage from theft, trip cancellations, baggage loss and delay, medical expenses for hospital treatments
• Policies from trusted providers including: Travel Insured International, AEGIS, Global Trip Protection, Arch RoamRight and others
• Travel Insurance
• GeoBlue Review

GeoBlue Travel Insurance Review

The following companies are our partners in Travel Insurance: Travel Guard Insurance , Travelex , TravelInsurance.com , Seven Corners , Generali Global Assistance , Trawick International , Squaremouth , John Hancock , and Faye .

We sometimes offer premium or additional placements on our website and in our marketing materials to our advertising partners. Partners may influence their position on our website, including the order in which they appear on a Top 10 list.

The analyses and opinions on our site are our own and our editors and staff writers are instructed to maintain editorial integrity. Our brand, ConsumersAdvocate.org, stands for accuracy and helpful information. We know we can only be successful if we take your trust in us seriously!

To find out more about how we make money and our editorial process, click here.

How is GeoBlue rated?

Overall rating: 3.7 / 5 (very good), geoblue plans & coverage, coverage - 4 / 5, emergency medical coverage details, baggage coverage details, geoblue financial strength, financial strength - 3.5 / 5, geoblue price & reputation, price & reputation - 3.5 / 5, geoblue customer assistance services, extra benefits - 3.8 / 5, travel assistance services.

• Return Travel Arrangements
• Lost Baggage Search
• ATM Locator
• Lost Passport/Document Assistance
• Emergency Cash
• Translation Services
• Legal Assistance Referral

Emergency Medical Assistance Services

• Physician Referral
• Emergency Medical Case Management
• Emergency Prescription Replacement
• Eyeglass Replacement Assistance

Concierge Assistance Services

• Restaurant/Event Referral and Reservation
• Weather Advisories

Our Comments Policy   |   How to Write an Effective Comment

11 Customer Comments & Reviews

• ← Previous
• Next →

Related to Travel Insurance

Top articles.

• Trip Cancellation Insurance – What is Covered?
• Do I Really Need Travel Insurance?
• Emergency Travel Insurance Coverage
• Common Parasites and Travel-Related Infectious Diseases

Suggested Comparisons

• Travel Guard Insurance vs. Travelex
• Allianz Global Assistance vs. Travel Guard Insurance
• Allianz Global Assistance vs. Berkshire Hathaway
• Allianz Global Assistance vs. Travelex

- Or via Email -

Already a member? Login

Review: International Volunteer Insurance (Picking the Right Plan)

Last Updated on August 10, 2023

Travel insurance is an important topic for travelers in general, and especially volunteers heading abroad for weeks or months. If you’ve found your way to this review, then you likely already understand the reasons why you need travel insurance for your volunteer work —not only do most programs require that you have an insurance policy, but it’s a financially sound decision and you will be glad to have coverage if you encounter any health or safety concerns during your volunteer placement.

The short version of this post is that you should skip iffy resellers like Volunteer Card and World Nomads and go straight through highly regarded and reputable insurers like IMG , which I have personally used for more than a decade of travel and volunteering.

Table of Contents

What types of insurance do international volunteers need?

Travel insurance is a broad category that can cover anything from that weekend wedding across the country, to a long-term trip around the world—and everything in between. With such a broad range in the types of trips, it makes sense that there is a great range in the types of coverage offered by insurance companies.

The entire process is not always straightforward—you need to understand when your insurance for international volunteer work is actually sold by a brand underwritten by a different insurance company (like Volunteer Card and World Nomads), as well as if and when that’s a selling point.

I, GV’s founder Shannon, have been on the road since 2008. With so many years buying travel insurance plans, I have a good bead on what type of policies work for each type of international volunteer trip you might be taking—whether that means volunteering with animals, in conservation, teaching english, or the many other scenarios where you might find yourself overseas and need the projection insurance offers.

Travel insurance for short-term volunteers:

Short-term international volunteers may spend days or weeks at a volunteer placement somewhere outside of their home country. Whether you are planning this as a part of a specific organized volunteer work placement, or if you are going the indie route where you arrange your program directly with the destination organization, you need a policy that covers you for the duration of your trip. Many short-term volunteers plan to generally travel either before or after their placement—or both!

For this type of trip, you’ll likely want a general travel insurance policy that widely covers you for travel-related mishaps and situations, from lost luggage to delays to health and medical evacuation. I have long used IMG Patriot (more on it below). If the time spent at your volunteer placement folds into a broader trip, it makes the best sense to choose a plan targeted at backpackers, or travelers visiting a handful of places in a single trip.

Even if that’s not you, if you’re going straight to the placement and then back home at the end of your trip, the shorter time-frame still means you won’t face many of the issues covered in policies for expats and long-term travelers. In this scenario, you need a policy that covers your trip, but you are maintaining your health insurance policy back home, and you pay travel insurance above and beyond your general health coverage (be it an individual policy if you are from the U.S., or your national coverage if you’re from Canada, the U.K., or the like).

Travel insurance for long-term volunteers:

Long-term travelers and international volunteers face an interesting situation that varies depending on each person’s unique health situation, chosen destination(s), and the length of time. “Long-term” could mean eight months, or it could mean two years. Like short-term volunteers, you might be planning a single placement, or you may plan to volunteer a bit, but then also travel either on your breaks, or for weeks and months in between your volunteer experiences.

This type of trip has unique needs, and you need to consider if you will maintain your health insurance in your home country for the duration of your trip, or if you are relying on your travel insurance to cover your general health as well as emergencies. And if you’re in one spot volunteering for a year, you can also factor into the equation the quality and cost of local healthcare for your general wellness checkups. Consider your destination—how good is the healthcare infrastructure and will you need the more “travel-y” and adventurous coverage provided by a policy intended for backpackers and round the world travelers?

A long trip to a single destination might be better classified as an expat at that point, and there are policies specific to that type of travel. Whereas for some long-term travel you might be better served by a backpacker policy intended to cover lost luggage, health emergencies, and accidents from outdoor activities like snorkeling and hiking. Backpacker policies from IMG Patriot are among the best for many travelers on the road for a long while—more on that below.

Travel insurance for expats:

Expatriate is the general term used to apply to anyone living outside their home country. And if you are moving overseas and setting up a house and a life abroad, and intend to volunteer (let’s say for perhaps eight months or longer), then you might be best served by an expat insurance policy. In this type of situation, you are living somewhere and not classifying your trip as a chance to “travel,” per se. You may explore your new home, but you’re not bouncing around to new countries every week and you spend most of your time at your volunteer placement.

These policies differ from backpacking policies and really are not fully considered travel insurance. Instead, the policies offer you primary health coverage in a foreign country. This type of policy allows you to see a local physician for a cough or cold, for your annual gyno visit, and that sort of thing. It’s not intended to cover adventurous activities like snorkeling, scuba, trekking, etc, although you may be covered inadvertently for some activities because you can see local doctors when you’re ill. These policies often also cover catastrophic medical evacuation and repatriation of remains (just like any good travel insurance).

Many expat policies for U.S. residents also include the option to pay for the policy to include primary insurance coverage stateside as well—adding this to your expat policy raises your premium significantly because of the high cost of U.S. healthcare. If you’re living abroad, you might instead purchase a policy without U.S. coverage, and then buy a travel insurance plan for the weeks you return home to visit (something like United Healthcare offers short-term plans I use when I return to the states for a month every year).

