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GeoBlue Travel Insurance Review: Is it Worth the Cost?

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Table of Contents

What does GeoBlue travel insurance offer?

Geoblue travel insurance cost and coverage, what isn’t covered, how to choose a geoblue plan online, is geoblue travel insurance worth it.

• Flexible deductible options.
• Wide ranging medical coverage.
• Low prices for medical only needs.
• Lacks in traditional travel insurance coverage options such as trip Interruption, bag delays, etc.
• Better when paired with travel credit card insurance coverage.

If you’re going on a trip soon, you may be wondering whether to invest in travel insurance. This type of insurance can offer protection in the event that you fall ill, your plans change unexpectedly or you experience unavoidable delays.

GeoBlue is one insurance provider offering plans to travelers, with a number of plans available based on your needs. Here's a review of GeoBlue travel insurance, including the options offered and how to choose your plan.

GeoBlue insurance offers two different plans for travelers, though it focuses mainly on medical coverage . These plans are called Voyager Essential and Voyager Choice. The former offers lower coverage options than the latter and is generally cheaper (though as you'll see, not always by a large amount).

The company also provides multitrip, long-term and group options for those who need them.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

How much does GeoBlue cost? GeoBlue’s travel insurance is mostly medical-based and includes a comprehensive list of inclusions, though it also has coverage for some travel mishaps.

To get an idea of costs, we used a sample trip for a 33-year-old traveler from California with existing insurance heading out in August on a two-week trip.

Note that for this GeoBlue insurance review, we selected the highest coverage amount with no deductible. There are choices that allow you to include a higher deductible and a lower coverage limit, which may lower your plan cost.

Here’s what the two GeoBlue plans cover:

As you can see, there’s not a big difference when it comes to how much GeoBlue’s plans cost, with just about $7 between the two different offerings.

In terms of benefits, most are the same as well — the biggest difference between the Voyager Essential and Voyager Choice plans comes down to prescription medication coverage and coverage related to accidental death and dismemberment .

The less-expensive Essential plan pays 50% of your prescription costs, while the Choice plan covers the full 100%. As well, the Choice plan doubles accidental death coverage from Essential's $25,000 to $50,000.

Other than that, differences are minimal. You’ll get less coverage for emergency dental care and quarantine expenses , but otherwise, everything else is the same.

» Learn more: How does travel insurance work?

Is GeoBlue travel insurance good? Unlike many other travel insurance policies, GeoBlue’s products include coverage for hazardous activities and medical quarantine.

However, while GeoBlue shines when it comes to medical coverage, it falls short in other travel insurance aspects. Many travel insurance plans provide better options in the event that your bags are delayed , your flight is canceled or you miss nonrefundable bookings.

In GeoBlue’s case, the low levels of reimbursement for these types of issues may be problematic. However, bear in mind that many travel credit cards provide complimentary travel insurance that would pair well with a GeoBlue plan.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

To purchase a GeoBlue plan online, go to the company’s website .

You’ll see the option to generate a quote and you’ll type in your trip dates, traveler's age and ZIP code.

Once you hit "Get A Quote" the results page pops up, which will give you the option to choose your deductible amount and maximum level of coverage. You can also toggle between single trip and multi trip.

Once you’ve decided on a plan, you’ll need to fill out all pertinent information including your contact information, your health plan details and beneficiary. Once you review the terms of the plan, select to payment and input your credit or debit card information.

After that, your policy will be issued.

» Learn more: 6 common travel insurance myths

While it offers excellent medical care for low prices, GeoBlue’s policies fall short when it comes to other travel coverage. However, if you also have a travel credit card , you may be able to pair the two together for relatively strong travel insurance coverage at a low cost.

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GeoBlue Travel Insurance Coverage Review — Is It Worth It?

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

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Why Purchase Travel Insurance

Why choose geoblue, travel medical insurance and the covid-19 virus, short-term single-trip plan options — geoblue voyager, multi-trip plan options — geoblue trekker, long-term plan options, additional plans available, how to obtain a quote, the value of travel insurance comparison sites, geoblue vs. other travel insurance companies, geoblue vs. credit card travel insurance, everything else you need to know, 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.

We frequently discuss travel insurance and look closely at companies that offer the coverage , but today we’re narrowing our focus from comprehensive travel insurance to a specific type of travel coverage — travel medical insurance.

Chances are you’ve heard of BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS), one of the leading healthcare insurance providers in the U.S. The company was established in 1929 and currently insures over 107 million members. GeoBlue, an independent licensee of BCBS, picks up where BCBS leaves off, offering travel medical coverage worldwide .

You do not have to be a member of BCBS to purchase travel medical insurance from GeoBlue as the company makes its products widely available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

In an effort to determine the benefits of GeoBlue as a viable option for purchasing travel medical insurance, join us as we explore the following in today’s review:

• Why you should consider travel insurance and specifically GeoBlue
• An overview of the types of plans the company offers
• Comparing plans and obtaining a quote
• How the company measures up versus other companies and to credit card travel insurance

Insurance products, in general, serve the purpose of indemnifying you and making you whole (or nearly whole) should a covered event cause you to incur a financial loss. Travel insurance , and in this case travel medical insurance, is designed to accomplish the same objective.

Since our topic for this article is narrowed to travel medical insurance , let’s look at several reasons you’d want to consider this coverage.

