GeoBlue Travel Insurance Coverage Review — Is It Worth It?

We frequently discuss travel insurance and look closely at companies that offer the coverage, but today we’re narrowing our focus from comprehensive travel insurance to a specific type of travel coverage — travel medical insurance.

Chances are you’ve heard of BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS), one of the leading healthcare insurance providers in the U.S. The company was established in 1929 and currently insures over 107 million members. GeoBlue, an independent licensee of BCBS, picks up where BCBS leaves off, offering travel medical coverage worldwide.

You do not have to be a member of BCBS to purchase travel medical insurance from GeoBlue as the company makes its products widely available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

In an effort to determine the benefits of GeoBlue as a viable option for purchasing travel medical insurance, join us as we explore the following in today’s review:

• Why you should consider travel insurance and specifically GeoBlue
• An overview of the types of plans the company offers
• Comparing plans and obtaining a quote
• How the company measures up versus other companies and to credit card travel insurance

Why Purchase Travel Insurance

Insurance products, in general, serve the purpose of indemnifying you and making you whole (or nearly whole) should a covered event cause you to incur a financial loss. Travel insurance, and in this case travel medical insurance, is designed to accomplish the same objective.

Since our topic for this article is narrowed to travel medical insurance, let’s look at several reasons you’d want to consider this coverage.

• Your current health insurance policy does not provide coverage outside of the U.S. and/or its territories
• Your current health insurance policy covers you outside of the country but has a high deductible
• You are on Medicare and do not have a supplement plan
• You want a primary travel medical policy that gives you access to a network of medical providers in the country you’re visiting
• You have insurance from your credit card for trip cancellation, trip interruption, and other travel disruptions, but not travel medical coverage
• You are traveling to a remote area and want to have emergency evacuation insurance

This is just a sampling of some of the situations where you’d want to consider purchasing a travel medical insurance policy. Fortunately, the coverage is affordable and widely available.

Bottom Line: If your current health insurance policy does not cover you while traveling abroad or has a high deductible if it does provide coverage, you’ll want to consider purchasing travel medical insurance. Additionally, you should consider travel medical insurance if you’re concerned about emergency medical evacuation, or want to have 1 primary policy that covers you during your travels. 

Why Choose GeoBlue

If you have the need to purchase travel medical insurance, there are certainly a lot of companies from which to select. GeoBlue stands tall among those competitors for several reasons.

First, the company has been providing global health insurance options since 1997, is a licensee of BCBS with a rating of excellent by financial insurance rating company, AM Best, and has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau.

Additionally, you can expect the following benefits when insuring with GeoBlue:

• GeoBlue has a vetted group of elite doctors in a network that spans 190 countries. Physicians must be certified by the American or Royal Board of Medical Specialties.
• Visits to network doctors/facilities are handled cashless, eliminating the need to file a claim for reimbursement.
• In addition to in-person care, GeoBlue utilizes alternative telemedicine options available 24/7 and provides access to a global network of physicians and facilities.
• Access is available to 24/7 assistance including translation services, physician referrals, prescription services, destination assistance, and more.

Bottom Line: GeoBlue is an established, highly-rated company that specializes in providing travel medical insurance with associated care via its global physician network, telemedicine services, and 24/7 medical assistance services. 

Travel Medical Insurance and the COVID-19 Virus

Travel insurance, in general, does not cover voluntary trip cancellations due to the fear of getting ill for any reason, including the fear of contracting the COVID-19 virus. In addition, some travel insurance companies specifically exclude COVID-19 for most coverages. Other travel insurance companies provide limited coverage for COVID-19-related illnesses under trip interruption and medical care coverages only.

You’ll want to review any policy you’re considering to make sure your greatest concerns are covered.

In order to have any coverage that provides reimbursement for a voluntary trip cancellation, for example, you’ll need to consider Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.

Travel medical insurance does not normally include extensive coverage for trip cancellations or disruptions but focuses more on providing medical care and reimbursement for the associated expenses that occur as a result of becoming ill or having an accident during your travels.

