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Atlas Essential Insurance is one of the cheapest comprehensive travel medical insurance plans available, with coverage starting from just $36/month. The plan includes emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $500,000 and access to the UnitedHealthcare PPO network for travelers visiting the USA.

From $36 /month  -  less than $1/day
5 days
Minimum coverage
364 days
Maximum renewable
A++
AM Best rating
$1M
Max coverage
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What Is Atlas Essential Travel Insurance?

Atlas Essential insurance is a budget-friendly travel medical insurance plan built for cost-conscious travelers who need solid core protection without the premium price tag.

Atlas Essential Insurance is WorldTrips' entry-level comprehensive travel medical plan - and that's not a criticism. For millions of travelers who need dependable coverage for hospital stays, emergency evacuations, physician visits, and prescription drugs without spending a fortune, Atlas Essential hits a sweet spot that few plans at this price point can match.

It comes in two distinct versions: Atlas Essential America for non-US citizens visiting the United States, and Atlas Essential International for both US citizens and non-US citizens traveling outside their home country (and outside the USA).

The plan is administered by WorldTrips, a member of the Tokio Marine HCC Group - one of the world's most respected specialty insurance underwriters. That means when you file a claim, you're dealing with a financially secure institution that has the assets to pay it.

Quick Facts
ProviderWorldTrips
AM Best RatingA++ (Superior)
Plan TypeComprehensive
UnderwriterTokio Marine HCC
Policy Max$50000 · $1,000,000
PPO NetworkUnitedHealthcare
Pre-existing Conditions Not Covered
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Plan Comparison

Atlas Essential America vs. Atlas Essential International

globe Visiting USA
$36 / month for 25-year-old
  • For non-U.S. residents & citizens traveling to the USA
  • Policy Maximum: $50,000 - $1,000,000
  • Deductible: $0 to $5,000
  • Coinsurance: Pays 75% of eligible expenses (In PPO)
  • Duration: 5 to 364 days (renewable)
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation: Up to $500,000
  • Pre-Existing Conditions: Not available
  • PPO Network: United Healthcare Network
  • $15 urgent care co-pay (waived with $0 deductible)
Note: The Atlas Series is not available to individuals physically located in New York, Maryland, Washington, Iran, Canada, or Australia at time of purchase. Travel to Iran is not eligible for coverage.
Coverage Highlights

Atlas Essential Insurance Key Benefits

Older Travelers

Turning 80 during the plan period? Coverage continues as long as you purchased at 79.

Renewable Coverage

Renew online before expiry - extend up to 364 days total without reapplying.

COVID-19 Covered

Plans purchased after July 15 cover COVID-19 as any other eligible illness

Hospital Room & Board

Covers average semi-private room rate including nursing services, up to the plan's overall maximum limit.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

Up to $500,000 lifetime maximum - not subject to deductible, co-insurance, or overall maximum limit. Essential for remote destinations.

Emergency Local Ambulance

Covers usual, reasonable, and customary charges when a covered illness or injury results in inpatient hospitalization.

Intensive Care Unit

ICU coverage up to the overall maximum limit - critical protection for serious medical emergencies abroad.

Repatriation of Remains

Up to $25,000 lifetime maximum - not subject to deductible, co-insurance, or overall maximum. Includes local burial or cremation up to $5,000.

Travel Benefits (International)

Includes trip interruption ($10K), travel delay ($100/day), lost checked baggage ($1,000), and lost passport/visa ($100)

Quick Analysis

Pros & Cons of Atlas Essential Insurance

Atlas International is a strong choice for Americans and non-US travelers heading abroad (excluding the USA) who want comprehensive, renewable medical coverage at a budget-friendly price. Its Schengen visa compliance, instant visa letter issuance, and 100% payment after deductible make it stand out.