I have found three main companies offering this type of coverage: Cigna Global, IMG Global , and GeoBlue Xplorer. A fourth option in some destinations is to purchase local insurance through a national provider—this is more complicated to navigate from abroad, but would be easier once you live there, open a bank account, and have a local address (but is also harder if you don’t fluently speak the local language).

Pros and Cons of Recommended Volunteer Insurance Companies

There are a ton of options out here, but here I will outline pros and cons for just the ones that I have used and personally recommend. I can’t promise that these companies are perfect, but after diligent research, these are the ones that best fit the wide range of circumstances that cropped up over the past decade when I traveled as a backpacker, as a long-term traveler, and when I bought an expat policy for long-term residency outside of the U.S. All three options allow you to buy and manage your policies completely online (until you must mail things in for claims and such). All three also offer medical evacuation and coverage for serious medical emergencies.

IMG Patriot : This one makes a great family plan if you are heading on the road for anything from a few weeks to a few months. The policy covers most everything you would expect, and you can change your deductible levels to easily raise or lower the price to fit your budget (and your level of risk tolerance—that’s something you can’t adjust if you use an out-of-the-box plan by Volunteer Card, which has some plans underwritten by IMG, the International Medical Group).

IMG policies generally cover fewer adventure sports and activities than World Nomads, but you can buy an additional rider if you have planned adventures during or after your volunteer placement (and you really, really should buy the rider if you plan to do anything more than lay on a beach).

IMG Global : After researching expat policies in 2018, I settled on this IMG insurance policy to cover me for my year of living in Barcelona, Spain. This policy better meets the requirements of long-term visas, so if you are applying overseas for a long-term or international volunteer visa, the requirements might mandate that you have an expat policy. IMG offers zero-deductible policies (which my long-term visa required), and covers all the basic and emergency health situations you might face.

It does not cover trip delays and that sort of situation that travel insurance policies usually have well in hand. I use this as my main policy, but then I might bought World Nomads travel insurance when I was well off the path from my expat destination traveling in Kyrgyzstan. Also note that IMG has student plans , and plans for seniors 65+ , and even plans for non-U.S. citizens volunteering or traveling in the U.S. It really is the best option for a broad swath of travelers and volunteers— view and compare all of the policies here .

Review: Is Volunteer Card Travel Insurance Legit?

Here’s the deal: I don’t mind companies like Volunteer Card, which is akin to a volunteer insurance reseller—it’s not actually the insuring company. The way that works is that Volunteer Card sells policies from two other companies that are branded under Volunteer Card.

Pros of going with a volunteer insurance reseller:

When you face an issue on the road, their team works with you to navigate the claims process. That’s a handy feature for anyone who has become overwhelmed by the paperwork involved in travel insurance claims. But, that paperwork is also not so overwhelming that it’s impossible. I have made claims directly through IMG (which underwrites Volunteer Card’s longer volunteer insurance policies), and it was a one-shot deal: I uploaded my untranslated, raw documents from the hospital, and a few months later the money was directly deposited into my bank account. A traveler I know firsthand made a more than $60K claim through IMG and similarly was able to navigate the claims process solo. So, if you really need the hand-holding, it can help.

Cons of going with a volunteer insurance reseller:

When you use a reseller, you are locked into the policy that they have decided is best suited to the average volunteer or traveler—you don’t get to tweak and play with your coverage. When you book directly through IMG , they will offer a grid during the process that lets you hand select coverage limits in various areas. You decrease/increase your maximums and minimums to fit your own risk tolerance profile (perhaps you’d rather not pay for $500K in emergency evacuation because your destination isn’t incredibly remote, but you would like to allocate funds for more coverage than the paltry $50K in medical expenses that Volunteer Card’s plan covers).

Final thoughts on Volunteer Card : Is Volunteer Card a scam? No, it’s a valid option for travelers who like the prices and what they offer. That said, I respect an insurance company that is straightforward and does what is intended. I am also philanthropic on my own account. So, I am not much impressed by Volunteer Card’s integrated program for “donations.”

Best I can figure out, a mere 10 cents from every policy goes toward a meal for a Burmese refugee (they say every policy buys one meal, and that $1 equals 10 meals). What’s more, the money goes through the company’s own faith-based nonprofit, Venture, which is not shy about its overt proselytization goals of turning unresourced, poverty-stricken children in Southeast Asia into “future Christian leaders.”

The ethics of volunteering is murky enough itself. So while the GV database does list some religious organizations doing great work overseas, I (Shannon) find many non-secular organizations deeply conflicting when they offer humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations alongside religious conversion efforts.

GV’s founding goal was to help volunteers navigate all things murky in the voluntourism industry by providing volunteers with enough information to make educated, considered decisions on issues that have a very real effect on the very real humans you aim to help.

So, the conflict is this: By proselytizing to marginalized, vulnerable, and easily exploited populations while providing fundamental human needs like food and shelter, it can make aid seem part of or conditional to religious conversion.

If you’re into Maslow’s hierarchy of needs , I think of it this way: Populations that don’t even have physiological and safety needs met on the bottom of the pyramid have their motivations compromised when an outside organization offers to meet those deprivation needs only by also forcing a conversation on the very last one Maslow says should be addressed: self-actualization. Where you stand on this issue is for you to decide, and you can read a bit more on this entire moral quandary here and here .

Let’s move on! The volunteer insurance company you choose depends on your own travel goals, and we’ve discussed the four leading options out there that will cover most any traveler. Let’s now look more closely at the fine print you really need to know before you rely on any policy.

Before You Buy Volunteer Insurance! (Cautions and Considerations)

When volunteers search for specific “volunteer insurance,” they find an entire subset of the travel insurance industry offering plans for them specifically. Do you need a plan tailored to volunteers? Well, not usually. And in some cases it’s actually a bad idea.

If you are using a specific volunteer company that recommends one type of insurance, that  might be ideal for your trip because the policy will likely cover everything included in your volunteer experience. But if you’re doing anything a bit unconventional—traveling before or after the trip, staying on the road for a while, you should probably just shop for general travel insurance, otherwise you might find yourself stuck in a policy loophole.

One of these loopholes? Some volunteer insurance companies ( like what I found when I reviewed Volunteer Card ) do not cover you at your destination unless you intend to return home. The policy wording uses the word intention and that’s a slippery slope if you travel on a one-way or open-ended ticket, with no firm idea if you might stay on the road for a good long while. That is  not always ideal and not something that everyone understands before buying that policy.

GV prefers policies that are extendable on the road and aren’t wishy-washy about your travel intentions—perhaps you’re heading out for a few months but you’re also open to longer if the opportunity arises. Skip something like a Volunteer Card policy and select one that is directly through the insurer like IMG , or use World Nomads, which specializes in long-term travel.