Fortunately, many of the medical insurance policies offered by GeoBlue do cover COVID-19-related illness. Let’s look closer at the available options.

Bottom Line: In order to have coverage for trip cancellation due to the fear of getting ill, you would need to purchase Cancel for Any Reason insurance. Some policies provide limited coverage for COVID-19 under trip cancellation and trip disruption coverages should you contract the virus prior to or during your travels. Many of the travel medical policies offered by GeoBlue cover COVID-19-related illness care. 

GeoBlue Policy Comparisons

GeoBlue offers single trip, multi-trip, and long-term plans. The company also issues specialty travel medical plans for students, workers on assignment, missionaries, volunteers, and maritime workers while abroad.

First, let’s look at the policy options for individuals and group travelers.

Short-Term Single-Trip Plan Options — GeoBlue Voyager

GeoBlue Voyager plans are designed for individual single-trip travel or group single-trip events. Groups are defined as 5 or more persons traveling together and a 10% discount off of individual pricing is provided.

Voyager plans include coverage for COVID-19-related illness care. 

Here’s how the 2 Voyager policy options compare.

Multi-Trip Plan Options — GeoBlue Trekker

If you’re a frequent traveler, it could make sense to purchase 1 annual policy that covers multiple trips. GeoBlue Trekker multi-trip plans cover all trips made within a 12-month period (up to 70 days in length) and offer 2 levels of coverage options.

Here is a comparison of the 2 GeoBlue Trekker plans.

Both plans cover pre-existing conditions and emergency and non-emergency medical care. Both plans require that you have a primary health plan in place to qualify for purchasing these plans.

Long-Term Plan Options

If you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living abroad and need medical insurance, GeoBlue offers 2 plans that may provide the coverage you need for you and your family.

These plans are different from short-term plans in that medical underwriting is needed in order to qualify. Here’s a brief summary of GeoBlue plans for U.S. expats.

All GeoBlue plans offer 24/7 global medical assistance, translation services, doctor searches, and destination health/security information.

GeoBlue Navigator, Xplorer, and Voyager plans include coverage for COVID-19-related illness.

Additional Plans Available

GeoBlue provides additional medical plans for specific types of travelers working abroad, on assignment, or participating in study programs.

• Incoming international students studying in the U.S.
• Students studying abroad
• Employees of multi-national companies working abroad
• Expatriate Crew International Health Plan — for those working on ships
• Expatriate Missionary and Volunteer International Health Plan — covers missionaries, aid workers, and volunteers worldwide

Bottom Line: GeoBlue offers several comprehensive individual travel medical plan options, comprehensive student plans including coverage for international visiting students, and plans for U.S. students, faculty, and family when studying abroad. GeoBlue also offers employer plans that provide coverage to employees working abroad and their families. Missionaries, those who volunteer internationally, and maritime workers will also find policies designed specifically for those situations. 

How to Obtain a Quote

Obtaining a quote for any type of travel insurance can be quick, easy, and can even result in securing immediate coverage. The process is similar for travel medical insurance.

To obtain a quote from GeoBlue for a single trip plan, you’ll need to input your travel destination, your state of residence, the length of your trip, age, cost of the trip, and the date you made the first trip deposit.

For a multi-trip annual plan quote, the process is similar. You’ll need to input your zip code, age, and the desired effective date of the policy.

Obtaining a quote with GeoBlue for a single or multi-trip policy can be done in just a few minutes. To obtain a long-term policy quote, you’ll need to submit some of the same basic information and a quote will be emailed to you.

Bottom Line: Obtaining a quote for a single or multi-trip policy is a quick and simple process completed on the GeoBlue website. A long-term quote for qualifying applicants must be requested via email. 

The Value of Travel Insurance Comparison Sites

While purchasing a travel medical policy from GeoBlue ensures you’re dealing with a highly-rated established company, it’s always good to do some comparison shopping when looking for any type of insurance.

