Travel Insurance for California: 3 Best Companies for 2025

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Looking for travel insurance for California?

You’ve landed on the right article — as I live in California and have my entire adult life! I’m here to help you navigate tricky travel insurance questions for any travel, and by the end of this article, you’ll be a travel insurance pro!

I know the words travel insurance don’t sound fun; it’s not the same as planning an itinerary from San Francisco to Napa, but planning and buying the right insurance before your trip gives you ownership and empowers you to imagine all the wonderful adventures you’ll have without worrying that you can’t cover the unexpected event life throws.

🧐 What is the best travel insurance?

Determining the best travel insurance policies is a question that comes up a lot in the travel business, and as a travel writer, it can be confusing to people.

While there are numerous companies, this article covers three of my top picks to purchase travel insurance from. 

These three will work for a vast majority of travelers and digital nomads like myself.

I live in California, my existing health insurance covers me when traveling around the state, but when I travel internationally, I use one of these top three. 

I’ve kept it simple and put the three companies I’ve purchased travel insurance from at the top (except for the last one, because it’s for travelers over 65) in case you don’t have time to read this whole article. 

✅ Best for expats and general travelers: SafetyWing
✅ Best overall insurance: World Nomads
✅ Best insurance for older travelers: Insure My Trip

To determine which insurance is best for you, consider factors like age, deductible, the policy’s total cost, medical benefits, and the coverage you need.

Don’t fret — we’ll cover how to pick the best insurance for you!

After you figure out which plan fits your needs, check out the California Covid info and the California travel insurance FAQ at the end of this article.

Disclaimer: I am not an insurance expert, insurance broker, or insurance salesperson. For specific questions about travel insurance policies, please speak to someone at the company you’re buying the plan from.

Do You Need Travel Insurance for California Travel?

It depends on where you are traveling from; if you’re traveling from another country or state, travel insurance makes sense for unexpected adverse circumstances, like trip cancelation, lost luggage (it’s happened to me), medical emergencies, and other travel-related mishaps.

Furthermore, if you intend to engage in high-risk or adventurous activities during your travels, it is undeniably advantageous to obtain travel insurance that specifically caters to those activities.

California has so many destinations that offer outdoor activities, making travel insurance essential for peace of mind. So, whether you’re skiing in Big Bear, surfing in Santa Barbara, rock climbing in Joshua Tree, or hiking in Temecula, make sure you add purchasing travel insurance to your California travel list. 

BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CALIFORNIA

Top 3 Best Travel Insurance Companies

There are hundreds of travel insurance companies, but I recommend and use only three when traveling. These three work well for any traveler except the last one, which works for people over a certain age, when travel insurance is not only smart but vital.

An acquaintance had a heart attack a week after he returned from a foreign country. Had that heart attack happened while he was traveling, insurance would have significantly helped.

Planning and buying the right insurance before your trip gives you ownership and empower you to imagine all the wonderful adventures you’ll have without worrying that you can’t cover the unexpected event life throws. 

1. SafetyWing Travel Insurance

SafetyWing is 30% cheaper than other bigger travel insurance providers! Check out the widget below for up-to-date rates and to get a quote. ⤺

SafetyWing is perfect for digital nomads like me who travel often and anyone who is a long-term traveler, with monthly policies starting at $42 per month. This is a great deal for peace of mind when you are away from home for extended travel.

SafetyWing offers several different insurance plans, including health insurance, travel insurance, and a combination of both.

2. World Nomads

Created by travelers, for travelers, this travel insurance is tailored to cater to the needs of adventurers.

With comprehensive coverage spanning over 150 activities, it safeguards against unforeseen circumstances such as emergency medical expenses, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and much more. The policies kick off at a mere $5 USD per day, making it an affordable and reliable choice for every traveler.

3. Insure My Trip

Insure My Trip is the Skyscanner of travel insurance.

It isn’t actually an insurance company but recommends plans and helps you compare prices to buy the plan that best suits your needs.

With Insure My Trip, you can compare plans from 23 different providers. It’s a great company for senior travelers since most providers on the service off coverage for those over 65. I like Insure My Trip because they offer “cancel for any reason” insurance, so if you cancel your trip for any reason, even ones not listed under standard policies, you’ll get a percentage of your trip back.

Now that you know my Top 3 picks for the best travel insurance, let’s take a deeper dive into all your options below.

I want you to have enough knowledge to pick the best travel insurance policy for you.

🚨 Disclaimer: Always read the fine print

When buying a travel insurance policy, take the time to read the fine print or call the company to make sure you’re OK with all aspects of the policy, including your deductible.

BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CALIFORNIA

Best Travel Insurance for California (If You’re Not From The US)

If you are traveling to California from another country and are not from the US, I recommend SafetyWing Travel Insurance to cover your health and travel related needs when you’re away from your home country.

Safety Wing: Digital Nomad Insurance

SafetyWing, a Norwegian startup based out of California, is specifically focused on remote workers and digital nomads. It’s a favorite of long-term travelers and digital nomads planning extended stays. Being in the travel blogging community, it’s what most of us use. It is the company I have used; it’s the best health insurance for general travelers and digital nomads.

Policies start at just $42 per month, which makes it no-brainer. Basic policies cover travel emergencies, basic medical costs, and medical expenses while you’re traveling, so you can visit with total peace of mind for very little money.

