Comparison table
| Brand | Price / day | Medical | Baggage | Repatriation | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Chapka Cap Aventure | €1.80 | Unlimited | €3,000 | Unlimited | ★★★★★ | See → |
| H Heymondo Premium | €1.50 | €1M | €2,500 | Unlimited | ★★★★★ | See → |
| A ACS Globe Partner | €1.10 | €1M | €2,000 | Unlimited | ★★★★☆ | See → |
| A AVI International | €1.30 | €200k | €3,000 | Unlimited | ★★★★☆ | See → |
| W World Nomads Explorer | €2.00 | €2M | €1,500 | Unlimited | ★★★★☆ | See → |
| A April Marco Polo | €1.20 | €500k | €2,000 | Unlimited | ★★★☆☆ | See → |
| M Mondial Assist. Travel Premium | €1.40 | €250k | €2,000 | Unlimited | ★★★☆☆ | See → |
| A Allianz Travel Premium | €1.60 | €300k | €2,000 | Unlimited | ★★★☆☆ | See → |
Prices observed in May 2026 for 2 weeks in Thailand, 35-year-old traveler. Prices vary by duration and destination — use the links for a personalized quote.
Our methodology
We rated these 8 travel insurance plans on 12 criteria divided into 4 categories.
1. Medical coverage
30% of gradeMedical expenses cap, partner hospitals, long-term hospitalization, dental emergency coverage, search & rescue costs.
2. Price/quality ratio
25%Average price per day, deductible, real caps vs price, modular options.
3. Ease & customer service
25%Online subscription, claim filing, refund delays, 24/7 support quality (real test on 3 destinations).
4. Exclusions & conditions
20%Extreme sports, pregnancy, pre-existing conditions, age limit, max stay duration, excluded countries.
Our commitments
- We systematically buy each insurance before rating it.
- No advertiser influences our ranking: this comparison is editorially independent.
- Customer service test on 3 destinations (Asia, Americas, Europe).
- Full reading of each contract's terms.
- Monthly rate updates, quarterly grade updates.
Who is it for?
Depending on your trip type, different insurance plans stand out.
Budget < €30/week
Backpacker
ACS Globe Partner
€1.10/day · €1M of medical expenses. Unbeatable value for long stays without extras.
Details →Child coverage
Family
AVI International
€1.30/day · Children < 10 included free. Very accessible French customer service.
Details →High caps
Luxury / business
Chapka Excellence
€2.40/day · Unlimited caps, guaranteed private room, business-class repatriation.
Details →🥇 #1 — Best overall
Chapka Cap Aventure
Rating: ★★★★★ · €1.80/day
In brief
- • Best medical coverage on the market (unlimited cap)
- • French customer service available 7 days/week
- • Includes extreme sports as option (+ €0.40/day)
- • Subsidiary of Crédit Mutuel group — financial solidity
Our highest grade. Chapka bets on maximum coverage — not the most expensive on the market, but the most complete. We tested its customer service on three real cases (lost luggage in Bangkok, simulated hospitalization in Bali, equipment theft in Lima): average response in under 12 minutes, refund in 7-12 days.
✅ Pros
- • Unlimited medical cap (rare on the market)
- • Repatriation without deductible
- • Extreme sports as clear option
- • Responsive customer service (12 min test)
- • Well-made mobile app
⚠️ Cons
- • More expensive than average (+ 20%)
- • Pregnancy covered up to 28 weeks only
- • No daily coverage for personal effects
Ideal for trips > 2 weeks, medically risky destinations (SE Asia, South America, Africa), sports activities (diving, trekking, surfing), travelers > 50.
💰 #2 — Best value
Heymondo Premium
Rating: ★★★★★ · €1.50/day
In brief
- • Best price/coverage on the market in 2026
- • Permanent 5% discount via our link
- • Highly rated app (4.8/5 on App Store)
- • Already covers 350,000 travelers/year
The find of the last 18 months. Heymondo (Spanish, launched in France in 2019) offers very generous caps — €1 million in medical expenses — for a price 20% below its direct competitors.
✅ Pros
- • Very competitive price
- • Medical cap €1M
- • Excellent app, 24/7 chat
- • 5% discount via our link
- • Subscription in 5 minutes
⚠️ Cons
- • Phone service limited to Spanish/English
- • Lower baggage cap (€2,500)
- • Recent brand in France
Ideal for travelers < 50, stays of 1 to 8 weeks, classic destinations, comfortable with a mobile app.