• Your current health insurance policy does not provide coverage outside of the U.S. and/or its territories
• Your current health insurance policy covers you outside of the country but has a high deductible
• You are on Medicare and do not have a supplement plan
• You want a primary travel medical policy that gives you access to a network of medical providers in the country you’re visiting
• You have insurance from your credit card for trip cancellation, trip interruption , and other travel disruptions, but not travel medical coverage
• You are traveling to a remote area and want to have emergency evacuation insurance

This is just a sampling of some of the situations where you’d want to consider purchasing a travel medical insurance policy. Fortunately, the coverage is affordable and widely available.

Bottom Line: If your current health insurance policy does not cover you while traveling abroad or has a high deductible if it does provide coverage, you’ll want to consider purchasing travel medical insurance . Additionally, you should consider travel medical insurance if you’re concerned about emergency medical evacuation, or want to have 1 primary policy that covers you during your travels. 

If you have the need to purchase travel medical insurance, there are certainly a lot of companies from which to select. GeoBlue stands tall among those competitors for several reasons.

First, the company has been providing global health insurance options since 1997, is a licensee of BCBS with a rating of excellent by financial insurance rating company, AM Best, and has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau.

Additionally, you can expect the following benefits when insuring with GeoBlue:

• GeoBlue has a vetted group of elite doctors in a network that spans 190 countries. Physicians must be certified by the American or Royal Board of Medical Specialties.
• Visits to network doctors/facilities are handled cashless, eliminating the need to file a claim for reimbursement.
• In addition to in-person care, GeoBlue utilizes alternative telemedicine options available 24/7 and provides access to a global network of physicians and facilities.
• Access is available to 24/7 assistance including translation services, physician referrals, prescription services, destination assistance, and more.

Bottom Line: GeoBlue is an established, highly-rated company that specializes in providing travel medical insurance with associated care via its global physician network, telemedicine services, and 24/7 medical assistance services. 

Travel insurance, in general, does not cover voluntary trip cancellations due to the fear of getting ill for any reason, including the fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus. In addition, some travel insurance companies specifically exclude COVID-19 for most coverages. Other travel insurance companies provide limited coverage for COVID-19-related illnesses under trip interruption and medical care coverages only.

You’ll want to review any policy you’re considering to make sure your greatest concerns are covered.

In order to have any coverage that provides reimbursement for a voluntary trip cancellation, for example, you’ll need to consider Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance .

Travel medical insurance does not normally include extensive coverage for trip cancellations or disruptions  but focuses more on providing medical care and reimbursement for the associated expenses that occur as a result of becoming ill or having an accident during your travels.

Fortunately, many of the medical insurance policies offered by GeoBlue do cover COVID-19-related illness . Let’s look closer at the available options.

Bottom Line: In order to have coverage for trip cancellation due to the fear of getting ill, you would need to purchase Cancel for Any Reason insurance. Some policies provide limited coverage for COVID-19 under trip cancellation and trip disruption coverages should you contract the virus prior to or during your travels. Many of the travel medical policies offered by GeoBlue cover COVID-19-related illness care . 

GeoBlue Policy Comparisons

GeoBlue offers single trip, multi-trip, and long-term plans. The company also issues specialty travel medical plans for students, workers on assignment, missionaries, volunteers, and maritime workers while abroad.

First, let’s look at the policy options for individuals and group travelers.

GeoBlue Voyager plans are designed for individual single-trip travel or group single-trip events. Groups are defined as 5 or more persons traveling together and a 10% discount off of individual pricing is provided.

Voyager plans include coverage for COVID-19-related illness care. 

Here’s how the 2 Voyager policy options compare.

If you’re a frequent traveler, it could make sense to purchase 1 annual policy that covers multiple trips. GeoBlue Trekker multi-trip plans cover all trips made within a 12-month period (up to 70 days in length) and offer 2 levels of coverage options.

Here is a comparison of the 2 GeoBlue Trekker plans.

Both plans cover pre-existing conditions and emergency and non-emergency medical care. Both plans require that you have a primary health plan in place to qualify for purchasing these plans.

If you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living abroad and need medical insurance, GeoBlue offers 2 plans that may provide the coverage you need for you and your family.

These plans are different from short-term plans in that medical underwriting is needed in order to qualify. Here’s a brief summary of GeoBlue plans for U.S. expats.

All GeoBlue plans offer 24/7 global medical assistance, translation services, doctor searches, and destination health/security information.

GeoBlue Navigator, Xplorer, and Voyager plans include coverage for COVID-19-related illness .

GeoBlue provides additional medical plans for specific types of travelers working abroad, on assignment, or participating in study programs.

• Incoming international students studying in the U.S.
• Students studying abroad
• Employees of multi-national companies working abroad
• Expatriate Crew International Health Plan — for those working on ships
• Expatriate Missionary and Volunteer International Health Plan — covers missionaries, aid workers, and volunteers worldwide

Bottom Line: GeoBlue offers several comprehensive individual travel medical plan options, comprehensive student plans including coverage for international visiting students, and plans for U.S. students, faculty, and family when studying abroad. GeoBlue also offers employer plans that provide coverage to employees working abroad and their families. Missionaries, those who volunteer internationally, and maritime workers will also find policies designed specifically for those situations. 

Obtaining a quote for any type of travel insurance can be quick, easy, and can even result in securing immediate coverage. The process is similar for travel medical insurance.

To obtain a quote from GeoBlue for a single trip plan, you’ll need to input your travel destination, your state of residence, the length of your trip, age, cost of the trip, and the date you made the first trip deposit.

