Best Travel Insurance for US Travelers
💰 $0.99/day - $161.50/month depending on trip length and coverage
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is the best travel insurance for most US travelers: $250,000 in emergency medical cover for $56.28 every 4 weeks, cancel anytime. For a single fixed-date trip, EKTA offers up to a $500,000 medical limit from about $0.99 a day. Medicare and most US health plans stop at the border, so this fills a real gap.
Mubboo Verdict: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is the best travel insurance for most US travelers — $250,000 in medical cover for $56.28 every 4 weeks, cancel anytime. Choose EKTA Travel Insurance for a fixed short trip with a $500,000 limit from $0.99/day, and Allianz Travel if you want US-based trip-cancellation claims.
For most American travelers, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is the strongest default: it covers $250,000 in emergency medical care for $56.28 every four weeks, renews automatically, and lets you cancel between trips. Medicare and most US health plans stop at the border, so this fills a real gap.
EKTA is the better pick for a single fixed-date trip, offering up to $500,000 in medical cover from about $0.99 a day with no deductible on its Gold and Max+ plans.
Allianz suits travelers who want trip-cancellation protection and a US-based claims line, while World Nomads covers hikers, divers, and skiers across 200-plus activities. Schengen countries require proof of about $32,000 in medical cover, which both EKTA Gold and SafetyWing satisfy. Match the plan to your trip length first.
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The best options, ranked
1. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
9.0 / 10Flexible cover for long, open-ended trips
💰 From $56.28 / 4 weeks
Medical limit: $250,000
Deductible: $250
Model: Subscription, auto-renews
Max age: 69
SafetyWing treats insurance like a subscription: $56.28 every four weeks for $250,000 in medical cover, with a $250 deductible. It auto-renews until you cancel, so open-ended trips never lapse. Coverage runs to age 69 and includes limited home-country layovers.
Best for
Open-ended trips, digital nomads, and back-to-back countries — you pay every 4 weeks and cancel anytime.
Skip if
You want a six-figure medical limit or a one-time policy for a fixed 10-day vacation.
2. EKTA Travel Insurance8.7 / 10Highest medical limit at the lowest daily rate💰 From $0.99 / day＋ Full breakdown
Medical limit: Up to $500,000
COVID-19: Full cover (Gold+)
Deductible: $0 (Gold / Max+)
Trip length: 1 - 90 days
EKTA packs the highest medical limit into the lowest daily rate — up to $500,000 on Max+ from about $0.99 a day. Gold and Max+ carry no deductible and full COVID-19 cover. It is built for fixed-date trips of 1 to 90 days.
Best for
Short, fixed-date international trips where you want a $500,000 medical limit for a few dollars a day.
Skip if
You need a US-based phone claims line or an open-ended subscription you can pause between trips.
3. Allianz Travel8.4 / 10Big-name insurer with US trip-cancellation claims💰 From $50 / trip (about 5-6% of trip cost)＋ Full breakdown
Medical limit: $50,000 (OneTrip Prime)
Trip cancellation: Up to 100%
Claims: US call center
Insurer rating: AA (S&P)
Allianz is the established US name, underwritten by a major insurer with an AA rating. Its OneTrip plans add trip-cancellation up to 100% of trip cost plus a domestic claims call center. Medical limits start near $50,000 — lower than EKTA at a higher premium.
Best for
US travelers who want trip-cancellation cover and a domestic claims line backed by a major insurer.
Skip if
You want the lowest price — Allianz medical limits trail EKTA while the premium runs higher.
4. World Nomads8.2 / 10Built for adventure sports and active travelers💰 From $90 / 2-week trip＋ Full breakdown
Medical limit: $100,000+
Activities: 200+ covered
Claims: Online
Underwriter: Nationwide (US)
World Nomads exists for active travelers. One policy covers 200-plus adventure activities — trekking, scuba, skiing — that standard plans exclude, with $100,000+ in medical cover underwritten by Nationwide in the US. You pay more, but the sports coverage is real.