Here is more advice you should read and absorb carefully, or you risk buying a policy that will not cover you for your intended trip. Although you may find terrible reviews online of your chosen insurance provider, I usually read those reviews with an eye toward understanding if the company exploited an unknown loophole, or if the traveler simply did not read their policy beforehand and did not understand their coverage. You should always read the requirements for making a claim if something goes wrong on your trip. Keep these things in mind:

• Document your valuables . To make a claim for lost or theft of valuables, you must first prove that you bought the item(s) (receipts), and that it was there with you (take a photo of valuables before you leave), and that it was stolen (an official police report). It is imperative that you fulfill each step here. Many negative reviews I read online are people who didn’t have a copy of the police report, or couldn’t generate ownership proof. Read your policy and understand exactly what is required to make a claim. Then, before you even leave for your volunteer placement, find receipts and document ownership.
• Document your illness . Call your insurance company as soon as you are ill; they help you find the best providers in the region — plus it often states in your policy that you have to do that, so when buying a policy, you agree to allow them to help you choose a provider and be involved in the process. If you don’t they might not cover it. Also, keep your paperwork! There will be a lot of back and fourths as you make the claim and the more information you have the better.
• Follow the law . One sticky situation for backpackers and expats is the rampant use of motorbikes. If you’re not licensed to drive the vehicle in your own country, then you are not covered in an accident. This is a huge loop-hole. And it sucks. But double-check things like this before you assume that if you’re in an accident on a windy Thai road that you’ll be covered if something serious happens. (See note below for more information).
• Read your policy . Seriously. It’s dry and boring. It will take at least an hour. But read it, highlight areas you didn’t know and really understand what they are covering and what they are not. And if you’re unsure, email or call them! They do always answer questions before, during, and after you’re their client.
• Things not covered . From pre-existing conditions to extreme sports, there are a few things you’re just not getting in a general travel policy, but some things might be covered in an expat policy. This is why you must read your policy.

What to Know: Travel Insurance & Driving a Motorbike

To qualify for coverage from your insurance company, you generally must be following the law when the incident happens . It surprises some travelers to know that. And even more, to understand that this applies to driving a motorbike.

If you pilot a motorbike anywhere in the world (although this is very common for travelers in Southeast Asia), you must have a motorcycle license in your home country, as well as an international driver’s license with motorcycle certification. For U.S. citizens, to secure this you must have a prior motorcycle license. If you’re missing any of these steps, the travel insurance will not cover you in the event of a motorcycle wreck that injures yourself or others. Motorcycle accidents are sadly very, very common even for experienced drivers—traffic rules in other countries, paired with bad/unknown roads means travelers wreck and hurt themselves all the time. If you’re renting a motorbike, proper safety training and certification may not only save your life, it’s required to qualify for travel insurance coverage.

Making the Right Choice for Your Situation

Never allow anyone—either in person or online—pressure you into buying a travel or volunteer insurance policy. Not all policies are the same and you may prioritize some aspects over others. When I began traveling as a solo backpacker in 2008, I used World Nomads . But I have since switched to IMG —IMG policies better covered my needs, such as when my then 11-year-old niece and I traveled and volunteered in Southeast Asia for seven months.

Although I had long loved World Nomads for the coverage of adventurous travel activities, and they worked when I volunteered too, I felt (and still feel) that IMG Patriot is often a better fit for families—the policy has better wording about what happens if the minor’s guardian is incapacitated and the minor needs another family member flown to the destination. When I decided to move overseas, instead of my peripatetic wanderings, that’s when I bought an expat policy. The right choice varied according to my personal situation, and it will for you as well.

I also carry a lot of expensive gear with me—a fancy camera, Mac laptop, and smartphone—so I carry a separate policy for my gear from Clements (which insures belongings for expats). That means that my travel and volunteer insurance companies don’t need as generous gear coverage since I insure it separately. You might go that same route, or pick a policy that fits with the amount of electronics and gear you will carry on your trip.

Every volunteer trip is different, so use this advice and information as a starting point for your own research. Best of luck and happy travels.

Founder of Grassroots Volunteering

While all the information in this post is correct to my knowledge, do your own research and verify all aspects of your travel insurance. GV and its founder cannot be held responsible for your use of any of the information provided here. No company has paid for placement in this post, the information is provided by personal recommendations. If you make a purchase based on these recommendations, GV may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

GeoBlue vs. AXA PPP International: A Comparative Analysis for Global Travelers

October 17, 2023.

The world has become a smaller place, thanks to advancements in transportation and communication. With this increased global connectivity, travel for various purposes, including medical treatments, has surged. For global travelers in need of international health insurance, choosing the right provider can be a daunting task. In this comprehensive analysis, we will compare two prominent international health insurance options, known for their global coverage and reliability. While we won't mention specific organizations, we aim to provide valuable insights for industry professionals and global travelers.

Understanding the Significance of International Health Insurance

International health insurance plays a pivotal role in ensuring that individuals receive the necessary medical care while traveling or living abroad. It provides financial protection against unforeseen medical expenses, offers access to quality healthcare, and instills a sense of security and peace of mind. The choice of an insurance provider can significantly impact the overall experience of global travelers, making it essential to make an informed decision.

Coverage Area: GeoBlue and AXA PPP International

The coverage area is one of the fundamental aspects to consider when evaluating international health insurance options. Both GeoBlue and AXA PPP International offer extensive global coverage, allowing policyholders to access healthcare services in a wide range of countries. The extent of coverage may vary, with some policies providing worldwide coverage, while others have specific geographic limitations. It is imperative for global travelers to assess their intended destinations and choose an insurance provider that aligns with their travel plans.

Medical Evacuation: A Critical Feature

One of the critical features to evaluate in international health insurance is medical evacuation, also known as medevac. Medevac ensures that in the event of a medical emergency where local healthcare facilities are inadequate, policyholders can be safely transported to a facility capable of providing the necessary care. Both GeoBlue and AXA PPP International prioritize the safety of their members, offering robust medevac services.

Types of Treatments Covered

The scope of medical treatments covered by international health insurance policies can vary significantly. Some policies are comprehensive, covering a wide range of medical treatments, including routine check-ups, consultations, surgeries, and emergency care. Others may have limitations or exclusions, particularly for elective or cosmetic procedures. Global travelers should carefully review the coverage details to ensure that their specific healthcare needs are addressed.

Duration of Coverage

The duration of coverage is another crucial factor to consider. While some individuals may require short-term coverage for a specific trip or medical procedure, others, such as expatriates or frequent travelers, may need longer-term solutions. GeoBlue and AXA PPP International offer flexibility in this regard, with options catering to various lengths of stay and travel plans.

Pre-existing Conditions and Special Considerations

For individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, obtaining international health insurance can be more challenging. Some insurance providers may exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage or impose waiting periods. It is essential for individuals with such conditions to inquire about the policies of GeoBlue and AXA PPP International in this regard and assess their eligibility for coverage.

Comparative Evaluation: Factors to Consider

To make an informed decision between GeoBlue and AXA PPP International, industry professionals and global travelers should assess several key factors:

Premiums and Deductibles

Compare the premiums and deductibles of both providers to determine the cost-effectiveness of their policies. Consider your budget and the level of coverage you require.

Network of Healthcare Providers

Evaluate the network of healthcare providers associated with each insurance provider. A robust network ensures access to quality care in various locations.

Customer Support and Assistance

Inquire about the availability of 24/7 customer support and assistance. Timely support can be invaluable in medical emergencies or while navigating healthcare systems in foreign countries.

Direct Billing

Direct billing simplifies the payment process, allowing policyholders to avoid upfront payments and reimbursement processes. Check if both providers offer this convenient feature.