For a multi-trip annual plan quote, the process is similar. You’ll need to input your zip code, age, and the desired effective date of the policy.

Obtaining a quote with GeoBlue for a single or multi-trip policy can be done in just a few minutes. To obtain a long-term policy quote, you’ll need to submit some of the same basic information and a quote will be emailed to you.

Bottom Line: Obtaining a quote for a single or multi-trip policy is a quick and simple process completed on the GeoBlue website. A long-term quote for qualifying applicants must be requested via email. 

While purchasing a travel medical policy from GeoBlue ensures you’re dealing with a highly-rated established company, it’s always good to do some comparison shopping when looking for any type of insurance.

Viewing a selection of policies side-by-side makes it easy to compare coverages and costs. This task is easily accomplished by utilizing a travel insurance comparison website such as the ones listed here.

Additionally, comparison sites allow you to narrow the number of policies to those that contain the coverages most important to you. Here are a few we recommend:

• InsureMyTrip — great for stand-alone medical travel insurance policy comparisons but also offers comprehensive travel insurance policies from over 20 providers
• Squaremouth — easy to navigate site that allows you to compare dozens of travel insurance companies and filter by desired coverage, including travel medical insurance
• TravelInsurance.com — you’ll want to use this site for comparing travel insurance plans, including those with medical coverage, however, no stand-alone medical plan quotes are available

Bottom Line: Utilize a travel insurance comparison site to help you easily compare several plans, filter by desired coverage, and select those that best match your coverage priorities. 

How GeoBlue Compares — Summary

We know that GeoBlue is a reputable choice for travel medical insurance but let’s look at how the company’s offerings compare to other travel medical providers and to the coverage that comes with your credit cards.

When we searched for a quote using the criteria of a traveler, age 40, for a trip to Mexico for 1 week that costs $3,000, the top 4 results above were shown. You’ll notice by the results that single-trip travel medical insurance can be an affordable option.

The next key element in selecting a policy will be to compare coverages. We know that GeoBlue Voyager policies include coverage for COVID-19 with the Voyager plans, for example, so this may be a key factor in our selection.

Digging deeper into our comparison we find that 1 policy does not include coverage for COVID-19. If we narrow our search to plans that only include this coverage, the next step will be to look at other coverages and limits that are important to us.

In this case, coverages for these policies are similar and costs do not vary widely. GeoBlue, however, remains competitive in both coverages offered and premiums charged.

Bottom Line: While GeoBlue holds its own and is competitive in both coverages and cost when compared to other travel medical insurance companies for single-trip plans, we know that coverage for multi-trip plans does not include coverage for COVID-19-related illness. 

We frequently remind travelers that even the best credit cards for travel insurance are not a replacement for a comprehensive travel insurance policy. This is especially true for travel medical insurance coverage as you won’t find comprehensive medical coverage on any credit card .

There are very few cards that do offer emergency evacuation insurance and other ancillary medical/dental coverage. Here are 2 of the best options for travel-related coverages and benefits.

The Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

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To learn more about all the travel insurance coverages that come with the Amex Platinum card, you’ll want to review our in-depth article on the topic. Note that terms apply and enrollment may be required for some benefits, so make sure you enroll through your American Express account.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• 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℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• 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
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• Member FDIC
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable

Chase Ultimate Rewards

• Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Airport Lounge Access
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve

For more information on Chase Sapphire Reserve card travel insurance coverages , you’ll want to access our expanded overview.

Bottom Line: While credit cards may offer travel accident, trip delay , and other ancillary travel insurance coverages, these cards do not offer travel medical insurance. 

Here’s some additional information we need to pass along applicable to the GeoBlue policies mentioned in our article:

• Eligibility includes U.S. citizens and permanent residents only
• Single and multi-trip medical insurance policies must be purchased in your home country before you travel
• Long-term policies, such as those for expats, may be purchased while abroad
• Travelers under 96 are generally eligible for coverage; other age limits may apply to specific policies
• Coverage is valid in all countries other than where the plan would violate U.S. economic trade sanctions
• Some GeoBlue policy options are secondary and require you to have an underlying medical insurance policy
• All policies issued by GeoBlue have a 10-day money-back guarantee

GeoBlue’s expertise at providing travel medical insurance makes it a good choice for purchasing coverage for a single or group trip, or if you’re an expat needing longer-term medical coverage while abroad. Students, faculty, and employers will also find comprehensive medical plans that fit their international medical insurance needs.

Finally, keep in mind that our article today is simply an overview and abbreviated summary of GeoBlue’s policy offerings — plenty of terms and conditions apply. The company’s website provides everything you need to select the appropriate policy, review coverages, obtain a quote, and purchase a 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 .

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

How does geoblue travel insurance work.

GeoBlue specializes in travel medical insurance. Care is provided internationally primarily via a comprehensive, vetted, and certified worldwide network of physicians and hospitals in 190 countries, but out-of-network international care is also covered. Additionally, the company provides worldwide care via telemedicine appointments.

The company offers international single trip, multi-trip, and group travel medical insurance plans.

It’s specialty travel medical insurance plans include policies for visiting international students, U.S. students studying abroad, and faculty members.

Additional plans include plans for those who work abroad for multi-national companies, maritime works, missionaries, and volunteers.

Is GeoBlue a good travel insurance company?

Yes. GeoBlue, a licensee of Blue Cross Blue Shield, is an established travel medical insurance company that has been offering international health insurance since 1997.