Viewing a selection of policies side-by-side makes it easy to compare coverages and costs. This task is easily accomplished by utilizing a travel insurance comparison website such as the ones listed here.

Additionally, comparison sites allow you to narrow the number of policies to those that contain the coverages most important to you. Here are a few we recommend:

• InsureMyTrip — great for stand-alone medical travel insurance policy comparisons but also offers comprehensive travel insurance policies from over 20 providers
• Squaremouth — easy to navigate site that allows you to compare dozens of travel insurance companies and filter by desired coverage, including travel medical insurance
• TravelInsurance.com — you’ll want to use this site for comparing travel insurance plans, including those with medical coverage, however, no stand-alone medical plan quotes are available

Bottom Line: Utilize a travel insurance comparison site to help you easily compare several plans, filter by desired coverage, and select those that best match your coverage priorities. 

How GeoBlue Compares — Summary

We know that GeoBlue is a reputable choice for travel medical insurance but let’s look at how the company’s offerings compare to other travel medical providers and to the coverage that comes with your credit cards.

GeoBlue vs. Other Travel Insurance Companies

When we searched for a quote using the criteria of a traveler, age 40, for a trip to Mexico for 1 week that costs $3,000, the top 4 results above were shown. You’ll notice by the results that single-trip travel medical insurance can be an affordable option.

The next key element in selecting a policy will be to compare coverages. We know that GeoBlue Voyager policies include coverage for COVID-19 with the Voyager plans, for example, so this may be a key factor in our selection.

Digging deeper into our comparison we find that 1 policy does not include coverage for COVID-19. If we narrow our search to plans that only include this coverage, the next step will be to look at other coverages and limits that are important to us.

In this case, coverages for these policies are similar and costs do not vary widely. GeoBlue, however, remains competitive in both coverages offered and premiums charged.

Bottom Line: While GeoBlue holds its own and is competitive in both coverages and cost when compared to other travel medical insurance companies for single-trip plans, we know that coverage for multi-trip plans does not include coverage for COVID-19-related illness. 

GeoBlue vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

We frequently remind travelers that even the best credit cards for travel insurance are not a replacement for a comprehensive travel insurance policy. This is especially true for travel medical insurance coverage as you won’t find comprehensive medical coverage on any credit card.

There are very few cards that do offer emergency evacuation insurance and other ancillary medical/dental coverage. Here are 2 of the best options for travel-related coverages and benefits.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

To learn more about all the travel insurance coverages that come with the Amex Platinum card, you’ll want to review our in-depth article on the topic. Note that terms apply and enrollment may be required for some benefits, so make sure you enroll through your American Express account.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

For more information on Chase Sapphire Reserve card travel insurance coverages, you’ll want to access our expanded overview.

Bottom Line: While credit cards may offer travel accident, trip delay, and other ancillary travel insurance coverages, these cards do not offer travel medical insurance. 

Everything Else You Need to Know

Here’s some additional information we need to pass along applicable to the GeoBlue policies mentioned in our article:

• Eligibility includes U.S. citizens and permanent residents only
• Single and multi-trip medical insurance policies must be purchased in your home country before you travel
• Long-term policies, such as those for expats, may be purchased while abroad
• Travelers under 96 are generally eligible for coverage; other age limits may apply to specific policies
• Coverage is valid in all countries other than where the plan would violate U.S. economic trade sanctions
• Some GeoBlue policy options are secondary and require you to have an underlying medical insurance policy
• All policies issued by GeoBlue have a 10-day money-back guarantee

Final Thoughts

GeoBlue’s expertise at providing travel medical insurance makes it a good choice for purchasing coverage for a single or group trip, or if you’re an expat needing longer-term medical coverage while abroad. Students, faculty, and employers will also find comprehensive medical plans that fit their international medical insurance needs.

Finally, keep in mind that our article today is simply an overview and abbreviated summary of GeoBlue’s policy offerings — plenty of terms and conditions apply. The company’s website provides everything you need to select the appropriate policy, review coverages, obtain a quote, and purchase a plan.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our Medical & Legal Disclaimers.