Covered for the Trip. Protected for What Could Go Wrong.
Whether you're heading overseas for a few weeks or coming back to the US for a season, you shouldn't have to go without coverage. ESI connects individuals and families with short-term travel medical and trip cancellation plans from A-rated carriers — so a gap in coverage doesn't turn into a financial crisis.
Most people don't think about travel insurance until something goes wrong. A medical emergency abroad, a canceled flight, a prepaid tour that can't be refunded — these situations happen, and they're expensive without the right coverage in place. ESI makes it straightforward to find a plan that fits your trip, your timeline, and your budget.
Two Types of Coverage, One Place to Get Both
Travel protection generally falls into two categories, and most travelers need to think about both before they leave. Short-term travel medical insurance covers the cost of unexpected illness or injury while you're abroad. Trip cancellation insurance covers the money you've already spent if your trip is disrupted before or during travel. We can help you find the right fit for either — or both.
We work with major carriers including Aetna, Cigna, and International Medical Group (IMG) to place short-term coverage for a range of travel situations. Here's what that looks like in practice:
What ESI Offers for Travelers and Expats
Travel Medical Insurance
Short-term travel medical plans cover emergency and routine medical care when you're outside your home country. If you get sick, injured, or need to see a doctor while abroad, your plan steps in so you're not paying out of pocket in a foreign healthcare system. Plans are available for individuals and families traveling internationally for a defined period — from a single week to several months.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip cancellation coverage reimburses your prepaid, nonrefundable travel costs if you have to cancel or cut a trip short due to a covered reason — illness, a death in the family, severe weather, or other qualifying events. If you've spent thousands on flights, hotels, tours, or a cruise, this coverage is what keeps a disrupted trip from becoming a financial loss.
Coverage for Expats Returning to the US
If you live abroad and are returning to the United States temporarily — for a furlough, a home assignment, or an extended visit — your international group plan likely won't cover you domestically. We can arrange short-term domestic health coverage that bridges the gap while you're stateside, so you're not uninsured during the time you're back home.
Group Travel Coverage for Teams and Organizations
Short-term travel medical coverage isn't only for individuals. If your organization is sending a team overseas for a mission trip, a service project, or a short-term assignment, we can place group travel medical plans that cover everyone traveling together. This is a natural extension of the international group health work we do with mission-sending organizations and nonprofits.
Plans from Carriers You Can Trust
ESI places travel medical and trip cancellation coverage through established, A-rated carriers — not obscure surplus lines markets. The carriers we work with for travel products include International Medical Group (IMG), Aetna, and Cigna, names that have the claims-paying infrastructure to back up their policies when you actually need them. When you're dealing with a medical situation in another country, the carrier behind your plan matters.
We also want to be transparent: travel insurance is a high-volume, widely available product. Our value here isn't exclusivity — it's guidance. We help you understand what you're buying, match the plan to your actual situation, and make sure you're not underinsured for the trip you're taking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance
What does short-term travel medical insurance actually cover?
Most plans cover emergency medical care, hospitalization, physician visits, and emergency medical evacuation while you're traveling outside your home country. Some plans also include coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions, though this varies by carrier and plan level. We'll walk you through what's included before you buy.Is trip cancellation insurance worth it if my airline offers refundable tickets?
Refundable airfare only covers one piece of your trip cost. Trip cancellation insurance covers the full picture — hotels, tours, cruise deposits, and other prepaid nonrefundable costs that airlines don't reimburse. If your total trip investment is significant, the coverage is usually worth it.I'm an expat coming home for a few months. Can ESI help me find short-term US coverage?
Yes. We regularly help expats and overseas workers arrange short-term domestic health coverage for furloughs and home assignments. Your international group plan typically doesn't extend to US care, so a bridge plan keeps you covered while you're stateside.Can ESI place travel medical coverage for a team or mission group, not just individuals?
Yes. We can arrange group travel medical plans for teams traveling together on short-term assignments, mission trips, or service projects. This is an area where our background with mission-sending organizations and nonprofits is especially relevant.How far in advance do I need to purchase travel insurance?
For travel medical coverage, you can often purchase a plan right up until your departure date, though buying earlier is always better. For trip cancellation insurance, purchasing shortly after your first trip deposit gives you the broadest protection — some covered reasons, like pre-existing condition waivers, require purchase within a set window of your initial booking.Will ESI help me compare plans, or do I just get routed to a carrier website?
You work directly with our team. We review your trip details, coverage needs, and timeline, then help you find a plan that fits — from carriers we know and trust. When you call or submit a quote request, you reach Bob, Brian, or Dale directly.