If you take multiple trips a year, you may want to consider purchasing long-term travel insurance for emergencies. This is especially true if you go abroad for extended stays, as travel insurance typically covers you even when your U.S. medical insurance may not.
Because the considerations and coverage for long-term plans differ from shorter, single-trip policies, NerdWallet has researched the best long-term travel insurance plans for U.S. citizens.
Here's our list of the best long-term travel insurance providers:
Allianz Global Assistance.
Travel Guard.
USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services.
GeoBlue.
Heymondo.
» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies
Factors we considered in long-term travel insurance
We made the following considerations when selecting the best long-term travel insurance companies:
Coverage. We looked at the types of coverage offered and the amount of coverage you could purchase.
Cost. Affordability is essential, as the best coverage worldwide won't matter if the policy is too expensive.
Ease of purchase. Being able to quickly and easily find quotes and sign up for coverage is a crucial factor in choosing the right policy.
Customization. The more options you have to tailor a plan specifically for your needs, the better.
Note: We excluded companies that require you to list the length, locations or dates of your trips to purchase a policy. We recognize that most travelers likely don't know these details for all the trips they'll take a year in advance.
» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance
An overview of the best long-term travel insurance
To compare prices and coverage levels, we looked at quotes for a one-year policy for a 35-year-old traveler based in California. If a company offered more than one tier of travel insurance, we went with their entry-level option.
On average, the price of a policy offered by the listed companies was about $171.
Company name | Basic coverage cost | Recommended for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
Allianz Global Assistance | $138. | Travelers looking for an economical option who are okay with minimal trip delay coverage. | Trips longer than 45 days are excluded from coverage with this plan. |
Travel Guard | $259. | Travelers going to destinations where safety may be a concern, as security evacuation is included in the coverage. | Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered by this policy. |
USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services | $100. | Travelers looking for minimal coverage at an affordable price. | Trip interruption and cancellation coverage are not included with this plan. |
GeoBlue | $125. | Travelers who may need to fill prescriptions while abroad. | To qualify for this insurance, you’ll need to have a primary health plan. |
Heymondo | $232. | Travelers looking for a tech-forward company that offers add-ons and a refund policy. | Selecting add-ons can make this one of the most expensive options. |
» Learn more: Does travel insurance cover award flights?
Top long-term travel insurance for U.S. citizens
Let's take a closer look at our five recommendations for long-term travel insurance.
Allianz Global Assistance
What makes Allianz Global Assistance great:
Easy-to-use website.
Affordable coverage.
Different options for different budgets.
For our test, Allianz Global Assistance's basic coverage cost $138, about 19% lower than average.
Travel Guard by AIG
What makes Travel Guard great:
Includes dental coverage.
Offers security and emergency evacuation coverage.
Missed connection coverage of up to $500.
For our test, Travel Guard's basic coverage cost $259, about 51% above average.
USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services
What makes USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services great:
Budget-friendly option.
Includes emergency medical evaluation.
Easy-to-use website.
For our test, USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services' basic coverage cost $100, almost 42% below average.
GeoBlue
What makes GeoBlue great:
Certain prescription drugs are covered.
Covers medically necessary COVID-19 testing and treatment.
Allowed to take unlimited trips outside of the U.S. for a maximum of 70 days abroad per trip.
For our test, GeoBlue's basic coverage cost $125, about 27% below average.
Heymondo
What makes Heymondo great:
Offers a one-month refund policy, provided the trip has not started and no claims were made.
Easy to add coverage for electronics, cruises or adventure sports.
It has an app to file claims and chat with a doctor 24/7.
For our test, Heymondo's basic coverage cost $232, about 36% above average.
» Learn more: Does my Chase credit card have health insurance?
Frequently asked questions
How long can you get travel insurance for?
Most travel insurance companies offer annual plans as a cost-effective way for you to insure multiple trips in one year. Annual plans typically cover medical emergencies and basic benefits. Depending on the provider, some benefits such as baggage delay and trip cancellation are not always covered in annual plans. There are, at times, maximum trip durations per policy.
Can I get travel insurance for 2 years?
You can purchase an annual plan that covers multiple trips in one year (with restrictions on trip duration) or a specific long-term travel insurance plan if your trip is longer than three months. Annual plans are on a 12-month rolling basis. Long-term policies can last up to two years, depending on the travel insurance company.
Can you get travel insurance for a 6 month trip?
Yes. If you're considering backpacking or taking a gap year, travel insurance companies have options for long-stay travel insurance. Policies vary by providers, but they'll typically include emergency medial treatment, legal protection and travel document replacements.
Can you buy travel insurance for the whole year?
Yes, several travel insurance providers offer annual plans. Annual plans are a cost-effective way to insure more than one trip during the year. Depending on the plan, long-term trips may be excluded from coverage.
Long-term travel insurance coverage recapped
Before purchasing long-term travel insurance, you should think about the type of coverage you want, your budget and if you have any pre-existing medical conditions you wish to be covered.
Having the right plan may provide you with peace of mind and save you serious cash in the event of an emergency.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