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Advantages

8 benefits
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One of the cheapest comprehensive travel medical insurance plans available - starting under $1/day

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Emergency medical evacuation covered up to $500,000 lifetime maximum

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Access to the UnitedHealthcare PPO network for reduced in-network costs (America plan)

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Renewable online up to 364 days without gaps in coverage

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If purchased at age 79, coverage is not affected if you turn 80 during the policy period

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International plan includes trip interruption, travel delay, and baggage protection

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Suitable for Schengen visa requirements (International plan with $0 deductible)

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Can be purchased after departure from home country (International plan)

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Disadvantages

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Atlas Essential America plan does not cover U.S. citizens

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Pre-existing conditions are not covered

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Maternity and routine prenatal care are not covered

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Limited coverage options for travelers age 80 and above ($10,000 maximum only)

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Fewer benefits and lower sub-limits compared to Atlas America or Atlas International Premium

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Not available to residents of New York, Maryland, Washington, Canada, or Australia

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Mental health disorders are excluded from coverage

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No coverage for elective procedures or routine medical check-ups

Pricing Guide

How Much Does Atlas Essential America Insurance Cost?

The cost of Atlas Essential America Insurance ranges from $36 to $378 per month, depending on the traveler’s age, selected plan maximum, and deductible.

The table below shows sample daily rates based on a $250 deductible. Choosing a higher deductible results in lower premiums, while a lower deductible increases the premium.

Ages 0–79: $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, & $1,000,000 options Age 80+: $10,000 only
Age of traveler $50,000 $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 $1,000,000
18 - 29 years $36 $45 $50 $63 $71
30 - 39 years $43 $58 $68 $73 $80
40 - 49 years $56 $69 $77 $92 $105
50 - 59 years $94 $115 $143 $162 $178
60 - 64 years $127 $162 $216 $235 $258
65 - 69 years $148 $185 Not available for this age group
70 - 79 years $255 $318 Not available for this age group
80 - 99 years $378/month $10,000 max only, $250 deductible

How Much Does Atlas Essential International Insurance Cost?

The cost of Atlas Essential International Insurance ranges from $19 to $277 per month, depending on the traveler’s age, selected plan maximum, and deductible.

The table below shows sample daily rates based on a $250 deductible. Choosing a higher deductible results in lower premiums, while a lower deductible increases the premium.

Ages 0–79: $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, & $1,000,000 options Age 80+: $10,000 only
Age of traveler $50,000 $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 $1,000,000
18 - 29 years $19 $24 $26 $30 $32
30 - 39 years $23 $28 $33 $37 $40
40 - 49 years $39 $45 $47 $53 $57
50 - 59 years $63 $73 $78 $83 $90
60 - 64 years $84 $87 $93 $102 $109
65 - 69 years $99 $109 Not available for this age group
70 - 79 years $151 $167 Not available for this age group
80 - 99 years $277/month $10,000 max only, $250 deductible

Source: American Visitor Insurance® | Prices verified for 2026 travel season.

Claim Example

How Atlas Essential Works?

Even with cheap travel medical insurance, the coverage can be substantial. Suppose a 58-year-old parent visiting from India falls ill, visits an urgent care clinic, then is hospitalized for two nights. Here is exactly what Atlas Essential America pays.

Example: Atlas Essential America · $50,000 max · $500 deductible · Age: 58
Service Hospital bills Plan pays You pay
Urgent Care visit $15 co-pay (waived with $0 deductible) $500 $0 $500
Deductible Paid once per policy period $500 $0 $500
Hospital room (3 nights) $4,000/day × 3 $12,000 $9,000 $3,000
Surgery $10,000 $10,000 $0
Prescription Drugs $500 $500 $0
Diagnostics & X-rays $1,500 $1,500 $0
Total $25,000 $21,000 $4,000

Comprehensive plan: After your $500 deductible, Atlas Essential pays 75% of eligible in-network expenses up to the plan maximum. Surgery and Rx are paid at 100% once deductible is met.