The company received a high financial rating from insurance rating company A.M. Best and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Does GeoBlue meet Schengen visa insurance requirements?

Yes. GeoBlue travel medical insurance plans meet Schengen visa insurance requirements.

Does GeoBlue cover dental?

GeoBlue Voyager and Trekker plans offer ancillary dental coverage with limits between $100 and $500, depending on the plan, which includes emergency dental care for injury or relief of pain.

Voyager plans have additional dental and vision care riders which are optional add-ons.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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GeoBlue Travel Insurance Review

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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.

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Reviews, Sales, and Service Ratings for GeoBlue

0.0% (4) negative reviews to sales Average on Squaremouth is 0.2%

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Customer Reviews for GeoBlue

Sort by Most Helpful, Most Recent, Star Ratings, or select “Filed Claim” to only show reviews from customers who filed a claim.

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I would purchase travel insurance again through SquareMouth.

I liked the updates Geo- Blue gave about things going on in the country I visited. They were informative.

Great support from Squaremouth when trying to choose a policy.

I have used GeoBlue for 3-4 trips. Comprehensive coverage but never used for medical claims. Easy to contact . Will use again.

The gentleman i talked to was incredibly helpful and patient.

See my positive previous review regarding my experience with GeoBlue sustomer service

I did not need to contact GeoBlue during my recent travel/vacation to Canada, or submit a claim, so I'm unable to comment on that matter. Otherwise, I am satisfied with my medical travel insurance purchasing experience with GeoBlue. Thank you.

submitted our claim on May 26th, was told originally that it would take 2-3 weeks. After 2-3 weeks passed, was told that it's 2-3 business weeks. After 2-3 business weeks passed, was told it's 1 business month. Still waiting for the claim result...

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.

I filed the claim and nobody get back to me as of now... Terrible...

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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.

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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

If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at [email protected] .

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 .

• Cruise/Travel Insurance

Annual medical only insurance: Geoblue or Allianz?

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

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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/

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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.

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GeoBlue   Reviews

In the Money & Insurance category

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Reviews 1.8.

Most relevant

Unethical insurance company

Unethical insurance company. It's a constant battle getting claims processed for services that are listed on policy terms as being 100% covered without deductible. Deductible calculations are never accurate. Agents are not knowledgeable and it's clear this business uses stall tactics to process claims in hopes you'll pay to avoid bills being sent to collections. Absolute worst insurance company I've ever used.

Date of experience : 30 March 2024

We used GeoBlue for several years (6)…

We used GeoBlue for several years (6) for our child who studied abroad in Asia. We had a good experience with them. They were easy to access and communicate with. We did not have any major clams except routine visits and medication which were covered. Overall, I would recommend them for this purpose.

Date of experience : 26 February 2022

Paid claims as promised with no hassle

I contracted COVID on my recent trip to West Africa, and GeoBlue paid all expenses claimed as promised in their insurance contract. They responded promptly to all my inquiries. My claim was paid within a month, as advertised. I would definitely recommend them.

Date of experience : 08 February 2023

Simply the best. If you are a US citizen/expat look no further.

GeoBlue is simply the best in the expat health insurance market for U.S. citizens/permanent residents. The entire team is exceptional and the premiums are competitively priced. The company is backed by Bupa/Blue Cross Blue Shield and is financially stable. Claims are processed extremely fast, the team is very responsive and no-nonsense. Also, the terms of insurance are clearly defined and there are very few ambiguities. For example, a "pre-existing condition" can be defined in many ways depending on the insurer, and GeoBlue clearly defines it including the look back period. I've purchased numerous short term travel policies and now have a long-term expat policy. I'm always skeptical of insurance companies, but after reviewing several of the company's marketing videos the team is really passionate about what they do and seem to care for their customers' well-being. Also, most major U.S. universities have chosen GeoBlue to insure their students abroad which says a lot about the integrity of the company.

Date of experience : 26 February 2020

Would give zero stars if possible

We bought an expensive travel health insurance policy with a $0 deductible (not cheap for 2 weeks). Then my husband had a minor injury which required a trip to the hospital and resulted in a modest 217 Euro (less than $300) bill - for minor surgery, ER, etc. - it was really reasonable. The clinic submitted paperwork that showed they had treated the injury. But because the clinic couldn't itemize, and told Geoblue they bundled the payment, Geoblue paid $0 and we had to pay the entire amount. Save your money to pay the bill and don't buy from these crooks.

Date of experience : 02 July 2023

Geoblue claims to cover doctor visits

Geoblue claims to cover doctor visits. Only hospitalization on deductible. Most doctors in smaller countries rent space from hospitals but are not part of the hospitals. GeoBlue counted this as hospital visits despite my protest. They refused to pay medical bills that did not have the diagnostic codes they were looking for. Doctors and even hospitals don't use diagnostic codes in smaller countries. As a travel insurance company they know this. It's fraudulent false advertising. The insurance has no value at all at least out of the U.S. They only reimbursed medications.

