Our Rankings of the Best Long-Term Travel Insurance Providers
Our research team found the providers and plans below are the best long-term travel insurance options on the market. We considered coverage, cost, add-on protection and policy length when making our decisions.
- Travelex: Our top pick
- Allianz: Best for concierge services
- Faye: Best cancel for any reason coverage
- International Medical Group (IMG): Best for medical coverage
- World Nomads: Best for adventure travelers
How We Chose Long-term Travel Insurance Plans
When selecting the long-term travel insurance plans featured in this review, we considered various factors, including:
- Coverage: We examined the types of plans available for purchase and the coverage limits each travel insurance provider offered.
- Cost: While long-term travel insurance plans may cost more than a plan for a week-long trip, that doesn’t mean purchasing coverage needs to break the bank.
- Add-on protections: We took note of providers and policies that offered a variety of coverage add-ons, such as rental car collision, cancel for any reason (CFAR) and more.
- Maximum policy length: We looked for travel insurance with policies that could last a minimum of 180 days, favoring companies that offered coverage for up to a year.
Compare Long-Term Travel Insurance For U.S. Citizens
See the table below for a comparison of our recommended travel insurance providers and long-term coverage plans.
| Company | Recommended Plan | Best For | Max Trip Length | Primary Health Insurance Required? | Average Cost | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Select | Families looking for long-term travel coverage | 364 days | No | $540 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| OneTrip Premier | High CFAR reimbursem*nt limits | 366 days | No | $540 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Travel Protection Plan | Added telemedicine benefits | 180 days | No | $965 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| GlobeHopper Senior | Senior travelers over 65 years old | 365 days | Yes | $3,047 | EXPLORE PLANS | |
| Explorer Plan | Extreme or adventure sports | 180 days | Yes | $1,576 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Company | Primary Health Insurance Required? | Recommended Plan | Best For | Max Trip Length | Average Cost | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Travel Select | Families looking for long-term travel coverage | 364 days | $540 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| No | OneTrip Premier | High CFAR reimbursem*nt limits | 366 days | $540 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| No | Travel Protection Plan | Added telemedicine benefits | 180 days | $965 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Yes | GlobeHopper Senior | Senior travelers over 65 years old | 365 days | $3,047 | EXPLORE PLANS | |
| Yes | Explorer Plan | Extreme or adventure sports | 180 days | $1,576 | EXPLORE PLANS |
No results were found.
Note: We calculated the below-average costs based on a 30-year-old couple taking a long-term trip to France with $8,000 in non-refundable expenses. Since IMG’s GlobeHopper Senior plan only applies to travelers aged 65 and older, we used a sample 65-year-old couple taking the same trip to France.
Best Long-Term Travel Insurance Plans
Based on our team’s extensive research into cost, coverage, policy lengths and add-on protections, we’ve chosen the following five plans as our picks for the best long-term travel insurance coverage.
Travelex
Best for budget travelers
4.7
Our Review
Recommended planTravel SelectAverage cost$248Maximum trip length364 days
Why We Picked Travelex
Travelex’s Travel Select plan can cover trips for up to one year, making it ideal for long-term travelers looking for comprehensive coverage. This policy offers pricing that includes children and the choice of five different add-ons, including CFAR coverage, car rental collision coverage, an adventure sports exclusion waiver and more. In addition, early purchase benefits include financial default coverage and a pre-existing condition waiver.
Our research has shown that many long-term or annual, multi-trip plans don’t offer benefits such as CFAR coverage or trip cancellation benefits, making Travelex’s Travel Select stand out compared to other long-term plans. However, note that other providers in our review offer higher medical limits with their annual plans over the Travel Select plan.
Pros and Cons
Pros Includes coverage for children in standard pricing Provides five different add-on options Coverage can last up to one year Offers an adventure sports waiver Cons Features lower medical limits than other providers in this review Pre-existing condition waiver limits cancellation and interruption coverage to 100% Charges both children and adults for upgrades
Allianz Global Assistance
Best for concierge services
4.1
Our Review
Recommended planOneTrip PremierAverage cost$349Maximum trip length366 days
Why We Picked Allianz
Allianz’s OneTrip Premier plan provides a full year of consecutive travel coverage for both you and your children, a potential benefit for travelers with kids planning a long-term stay abroad. The company extends its benefits to each insured traveler, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical coverage and more. In addition, pre-existing condition coverage is available if you purchase your travel insurance plan within 14 days of your first trip payment or deposit.
Allianz also offers what it calls SmartBenefits, which allows you to opt for a fixed “inconvenience” payment of $100 per insured person per day for a covered delay or baggage delay. You won’t need to provide receipts for this coverage, based on our research, just proof of a covered delay. While you may consider Allianz if you’re looking for comprehensive, long-term travel insurance, note that the average cost for the OneTrip Premier plan is higher than those of other providers we reviewed.
