We’ve collectively bought 30+ policies across 10+ insurers and filed 15 real claims, every one paid in full.
We also read the underwriter-issued policy documents, not just the marketing pages. Here’s what we check before recommending anything.

01
Medical evacuation cap
The number that matters most and the one most reviews skip past.
02
Pre-existing condition exclusions
What counts as pre-existing varies more between insurers than the marketing suggests.
03
Adventure sports riders
Whether the activity you are planning needs an add-on, and what that add-on costs.
04
Claims turnaround, in practice
What the policy promises versus what our own claims actually took.
05
Geographic exclusions
Which countries are excluded, and how coverage can differ depending on where you live.
06
Cancellation and interruption terms
What triggers a payout versus what looks similar but does not.
07
Baggage & per-item limits
The total sounds generous until you look at the per-item cap.
08
Motorbike & scooter coverage
One of the most common ways backpackers get around Southeast Asia.

Full Reviews

Need more details? We’ve got them in the full reviews below.

SafetyWing

7 team members have used SafetyWing Essential, roughly 10 policies between them. Three claims filed, all paid in full.

Read the review →

World Nomads

Used by multiple team members for years. Founder Will filed two claims, dengue fever and a stolen backpack, both paid in full.

Read the review →

Faye

Used for a Cancel For Any Reason claim on a rescheduled trip. 75% of trip costs refunded as promised.

Read the review →

Genki

Personally used and claimed three times by our Senior Editor. Each claim paid within the standard 3-4 week turnaround.

Read the review →

Understanding Insurance Jargon

12 terms worth knowing before you buy, in plain English.

Excess / Deductible

What you pay out of pocket before the insurer pays anything.

Why it matters: A cheap headline premium can hide a high excess. Compare the excess alongside the price, not just the price on its own.

Medical Evacuation

Getting you to proper care - the single most expensive thing insurance covers.

Why it matters: Evacuation costs can run past $100,000. If this figure is capped low, you’re underinsured for the exact emergency travel insurance exists for.

Pre-Existing Condition

A health issue you had before the policy started - definitions vary a lot by insurer.

Why it matters: Many insurers won’t cover a condition you already had, so a routine flare-up of something you’ve dealt with before can become an uncovered claim.

Sub-Limit

Primary pays first. Secondary only pays after your other insurance, if any, has paid out.

Why it matters: A £600 camera lost or stolen only pays out £125, even though the policy’s total baggage limit looks much higher.

Primary vs Secondary Cover

Primary pays first. Secondary only pays after your other insurance, if any, has paid out.

Why it matters: If you assume you have primary cover and you only have secondary, you could be covering hospital costs yourself for weeks while insurers work out who pays first.

Underwriter

The company backing the risk, often not the brand name on the policy.

Why it matters: The same brand can be underwritten by different companies depending on where you live, and each one sets its own terms. That’s part of why "World Nomads" or "Faye" coverage can look different depending on your state or country of residence, even under one familiar name.

Adventure Sports Rider

An add-on that covers specific higher-risk activities not included by default.

Why it matters: Get hurt doing something your base policy doesn’t list and the whole claim can be denied, not just discounted. Check the activity list before you go, not after you’re injured.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR)

An upgrade that lets you cancel for reasons standard policies won#8217;t cover, usually partial reimbursement only.

Why it matters: Standard cancellation cover only pays out for a specific list of reasons. CFAR is the only option if you might cancel for something the policy doesn’t name, but it typically refunds a percentage, not the full amount, so budget for the gap.

Territory / Geographic Limit

Countries or regions the policy does not cover, sometimes surprising ones.

Why it matters: A policy can look global and still exclude your home country, a specific region, or anywhere under travel advisory. Check the exclusion list against your actual itinerary, not the marketing map.

Single-Trip vs Multi-Trip

One journey with a fixed end date, versus rolling cover across several trips in a year.

Why it matters: Buying single-trip policies repeatedly can cost more than one annual multi-trip policy if you travel several times a year, but multi-trip policies usually cap the length of any one trip, so check that cap against your longest trip.

Repatriation

Getting you, or in the worst case your remains, home. Usually bundled with evacuation cover.

Why it matters: Evacuation gets you to the nearest adequate hospital. Repatriation is the separate, often lower, limit for getting you home once you’re stable.

Policy Wording vs Summary

The summary is a table of numbers or bullet lists. The wording is the legal document explaining what has to be true for those numbers to apply.

Why it matters: If the summary is vague or the two ever conflict, the wording is what governs. Read it before you buy, not after you need to claim.

Long-Term Travel Insurance

If you’'re travelling for over a year, or living abroad and want full medical coverage like you'd have at home, these are worth a look.

Best for

Long-term expats needing full health coverage

SafetyWing Complete

$150-$180 / month (ages 18-39)

An annual contract that covers routine care, not just emergencies, closer to real health insurance than typical travel cover. Not available to US, Canada, or UAE residents.

Get a Quote

Best for

Long-term expats wanting the highest medical ceiling

Genki Native

Roughly EUR120-EUR180 / month (ages 18-39)

A 12-month minimum commitment with a higher medical ceiling, but potentially at a higher cost (get a quote to make sure). Pre-existing conditions are individually assessed rather than automatically excluded.

Get a Quote

FAQs

Do I actually need travel insurance?

Almost certainly, yes. One hospital visit abroad can wipe out months of savings. See our full breakdown in do I really need travel insurance?

Can I buy insurance after I have already left home?

Some providers allow this, others do not. Full breakdown by provider in the buying insurance after departure section of our main roundup.

Does where I live affect my travel insurance policy?

Yes, and not just on price. US, UK, and EU policies often run on entirely different underwriters with different limits, so a "$250,000 medical" headline can mean different things depending on where you live. Washington State residents specifically see different medical caps and plan availability than the rest of the US on several providers.

Do I need a separate policy for hiking or diving?

Often yes, as a rider rather than a separate policy. See our hiking and trekking insurance guide for what is usually excluded by default.

Does my credit card or bank account already cover me?

Sometimes, but rarely enough on its own. Many cards include basic travel cover, but caps are often low, activities like hiking or diving are usually excluded, and medical evacuation limits are typically far below what a dedicated policy provides. Worth checking your card terms, but do not assume it replaces real cover.