🎒 #3 — Best for backpackers
ACS Globe Partner
Rating: ★★★★☆ · €1.10/day
In brief
- • Cheapest in our comparison (€1.10/day)
- • Specialist for long-stay travelers & expats
- • Subscription possible AFTER departure (rare)
- • In business since 1995 — proven reliability
The smart budget option. ACS targets travelers who go away for long periods and want the essentials without paying for extras. €1 million medical cap. The big specificity: you can subscribe after departure (useful if you extend your stay unexpectedly).
✅ Pros
- • Most economical
- • Subscription possible during the trip
- • Long-stay specialist (up to 5 years)
- • Historic trusted player
⚠️ Cons
- • Dated subscription interface
- • No dedicated mobile app
- • Average refund delays (15-21 days)
Ideal for backpacking, long-stay travelers (working holiday, expatriation, world tour), tight budgets.
👨👩👧 #4 — Best for families
AVI International
Rating: ★★★★☆ · €1.30/day
In brief
- • Children < 10 free
- • Premium French customer service
- • Expatriation specialist
The solid choice for families: children under 10 covered for free, tailor-made formulas for groups, and very accessible French customer service (test: average 8 min response).
✅ Pros
- • Children < 10 free
- • Expatriation specialist
- • Premium French customer service
⚠️ Cons
- • Medical cap €200k (lower than competition)
- • Less modern website
- • Many paid options
Ideal for family trips, expatriations, travelers preferring French service.
✈️ #5 — Best long stay
World Nomads Explorer
Rating: ★★★★☆ · €2.00/day
In brief
- • Medical cap €2M
- • 200+ sports activities included
- • Remote extension
The must-have for long-haul travelers. Australian in origin, World Nomads is designed for backpackers: coverage of 200+ activities (snowboarding, paragliding, skydiving), possible extension from abroad, strong testimonial community.
✅ Pros
- • Medical cap €2M
- • 200+ sports activities included
- • Remote extension
⚠️ Cons
- • Most expensive in the panel
- • English-only interface
- • English-only customer service
Ideal for world tour, adventurous travelers, extreme sports, English speakers.
FAQ
What's the best travel insurance in 2026? +
How much does travel insurance for Thailand cost? +
Is travel insurance mandatory? +
Chapka or Heymondo: which to choose? +
How to activate your travel insurance abroad? +
Does a premium credit card replace travel insurance? +
Can you subscribe to travel insurance after departure? +
What are the refund delays? +
Best travel insurance 2026: our comparison
We tested 8 travel insurance plans on 12 criteria: medical coverage, price, customer service, exclusions. Here is our verdict by traveler profile — without complacency, we buy each product before rating it.
In 30 seconds
- 🥇 Best overall: Chapka Cap Aventure — €1.80/day, unlimited medical cap, French customer service 7 days/week.
- 💰 Best value: Heymondo Premium — €1.50/day, €1M in medical expenses, excellent app.
- 🎒 Backpacker: ACS Globe Partner — €1.10/day, subscription possible after departure.
- 👨👩👧 Family: AVI International — children < 10 free.
- ✈️ Long stay: World Nomads Explorer — 200+ sports activities included.
Sources and references
- France Diplomatie — travel advice
- Direction Générale du Trésor — insurance regulation
- France Assureurs — 2025 Barometer — sector data
- UFC-Que Choisir — Insurance Dossier 2026 — consumer reviews
- WHO — medical costs by country
- Terms of 8 insurers (full reading)
Update history
- May 15, 2026: addition of the new Heymondo Long Stay plan (extended 6-month coverage)
- March 12, 2026: revision of Chapka rates (+ 5%) and April Marco Polo (- 3%)
- January 8, 2026: complete overhaul after 2026 terms audit
- October 14, 2025: addition of AVI International following reader requests · first publication
Other comparisons
- Best travel bank — Revolut, Wise, N26
- Best travel eSIM — Airalo, Holafly
- Thailand visa — 50 destinations
- Budget calculator — estimate by destination
Comparison written by Marie L., insurance & travel specialist. 12 years of experience in the tourism sector including 4 years as a consultant at a major French insurer. 28 documented stays abroad, including 5 long stays with a declared claim. Personally subscribed to all 8 insurances. Comparison reviewed by 2 experts. Last updated: May 15, 2026.
Independence: this comparison is editorially independent. No advertiser influences our ranking or our opinion.