Pros and Cons
Pros Covers children under 17 for free Provides a year of consecutive travel coverage CFAR coverage provides an 80% reimbursem*nt rate Offers $1 million for emergency evacuation Cons Lower emergency medical benefits than other providers in this review Free coverage for children is not available to Pennsylvania residents May not offer policies in all U.S. states
Faye
Best 'cancel for any reason' coverage
4.6
Our Review
Recommended planTravel Protection PlanAverage cost$298Maximum trip length180 days
Why We Picked Faye
Based on our research, Faye offers a mix of travel and medical benefits that can make its Travel Protection Plan worth considering for a long-term trip. We like how Faye offers policyholders around-the-clock support, including an app to handle travel emergencies and claims. The company also offers telemedicine services at no extra cost. If your telehealth doctor prescribes medicine while you’re on a trip, Faye will reimburse you for the expense.
Faye covers pre-existing conditions with the Travel Protection Plan as long as you purchase a policy within 14 days of your trip. Available add-ons include an adventure and extreme sports waiver, vacation rental damage protection and vet expenses coverage if you take your pet with you on a long-term trip. However, Faye doesn’t offer the longest-lasting plan in our review, with just 180 days of coverage compared to other providers offering around a year.
Pros and Cons
Pros Offers $250,000 in medical expense coverage Covers pre-existing medical conditions Has an extreme sports add-on Provides a telemedicine service at no extra charge Cons Only offers coverage for up to 180 days More expensive than other providers in our review, according to our research Provides only one plan to choose from
IMG
Our pick for medical coverage
4.4
Our Review
Recommended planGlobeHopper SeniorAverage cost$350Maximum trip length365 days
Why We Picked IMG
Seniors looking for comprehensive travel medical coverage for long-term travel plans may consider International Medical Group (IMG) and its GlobeHopper Senior policy. This plan has no upper age restriction —which, according to our research, is unique in the travel insurance industry. Travelers ages 65 and up can purchase this policy, which can cover up to a year for a single trip. If you’re looking for a long-term, multi-trip senior travel insurance policy, this plan also offers the option of multiple trips per year, up to 45 days each.
We appreciate how IMG allows seniors to choose from various deductibles and maximum coverage limits, making this travel insurance policy more flexible than other companies we’ve researched. While there is no upper age limit, note that coverage limits decline for insured persons 80 years or older.
Pros and Cons
Pros No upper age limit with the GlobeHopper Senior plan Up to one year of continuous coverage Provides multilingual customer service representatives Includes non-medical emergency evacuation Cons Must be eligible or actively enrolled in Medicare to qualify Only customers 65 years or older can qualify Coverage maximums decrease with age
World Nomads
Best for adventure travelers
3.9
Our Review
Recommended planExplorer PlanAverage cost$197Maximum trip length180 days
Why We Picked World Nomads
World Nomads offers the most extensive travel insurance coverage for adventure and extreme sports out of the providers in this review. Its Explorer plan covers medical expenses and evacuations for injuries related to over 200 activities that are often excluded by many policies, such as bungee jumping, scuba diving and more. We also like how you can purchase a policy even if your trip has already started, making it worth considering for last-minute coverage.
While World Nomads’ Explorer Plan could benefit long-term travelers who seek adventure, note that this provider doesn’t extend its coverage to children traveling with you. In addition, the only customization options include choosing between two plans and your length of coverage. If you’re looking for customizable long-term travel insurance or coverage that can protect your family, you may want to consider other options in this review.
Pros and Cons
Pros Covers travel to multiple destinations Offers extensive adventure and extreme sports coverage Provides non-medical emergency transportation Emergency assistance services are available 24/7 Cons Lacks coverage for pre-existing conditions Only offers coverage for up to 180 days Does not offer plans with child-inclusive coverage
How To Pick A Long-Term Travel Insurance Company
As you shop for a long-term travel insurance plan, consider the tips below to help simplify the process of finding the right policy.
Consider Your Coverage Needs
Understanding your travel needs can aid you in picking the best plan. For example, are travel benefits such as trip interruption and baggage coverage most important to you? Or, are emergency medical evacuation and medical care benefits your main concern? Once you’ve decided the types of coverage you want, you can start thinking about how much coverage you’ll need. If you plan on traveling long-term with children, you may also want to look for plans that offer free coverage for kids under a certain age.
Watch for Length Restrictions
Some travel insurance plans will provide more extended coverage than others. If you plan on traveling abroad for a few months, a plan that covers you for up to 180 days may work. If you anticipate staying abroad for up to a year, we suggest looking for plans that can cover you for that amount of time. In our experience, travel insurance providers will plainly state how long a covered trip can last, so it’s best practice to read through sample contracts before purchasing a plan.
Single Versus Multi-Destination Trips
Consider whether your long-term travel plans will include one or multiple destinations. Based on our research, some long-term plans will only cover a stay in one location. If you’re looking for coverage in numerous countries, a multi-destination travel insurance plan may offer a better fit. However, according to our research, you may need to return to a home base between trips.
