Travel in 2025 brings new adventures — and new reasons to buy travel insurance. With airline disruptions, evolving medical costs abroad, and more complex cancellation triggers, picking the right policy can save you thousands and a mountain of stress. This long-form guide compares the top travel insurance providers serving U.S. travelers in 2025, explains how to choose the right plan, and gives practical tips to keep premiums low while maximizing protection. Sources and up-to-date market developments are cited throughout.
Quick take — who to consider in 2025
Several travel insurers consistently stand out in 2025 for different traveler needs:
- Allianz Travel — strong for flexible single-trip and annual plans, good brand recognition and digital tools. Money+1
- AIG / Travel Guard (now largely integrated into Zurich/Cover-More after a 2024 deal) — historically strong for add-ons and business travel; AIG’s consumer travel business was acquired and combined into Zurich’s Cover-More assets, reshaping the competitive landscape. Reuters+1
- GeoBlue — best for international medical coverage and travelers who prioritize robust medical benefits. Forbes+1
- Seven Corners — flexible plans and good group/annual coverage options, often recommended for families and groups. Squaremouth Travel Insurance+1
- Travelex — family-friendly perks and underwritten by highly rated carriers (Berkshire Hathaway relationships noted in industry write-ups), often recommended for family travel. Squaremouth Travel Insurance+1
- World Nomads — favorite among adventure travelers (sports, remote activities) for flexible short-term policies and online convenience. The Points Guy+1
- USAA — excellent for military members and families who qualify; high limits on some plans and member-specific perks. NerdWallet
Below is a compact comparison table to help you scan strengths at a glance; the rest of the article explains each column and offers real-world buying advice.
Comparison table — top providers (at-a-glance)
| Provider | Best for | Typical medical limits (single-trip) | CFAR available? (Cancel For Any Reason) | Notes / Underwriter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz Travel | Frequent travelers / annual plans | Varies: $50k–$500k (medical + evacuation options) Money+1 | Sometimes (on higher tiers / add-on) | Strong digital tools & annual plan options. MarketWatch |
| Zurich / Cover-More (incl. ex-AIG Travel Guard assets) | Business travelers & complex add-ons | Varies; strong evacuation options; rebranded product lines after acquisition. Reuters | Yes (via select products) | AIG consumer travel business was sold to Zurich in 2024; market consolidation continues. Reuters |
| GeoBlue | International medical coverage | Up to $1,000,000 on select plans; focused on medical-only/medical-first products. Forbes+1 | No (not typically; focus is medical coverage) | Tailored to travelers who need strong medical/evacuation benefits. Forbes |
| Seven Corners | Groups, long trips, customizable | Typical medical: $50k–$500k (plan dependent) Squaremouth Travel Insurance | Yes (select plans / CFAR add-ons) | Popular for group & annual plans; high AM Best ratings. Squaremouth Travel Insurance |
| Travelex | Families | $50k–$500k; family perks (kids often included) Squaremouth Travel Insurance+1 | Yes (on upper-level plans) | Underwriting and partnerships often provide stability; family-friendly. Squaremouth Travel Insurance |
| World Nomads | Adventure travelers / backpackers | Lower medical limits on base plans; modular for activities | Usually no CFAR (but flexible trip interruption/cancellation causes covered) The Points Guy+1 | Easy online buy, strong for unusual sports/activities. The Points Guy |
| USAA | U.S. military members & families | Up to $100k+ medical; $1M medevac on some plans | Yes (select plans) NerdWallet | Member-only product with strong benefits and add-ons. NerdWallet |
(Table notes: coverages and product names vary by state, trip type, and underwriter — always read the policy wording for exact limits.)
Who’s strongest where — deeper provider notes
Allianz Travel
Allianz is a market leader for single-trip and annual plans, and it continues to be a go-to for travelers who want simple online quotes, 24/7 claim portals, and annual multi-trip protection. They’re a solid all-rounder: not always cheapest for very short trips, but known for predictable benefits and strong brand reach. Money+1
Zurich / Cover-More (AIG Travel Guard developments)
A major market change occurred when Zurich agreed to buy AIG’s consumer travel business in 2024 and fold it into Cover-More; the integration reshaped product offerings and support flows. If you previously compared AIG/Travel Guard, expect many legacy products to move under Zurich / Cover-More branding and distribution in various markets — keep an eye on underwriting and claim-contact details when buying. Reuters+1
GeoBlue
GeoBlue focuses heavily on medical-first products and international healthcare access, often pairing with Blue Cross Blue Shield networks. It’s especially recommended for longer international trips or expat/seasonal travel where medical continuity is critical. However, GeoBlue is not a traditional trip-cancellation specialist; its strength is medical benefits and assistance. Forbes+1
Seven Corners
Seven Corners offers flexibility — good annual/long-trip options, CFAR on certain plans, and group pricing. Its products are frequently recommended for families or groups booking complex itineraries. It also gets strong reviewer marks for ease of purchase across comparison sites. Squaremouth Travel Insurance+1
Travelex
Travelex remains a favorite for families: many plans allow children to be included at no extra cost on family policies, plus they partner with established underwriters. Travelex tends to score well on reliability and ease of claims in consumer reviews. Squaremouth Travel Insurance+1
World Nomads
If your trip includes adventure sports (mountain biking, climbing, watersports, skiing, etc.), World Nomads often covers a wider list of activities than mainstream insurers and is designed for backpackers/independent travelers. Its limits are sometimes lower on base policies, so check medevac and evacuation numbers. The Points Guy+1
USAA
USAA’s travel products are aimed at qualifying military members and families and frequently offer very competitive limits and add-ons (e.g., high medical evacuation sums). If you’re eligible, compare USAA first — membership perks can be meaningful. Recent organizational changes at USAA don’t directly affect travel product benefits, but always check the latest member notices. NerdWallet+1
How we compared providers (what matters in 2025)
When recommending a travel insurer, look for these attributes:
- Medical & evacuation limits — higher is better for international travel. Evacuation can be the most expensive single item if things go wrong abroad. GeoBlue and some Travelex/USAA plans offer strong evacuation coverage. Forbes+1
- Trip cancellation/interruption coverage — full trip cost refund vs partial, plus covered reasons. CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) is the most flexible but costs more and has timing rules. Several providers offer CFAR as an add-on on higher tiers. Money+1
- Adventure/sports coverage — if you ski, climb, or dive, check whether your activity is excluded (World Nomads tends to be favorable for such travelers). The Points Guy
- Claims process & reputation — user reviews and third-party aggregator ratings (Squaremouth, NerdWallet, Forbes) show consistent winners. Squaremouth Travel Insurance+1
- Underwriter strength & AM Best ratings — look for policies underwritten by financially strong carriers (important for big medical or evacuation bills). Travelex is often linked with highly rated underwriters. Squaremouth Travel Insurance
Real examples: what you might pay and where to cut cost
- A 7–10 day trip to Europe for a healthy 35-year-old typically costs $40–$100 for mid-level coverage (trip cancellation + $100k medical + evacuation). Adventure add-ons, CFAR, or higher evacuation limits raise that.
