From flight cancellation cover to lost luggage, the best policies will have you and your kit covered for the journey. The key, of course, is finding the best policies at the lowest prices. This can seem easy at first glance but if you really want to be sure you’re covered, and there aren’t any hidden clauses that will sting you when you come to claim, it’s worth using a guide like this where we’ve done the deep digging for you. You may now look out for features like Covid-19 cover but it’s also worth being aware of what some of the more high-end services offer. Go for a big name and you could also get translation services, flight delay cover, prescription replacements and car rental (opens in new tab) insurance cover. So from the cheapest plans to the most comprehensive cover to all those specialist services, like extreme sports or cruises, in between – this guide will help you find the best travel insurance for you.
The best travel insurance companies
1. Generali: Best travel insurance 2022
Generali wins out among the best travel insurance companies for its happy combination of below average fees for above average travel cover. As well as offering three excellent travel insurance plans that should suit most, the accessible and informative Generali website allows for a clear side-by-side comparison of the benefits they each have to offer. The wider guidance and resources on offer are excellent too, while Generali is regularly recognized for its outstanding customer service. Should anything make you unhappy early on, there’s a 10-day satisfaction refund that can be taken advantage of. However, with almost all travel insurance bases covered, and the cost of such broad coverage widely favorable too, it seems unlikely that many travelers will need to look beyond Generali for the best travel insurance solution.
Read our Generali review (opens in new tab)
2. USI Affinity: Best value for money
USI Affinity is a well-established travel insurer that can be relied upon to provide the travel insurance basics at affordable prices. If you’re after a more comprehensive plan, or have more specialist travel cover needs, USI has plenty to offer too, while with almost half a century of trading under its belt, its all-round expertise should not be in doubt. USI’s trip cancellation policy offers Cancel for any reason cover if you’re willing to pay a little more, while there are three standard medical from which to choose, depending on where you might go and for how long. A travel insurance company of relatively long standing can perhaps be forgiven for a below par website, although the lack of clear direction over its claims process is something that should certainly be addressed. That said, if you’re on the lookout for value-for-money from your travel insurance, USI Affinity is a good place to start, and likely to deliver an affordable policy too.
Read our USI Affinity review (opens in new tab)
3. Seven Corners: Best for plan options
Seven Corners has all the travel insurance plans that you’re ever likely to need, regardless of whether you’re staying relatively close to home or going much farther afield. Its standard travel cover plan comes in three different tiers, but there are many more options besides, and with some plans, the option to choose specialized COVID-19 cover too. Thankfully, all of the various plans are well-explained and documented across Seven Corner’s detailed website, with quick quotes available as well. The claims process is laid bare too, so there’ll be non surprises should you find yourselves in the situation of needing to make use of your policy for the payout or reimbursement of any funds.
Read our Seven Corners review (opens in new tab)
4. Allianz Global Assistance: Best claims process
Allianz Global Assistance is the travel insurance company that delivers when you need it most. While you won’t want to find out, Allianz offers one of the most straightforward claims filing processes that you could wish to find. Alongside the numerous resources designed to help you file your claim correctly, including video tutorials and sample documents, you’ll also come into contact with an outstanding customer service operation that regularly draws award recognition. Even if you don’t have to make a claim, Allianz has much to offer, including a wide choice of single and multi-trip plan options, and a well-presented website that contains all the information you should need. The quote process is straightforward too - and while you’ll hope to avoid it, you know that making a claim should be a relatively stress-free process as well.
Read our Allianz Global Assistance review (opens in new tab)
5. Travelex: Best for well priced comprehensive cover
Travelex is a great insurance option for families looking to get comprehensive cover. Since this includes children, which is anyone in the family under 21, for free, it represents a potentially great rate for families. While plans start at as little as $28, the basic plans do leave some holes which is why we recommend going for the more comprehensive options. With features like receiving 150% for trip interruptions up to nearly $38,000, this is a very competitive company. And it is underwritten by a AA+ rated firm which should also give you peace of mind. The Travel Select plan offers a 15 day pre-existing condition exclusion waiver, meaning if you pay for the policy within 15 days of paying for your trip then your pre-existing illness or injury is covered too.
6. AIG Travel Guard: Best cruise cover
AIG Travel Guard is the top travel insurance choice if you’re searching for cruise coverage. This familiar name from the world of insurance allows travelers to search specifically for cruise-related cover when looking for a quote, saving the trouble of having to find policies with cruise cover add-ons. Travel Guard has plenty to offer those undertaking any kind of travel as a family too, with children under 17 covered for free under a paying adult’s policy. As you would expect of an established global insurer, on-the-ground multi lingual support is available to travelers almost anywhere you can think of, and the range of cover on offer is far-reaching too. On the downside, customers who like to know the ins and outs of the claims process before they sign up will find details are sketchy, while there is the scope for improvement to the Travel Guard website also. For cruise goers and families, however, there is still definitely enough on offer to warrant a look at Travel Guard.
Read our AIG Travel Guard review (opens in new tab)
7. Insuremytrip: Best budget insurance
For a one-stop-shop insurance application Insuremytrip is a great place to go. It allows you to fill in your details once and then get quotes from 20 travel insurance companies. You can customize your needs so when you get the quote you know it’s exactly what you’re looking for. Useful filters make searching for certain features easy with adventure sports, increased medical cover, higher limits and more all available. While this uses reputable insurers, each one’s policy details can be different so it’s worth taking a little more time to make sure the finer details will serve you. So while this is quick up front, it pays to spend time before you decide to pay. There are a lot of popular insurers missing so if you did want a larger name insurer it could be better to go to them directly.
What protection does travel insurance provide?
Travel insurance covers a host of different financial situations but the more cover you require, generally the more you will need to pay up front. But should the worst happen then that will have been money well spent as you could save a lot of costs. This can be cancelled flights and lost luggage but also covers you for theft while away and for any medical bills that may land should you have an accident. Some even cover prescription medication, translation services and medical emergency transports. Some expenses like food and hotel expenses - built up during a significant travel delay – can also be claimed, which can mean even a flight delay will cost you nothing in the long run. High adventure trips, like skiing, mountain climbing, white water rafting, car racing and so on, will often have specific policy sections that allow you to add these. You may be surprised to find the cost doesn’t go up that much. With specialist companies that focus on these areas it can sometimes pay to go for them should your trip be mostly built about something potentially dangerous.