Date of experience : 28 November 2022

Not too reliable or clear

I bought a 3-month policy for travel and health insurance. I had a medical issue which I needed covered. It wasn't an emergency but it was important. For this medical issue, each email exchange with Geoblue took between 4 and 7 days, and further information was asked each time by Geoblue, followed by a no-guarantee invitation to submit a claim. There were not many doctors available in their network though I was staying in the well-served areas of Rome and Toulouse (France). In the end, they offered to review my claim if I paid for a doctor out of network (none being available in their network) and if the treatment was covered, they would review as to whether to reimburse. This is a rather tentative-sounding offer. So this took a couple of weeks, of trial and error, just to make an easy request. This was all so I could get a medical exam of $30 to $200, depending, because of a sudden-onset medical problem while traveling. 2) There was also a baggage delay and a theft during my time of travel but it seemed these were not covered. A significant issue is whether it's easy to make claims and get basic services where needed. If it's not, the insurance is not valuable. Though my experience with the company is limited, this is enough for me to seek a better insurance carrier.

Date of experience : 13 November 2023

False info Regarding Contracted Services

I had an urgent care issue and contacted Geo Blue for a list of contracted providers. Every provider I went to who GEO Blue told me was contracted, weren’t. I ended up paying for services. I am paying a very high premium and this is so disappointing. I am convinced they don’t have any contracted hospitals in Mexico City. I will be reporting them to the state commission to investigate for gals advertising.

Date of experience : 06 March 2023

Bad Customer service now.

LAST YEAR I wrote a five star Geo Blue Review. I have made numerous purchases during the last five years as I buy policies for everyone in my company. Geo Blue always had excellent customer service. I used Geo Blue for my own policy recently. Had a trip delay. I asked to update dates expecting a small refund. Nine bucks. I was very surprised at how HORRIBLE & unintelligible customer service was. Update. LOL. Heard from GeoBlue, via email. There is a minimum of 7 days so date change (easily allowed) didn't make a difference in cost. There is seven day minimum. Too bad the foreign customer service agent and the supervisor were so focused on telling me they couldn't change the dates (not true). They were too busy giving me the business to be logical and helpful. I have made numerous referrals to Geo Blue in the past. Now I cannot because of their customer service.

Date of experience : 01 April 2023

Anti-customer business model - They went out of their way to baselessly penalize me

Their predatory business model ought to be illegal, and in fact it is illegal now in the US but they skirt the law. They go out of their way at every turn to find fault in their customers, reaching for any possible shred of a reason to charge their customers more or exclude coverage. Then without discussion, they try to justify this practice with a toxic non-reason, but the fact is that it’s morally wrong. I don’t even have preexisting conditions but I found the whole process of trying to work with this company to be deeply offensive. No regard for medical opinion, everything is based on their actuarial's opinion of how much money people are worth.

Date of experience : 02 December 2022

Had to get a GOP for every hospital visit!

I got GeoBlue voyager essential for the three months my daughter and I were abroad. Everytime I needed to see a doctor, I needed to apply for the GOP a few time I went to the ER and had to pay out of pocket. I did not use the insurance but my daughter did. Towards the end of our stay, my daughter needed to see a doc but Geoblue delayed the request to allow the insurance some time to end. Wouldnt use it again.

Date of experience : 16 August 2022

I have been paying a massive amount of…

I have been paying a massive amount of money monthly to my US Insurance company and have been living overseas. I never sent in any claims. Geo-Bue handles their overseas claims. Now I have just sent in few and the service has been terrible! No one seems to know what is going on there. I send a claim and then they send a form letter saying they need more information even though I have already sent them the information. I will be looking for other insurance for sure.

Date of experience : 01 August 2020

Don't trust this company

Don't trust this company. By one of its agents that if I extended my Abroad trip, I could renew/ buy again health coverage for more time Abroad. The company said otherwise.

Date of experience : 10 March 2023

Absolutely atrocious

Absolutely atrocious. I can't believe I made the mistake of paying for this insurance for not one, but two trips. I'm diabetic and ran out of continuous glucose monitors after my airline lost one of my bags on this most recent trip. I have an international number, so I can't call their "24 hour emergency help line", which is U.S. based even though it says accepts collect calls. LOL. Yeah let me just go find a phone that can do that. Oh wait, it's 2023. Mobile phones cannot. Finally found a way to call on mobile (using a Skype number, US based), got "transferred to the right department", or so I was told, then was put on an endless hold. After an hour of being on hold, I pressed option 1 to have them call me back. I also submitted their online form that says it's "the fastest way to hear back". It's been days. With no help from the insurance I paid for, I walked down to the local pharmacy and purchased a manual glucometer. I will never use GeoBlue again. What a scam.

Date of experience : 17 February 2023

When making decisions about your health insurance, please consider reviews from people who have not only purchased their insurance, but who have actually used it. I'm currently 8 months into trying to get GeoBlue to pay the hospital for services that they are contractually obliged to pay under my policy, and they are doing everything they can to find loopholes out of it. They are refusing to pay for my birth control despite it being covered by the Xplorer Plan, on the grounds that "per your policy, the removal and insertion of the IUD is not covered as preventative." How is birth control not preventative? Anyway, on page 36 of my policy under "What is covered?" they promise to cover "Prescription Contraception and devices." If you google “contraceptive device,” the result is IUD. Seems simple enough to me. And yet, here we are 9 months later without payment. The same, incidentally goes for a mammogram (again, preventative) but after 8 months they have yet to state why they have denied this claim. I'm escalating my case to the insurance commissioner -- and warning you.

Date of experience : 15 May 2020

Homophobic policies!!!!

They deny my application because my Prep medication were too expensive, which is bull crap. Sexist and offensive. I hope they will get out of business!!

