COVID Travel Insurance: 8 Best & Trusted Plans for Travelers in 2021

Disclaimer: Most travel insurance companies are updating and adapting to the “new normal” way to travel around the world. We strongly advise you to check with your insurance company before committing to any insurance plan. 

Traveling in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a bit more uncertain since you do not know what additional expenses might come with COVID treatment or hospitalization.

Having COVID travel insurance is a necessity and in some countries one of the entry requirements!

Since we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of our fellow travelers during this unprecedented crisis, we have chosen 8 insurance travel plans that cover COVID-19 we consider the best fit for British, American, EU citizens, and foreign nationals from other countries.

So keep reading to learn about the best plans when traveling, working, living, or studying abroad. 

Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance for Traveling in 2021

• Safety Wing Travel Insurance – MOST TRUSTED!
• Coveramerica-Gold – BEST FOR US TRAVEL
• World Nomads Travel Insurance
• Travelex Insurance Services
• Heymondo
• Liaison Travel Plus
• AXA – Global Healthcare
• Liaison® Student Plus

1. Safety Wing Travel Insurance – MOST TRUSTED!

Best for nomads, (long/short-term) tourists, and remote workers regardless of their nationality.

Travel medical insurance for nomads but also short or long-term travelers.

Pros:

• Great fit for digital nomads, tourists, and remote workers regardless of their nationality. Ideal for long but also short-term trips!

• COVID-19 Coverage: As of August 1st, 2020, this insurance covers COVID-19 disease and works the same as any other illness and does not fall under any other policy exclusion or limitation.

• Included in your previous Safetywing plan?: If you are a new Safetywing new buyer, the COVID-19 coverage will be automatically part of your insurance plan. If not, we recommend you to upgrade your plan here. You can sign up for this insurance after your journey has already started.  

• Price vs Age: Quite affordable considering the pandemic – These prices cover 4 weeks or 28 days with up to a maximum of 364 days after which you will need to repurchase.

• 10 to 39 years old US $40.04 (If you are not traveling in or to the United States)
• 10 to 39 years old US $73.08 (If you are traveling in or to the United States)
• 40 to 49 years old US $64.68 (If you are not traveling in or to the United States)
• 40 to 49 years old US $120.40 (If you are traveling in or to the United States)
• See prices for other age groups here.

• What about outdoor activities – Am I covered?: Safetywings covers more than 94 recreational activities including surfing, biking, hiking, and snowboarding.

• Do I have to pay insurance for my young children? 1 young child (aged 14 days to 10 years old) per adult, up to 2 per family are covered for free.

Cons:

• Safetywing only covers your medical expenses if you contract COVID-19 after your coverage starting date.

• It does not cover the COVID-19 tests most countries are requiring you to submit upon landing in their territories.

• This insurance does not cover citizens from Iran, Syria, North Korea or Cuba (or have Cuba as your citizenship).

Click here to learn more about this plan. 

For long-term digital nomads, we also recommend checking their Remote Health insurance which is more pricey but covers pre-existing conditions or covers you also in your home country.

You might also be interested to check 8 digital nomad insurance plans comparison for 2021.

2. CoverAmerica-Gold, COVID Travel Insurance for traveling in the US by VisitorsCoverage

Best for nomads, tourists, and remote workers visiting the US

CoverAmerica-Gold is a good choice for travelers visiting the U.S. who are NOT citizens or residents of that country. VisitorsCoverage offers plenty of insurance plans for needs of any kind of travel.

Pros

• Great fit for nomads, tourists, and remote workers visiting the United States
• COVID-19 Coverage: This plan covers COVID-19 as if it is any other medical condition. But it has to be purchased for a minimum of 30 days to be eligible for this benefit.
• Coverage limit? It may cover up to US1,000,000 (conditions apply).

Special COVID-19 coverage features

• COVID-19 Coverage and Daily Quarantine Benefit for trips over 30 days 
• Urgent Care visit with only $15 copay  
• Border Entry Protection 

Other benefits

• Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions
• Loss of passport or travel documents 
• Foreign excursions and cruise coverage around North America 
• Emergency dental treatment & eye exam
• Missed connection benefit available during international travel to the U.S.

• Prices by age

Source: Cover America Gold Brochure

Cons:

• It’s NOT available for Americans, US Green Card Holders or long term visa holders, who stay in the USA permanently, and pay taxes in the USA.

• It does NOT cover citizens from Iran, Syria, US Virgin Islands, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. 

Click here to learn more about this plan.

