Best Insurance For Travel for International Trips: Emergency Medical and Evacuation Considerations

Traveling internationally from the United States is exciting — but a serious illness, injury, or political evacuation can transform a trip into a financial and logistical crisis. Emergency medical treatment and medical evacuation (MedEvac) are the two coverages that most impact whether you return home safe and solvent. This article — focused on U.S.-based travelers (New York, California, Texas, Florida, Illinois and beyond) — explains what to buy, who offers the strongest options, and how much you can expect to pay.

Why emergency medical and evacuation coverage matter for U.S. travelers

• U.S. health insurance often provides little or no coverage abroad. Out-of-network emergency bills can reach tens of thousands of dollars in minutes.
• Medical evacuation (air ambulance or commercial air transfer under medical supervision) can cost $20,000–$200,000 depending on distance and complexity.
• Travel insurers and MedEvac membership providers arrange transport and often pay or coordinate direct billing — avoiding the need for local cash outlays.

Before you travel internationally, ask: Can my domestic plan pay for care overseas? If not, do I need full emergency medical plus separate MedEvac protection?

Key coverages to prioritize

• Emergency medical expense limit: Minimum $100,000 recommended for major international trips; consider $250,000+ for long stays or remote travel.
• Emergency medical evacuation: Coverage that includes repatriation to the U.S. or to the nearest adequate facility.
• 24/7 assistance and evacuation coordination: A reliable operations center that runs global medical evacuations and direct-billing.
• Pre-existing condition waivers: If you have chronic conditions, look for policies that offer waivers (subject to rules).
• Adventure or high-risk activity coverage: If you ski, dive, or trek, verify that medical and evacuation for those activities are included or available as an add-on.

How much does this cost? Typical pricing (U.S. travelers)

Costs vary by age, trip cost/duration, destination, and coverage limits. Typical ranges for U.S. travelers on international trips:

• Travel insurance (comprehensive single-trip plan including medical & evacuation): 4%–10% of trip cost (Allianz and industry guidance). For a $4,000 trip, that’s roughly $160–$400. Source: Allianz Travel Insurance pricing guidance (estimates vary by plan) — https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/
• Standalone MedEvac memberships (Medjet / Global Rescue): $99–$299 per year for individual memberships; family plans often $169–$499. These memberships cover medical transport but not treatment costs. See Medjet — https://www.medjet.com/ and Global Rescue — https://www.globalrescue.com/
• Backpacker/Adventure-focused insurers (World Nomads): $60–$350+ for multi-week international trips depending on age and duration. Source: World Nomads sample pricing and plan tiers — https://www.worldnomads.com/

Note: Prices above are examples and depend on your age, trip length, destinations, and chosen limits. Always get a tailored quote.

Companies to consider (U.S. market focus)

When should you buy MedEvac membership vs. comprehensive travel insurance?

• Buy a MedEvac membership (Medjet, Global Rescue) if:

  • You live in a U.S. metro (e.g., Los Angeles, New York, Houston) and travel internationally several times per year.
  • You want guaranteed air transport to a U.S. hospital rather than local transfer only.
  • You prefer an annual coverage model that handles multiple trips.

• Buy comprehensive travel insurance (Allianz, IMG, World Nomads) if:

  • You need trip cancellation/interruption protection plus emergency medical coverage.
  • You’re taking a single international holiday or cruise and want one policy that covers medical, baggage, delays, and cancellations.
  • You want direct payment for medical bills in-country and coverage for other travel risks.

Tip: Many experienced travelers carry both — a travel insurance policy for medical bills and a MedEvac membership for guaranteed transport. That redundancy can avoid gaps (medical care vs. transport).

Red flags and policy details to read carefully

• Exclusion of pandemics/virus claims: Since COVID-19, some plans exclude pandemic-related claims unless you buy specific riders.
• Pre-existing condition clauses: Be aware of look-back periods (commonly 60–180 days) and how waivers apply.
• Adventure/sport exclusions: Skiing, scuba, mountaineering may require buy-up.
• Provider response time and reputation: Evaluate real-case reviews and whether the insurer has U.S.-based assistance centers.

See also: Best Insurance For Travel With Medical Evacuation: When MedEvac Is Essential and Who Offers It for a deeper dive into MedEvac options.

Example scenarios and recommended approaches

• Traveler A — 35, lives in Miami, 10-day two-country European trip, trip cost $6,000:
  • Buy a single-trip Allianz or IMG plan (~$240–$600 depending on coverage) with medical limit $250k and evacuation included.
• Traveler B — 62, from Chicago, cruising in Mediterranean, has hypertension:
  • Compare senior-focused plans with higher medical limits and pre-existing condition waivers. See Best Insurance For Travel for Seniors: Medical Coverage, Evacuation and Age-Specific Plans.
• Traveler C — 28, frequent international traveler based in San Francisco, adventure trips:
  • Annual MedEvac membership (Medjet or Global Rescue) plus a per-trip accident/medical top-up (World Nomads or Allianz) for cancellation and activity coverage.

How to pick and buy: checklist

• Confirm your current U.S. health plan’s foreign coverage (if any).
• Determine desired medical limit (minimum $100k; $250k+ recommended).
• Decide if you want annual MedEvac membership.
• Compare quotes for the same dates and coverage limits.
• Read exclusions (sports, pre-existing conditions, pandemics).
• Verify 24/7 worldwide assistance phone numbers and evacuation protocols.

For guidance on cancellation and broader policy selection, read: Best Insurance For Travel: Trip Cancellation, Interruption and How to Pick the Right Policy.

Helpful external resources

• Allianz Travel Insurance — plan descriptions and pricing guidance: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/
• World Nomads — plan tiers and sample pricing for travelers from the U.S.: https://www.worldnomads.com/
• Medjet — MedEvac membership details and levels: https://www.medjet.com/
• CDC Travelers’ Health — health notices and recommendations for international travelers: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
• Global Rescue — membership options for medical evacuation and field rescue: https://www.globalrescue.com/

Bottom line

For U.S.-based travelers, a combination of reliable emergency medical coverage (minimum $100–250k) and a dedicated MedEvac solution delivers the best protection against catastrophic costs and complicated evacuations. Choose insurers with strong 24/7 assistance reputations, examine pre-existing condition terms carefully, and match policy limits to the remoteness and risk of your planned destinations. For seniors, adventure travelers, or those with pre-existing conditions, consult specialized guides like the ones linked above to fine-tune coverage.