Understand Coverage Details and Exclusions
All travel insurance plans have a set list of exclusions for the coverage offered. Make sure you fully understand what is and isn’t covered by your chosen policy. For example, if your plan covers lost baggage, note any sub-limits or items excluded from your plan. It is also important to understand the maximum benefit amounts for each of the coverages you’ve purchased and whether any deductibles or copays are required before your policy kicks in.
What Is Long-Term Travel Insurance and How Does It Work?
Long-term travel insurance covers trips lasting longer than the time limits most travel providers set for a standard policy. For example, most insurers offer single-trip plans that cover trips lasting up to 30 days. However, a long-term policy often covers travels lasting more than 90 days, with some providing coverage for up to a year. If you choose an annual travel insurance plan for your long-term travel needs, note these policies don’t usually offer trip cancellation coverage as a standard inclusion.
A long-term policy can provide similar coverage to a traditional travel insurance plan. It can protect against trip interruptions, delays, baggage loss or damage, and more. In addition, it can cover emergency medical situations and evacuations while traveling. Long-term plans can help prevent travelers staying abroad for extended periods of time from having to purchase multiple policies to cover the duration of their trip. These plans can also cover multiple destinations, which may suit long-term travelers going from place to place.
According to our research, long-term travel insurance policies may best suit digital nomads, expats and international students. For those more concerned about their health in the event of an illness or accident over travel benefits, you may consider a long-term travel medical insurance plan for your trip. It’s best practice to consider your unique travel needs before settling on a plan, and taking the time to research long-term travel insurance can ensure you find a policy that suits your plans.
Long-Term Travel Insurance Costs
Based on the quotes we gathered, a long-term travel insurance policy may cost $540 to $1,576. To help you better understand the cost of a long-term travel insurance policy, we gathered quotes for a 30-year-old couple taking a long-term trip to France with $8,000 in non-refundable expenses. Since the GlobeHopper Senior covers senior travelers, our team gathered rates for a 65-year-old couple taking the same trip outlined above to France.
| Provider | Plan | Trip Length | Quoted Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelex | Travel Select | 364 days | $540 |
| Allianz | OneTrip Premier | 366 days | $540 |
| Faye | Travel Protection Plan | 180 days | $965 |
| IMG | GlobeHopper Senior | 365 days | $3,047 |
| World Nomads | Explorer Plan | 180 days | $1,576 |
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Comparatively, the average cost of a standard travel insurance policy for a short-term trip is around $221. We calculated this average based on quotes we gathered using seven unique traveler profiles across 20 different travel insurance companies.
Travel insurance costs are influenced by several variables, such as plan details, trip costs, trip length, traveler age and more. Your exact costs for each of these policies will likely vary. The best way to learn how much one of the above plans could cost you is to get a quote from each company.
How Is Long-Term Travel Insurance Different From Regular Travel Insurance?
Long-term travel insurance differs from a standard travel insurance policy in that coverage is meant for trips lasting more than a few weeks. Typically, most standard single-trip plans can last up to 30 days. However, a long-term policy could cover anywhere from 90 days to a full year, depending on the provider.
While maximum trip lengths differ between policies for long-term and short-term travel, our research found the coverage offered remains largely the same. For example, both short- and long-term travel insurance policies usually offer trip benefits — such as trip interruption and baggage coverage — in addition to emergency medical assistance and evacuation coverage. However, some long-term or annual travel insurance plans may not offer certain add-ons, such as CFAR coverage or trip cancellation protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance for Long-Term Trips
The length of a travel insurance policy depends on your chosen provider and plan. In this review, the longest-lasting policy can cover you for up to one year. However, other providers may offer plans that cover you for more extended periods.
Yes. Various providers offer travel insurance plans that can last up to a year. However, our research found that some annual plans may only cover travel to one destination over this time. If you’re looking for coverage to multiple destinations, you may want to consider a multi-trip travel insurance plan.
Travel insurance companies such as Faye and World Nomads offer policies lasting up to six months, according to our research. Most providers will note upfront how long each policy can last, so we recommend reading sample contracts and policy documents to ensure a plan will cover you for your entire trip.
The length of a travel medical insurance policy depends on your chosen provider and plan. Reading through coverage details on a provider’s website or sample contracts can help you better understand what a plan covers and related monetary and time limits.
How We Rated and Reviewed Long-Term Travel Insurance Companies
Our team surveyed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the internet, to simulate an authentic customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers:
- Cost (10%): To determine a baseline average travel insurance cost, we gathered quotes from each travel insurance company based on different traveler profiles. Travel insurance companies at or below our calculated average cost of $221 earn full points in this category. Specifically, we obtained quotes for the following trips:
- 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 reimbursem*nt amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursem*nt 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).
Note: We based our ratings for each provider on each company as a whole, not just available long-term travel insurance offerings. Learn more about how we chose each long-term travel insurance plan in the sections above.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.com.