- A 2-week family trip with kids will push premiums up for higher cancellation coverage but many family policies (e.g., Travelex) include children for less or free on certain plans. Squaremouth Travel Insurance
Ways to reduce cost responsibly:
- Buy only the coverage you need: if you have strong domestic health insurance for U.S. coverage, you might buy a policy focused on cancellation and evacuation for international trips. GeoBlue is aimed at those who need medical-first plans. Forbes
- Avoid redundant coverage: check your credit card and homeowner/renter’s policies — some already include baggage delay, trip delay or limited cancellation benefits. If a credit card offers primary trip interruption, you may omit duplicate items.
- Shop comparison sites: sites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth, and aggregator pages let you compare price and limits quickly. Money, NerdWallet, and The Points Guy publish periodic buyer’s guides that highlight where providers lead. Money+2NerdWallet+2
Buy smart — practical checklist before you click “buy”
- Read the policy wording (policy document) — look for exact coverage amounts, sublimits (baggage, electronics), and exclusions.
- Check CFAR rules — CFAR often requires purchase within a short window after the initial trip deposit and reimburses a % (commonly 50–75%) of prepaid nonrefundable costs. Not all providers sell CFAR. Squaremouth Travel Insurance
- Confirm medevac & evacuation limits — even if medical expense limits look good, low evacuation limits can leave you vulnerable. GeoBlue and some USAA plans advertise high evacuations. Forbes+1
- Document pre-existing conditions — many plans exclude them unless you buy within the insurer’s “look-back” window and meet prepayment/purchase timing rules.
- Save your claim contacts — download insurer apps, take screenshots of policy numbers, and note the 24/7 assistance phone number. Allianz, GeoBlue, and others provide apps that speed emergency care. allianztravelinsurance.com+1
Claims tips — get paid faster
- Keep original receipts and medical reports (translated if necessary).
- Call the insurer’s emergency assistance first for large medical events — they can coordinate payments and evacuations. GeoBlue and Allianz both emphasize 24/7 assistance. geobluetravelinsurance.com+1
- Photograph damaged items for baggage claims and record police reports for theft.
- Submit claims promptly; many policies have a time limit for filing.
Frequently asked questions (short answers)
Q: Is travel insurance worth it for domestic U.S. trips?
A: Sometimes — if you have a nonrefundable cruise, a high-cost package, or medical coverage gaps that would leave big bills. For basic domestic flights, travel delay and baggage protections via cards and carriers sometimes suffice.
Q: Do credit cards replace travel insurance?
A: Not always. Cards may provide primary or secondary coverage for some elements (trip delay, baggage, limited cancellation). They rarely cover medical evacuation or comprehensive CFAR. Read card benefit booklets carefully.
Q: When should I buy CFAR?
A: If you need maximum flexibility and can pay the higher premium. CFAR typically must be bought within 7–21 days of initial trip deposit and reimburses only a percentage of nonrefundable costs. Squaremouth Travel Insurance
Bottom line — choosing the right provider in 2025
- If your main concern is medical care while abroad, prioritize medical-first providers such as GeoBlue or USAA (if eligible). They offer higher evacuation and medical limits for serious events. Forbes+1
- If you want family-friendly cancellation perks, consider Travelex or Seven Corners for family add-ons and affordable family tiers. Squaremouth Travel Insurance+1
- If you need adventure sports coverage, World Nomads remains a go-to thanks to broader activity lists. The Points Guy
- Watch the market for consolidation — the Zurich acquisition of AIG’s consumer travel business in 2024/2025 changed who underwrites and administers some products; always verify the current underwriter and claims contacts before buying. Reuters
Final checklist (before you buy — printable)
- Policy start/end dates exactly match travel bookings.
- Medical evacuation limits are at least $100,000 (higher recommended for remote travel).
- Trip cancellation limit equals total prepaid nonrefundable trip cost.
- CFAR options: availability, timing rule (purchase window), and reimbursement % checked. Squaremouth Travel Insurance
- Adventure-sport exclusion checked for planned activities.
- Assistance phone numbers and digital app installed.