Policy Terms and Exclusions

Thoroughly review the policy terms, conditions, and exclusions of GeoBlue and AXA PPP International. Understanding the fine print is essential to avoid surprises in the event of a claim.

In Conclusion

Choosing the right international health insurance provider is a significant decision for global travelers. GeoBlue and AXA PPP International are two notable options, both offering extensive coverage and essential features for the peace of mind and protection of policyholders. Industry professionals and global travelers should carefully assess their individual needs, compare the offerings of these providers, and select the insurance option that aligns with their travel plans and healthcare requirements. Ultimately, the choice between GeoBlue and AXA PPP International should be driven by the specific needs and circumstances of the traveler, ensuring comprehensive coverage and a worry-free travel experience.

Multinational Employers

With insurers like Aetna International and CIGNA Global having 1.5 million hospitals and healthcare professionals in their global network, the task of recommending healthcare to your employees finding the best healthcare provider at the right time is almost impossible.

Partner with Global Healthcare Accredited hospitals for your Expatriates on international assignments.

Benefits for Expatriates and Multi-National Employers to Partner with GHA Accredited Hospitals:

• Healthcare and International Services expats can trust
• Highest Level of Patient Experience, Empathy and Satisfaction – (way to say like royalty but not)
• Specially trained staff and processes to focus on Expatriates and accommodate, different languages, ethnicities, cultures and religions
• The right care at the right time,
• Speed of Access, Better processes for faster intake and delivery of healthcare for your employees
• An Established quality accreditation

Find a Global Healthcare Accredited Healthcare Provider Now by clicking here .

GHA Standards Accredited by ISQUA

A Global Authority in Medical Tourism Accreditation

Medical travel facilitator certification.

GHA’s Medical Travel Facilitator Certification is conducted online and focuses on validating the capacity of facilitator companies to provide appropriate services to clients that enhance safety and patient experience along the entire Medical Travel Care Continuum (patient journey) as appropriate to the to the particular healthcare provider and the facilitator company’s business model.

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.

The Best Travel Medical Insurance of 2024

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Seven Corners »

GeoBlue »

WorldTrips »

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 Medical Insurance Plans.

Table of Contents

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners

Buying travel insurance is a smart move for any type of trip, but you may not need a policy that covers everything under the sun. If you don't need coverage for trip cancellations or delays because you're relying on your travel credit card to offer these protections, for example, you may find you only need emergency medical coverage that works away from home.

Still, travel medical coverage varies widely based on included benefits, policy limits and more. If you're comparing travel insurance plans and hoping to find the best option for unexpected medical expenses, read on to learn which policies we recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term travel insurance usually describes a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes coverage for medical expenses as well as trip cancellations and interruptions, trip delays, lost baggage, and more. Meanwhile, travel medical insurance is coverage that focuses on paying for emergency medical expenses and other related care.

Travelers need international health insurance if they're visiting a place where their own health coverage will not apply. This typically includes all international trips away from home since U.S. health plans limit coverage to care required in the United States.

Note that if you don't have travel health insurance and you become sick or injured abroad, you'll be responsible for paying back any health care costs you incur.

Many travel insurance policies cover emergency medical expenses you incur during a covered trip. However, the included benefits of each policy can vary widely, and so can the policy limits that apply.

If you're looking for a travel insurance policy that offers sufficient protection for unexpected medical expenses, you'll typically want to choose a plan with at least $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical care and at least that much in protection for emergency medical evacuation and transportation.

However, higher limits can provide even more protection from overseas medical bills, which can become pricey depending on the type of care you need. As just one example, Allianz says the average cost of emergency medical evacuation can easily reach up to $200,000 or more depending on where you’re traveling.

Your U.S. health insurance policy almost never covers medical expenses incurred abroad. The same is true for most people on Medicare and especially Medicaid. If you want to ensure you have travel medical coverage that applies overseas, you should purchase a travel insurance plan with adequate limits for every trip. Read the U.S. News article on this topic for more information.

The cost of travel medical insurance can vary depending on the age of the travelers, the type of coverage purchased, the length of the trip and other factors. You can use a comparison site like TravelInsurance.com to explore different travel medical insurance plans and their cost.

• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best Overall
• Seven Corners: Best for Families
• GeoBlue: Best for Expats
• WorldTrips: Best Cost

Coverage for preexisting conditions is available as an add-on

Easy to purchase as needed for individual trips

Relatively low limits for medical expenses

No coverage for trip cancellations or trip interruption

• Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Up to $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage loss and damage
• Up to $600 in baggage delay insurance
• Up to $1,000 for travel delays
• Up to $10,000 in travel accident insurance
• 24-hour hotline assistance
• Concierge services

Purchase comprehensive medical coverage worth up to $5 million

Coverage for families with up to 10 people

Low coverage amounts for trip interruption

Medical coverage options vary by age

• Up to $5 million in comprehensive medical coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency evacuation coverage
• Up to $10,000 in coverage for incidental trips to home country
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for terrorist activity
• Up to $500 in accidental dental emergency coverage
• Up to $100 per occurrence in coverage for emergency eye exams
• $50,000 in coverage for local burial or cremation
• 24/7 travel assistance
• Up to $25,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment per traveler
• Up to $500 for loss of checked baggage
• Up to $5,000 for trip interruptions
• Up to $100 per day for trip delays
• Up to $50,000 for personal liability

Qualify for international health insurance with no annual or lifetime caps

Use coverage within the U.S. with select providers

Deductible from $500 to $10,000 can apply

Doesn't come with any nonmedical travel insurance benefits

• Up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $25,000 for repatriation of mortal remains
• $50,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment

High limits for medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation

Covers multiple trips over a period of up to 364 days

Deductible of $250 required for each covered trip

Copays required for medical care received in the U.S.

• Up to $1,000,000 of maximum coverage
• Up to $1,000,000 for emergency medical evacuation
• Up to $10,000 for trip interruptions
• Up to $1,000 for lost checked luggage
• Up to $100 per day for travel delays
• Up to $25,000 in personal liability coverage
• Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19
• Ability to add coverage for your spouse and/or child(ren)
• Repatriation of remains coverage up to overall limit
• Up to $5,000 for local burial or cremation 
• $10,000 to $50,000 for common carrier accidental death

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.

You might also be interested in:

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of April 2024

Holly Johnson

Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations.

8 Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies Worth the Cost

U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering pricing data, expert recommendations and consumer reviews.

How to Get Airport Wheelchair Assistance (+ What to Tip)

Suzanne Mason and Rachael Hood

From planning to arrival, get helpful tips to make the journey easier.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Yes, in These 3 Scenarios

These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

• Cruise/Travel Insurance

Annual medical only insurance: Geoblue or Allianz?

By fstuff1 , August 24, 2022 in Cruise/Travel Insurance

Recommended Posts

Male, age51, solo

I usually get Geoblue Trekker medical-only annual insurance for medical/medivac emergencies.

Before Covid, it was $100/yr.

Now it's $150/yr.

Allianz is $138/yr. ($20k medical/$100k medivac)

You can buy GeoBlue through Insuremytrip.com at no markup so you get your own insurance agent working on your behalf.