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Deductible paid once

The $500 deductible applies once per policy period - not per visit or per service.

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75% co-insurance in-network

After the deductible, the plan pays 75% of eligible in-network expenses. Surgery and prescriptions may be covered at 100%.

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PPO reduces gap

In-network United Healthcare providers bill at negotiated rates - lowering both what the plan owes and your share.

Client Stories

WorldTrips Atlas Travel Medical Insurance Reviews

★★★★★

"I got a really great deal using World Trips Atlas insurance for my son. They found me the quote within minutes and it was by far the best on the market. Thank you!"

CP
Cupa
✓ Verified Customer
★★★★

"Have not been on our trip yet but obtaining the insurance based on the different services provided was outstanding and made the decision easy on which plan to purchase."

AM
Amelia
✓ Verified Customer
★★★★★

"Easy to review plans and was very reasonably priced despite my husband having a preexisting medical condition. Customer service was extremely patient and helpful."

JN
Jennifer
✓ Verified Customer
Provider Access

Atlas Essential Insurance PPO Network - How It Works

Access to quality healthcare is a priority - here's how the Atlas Essential network works in and outside the USA.

Inside the USA - In-Network (PPO)

Atlas Essential America uses the UnitedHealthcare PPO network - one of the largest provider networks in the United States, with access to over 1.5 million physicians and 7,000 hospitals nationwide. Staying in-network means the plan pays 75% of eligible expenses after your deductible.

United Healthcare Provider Network
Outside the USA - Any Licensed Provider

There is no PPO network restriction when you're outside the United States. You have complete freedom to visit any licensed physician, hospital, or clinic in any country. Simply present your insurance ID card, receive treatment, and submit your bills for reimbursement. No referrals, no network restrictions, no pre-authorization required for most emergency services.

Simple Process

How Do I File a Claim With Atlas Essential Insurance?

To file a claim with Atlas Essential Insurance, follow these steps:

download
Step 01
Download Form

Get the WorldTrips claim form from the member portal.