3. World Nomads

First and foremost, World Nomads travel insurance has been endorsed by National Geographic, Eurail, International Volunteer HQ, and Lonely Planet. This may give you the first sneak peek of the quality of the service you are buying. 

World Nomads insurance covers nomads, remote workers and adventure seekers from 150 countries. You can purchase short or long-term according to your travel needs. 

Let’s talk about the basics in the middle of a pandemic; this insurance offers medical evacuation and 24-hour emergency assistance. This may be related to adventure activities you are engaging in, or in case you get sick with COVID-19 in a country that may not have the medical facilities you are used to. 

Pros:

• Word Nomads offers specific services for U.S. travelers. In case you get COVID-19 while traveling, you’ll get your medical emergency, medical evacuation and trip delay or interruption covered. 
• If you want to engage in extreme sports or very adventure activities, their Explorer program will cover you at every step. 
• Extending your coverage service is at your fingertips. Once your coverage is over you can go online and easily extend it.  
• Claims are handled very quickly.
• Its Explorer Policy is unique in the market.

Cons:

• It can be a bit expensive. But if you are a kind of adventure traveler, this is the right fit for you. 
• World Nomads cover people in more than 150 countries; this also means that costs and coverages can vary depending on the area you are traveling to. 
• It’s quite possible you need to have health insurance in your country of origin in order to get their add-on services.
• Scooter related accidents are mostly not covered.

Summary

World Nomads insurance gives you probably the best coverage if you like to engage in adventure activities at a fair price. The World Nomads standard plan, pretty much covers what others do. But in case you want an upgrade, this would be a great choice. 

For further information about COVID-19 coverage, click here.

4. TRAVELEX INSURANCE SERVICES – FOR ALL TYPE OF TRIPS

Travelex insurance has built its travel portfolio considering not only regular travelers but also digital nomads and the new remote workers. 

It has demonstrated excellent coverage on single trips, short luxury getaway weekends as well as long stays in foreign countries. 

One of the features we like the most about Travelex Insurance Services is that this company allows people to customize their coverage according to the particulars of their travel needs. Another good characteristic is that even the basic plan gets you ALL the essentials. We find it a great fit for avid travelers because it brings flight-specific protection. 

We have gathered some pros and cons so you can make an informed decision!

Pros:

• 24/7 Assistance with a travel concierge! – How many times have you missed great spots or haven’t accessed to benefits just because you did not know they existed? Well, Travelex travel assistance will serve you as travel concierge even in legal matters. Nobody knows when you can mess up with unknown rules in a foreign country. 
• Covers COVID-19: This is a must have. If you test positive for COVID-19 you may be eligible for trip cancelation, medical treatments and even evacuation. 
• Similar to the previous one. In case of a medical emergency, Travelex will cover your emergency treatment and evacuation. It also includes a companion. 
• In case you, or your companion passes away, this policy also covers the cost of transporting remains home.
• 98% of insurance claims are paid.
• In case you have to cancel or interrupt your trip for any of the covered reasons, you will get a reimbursement of the money you have already spent on your trip.

Cons:

• It is especially important for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, the coverage provided for COVID-19 may be kind of limited. Consider an upgrade.  
• Beware that some basic services may have an additional cost. 
• It’s not the cheapest one. A 22-year-old remote worker can pay from $ 324 and $491 for a 90-day trip. 

5. Heymondo

Best for travelers going on single trips who don’t want to commit to a long-term contract.

Most travel insurance companies offer protection for 30 days to 6 months. Heymondo not only offers protection for long stay plans, but also for single trips when you are traveling for work or tourism and know your departure and return dates. 

Pros:

• Great fit for – Single or multiple-single-trip travelers
• COVID-19 Coverage: In case you test positive for COVID-19 while traveling, Heymondo will cover medical assistance from USD $100.000 up to USD  $10.000.000 (conditions apply).
• Coverage limit – USD $ 250,000 or USD $ 500,000 depending on your plan
• Time of purchase: You can get it before or during your trip
• You don’t need to commit to a long-term contract

Special COVID-19 coverage features:

• PCR testing in case you show COVID-19 symptoms
• A reimbursement for your pre-paid, non-refundable expenses if you or a close family member gets sick with COVID-19.
• Medical transport and repatriation home in case you miss a returning flight due to a COVID-19 infection. 

Other benefits:

Both Heymondo Top and Heymondo Premium cover:

• Medical and dental emergencies overseas
• Medical transport and repatriation
• Baggage 
• Travel disruption
• COVID-19 related treatments

Cons:

• It may be a little bit expensive. For a 2-week trip from the U.S. to Europe Heymondo Premium costs USD $ 97.95, Heymondo Top costs USD $ 76.63 and Heymondo medical costs USD $ 73,56.
• Heymondo medical doesn’t cover baggage loss or travel disruption.