I think you have to buy Allianz directly. ( https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travel/annual )

If you bought an annual medical only plan, which did you buy?

Why that company/

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

3 hours ago, fstuff1 said: If you bought an annual medical only plan, which did you buy? Why that company/

I continue to buy GeoBlue Trekker for the following reasons:

• The possibility of a potentially large medical bill is my primary reason for purchasing insurance. It is nice to have insurance for a sore throat or some bumps and bruises.  But I don't want to face a large unreimbursed bill.  $20K (per trip) of coverage would not interest me unless I had other good medical coverage.
• I want insurance that pays primary (Allianz is secondary). My primary medical insurance offers some foreign emergency travel coverage, but it has a $50K lifetime maximum, so I need primary to avoid using up the lifetime max.  Plus, the claims process is simplerwith primary.

Other reasons I like GeoBlue, but Allianz would be ok:

• I want it to cover pre-existing conditions - just in case.  Both GeoBlue and Allianz do this, although Allianz does have a very minor time constraint.
• I want medical evacuation coverage.  GeoBlue provides much more, but for my typical trips, Allianz's coverage is probably adequate.

Yes the GeoBlue premiums have gone up a little and the small annual deductible has changed slightly, but in the whole scheme of things it is still a great value - especially for people under age 70.

I am looking at GeoBlue and the info I have say a Primary Health Plan is required.  That would lead me to believe that GeoBlue is secondary.

I also have an annual Trekker Choice plan.

According to GeoBlue FAQ

• Do I file claims with my primary insurance first? oGeoBlue Trekker plans are secondary insurance. However, GeoBlue will process and pay claims upfront as a primary payor and reserves the right, where applicable, to contact your primary insurance company to coordinate benefits

1 hour ago, jelayne said: I am looking at GeoBlue and the info I have say a Primary Health Plan is required.  That would lead me to believe that GeoBlue is secondary.

From GeoBlue: " The GeoBlue Trekker plans are secondary insurance. However, GeoBlue will process and pay overseas claims as a primary payor and reserves the right, where applicable, to contact your primary insurance company to coordinate benefits. " 

While GeoBlue could contact your primary plan for coordination of benefits, Steve at TripInsuranceStore (highly recommended) confirmed to me recently that he has never seen this happen with any of his customers. He has never given me bad information, and I trust his advice.

We have had only one claim and they did not go back to the primary insurance.  Others, including a frequent poster with a large medical claim have had the same experience.

On 8/24/2022 at 7:19 PM, Jersey42 said: I continue to buy GeoBlue Trekker for the following reasons: The possibility of a potentially large medical bill is my primary reason for purchasing insurance. It is nice to have insurance for a sore throat or some bumps and bruises.  But I don't want to face a large unreimbursed bill.  $20K (per trip) of coverage would not interest me unless I had other good medical coverage. I want insurance that pays primary (Allianz is secondary). My primary medical insurance offers some foreign emergency travel coverage, but it has a $50K lifetime maximum, so I need primary to avoid using up the lifetime max.  Plus, the claims process is simplerwith primary.   Other reasons I like GeoBlue, but Allianz would be ok: I want it to cover pre-existing conditions - just in case.  Both GeoBlue and Allianz do this, although Allianz does have a very minor time constraint. I want medical evacuation coverage.  GeoBlue provides much more, but for my typical trips, Allianz's coverage is probably adequate.   Yes the GeoBlue premiums have gone up a little and the small annual deductible has changed slightly, but in the whole scheme of things it is still a great value - especially for people under age 70.

It's especially good for people over 70 as well...Very happy with our GeoBlue Trekker plan. 

GeezerCouple

16 minutes ago, Ashland said: It's especially good for people over 70 as well...Very happy with our GeoBlue Trekker plan. 

Why?  What does this policy provide that is especially good for "Geezers"? 😉  

12 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:   Why?  What does this policy provide that is especially good for "Geezers"? 😉     Thanks!   GC

Being a "geezer" comes with some healthcare baggage.  The odds that we will need medical care do increase with age as do most insurance premiums.  GeoBlue does provide us with a relatively low-cost annual plan (and they also have excellent single trip plans) that still gives us geezers at least $100,000 of coverage which includes pre-existing conditions.  For those of us who do a lot of international travel (we can be out of the country 5-6 months a year) it is difficult to find any other coverage to equal what we get from GeoBlue (Allianz does also have some good options).  

We agree with the other poster that the typical $10 - $20,000 of medical coverage offered in most trip policies is wholly inadequate.  I have oft posted that the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the USA is unexpected medical bills.  While $20,000 sounds like a lot of coverage, one can quickly exceed that amount with any major medical event!  

A lifetime working in the medical insurance world has taught me some things about human nature that we often see here in CC posts.  Folks will pay top dollar (sometimes in excess of 10% of their cruise cost) for cancellation protection.  But cancellation/interruption is not going to bankrupt folks (you would have paid that money even if you took the trip).  It is the unexpected medical costs (and evacuation) that can be the true financial killer.  But many folks are more concerned with insuring a few thousand dollars of travel bills while paying little attention to the unlimited cost potential of medical emergencies.  

13 hours ago, Ashland said: It's especially good for people over 70 as well...Very happy with our GeoBlue Trekker plan. 

I totally agree that it is an excellent plan and the best one that I have seen for those that qualify.  Once you reach 70, the medical coverage is 1/5 or 1/10 of what you get if you are under age 70.  So the value is better if you are under 70.  That said, $100K of coverage (ages 70 and above) should be more than adequate for any trip.  

RusticSeagull

@Jersey42   Thanks for all of the good info you provided on Annual Insurance.  Just wondering if you carry any other insurance for cruising (besides primary and GeoBlue)?  Just thinking about whether I should worry about losing the trip cost or just letting it go...

1 hour ago, RusticSeagull said: @Jersey42   Thanks for all of the good info you provided on Annual Insurance.  Just wondering if you carry any other insurance for cruising (besides primary and GeoBlue)?  Just thinking about whether I should worry about losing the trip cost or just letting it go...

Many of us forego coverage for cancellation. The money is spent and/or is planned. The real odds of having to cancel are slim. If something should occur and one loses a couple thousand, well, it might be painful but will not put you into financial default like a $100K unexpected medical bill might. So, I self-insure the cost of the trip.

3 hours ago, RusticSeagull said: @Jersey42   Thanks for all of the good info you provided on Annual Insurance.  Just wondering if you carry any other insurance for cruising (besides primary and GeoBlue)?  Just thinking about whether I should worry about losing the trip cost or just letting it go...

In addition to GeoBlue Trekker, we have one of the Chase Sapphire cards that provides travel insurance.  While it is a little more restrictive than comprehensive travel insurance, it saves a lot of insurance premiums.  The biggest downside for us with the Chase card is it has a 60 day lookback on pre-existing conditions for both travelers and non-traveling family members. Most of the Chase coverage (including trip cancellation) excludes any reasons due to a pre-existing condition.

Most of the time we purchase no other insurance as we often take relative inexpensive last-minute cruises where we can drive to the port.  If the Chase card did not cover us, it would not be the worst thing.

Occasionally we purchase a trip specific travel insurance policy.  This is usually for more expensive trips when we know we have a pre-existing condition (such as a medication change) in the 60 days before making a trip deposit.