call
Step 02
Call Support

Speak to our licensed support staff for guidance.
800-605-2282

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Step 03
Submit Documents

Mail to WorldTrips PO Box 240358 Apple Valley, MN 55124

email
Step 04
Email Help

service@worldtrips.com

Common Questions

Atlas Essential Insurance - FAQs

Atlas Essential is available to travelers aged 14 days to 99 years. Atlas Essential America is exclusively for non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. residents visiting the United States. Atlas Essential International is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country, excluding the USA. Both plans require a minimum 5-day coverage period. The Atlas Series is not available to individuals physically located in New York, Maryland, Washington, Iran, Canada, or Australia at time of purchase
No. Atlas Essential Insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is defined as any condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the 2 years prior to your effective date of coverage. If you need pre-existing condition coverage, consider the Atlas America or Atlas America Premium plans, which include acute onset of pre-existing condition benefits.
Monthly premiums for Atlas Essential America range from $36 to $378, depending on your age, chosen plan maximum, and deductible. For example, a traveler aged 18–29 with a $250 deductible and $50,000 coverage pays just $36/month. A 70–79-year-old with $100,000 coverage pays $318/month. Premium factors include: age (older travelers pay more), plan maximum (higher limit = higher premium), and deductible (higher deductible = lower premium).
Atlas Essential International premiums range from $19 to $277 per month. Young travelers (ages 18–29) with a $50,000 plan maximum pay as little as $19/month with a $250 deductible - less than $1 per day. Travelers aged 70–79 with $100,000 coverage pay $167/month. This is significantly more affordable than the Atlas Essential America plan for comparable coverage limits, reflecting the lower medical costs typically found outside the United States.
Yes. Both Atlas Essential America and Atlas Essential International can be renewed online before your coverage end date. No medical underwriting is required for renewal. Log into the WorldTrips member portal, select your active policy, and choose the extend coverage option. Total coverage cannot exceed 364 days from your original start date. Important: Renewal must be done before your policy expires - you cannot reinstate an expired policy.
The key difference is the destination and eligible traveler. Atlas Essential America is for non-U.S. citizens traveling to the USA, and includes access to the UnitedHealthcare PPO network. Atlas Essential International covers U.S. and non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country, excluding the USA. The International plan also includes additional benefits like trip interruption, travel delay, lost baggage, and political evacuation coverage. The International plan typically has lower premiums than the America plan for equivalent coverage.
Yes, Atlas Essential International can meet Schengen visa insurance requirements, provided you select a plan with at least €30,000 in medical coverage (the $50,000 option exceeds this threshold) and choose a $0 deductible. The plan includes emergency medical care, hospitalization, evacuation, and repatriation - all required by Schengen regulations. Upon purchase, you will receive a coverage certificate that can be included with your visa application.
Yes. Atlas Essential International can be purchased after you've already left your home country, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. Coverage will begin on the effective date of your policy - not retroactively. Any illness or injury that began before your coverage start date will not be covered.
Atlas Essential America is part of the UnitedHealthcare PPO network - one of the largest provider networks in the United States with hundreds of thousands of doctors, specialists, and hospitals. When you receive treatment within the PPO network, Atlas Essential America pays 75% of eligible expenses after your deductible. Seeking care in-network typically reduces your out-of-pocket costs significantly. There is no PPO network outside the USA.
Common exclusions under Atlas Essential Insurance include: pre-existing conditions, routine medical examinations, routine prenatal care and maternity, elective or cosmetic procedures, mental health disorders, injuries from specifically-excluded extreme sports, and treatment for conditions existing within 2 years of coverage start. The plan also does not cover flight cancellations, trip cancellation (for the America plan), or illegal activities. Please refer to the official Description of Coverage for the complete exclusion list.
Yes, Atlas Essential is available to travelers up to age 99. However, travelers aged 80 and above are limited to a $10,000 maximum coverage limit only. For the America plan, the monthly premium at this age is $390; for the International plan, it is $287. If you are 79 at the time of purchase and turn 80 during your policy period, your coverage continues unaffected for the policy period purchased.
Yes. Atlas Essential International is well-suited for digital nomads and long-stay travelers. It covers trips from 5 to 364 days and allows online renewals, enabling remote workers and long-term travelers to maintain continuous coverage without medical underwriting. Unlike expatriate health insurance, it requires no long-term commitment. It also allows purchase after departure, which suits the flexible lifestyle of digital nomads.
Why American Visitor Insurance

Why Buy Atlas Essential Insurance from American Visitor Insurance?

  • Best Price Guaranteed: We charge the exact same premium as WorldTrips directly. You pay no markup, no service fee - but you get our expertise and support at no extra cost.
  • Licensed Insurance Agents: Our agents are licensed, trained professionals who understand the nuances of international travel medical insurance. We help you choose the right plan - not just sell you something.
  • Instant Online Quotes: Compare Atlas Essential America vs International (and competing plans) side-by-side in seconds. No phone calls required - though we're always available if you want to talk.
  • Unbiased Plan Comparison: We represent multiple insurance companies. If Atlas Essential isn't the best fit for your needs, we'll tell you - and show you what is. Your needs come first.
  • Claims Support: Confused about how to file a claim? Our team walks you through the WorldTrips claims process step by step, ensuring you get the reimbursement you deserve.
  • Real Human Support: Call (877) 340-7910 and speak with a real person. Whether you're comparing deductibles or need help mid-trip, we're here - not a chatbot.
  • 25+ Years of Experience: American Visitor Insurance has been helping international travelers find the right coverage since 1999. We've seen it all and know how to get you protected properly.
  • Easy Online Renewal: Extending your stay? We make it easy to renew your Atlas Essential policy online before it expires - no gaps in coverage, no paperwork hassle.
WorldTrips Atlas International Insurance · From $36/month
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