Date of experience : 06 August 2022

It has been more than a year since I…

It has been more than a year since I submitted my claim and they never replied my email and had done nothing. This is the worst company. It is so easy to buy but when you make a claim, they just ignore you. You should close down your business. You just collect money.

Date of experience : 25 December 2022

Absolutely awful costumer service!

Absolutely awful costumer service! Had a few claims that they would refund, they send my girlfriend a check on the correct amount but wrong name, i emailed them, took a week to get a reply saying they would void the check and send a new one in the correct name, 3 weeks later we recieved a new check.. wrong name again, we have now gotten 3 different checks, all in the wrong name, its been over 4 months now since we were supposed to get our money, I send them an email again 8 days ago, havent gotten an answer yet so called them today and they said they are processing it again, it will probably take another week to finalize it and then they have to send the new check, hopefully in the right name but I sure am not expecting much anymore. I even asked if they possibly could try and speed the process a little bit being we have been waiting for this long to get our money, but no cant do that...

Date of experience : 30 July 2020

4 years ago when I left the us I got…

4 years ago when I left the us I got with geoblue as a provider. The first year or so everything was fine. Had an emergency surgery in tokyo that was paid quickly by them. Went about my traveling again with no issues. Well this year I tore a shoulder muscle in australia. Went to a gp had the mri and so on told it would need surgery. Filed claim with geo blue and they refused me saying I needed more paperwork. I sent them everything I had. They finally paid me about 2 months later after I came to manila. Did the surgery here 1.5 months ago and now I just got Informed they need more paperwork that I do not have. I refiled the claim and one day later I'm refused for duplicate claims. They told me to refile the claim. I'm done with this company and since I'm returning to the us they don't cover there anyways so canceling is the next step.

Date of experience : 12 May 2023

GeoBlue as an International Student

As an international student, I have used GeoBlue a lot and never had any issues.

Date of experience : 05 January 2021

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GeoBlue   Reviews

In the Money & Insurance category

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Reviews 1.8.

Most relevant

I purchased a policy, made a clearly covered claim and am still being jerked around three months later.

I purchased a policy and, unfortunately, had to use it when I suffered appendiciitis while in Canada. I understand that often people are unhappy with insurance companies because they (the policy holder) didn't understand what was actually covered or follow the instructions for submitting claims. However, neither of those are the case here. I can't imagine a company providing worse customer service than Geo-Blue. The company said it would take 30 days to process the claim. It has been three months. EVERY time I call, I get the same non-answers. "Your claim is under review. I've asked the claims department to escalate your case. Call us back in another week." Today, I received notice that part of the claim had been denied, with no explanation of why. The first person I spoke with couldn't even discern that the claim had been denied. The second person, said it was because I had paid part of the bill, but hadn't submitted a receipt for the payment. Understand, that when I submitted the claim three months ago, I hadn't paid anything, so there were no receipts to submit. I had misplaced confidence the company would actually pay the bills within 30, maybe 45, days. When it became obvious that wasn't happening, I started making payments on the bills to avoid being sent to collections. Geo-Blue never mentioned that I shouldn't do that, or if I did it, I needed to pay the bill in full because they don't reimburse for partial payments. So, now, I have to go back and finish paying the nearly $8k I owe to the medical providers out of my own pocket; wait for the receipts to be generated either by the provider or my credit card company, submit them to Geo-Blue and wait another God-knows how long before I get reimbursed. There is no doubt this company purposefully puts every hurdle possible in the communication process to prevent paying for as long as possible. In general, I am a very understanding person when it comes to misunderstandings and make allowances for unintentional mistakes, but it is clear Geo-Blue's policy is to intentionally cause snags with the hope that people will just give up and go away. I imagine many do. Me? I'm about to contact my state's attorney general and insurance commission and the Better Business Bureau to register complaints. And, I'll write as many of these reviews as possible to help other people avoid the aggravation of dealing with this company.

Date of experience : January 12, 2024

No Help, No Response, Limited Reimbursement.

While we were traveling in Ecuador, I had an accident required hospitalization. Here are the highlights (lowlights?) of the experience with Geo Blue: • They didn’t have information about medical facilities in Ecuador. We were told to figure it out on our own and submit our bills for reimbursement. I was transported in the back of a pickup truck to a mission hospital. They then transported me in their ambulance to the nearest community with imaging equipment, 1.5-hours away. I was hospitalized in that town and attended by a trauma specialist and an internal medicine specialist. No one at that hospital spoke English. • The App was supposedly the fastest way to request a medical evacuation … No response was ever received via the app. • Via phone we were eventually able to get to the department that handles medical evacuations. We spoke to a very responsive and informative agent. He assigned a case number, verified that he had received all my medical documents, and that work would begin on my evacuation. When I called 8 hours later, they said they were busy on another case and would call me back shortly. By the next day there was still no call or email. In fact, they never got back to us. In the end, we made our own arrangements to get me home. • We submitted the claim and the automated response said that it would take 30 days to process and that we would be contacted by email if they needed more information. 46 days after submission, we received payment in the mail. They paid for my CT scans and flight changes but DECLINED PAYMENT OF MY 2 AMBULANCE RIDES AND HOSPITALIZATION because, although the hospital included detailed information on services provided (in Spanish), it seems they did not include a diagnosis code. Also, because my husband paid the bill, the hospital issued the receipts in his name, not mine, so Geo Blue wouldn’t pay, even though his name was also on our insurance policy. • We asked for a reevaluation of their decision and for their assistance in contacting the hospital for the additional information they want, since no one at the hospital speaks English. We even enlisted the assistance of our insurance broker to contact GeoBlue on our behalf. This was the emailed reply from GeoBlue, “The documents submitted are insufficient. If the member is unable to obtain these required documents, please make an outreach to the providers.” Throughout this experience we have dealt with polite agents, but every one of them seems to have their hands tied and be unable to provide any service beyond talking to us and emailing a claim form. One of the realities of international travel is that the traveler often does not speak or read the local language nor know the ins and outs of their medical systems. This insurance was promoted as one that could provide resources and help if we needed medical assistance while traveling. That proved to be untrue, at least in Ecuador. One of the agents told us that they had Spanish speakers who could contact the hospital directly, but, by the response from the claims team, it doesn’t appear that they are willing to even help us in that small way.

