The travel insurance industry can be confusing to navigate, thanks to all the unclear language and companies disguised under misleading names. To help travelers pick the most reliable policies, we've selected eight travel insurance companies we're confident are at the top of the heap.
Each company we selected offers comprehensive policies directly to consumers—and not only for medical assistance. We made sure it's clear who owns each of the insurers and who's underwriting their policies, and we've verified that the companies and their underwriters get good ratings from AM Best (an insurance rating agency) and passing marks from the Better Business Bureau.
Additionally, each company has been in business for at least 10 years and is a member of the US Travel Insurance Association.
Where possible, we also made sure these firms are vouched for by major third-party brokers such as Squaremouth, InsureMyTrip, and QuoteWright.
Based on those criteria, here are eight reliable travel insurers, in alphabetical order:
Allianz Travel Insurance
Website: AllianzTravelInsurance.com
Based in: Richmond, Virginia
Founded in: 1983
Parent Company: Allianz
Underwriters: BCS Insurance Company, Jefferson Insurance Company
Underwriters' AM Best Ratings: A (Excellent), A+ (Superior)
Insurer's BBB Rating: A+
American Express
Website: AmericanExpress.com
Based in: New York City
Founded in: 1850
Underwriter: Amex Assurance Company
Underwriter's AM Best Rating: A (Excellent)
Insurer's BBB Rating: A+
Generali Global Assistance
Website: GeneraliTravelInsurance.com
Based in: Trieste, Italy, with offices in San Diego and Pembroke Pines, Florida
Founded in: 1991
Underwriter: Generali U.S. Branch
Underwriter's AM Best Rating: A (Excellent)
Insurer's BBB Rating: A+
TripAssure
- Website: TripAssure.com
- Based in: Kansas City, Missouri
- Founded in: 1961 (as MH Ross)
- Parent Company: Trip Mate, part of Generali Global Assistance
- Underwriter: Generali U.S. Branch
- Underwriter's AM Best Rating: A (Excellent)
-
Insurer's BBB Rating: A+
Travel Guard
Website: TravelGuard.com
Based in: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Founded in: 1985
Parent Company: AIG Travel
Underwriter: National Union Fire Insurance Company
Underwriter's AM Best Rating: A (Excellent)
Insurer's BBB Rating: A+
Travel Insured International
Website: TravelInsured.com
Based in: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Founded in: 1994
Parent Company: Crum & Forster Holdings
Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company
Underwriter's AM Best Rating: A (Excellent)
Insurer's BBB Rating: A-
Travelex Insurance Services
Website: TravelexInsurance.com
Based in: Omaha, Nebraska
Founded in: 1996
Parent Company: Zurich Insurance Group
Underwriters: Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Zurich Insurance Group
Underwriters' AM Best Ratings: A++ (Superior), A (Excellent)
Insurer's BBB Rating: A+
TravelSafe Insurance
Website: TravelSafe.com
Based in: Wyomissing, Pennsylvania
Founded in: 1971
Parent Company: Chester Perfetto Agency
Underwriter: National Union Fire Insurance Company
Underwriter's AM Best Rating: A (Excellent)
Insurer's BBB Rating: A+