• 2 weeks later...

I was looking at buying both GeoBlue and Allianz as I have 3 international non cruise trips planned for next year and a B2B cruise. Is this right as I am about to turn 70 and my health plan does not include international medical?

20 minutes ago, odie1024 said: I was looking at buying both GeoBlue and Allianz as I have 3 international non cruise trips planned for next year and a B2B cruise. Is this right as I am about to turn 70 and my health plan does not include international medical?

You might want to contact www.TripInsuranceStore.com and ask them about those two policies, or whether there are other policies that might be better for *your* specific travel concerns.  That means a phone call so that you can ask them questions, and so that they can ask you some as well (e.g., do you have any relatives who are not traveling with you, and you'd want to return if they got very ill, etc.; there are many other issues to consider).

If you start the coverage when the deposits are paid (or within approximately 20 days), you'll have the largest selection of types of coverage.  This may or may not be something that matters to you, and you'd know that after the first time discussing this with TIS.

We also insure both cruise and land-only trips, and the same policy works for us with all trips thus far.  We also get MedJetAssist, which will medevac us back to the hospital of *our* choice (in our case, our regular hospital, with our records and physicians), even if it is not "medically necessary".  One must be admitted as an inpatient (not ER or Observation), and one must be stable enough to travel at least by full air ambulance with medical staffing.

TIS sells this coverage as well; we get the annual policy as that also covers us for assorted trips (over 150 miles from home) throughout the year...

Enjoy your trips!

I was just thinking about annual medical insurance today because I submitted my application for Medicare Part B.  This thread has been very informative.

I turn 70 in a few months and will be retiring the day after.  😎   Medicare kicks in on Jan. 1, 2023.  As those of you on Medicare know, it doesn't cover medical outside of the US and its territories.  Medicare will be my primary, so what would be the value in a travel insurance co. coordinating benefits with my primary?  Medicare isn't going to pay.

2 hours ago, Roz said: I was just thinking about annual medical insurance today because I submitted my application for Medicare Part B.  This thread has been very informative.   I turn 70 in a few months and will be retiring the day after.  😎   Medicare kicks in on Jan. 1, 2023.  As those of you on Medicare know, it doesn't cover medical outside of the US and its territories.  Medicare will be my primary, so what would be the value in a travel insurance co. coordinating benefits with my primary?  Medicare isn't going to pay.

I spoke with someone at Insuremy trip over the weekend. Even though we know Medicare will not pay,  it will be filed with them first and once it gets declined then it gets submitted to your policy you bought.

There are some Medicare supplement policies (not sure of what they are called) and those do have overseas coverage, albeit with a $50k LIFETIME limit (not per trip!).

So a third-party insurer can't know whether you have that add-on to Medicare until/unless you get an official denial for your overseas medical claim.

To avoid this denial delay (which can sometimes be considerable), you can get "primary" coverage.  That means that your travel insurance policy will pay first - *before* any other policy, so there is no need to send a claim to Medicare or any other insurance (if you aren't on Medicare).  Also, this preserves that $50k lifetime limit if you have that coverage with your Medicare.

Otherwise, your travel insurance coverage might be "secondary", which means you must demonstrate that you have received any coverage you might be entitled to from other insurers first.

3 hours ago, Roz said: I was just thinking about annual medical insurance today because I submitted my application for Medicare Part B.  This thread has been very informative.   I turn 70 in a few months and will be retiring the day after.  😎   Medicare kicks in on Jan. 1, 2023.  As those of you on Medicare know, it doesn't cover medical outside of the US and its territories.  Medicare will be my primary, so what would be the value in a travel insurance co. coordinating benefits with my primary?  Medicare isn't going to pay.

I'll assume you are already on Medicare part A.  In the (highly unlikely) case that as of 1/1/23 Medicare A/B is your only insurance, then there is no financial benefit to have a travel insurance policy that pays primary.  However as @odie1234  said, the claims process for secondary insurance would be more complex and slower.  You would have to manually file first with Medicare (the ship medical center or a foreign facility will not do it), and wait weeks or even months for Medicare to deny the claim. Then travel insurance can process the claim.

More likely you will have other insurance.  The other insurance typically falls into one of three categories:

• Medicare Supplement (aka Medigap) - many of these have some limited, well defined, foreign travel benefits
• Medicare Advantage (aka Medicare Part C) - This is private insurance that replaces Medicare. There is no mandate to cover foreign travel so coverage varies widely from none to fantastic.
• Employer retiree plan that augments regular Medicare - Much more typical with government retirees including military and teachers.  Foreign travel coverage can also vary widely, depending on the plan.

You really need to understand your coverage before trying to figure out primary vs secondary travel medical plans. Depending on what you have, you might not even need a travel medical insurances.

• In some cases primary or secondary have no financial advantage, but primary is easier and faster.
• In some cases (like my situation) primary has a financial advantage, and is easier and faster.
• In some cases (like my former situation) secondary, or the ability to file first with my primary insurer has financial benefits.

Unfortunately, this is more complicated than it should be.

@odie1024 , @GeezerCouple , and @Jersey42 , thank you for your thoughtful and informative responses.  

After I posted, I did some research on Geo Blue on the Trip Insurance Store website.  I see that having a Medicare Supplement or being in a Medicare Advantage Plan qualifies as primary insurance.  I'm a state employee and will be purchasing a Medicare supplement for state retirees.  

I noticed that both the Geo Blue Trekker Essential and Trekker Choice only offer $100,000 of medical coverage for those 70-95 yrs. old.  The Essential plan has $250,000 of coverage for emergency medical evacuation and  the Choice plan offers $500,000 of coverage.  Both plans are very reasonably priced.  

I agree with @Hlitner  about medical and evacuation coverage being much more important than trip cancellation or interruption.  

I have 2 big cruises coming up over the next 6 months - a river in Europe in December and a 31-day South American cruise next March/April.  I purchased individual (pricey) policies for those.  Going forward I seen that having an individual annual medical policy is going to be more cost effective and give me the coverage I'm more interested in.  

5 minutes ago, Roz said: I'm a state employee and will be purchasing a Medicare supplement for state retirees.     Going forward I seen that having an individual annual medical policy is going to be more cost effective and give me the coverage I'm more interested in.  

It sounds like you have done the research and know what works best for your retiree plan. The GeoBlue Trekker plans are are still the best ones I have seen for people who qualify. For others, I still caution them to make sure they completely understand what there home medical coverage actually includes. 

I have several siblings as well as SIL/BILs that worked for federal and state governments.  They all refer to their retiree insurance through their employer as their "Medicare Supplement".  But, none of their plans are actually a "Medicare Supplement" (letter plan).  Rather they fit into the third category I mentioned on my last post.  All of their plans are actually better than any "Medicare Supplement".  They all fully cover foreign emergency travel with no lifetime caps.  So in their cases,  they don't need any additional travel medical insurance.  I don't believe any will cover medical evacuation or other types of travel insurance so they sometimes purchase comprehensive travel insurance for the other benefits.

It is all more complicated than it should be.  That's why it pays for everyone to understand what they have and what they are purchasing. 