Date of experience : May 15, 2023

Horrible process for submitting a claim

Horrible process for actually submitting a claim. So unnecessarily complicated. I absolutely do not recommend using them.

Date of experience : February 18, 2024

Just awful in every single way possible.

Date of experience : July 02, 2023

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Travel Insurance Review

GeoBlue – Voyager Choice

Editor review.

The Good: A single-trip travel medical plan for individuals and families from the U.S. heading abroad. Ideal for travelers under age 85. Choose your deductible and your medical limits to control premium costs.

The Drawbacks:  Medical benefits for adventure activities are limited.

The Bottom Line:  This is a good all-around travel medical insurance plan that gives the traveler a lot of choice in how much they want to spend for their coverage.

Get GeoBlue quotes now

Instant quotes & secure online purchasing

Plan Details

This plan is unique in that it provides the following:

• Choose your medical expense limit and control premium costs.
• Choose your deductible amount as well (0$, $100, $250, $500 per insured).
• Pre-existing conditions are covered.
• 100% outpatient prescription drug reimbursement (outside the U.S.) up to $5,000.
• Bedside visit benefits up to $1,500 for one person.
• Dependent children can be covered up to age 26.
• Injuries and illnesses resulting from terrorism and pandemics are covered as any other injury or illness.

Limitations

The following are the limitations on this plan’s coverage:

• A primary health plan is required for this insurance.
• Medical benefits for downhill skiing and SCUBA diving are limited to a maximum of $10,000.
• Pre-existing conditions included with a 180-day exclusion.

Related GeoBlue International Health Insurance Plans

• Voyager Essential

Popular Companies

• Allianz Insurance
• CSA Travel Insurance
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• Travel Guard Insurance
• Travel Insured
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• TravelSafe Insurance

Learn about Travel Insurance

• Beginner’s Guide
• Coverage Guide
• Tips and Advice
• Company Reviews
• Types of Plans
• Types of Trips

Blog Article Categories

• In The News

Introduction to AXA Travel Insurance

• Coverage Options Offered by AXA
• AXA Assistance USA Cost

AXA Customer Service Reviews

Compare axa travel insurance.

• Why You Should Trust Us

AXA Assistance USA 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.

Travel insurance is important because it can help cover the cost of unexpected medical expenses while you're traveling. It can also reimburse you for lost or stolen baggage, canceled flights, and other unforeseeable problems that may occur while you're away from home.

Simply put, there's a lot to consider.

But not all policies are created equal, and you must understand what you're covered for before you purchase a policy. This article will look in-depth at AXA Assistance USA travel insurance. We'll discuss the costs, coverage limits, exclusions, and more to help you make an informed decision about whether or not this particular travel insurance provider is right for you.

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AXA Assistance USA is among the best travel insurance companies . It covers the fundamentals of travel insurance, with coverage for trip cancellations, medical expenses, and emergency medical/non-medical evacuation. With three plans, AXA also offers coverage for travelers with various budgets.

It's worth noting that many important add-ons aren't available for AXA's cheapest Silver plan, such as pre-existing condition coverage, rental car add-ons, and Schengen travel insurance. Cancel for any reason coverage is also only available for AXA's most expensive Platinum plan. 

Coverage Options Offered by AXA 

AXA Assistance USA offers three levels of coverage: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each plan comes with different protections and varying coverage limits, with the Silver being the most basic option and Platinum offering the most premium coverage.

Some policies might even include added coverage free of charge, such as a waiver for pre-existing conditions , which is free for Gold and Platinum plans as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your trip deposit.

Specialized Coverage Options

The plan you purchase will determine which add-ons are available. For example, those with a Platinum plan can add CFAR (cancel for any reason) coverage , allowing you to receive a full refund if you cancel your trip within 14 days of making the initial deposit.

Or, if you want extra protection for your rental car, depending on your AXA plan, you might be able to add a collision damage waiver (CDW). Policyholders with Gold plans can add $35,000 CDW, and those with Platinum plans can include $50,000 CDW.

If you're traveling within the Schengen Territory, which is made up of 27 European countries, you may eligible for Schengen Travel Insurance, which covers you in all 27 countries. This option is only available for Gold and Platinum travelers and coverage lasts up to 90 days.

AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Cost

The premium you pay will depend on various factors, including the age of the travelers, destination, and total trip costs. The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your travel costs.

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for the plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate AXA's coverage costs.

As of 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following  AXA travel insurance quotes:

• AXA Silver: $83
• AXA Gold: $107
• AXA Platinum: $127

Premiums for AXA plans are between 2.7% and 4.2% of the trip's cost, well below the average cost of travel insurance. It's also relatively cheap compared to many of its competitors

AXA provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

• AXA Silver: $109
• AXA Gold: $128
• AXA Platinum: $153

Once again, premiums forAXA plans are between 3.6% and 3.8%, below the average cost for travel insurance.

