Travel Insurance for Americans Going Abroad

Travel insurance is especially critical for American travellers because US health insurance (including Medicare) typically provides no coverage outside the country. A medical emergency abroad without travel insurance can result in bills of $50,000 to $500,000 depending on the country and treatment required. Medical evacuation alone can cost $100,000 or more.

Key coverages to prioritize: emergency medical and dental (minimum $100,000 for developed countries, $250,000+ for remote destinations), medical evacuation and repatriation (minimum $500,000 — this covers emergency flights home), trip cancellation (reimburses non-refundable trip costs if you cancel for covered reasons), trip interruption (covers additional expenses if your trip is cut short), baggage loss and delay, and travel delay coverage. For Americans with pre-existing medical conditions, look for plans with pre-existing condition waivers — typically available if you purchase the policy within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit. Annual multi-trip policies are cost-effective for frequent international travellers, covering unlimited trips up to a per-trip maximum (usually 30-45 days).

Top US travel insurance providers include Allianz Global Assistance, Travel Guard (AIG), Travelex, World Nomads, and IMG Global. Cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) add-ons provide maximum flexibility, reimbursing 50-75% of trip costs if you cancel for any reason, even if not covered under standard cancellation.