⛑️ Get your FREE SafetyWing quote now

Here’s a quick guide to SafetyWing:

• Claims can be made online
• Offers affordable monthly plans with a deductible
• Best for digital nomads and world travelers
• Up to 2 children under 10 per family (1 per adult) can be included on your plan free of charge
• Up to $5,000 for trip interruption (with no deductible)

Is SafetyWing Reliable?

Yes. Read their ratings on Trustpilot and Product Hunt. 

It is easy to sign up and has no hidden binding periods. You get what you need at a reasonable price. Most importantly when I have needed to submit a claim they’ve been very easy to deal with and extremely helpful!

Henrik – Trustpilot

BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CALIFORNIA

Best General Travel Insurance

World Nomad: Standard Plan

When it comes to worldwide travel insurance, World Nomad is recommended by more travel companies (like Hostel World) and travel bloggers than any other insurance company.

What I like about World Nomad is they keep it simple with just two plans; the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. The Standard Plan is the standard minimum coverage, as the name suggests.

Depending on what you pay for, this plan includes a range of benefits, like medical assistance and overseas medical care, coverage for your belongings, pre-trip cancelation and a few adventure activities.

⛑️ Get your FREE World Nomad quote now

BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CALIFORNIA

Best Insurance for Older Travelers

Insure My Trip

Insure My Trip isn’t an insurance company but aggregates in one-place insurance plans so you can choose the best one that suits your needs.

Compare plans from 23 different travel insurance companies in one spot that offers coverage for senior travelers since many of the providers on Insure My Trip offer coverage for those over 65.

They offer “cancel for any reason” insurance, so if you cancel your trip for any reason, even ones not listed under standard policies, you’ll get a percentage of your trip back, which is fantastic

Here’s a quick guide to Insure My Trip:

• Low-price aggregator
• Coverage for senior travelers over 65
• Compares travel insurance from 23 companies to ensure you get the best plan for your needs
• Accommodation coverage if quarantined at your destination
• Offers coverage for travelers on cruises
• Reviews each policy so you can see what other travelers are saying

⛑️ Get your FREE Insure My Trip quote now

BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CALIFORNIA

California Covid Information

California has made significant progress in vaccinating its population. Although the State of Emergency is over, it’s essential to stay informed about vaccination rates and trends to ensure your safety.

Make sure to keep an eye on local vaccination rates and follow recommended guidelines.

Masking and Quarantine Requirements

As of this writing, California has no masking or quarantine requirements. However, don’t be surprised if you see people wearing masks in California. You will. No one will pressure you to wear a mask, but I suggest wearing a mask in crowded places, especially the airport.

The airport is one of the highest-risk places to catch a cold, the flu, and Covid-19.

Read, Is California Safe, for more general information about traveling to the Golden State.

Best Travel Insurance in California: FAQs

Is travel insurance required for California?

No, travel insurance isn’t required in California, but you might want to consider purchasing travel insurance when traveling within and outside of California.

For example, if you’re driving in Los Angeles, the traffic and packed highways are tricky to navigate, so this would be a situation to have medical insurance just in case.

➜ Trip interruption: Travel insurance can provide coverage for expenses if an unexpected circumstance came up and you had to cut your trip short.

➜ Emergency medical evacuation: In the event that you require transportation to a medical facility for treatment, travel insurance can offer coverage for emergency medical evacuation.

➜ Lost or stolen luggage: Travel insurance can offer coverage for lost or stolen checked luggage, which is particularly significant when traveling with valuable or costly belongings.

However, it is essential to note that while travel insurance can offer valuable coverage, it may not encompass all circumstances. It is crucial to thoroughly review the entire policy, including its limitations, to ensure that the coverage aligns with your specific needs.

Who is the best company to get travel insurance?

World Nomads has the best Comprehensive Coverage, while SafetyWing and Insure My Trip offer the best rates and value.

How much does travel insurance typically cost?

On average, travelers should expect to pay 6.87% of their total trip cost for travel insurance. The minimum you might expect to pay is 4.15%, but it can go as high as 15.8%. via NerdWallet.

Does travel insurance cover COVID while traveling?

To assess whether your insurance covers COVID-related incidents, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the type of coverage you possess, the insurance provider you purchased it from, and the specific reason for your trip cancellation. Only then can you begin to determine the extent of your coverage.

How much is SafetyWing?

SafetyWing starts at $45.08 for four weeks for travelers of ages 18-39. It’s a 3rd of the cost of bigger insurance providers.

For seniors, check out Insure My Trip which compares plans from 23 different travel insurance companies in one spot that offers coverage for senior travelers since many of the providers on Insure My Trip offer coverage for those over 65.

Where is SafetyWing covered?

SafetyWing is covered in 180 countries, and you can get limited coverage for your home country for up to 30 days every 3 months. You can also purchase it while you’re traveling. You can check if it’s covered in a certain country here.

Are children included in a SafetyWing insurance plan?

Yes, children between the ages of 14 days to 10 years can be included in your insurance plan at no extra cost. Up to 1 child per adult or 2 per family can be included in the plan. 

Can you extend a SafetyWing insurance plan?

Yes, the insurance automatically extends every 28 days from your insurance start date until you choose an end date. 

BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CALIFORNIA

Final Thoughts: Best Travel Insurance in California

No one anticipates encountering injuries while traveling, and in an ideal world, such incidents would never occur. However, we are well aware that reality is far from perfect. Safe and happy travels in California!

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