Best for
Hikers, divers, and skiers — it covers 200+ adventure activities most basic plans exclude.
Skip if
You only need standard medical cover and would rather not pay extra for sports protection.
Compare every option at a glance
| Dimension | SafetyWing Nomad Insurance | EKTA Travel Insurance | Allianz Travel | World Nomads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical limit | $250,000 | Up to $500,000 | $50,000 | $100,000+ |
| COVID-19 | Covered | Full (Gold+) | Covered | Covered |
| Price (2-week trip) | ~$28 | ~$14 | ~$50 | ~$90 |
| Trip cancellation | Add-on | Optional | Up to 100% | Optional |
| Adventure sports | Limited | Optional add-on | No | 200+ activities |
| Best trip length | Open-ended | 1 - 90 days | Single trip | Single trip |
| Winner | Best for long trips | Highest medical limit | Best trip-cancellation | Best for adventure sports |
| Get SafetyWing Nomad Insurance → | Get EKTA Travel Insurance → |
How to choose
If you are traveling open-ended or hopping countries, get SafetyWing — $56.28 every 4 weeks, cancel anytime. If you have a fixed 1-to-3-week trip and want the biggest medical limit per dollar, get EKTA from $0.99 a day.
If a non-refundable cruise or tour is at stake, get Allianz for trip-cancellation up to 100%. If you plan to trek, dive, or ski, get World Nomads for 200-plus covered activities.
Remember Medicare does not follow you abroad, and Schengen entry needs proof of about $32,000 in cover — EKTA Gold and SafetyWing both clear it.
Destination-specific tips
Europe
Schengen entry requires proof of €30,000 (≈$32,000) in medical cover. EKTA Gold clears that bar for about $1 a day, and the policy PDF is accepted as proof at passport control.
See Europe plans →Thailand
SafetyWing covers Thailand at $56.28 every 4 weeks — worth it for long Gulf-island stays where the nearest full hospital is a ferry ride from your bungalow.
See Thailand plans →Mexico
Medicare does not cover you in Cancún. EKTA's $500,000 Max+ plan runs a few dollars a day and includes emergency evacuation back toward the US border.
See Mexico plans →Japan
A broken ankle in Tokyo can bill $10,000 or more out of pocket. SafetyWing's $250,000 limit covers it; renew every 4 weeks if your trip runs long.
See Japan plans →Flight disrupted? Check if you're owed compensation:
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Frequently asked questions
Do US travelers really need travel insurance?
Yes. Medicare and most US health plans do not cover care outside the country, so a hospital bill abroad lands fully on you. A plan from $0.99 a day covers emergency medical care, evacuation, and lost-bag claims.
Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?
On the right plan, yes. EKTA Gold and Max+ include full COVID-19 coverage with no dollar limit and no deductible. SafetyWing also treats COVID-19 like any other illness once your coverage is active.
SafetyWing or EKTA — which should I buy?
Buy SafetyWing for open-ended or back-to-back trips: $56.28 every 4 weeks, cancel anytime. Buy EKTA for a fixed short trip where you want a $500,000 medical limit for a few dollars a day.
How much does travel insurance cost for a 2-week trip?
Budget about $14 for EKTA Gold and roughly $28 for two SafetyWing weeks. Allianz runs near $50 because it bundles trip-cancellation cover that medical-first plans leave out.
Does travel insurance cover trip cancellation?
Allianz OneTrip reimburses up to 100% of prepaid trip cost for covered reasons. SafetyWing and EKTA are medical-first: add trip-cancellation separately if a non-refundable tour or cruise is at stake.
Is travel insurance required to enter Europe?
Schengen countries require proof of about €30,000 (≈$32,000) in medical cover for visa holders. EKTA Gold and SafetyWing both meet that bar, and the policy document doubles as your proof at the border.
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