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following AXA quotes:

• AXA Silver: $392
• AXA Gold: $462
• AXA Platinum: $550

Premiums for AXA plans are between 6.5% and 9.2%, which is roughly in line with the average cost for travel insurance. This is to be expected, as travel insurance is often more expensive for older travelers.

How to Purchase and Manage Your AXA Policy

The process of purchasing an AXA policy is simple. After obtaining your quote, you'll need to decide which of AXA's three plans you want to buy. When you pay for your plan, be prepared to provide additional personal information, like your birthday, phone number, and address. 

Once you finalize your purchase, you'll have a 10-day free look period, in which you can cancel your policy and get your money back. 

How to File a Claim with AXA Travel Insurance

To file a claim with AXA Assistance USA, head to the claims forms online to find the appropriate form. Once you've filled out your form and gathered the required documentation, you can email them to [email protected] or send them by mail to:

AXA Assistance USA

On Behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies

P.O. Box 26222

Tampa, FL 33623

If you need assistance when filing claims, AXA's claims office can be reached at 1-888-957-5015 (within the U.S.) and 1-727-450-8794 (outside the U.S.). Office hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on Thursdays and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET on all other weekdays. 

AXA's U.S. branch has few reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau — just over 20 between the two sites. Its UK branch has over 1,100 reviews, most of which are overwhelmingly negative. However, the quality of AXA Travel Insurance UK isn't necessarily indicative of its U.S. coverage. 

In fact, on SquareMouth, where the majority of AXA U.S.'s reviews, reviews are generally positive. It received an average of 4.22 stars out of five across over 900 reviews. Customers reported that adjusting an AXA policy was easy and the customer service team was responsive. However, reviews on the claims process was more mixed, with spotty communication and long wait times. 

See how AXA travel insurance compares to top travel insurance providers.

AXA Assistance USA vs. AIG Travel Guard

When comparing AXA to Travel Guard , we'll look at the coverage levels from their mid-tier plans, the Silver plan and Travel Guard Preferred plan, respectively.

With Travel Guard Preferred plan, you'll get:

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $150,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $225,000
• Emergency medical coverage of $50,000
• Coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $1,000
• Travel delay coverage of up to $800

Comparing those Travel Guard coverages with AXA's Silver plan, you'll see that AXA's coverage limits are a bit higher. With AXA's Silver plan you'll get $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, for example. And the baggage loss coverage limit is up to $1,500.

If you're looking for greater coverage limits, AXA makes the most sense in this scenario. But premiums will also vary based on factors like the traveler's age, trip destination, and trip cost. So you'll have to run your own numbers to make a final decision.

Read our AIG Travel Insurance review here.

AXA Assistance USA vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz Travel Insurance provides single-trip and multi-trip insurance for travelers who want to go abroad for an extended period of time. And, like with all insurance, the various plans have varying degrees of coverage.

Allianz Travel Insurance's most popular single-trip option is the OneTrip Prime plan, which offers:

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $150,000
• Emergency medical coverage for $50,000
• Coverage for baggage loss, theft or damage up to $1,000
• Travel delay coverage up to $800

Looking at AXA's mid-tier Silver plan, you'll see that, again, AXA offers more coverage for emergency medical and baggage loss, theft, or damage than Allianz Travel Insurance. That said, if cost is an essential factor for you, you'll have to get quotes using your personal trip information to make an informed decision.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

AXA Assistance USA vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Already have a great travel credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum? Some of the standard coverages, such as rental car insurance, may be included in the card you already have. It's a good idea to research the terms of your credit card's travel protection before purchasing a separate travel insurance policy.

If you're driving to your destination and don't have any non-refundable trip expenses, the coverage from your credit card may be enough. Another time it might work is if you have health insurance covering you while abroad and you're in good health without worrying about possible medical costs.

It's essential to remember that credit card coverage is usually secondary. This means you'll have to file a claim with the other applicable insurance before filing a claim with your credit card company.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed AXA Assistance USA

We researched AXA by evaluating its travel insurance plans compared to other plans from the top travel insurance companies. The aspects we looked at included, but were not limited to, different coverage options, claims limits, what is covered, available add-ons, and extra services for policy holders.

What's important when choosing a policy isn't just the price — it's making sure you're getting adequate coverage that meets your needs without breaking the bank. Filing a claim should also be easy and stress-free if you ever have to use your policy.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

AXA Assistance USA FAQs

If you're diagnosed with COVID-19 before a trip and need to cancel, AXA may cover your expenses. Additionally, a COVID-19 diagnosis during a trip may be covered under AXA's medical expense, trip interruption, and trip delay benefits. Be sure to review your policy to ensure coverage details. 

While you may extend your coverage in certain circumstances, such as extended hospitalization, and update your travel dates prior to your departure, you can't extend AXA travel insurance plans while you're traveling. 

AXA's Gold and Platinum plan cover pre-existing medical conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. AXA's Silver plan does not cover pre-existing conditions and has a 60-day look-back period. 

You can download AXA claims forms on its website and email them to [email protected].

AXA isn't the most flexible travel insurance company and isn't great at specializing, but it offers comprehensive general coverage. Its prices aren't significantly more expensive or cheaper than its competitors.

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