16 minutes ago, Roz said: @odie1024 , @GeezerCouple , and @Jersey42 , thank you for your thoughtful and informative responses.     After I posted, I did some research on Geo Blue on the Trip Insurance Store website.  I see that having a Medicare Supplement or being in a Medicare Advantage Plan qualifies as primary insurance.  I'm a state employee and will be purchasing a Medicare supplement for state retirees.     I noticed that both the Geo Blue Trekker Essential and Trekker Choice only offer $100,000 of medical coverage for those 70-95 yrs. old.  The Essential plan has $250,000 of coverage for emergency medical evacuation and  the Choice plan offers $500,000 of coverage.  Both plans are very reasonably priced.     I agree with @Hlitner  about medical and evacuation coverage being much more important than trip cancellation or interruption.     I have 2 big cruises coming up over the next 6 months - a river in Europe in December and a 31-day South American cruise next March/April.  I purchased individual (pricey) policies for those.  Going forward I seen that having an individual annual medical policy is going to be more cost effective and give me the coverage I'm more interested in.  

Be careful about that "primary" insurance.  Any policy can be "primary" (yes, that sounds odd) *IF* it will pay for covered claims straightaway without waiting to find out costs are "left over" from other policies.

The point I tried to make above is that the Medicare add-ons MIGHT have a $50k *lifetime* limit.  If you have a big medical claim (hopefully not, but that's what insurance is for) and your travel insurance is not primary coverage, then you'd need to first file a claim with the Medicare/etc., and thus use up that $50k coverage even though the travel insurance would have paid the entire amount *if* it were primary.  With primary travel insurance, there's no need to touch that Medicare policy limit.

Then you'd still have that for, say, a quick trip out of the country, although you'd still risk exceeding that $50k limit if something catastrophic happened.  But you'd be covered for that broken arm or such...

What you might be referring to, given you mentioned GeoBlue is probably "primary" in a somewhat different sense.  (Yeah, if so, that's really helpful terminlogy.  😠  )  In that sense, it means that you already have a "regular" health insurance policy.  My guess is that this requirement is to make sure that someone without insurance coverage at all needs medical care, and thus takes out a "medical only" travel insurance so they can get the medical condition covered, but that's just my guess, as I said...

Steve, from TripInsuranceStore, could clarify what I've written, or make any corrections if warranted.

We still have Employer medical coverage (DH enjoys his work and is going strong as he approaches 80) and will end up with Medicare plus Retiree health coverage, which is good.  So we haven't had personal experience with Medicare at all yet, and later, it will be combined with that Retiree coverage.

@Jersey42 , I have no idea if TN's plan covers foreign travel.  That's something I need to research.  When you say " It is all more complicated than it should be" you're absolutely right.  😁

@GeezerCouple , Geo Blue is who refers to Medicare supplements as primary, not me.  I think they want you to have other medical insurance, not just a travel policy.  I can't imagine the retirement plan for TN state employees only has $50,000 lifetime benefits, so now I AM totally confused.  

Where would I find travel medical insurance that's primary for older people?

5 minutes ago, Roz said: @Jersey42 , I have no idea if TN's plan covers foreign travel.  That's something I need to research.  When you say " It is all more complicated than it should be" you're absolutely right.  😁

Of the specific plans I mentioned, two were from New York and the third was for Federal employees. It pays to check.  If yours does not completely cover foreign travel, you can't go wrong with GeoBlue.  We have had a GeoBlue trekker plan for several years now.  If your plan covers foreign medical, then check medical evacuation coverage.  If that is not covered you might want to consider MedJet Assist.  It only covers medical evacuation, but it offers you more flexibility and choices than the evacuation coverage in the GeoBlue Trekker plan.  We are personally fine with GeoBlue's evacuation coverage, but some people prefer the additional benefits of MedJet.

Just now, Roz said: @GeezerCouple , Geo Blue is who refers to Medicare supplements as primary, not me.  I think they want you to have other medical insurance, not just a travel policy.  I can't imagine the retirement plan for TN state employees only has $50,000 lifetime benefits, so now I AM totally confused.     Where would I find travel medical insurance that's primary for older people?

Speak with Steve or his associates at TIS.  This is why I recommend people CALL and *not* just rely upon the online summaries of policies.  Not only can the summaries not include all the details, but one can't ask about one's own specific circumstances.

In some cases, one can pay $25 extra (per person) to have a good plan change from secondary to primary.  But there are probably other choices, so ask them!

And *retiree* coverage is not the same as some plain add-on to Medicare, so I'd doubt there are such low limits to the total coverage limits.... although there MIGHT still be limits for OUT OF COUNTRY.  That would still depend upon the specific Employer plan policy and what it offers...   Double check before any trip... not after!

And per what Jersey42 just wrote, we get an annual plan with MedJetAssist, although they also offer "per trip" plans.  Well, we had annual plans before The Plague Era; we haven't traveled anywhere yet. 😞  

Again... call the experts and discuss your situation.  They can be far more specific for your situation than any of us here.

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
• ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 2 hours ago

LauraS · Started 3 hours ago

LauraS · Started 5 hours ago

LauraS · Started 6 hours ago

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

• Best Global Medical Insurance Companies
• Student Insurance
• Overseas Health Insurance
• Insurance for American Expats Abroad
• Canadian Expats – Insurance and Overseas Health
• Health Insurance for UK Citizens Living Abroad
• Expat Insurance for Japanese Abroad
• Expat Insurance for Germans Living Abroad
• Travel Medical Insurance Plans
• Annual Travel Insurance
• Visitors Insurance
• Top 10 Travel Insurance Companies
• Evacuation Insurance Plans
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• International Life Insurance
• Corporate and Employee Groups
• Group Global Medical Insurance
• Group Travel Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Foreign General Liability for Organizations
• Missionary Groups
• School & Student Groups
• Volunteer Programs and Non-Profits
• Bupa Global Health Insurance
• Cigna Close Care
• Cigna Global Health Insurance
• Cigna Healthguard
• Xplorer Health Insurance Plan
• Navigator Student Health Insurance
• Voyager Travel Medical Plan
• Trekker Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
• Global Medical Insurance Plan
• Patriot Travel Insurance
• Global Prima Medical Insurance
• Student Health Advantage
• Patriot Exchange – Insurance for Students
• SimpleCare Health Plan
• WorldCare Health Plan
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• SafeTreker Travel Insurance Plan
• Unisure International Insurance
• William Russell Life Insurance
• William Russell Health Insurance
• Atlas Travel Insurance
• StudentSecure Insurance
• Compare Global Health Insurance Plans
• Compare Travel Insurance Plans
• Health Insurance in the USA
• Health Insurance in Mexico
• Health Insurance in Canada
• Health Insurance in Argentina
• Health Insurance in Colombia for Foreigners
• Health Insurance in Chile
• UK Health Insurance Plans for Foreigners
• Health Insurance in Germany
• French Health Insurance
• Italian Health Insurance
• Health Insurance in Sweden for Foreigners
• Portuguese Health Insurance
• Health Insurance in Spain for Foreigners
• Health Insurance in China
• Health Insurance in Japan
• Health Insurance in Dubai
• Health Insurance in India
• Thailand Health Insurance
• Malaysian Health Insurance for Foreigners
• Health Insurance in Singapore for Foreigners
• Australian Health Insurance for Foreigners
• Health Insurance in New Zealand
• South Africa Health Insurance for Foreigners
• USA Travel Insurance
• Australia Travel Insurance
• Mexico Travel Insurance
• News, Global Health Advice, and Travel Tips
• Insurance Articles
• Travel Advice and Tips
• Best Travel Insurance for Seniors
• Best Hospitals in the United States
• Best International Hospitals in the UK
• Best Hospitals in Mexico

Or call for a quote: 877-758-4881 +44 (20) 35450909

International Citizens Insurance

Medical, Life and Travel Plans!