6. Liaison Travel Plus*

Best for tourists, and remote workers visiting the U.S

Travel insurance for visitors to the U.S. and U.S. citizens traveling abroad. 

Pros

• Great fit for nomads, tourists, and remote workers around the world.
• COVID-19 Coverage – This plan is designed to protect you while you navigate this “new normal” environment, even in the extreme case you get COVID-19 when traveling outside your home country.

Special COVID-19 coverage features

• Medical treatment for COVID-19 (the disease)
• SARS-Cov-2 (the virus), and any mutation or variation of SARS-CoV-2
• Travel assistance services (Including emergency medical evacuation)
• Repatriation
• Emergency medical reunion
• Return of children
• Return of mortal remains
• Local burial or cremation can apply

• Coverage limit?  Up to 5,000,000

• Coverage Area – you can choose between two options:
  • Worldwide coverage including the USA
  • Worldwide coverage excluding the USA

• Any pre-existing conditions? – It covers them through the benefit for acute onset of pre-existing conditions.

• Price – It depends on several factors. You can buy from 5 to 364 days. Click here for prices.

Other traveler benefits

• Loss of checked baggage – US $50 per article, US $500 per occurrence
• Trip interruption US $5,000
• Travel delay US $100 per day, 2-day limit per occurrence
• Lost or stolen travel documents US $100
• Border entry protection (for non-United State residents traveling to the United States) US $500
• Personal liability US $50,000

Cons

• Travelers must be at least 14 days old and under 75 years to be covered by this plan

• It does not cover citizens from Iran, Nigeria, Cuba, Iran, Syria, Virgin Islands, Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and North Korea.

• It does not cover trips to Antarctica, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea.

Click here to learn more about this plan.

*(Administered by Seven Corners, Lloyd’s of London and Tramont Insurance Company)

7. AXA – Global Healthcare

Best for British citizens traveling and working overseas, ex-pats, and other EU citizens

This company provides medical care, routine checkups and lengthy hospital stays for travelers around the world.

Pros

• Great fit for British citizens traveling and working overseas, ex-pats and other U.E. citizens.
• COVID-19 Coverage applies only to members on an AXA international insurance plan

Special COVID-19 coverage features

• Your healthcare benefits will apply as normal if you’re diagnosed with the coronavirus.  
• Out-patient care (if included it on your policy)
• Treatment in the UK (conditions apply)
• Evacuation and repatriation benefit (conditions apply) 
• Coronavirus screening at airports (you are covered if your plan includes coverage for routine health checks)

Other benefits

• This insurance company allows choosing between long-term and short-term stays.

• Price – Depends on the countries you are visiting or living in.

Cons:

• You will not be covered for Coronavirus if you travel to a country against the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for a leisure trip.

Click here for more info about insurance plans with this company

8. Liaison® Student Plus

Best for international students and faculty members

This plan is a great protection option for students and faculty studying and working abroad for up to 364 days.

Pros:

• Great fit for – International students and faculty members
• COVID-19 Coverage: It includes a $100,000* COVID-19 treatment benefit including medical expenses related to COVID-19, SARS-Cov-2, and any mutation or variation of SARS-CoV-2.  
• Coverage limit – Up to $5,000,000 (conditions apply).

Special COVID-19 coverage features:

• Emergency Medical Evacuation
• Repatriation
• Emergency Medical Reunion
• Return of Children
• Return of Mortal Remains
• Local Burial
• Coverage Area: you can choose between
  • Worldwide including the United States
  • Worldwide excluding the United States

Other benefits for students:

• Non-contact Amateur Sports – you can be covered if you are injured while participating in high school, interscholastic, intramural, or club sports exclusive to: squash, water polo, tennis, kickball, volleyball, track & field, baseball, basketball, aerobics, sea kayaking, horse riding, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, ultimate frisbee, skating, rollerblading, and swimming etc.
• Maternity care
• Mental Illness (including alcohol and substance abuse)
• Age – Up to 64 years old
• Price –  It mostly depends on the country where you are going to study

Cons:

• It does not cover you if you get hurt doing outdoor activities.

Click here to learn more about this international student insurance plan.

We hope you’ve liked this comparison of insurance that covers COVID! We hope you’ve found some suitable plan for your next adventure during this rough times!

Let us know in the comment below if you have any suggestions, ideas or feedback about insurance COVID coverage. We appreciate any kind of feedback.

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