U.S. 877-758-4881 - Intl. +44 (20) 35450909

Global Health Coverage: Cigna vs. GeoBlue

Explore the Differences Between Cigna and GeoBlue Xplorer

To choose the right plan, you should first consider your individual and family healthcare needs and whether your plan provides coverage in the destination or destinations where you will reside and/or intend to visit.

Broadly speaking, GeoBlue Xplorer is the most comprehensive plan we offer, with the maximum amount of coverage. Cigna Global is a more basic plan that allows members to pay only for the benefits they desire, with the option to enhance their coverage with additional modules. Both plans offer coverage worldwide, with the option to include some level of coverage in the United States.

Here is how the two plans compare in the top areas most customers consider when choosing an international health plan.

Cigna Global Medical and GeoBlue Xplorer are the best international health insurance plans for you to consider. These are two of the most popular we offer, and both are high-quality choices for individuals and families planning to live abroad.

Geographical Coverage Area

GeoBlue Xplorer Premier provides comprehensive global coverage, including full benefits in the U.S. via the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network. The GeoBlue Xplorer Essential plan offers comprehensive worldwide coverage, excluding the U.S., and is less expensive than the Premier plan. GeoBlue plans vary regarding the amount and length of U.S. coverage they offer. Note: The plan is limited to U.S. citizens living abroad or foreigners living in the U.S.

Cigna's Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans offer worldwide coverage, with the option to add coverage in the United States via their healthcare network. Those who do not elect optional U.S. coverage will still receive limited hospitalization benefits if they suffer an accident while on a brief visit to the United States.

Adding coverage for the United States makes the insurance more expensive. If you visit the U.S. occasionally, ask your broker about coverage in the U.S. for short visits.

The GeoBlue Xplorer Plan includes in-patient and outpatient care, health and wellbeing, and medical evacuation. The plan has an unlimited medical maximum limit. So, it will cover even the most expensive illnesses. The plan also waives the deductible for primary and preventative care services, the basic prescription drug benefit ($2500 annual max.), physical and occupational therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic services. Once the annual deductible is met, the plan pays 100% of inpatient hospital services and accidental dental care costs. GeoBlue Xplorer plans also offer subscribers maternity benefits (after a 12-month waiting period), as well as enhanced prescription, dental, and vision (non-emergency) benefits for an additional cost.

All Cigna Global plans include 100% coverage for inpatient care and essential hospital stays for treatments for conditions such as cancer, mental or behavioral health issues, and addiction. They also cover emergency outpatient treatment resulting from an accident. Additional modules can be added to the core plan as needed for an additional cost. The International Outpatient module covers routine office visits and other preventative care. Other optional modules include Medical Evacuation, Health and Wellness, and Vision and Dental. The various plan levels, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, come with different limits on the maximum coverage available for various benefits.

Ready to request a quote?

Get fast, free, international insurance quotes from top providers.

Annual Cost

Premium costs vary widely based on a member's chosen plan tier, deductible, age, coverage area, and the included optional modules.

GeoBlue Xplorer plans, which are the most comprehensive and include access to a premium global network of doctors and hospitals, may cost more than other plans initially. However, once you review the benefits and coverage, you will find that their plans are comparable in price to the best plans available through other providers. Options, including choosing a higher deductible or excluding coverage in the U.S., can reduce your monthly premium.

Cigna's plans are customizable, allowing members to only pay for the necessary benefits. Their core coverage, including outpatient benefits, may seem less expensive initially. However, if you need a more comprehensive plan, you can add optional modules at an additional cost. The Cigna Global Gold Plan with all the optional modules will be very comparable in price to the GeoBlue Xplorer plan. Member discounts are available when you pay quarterly or annually.

Deductibles and Annual Benefit Limits

All GeoBlue Xplorer plans include unlimited annual and lifetime benefits, and members do not pay a deductible for standard services such as office visits, preventative care, and outpatient prescriptions. For services subject to a deductible, GeoBlue plans offer multiple options ranging from $0 to $10,000.

All Cigna Global plans include cost-sharing options and annual deductibles that range from $0 to $10,000. The maximum annual benefit limits increase between each plan tier: $1 million for Silver, $2 million for Gold, and unlimited for Platinum. Members can adjust the cost of their annual premiums by selecting plan level, deductible, and cost-sharing options that best suit their budget.

Opting for a higher insurance deductible can be wise, potentially saving you money in the long run. If you typically stay healthy and don’t require frequent doctor visits, the trade-off of lower premiums could be more financially beneficial.

Telehealth Services

Geoblue offers members unlimited telehealth services via the Global TeleMD mobile app. The app may also be used to locate providers, submit and review claims, provide medical translations and medicine equivalents, and many other features.

Cigna Global members may use the Cigna Wellbeing app to access Cigna’s Global Telehealth service, which provides access to licensed doctors around the world for non-emergency health issues. There are no limits, deductibles, or cost-share payments for telehealth consultations.

Customer Service and Support

Members have access to GeoBlue’s in-house medical assistance team 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, either by phone or via the mobile app . GeoBlue's team helps members find elite providers and arrange for direct billing. Members have 90 days to submit a claim online, via the mobile app, or by mail if they visit an in-network provider without pre-authorization from GeoBlue.

Cigna Global’s Customer Care Team is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Representatives can help connect customers with providers and medical facilities in their area. Alternatively, Cigna's dedicated member site provides an in-network directory of hospitals, clinics, and doctors for policyholders to use.

Working with us ensures you benefit from our expertise in tailoring a personalized plan to your needs, with the assurance of continuous support, advocacy, and assistance throughout the entire policy period.

Interested in learning more?

All Cigna Global and GeoBlue Xplorer plans are subject to specific eligibility requirements and geographic distinctions. To learn more, please visit and review our detailed Cigna Global and GeoBlue Xplorer product pages.

Get a fast, free, international insurance quote.

Global medical plans, specialty coverage, company info, customer service.

• About GeoBlue
• Why GeoBlue?

GeoBlue Solutions:

• For Individuals
• For Employers
• For Academic Institutions
• For Members
• For Brokers
• For Providers
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Global
• Bupa Global

Our Pillars

Unparalleled, worldwide access and reliability..

We offer worldwide health insurance solutions and services that provide peace of mind to employers, non-profits, universities and individuals – ensuring members get access to the care they need, when they need it.

Blue locally, hand-picked globally.

BEST-IN-CLASS NETWORKS

Providing members access to one of the largest global care networks

Support when you want it, help when you need it.

INTEGRATED SERVICE EXPERIENCE

Through centralized tools and programs.

In your hand and by your side: digital & personal.

INDUSTRY-LEADING DIGITAL TOOLS

To help members and administrators access and manage healthcare.

See what sets GeoBlue apart.

It's a Big World

Mercer's Testimonial