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Policy Growth From Unexpected Places

Travel insurance growth from unexpected places.

Surprising Growth in Global Travel Medical Insurance: Insights from 97 Countries and 232 Destinations

Travel Insights Podcast summary

In this episode of the Travel Insights Podcast, we delve into an unexpected surge in growth for travel medical insurance coming from global markets outside the traditional US segment. To start 2025, battleface saw over 52% year-over-year premium growth with purchases coming from travelers in 97 different countries, representing 232 unique destination combinations. This diverse and largely untapped cohort is generally lesser-known in the US market, but now presents a promising new avenue for travel insurance providers looking to offset stagnation in other areas.

In this podcast, we offer insightful demographic analysis, revealing that while battleface typically attracts a younger segment, the 55–64 age bracket actually drove the most significant premium growth to start the year. The highest concentration of policyholders, however, remained within the 25–44 age range, emphasizing the appeal of the product across generations. The data also indicates that most travelers used these policies for holidays or leisure, as the average trip length was just over 13 days and less than 5% opted for a business travel extension. The most frequent home countries purchasing the policy were Spain, Haiti, Italy, Portugal, Israel, France, and China, with top destinations including Great Britain, France, Italy, Jamaica, and Spain.

Rounding out the discussion, we break down the value proposition of the battleface travel medical insurance plan, which offers bundled medical and non-medical benefits alongside optional add-ons like business and winter sports coverage. We conclude by walking through the various ways partners can offer this plan, highlighting embedded options and white-label opportunities via API as the most effective policy attachment. The episode ultimately frames this global cohort as an exciting and underexploited growth opportunity, encouraging industry listeners to leverage these emerging trends in travel insurance distribution and coverage.

Watch the latest episode right here via YouTube

Chapters

00:00 Surge in Global Travel Insurance

04:35 Travel Insurance Demographic Trends

10:06 Trends in Single-Destination Travel

10:42 Top Travel Destinations for Policyholders

13:57 Comprehensive Travel Insurance Plans

17:09 Standing Out Amid Product Similarity

battleface Travel Insights Pod on YouTube 

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Listen to the latest episode right here via Spotify

battleface Travel Insights Pod on Spotify 

Follow the podcast and get updated when new episodes drop by subscribing below.

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Unexpected Growth in Travel Insurance: Insights from the Global Cohort Driving 2025’s Expansion

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A look into the surprising surge in international travel medical insurance and the diverse travelers fueling this trend, as discussed on the Travel Insights Podcast powered by battleface.

The global travel landscape is always in flux, shaped by shifting economies, changing consumer tastes, and evolving risks. Despite early-year economic pessimism, podcast host and battleface head of marketing Clay Coomer reveals a refreshingly positive trend: unexpected growth in travel medical insurance, fueled by a global cohort largely overlooked in the U.S. market. With over 152% of projected plan sales and more than 52% year-over-year premium growth to start 2025, it’s clear that hidden opportunities exist—even in turbulent times.

Demographics: Who’s Driving the Surge?

One of the most eye-opening revelations from the episode is the makeup of these international travelers. While battleface, the travel insurance provider discussed, often appeals to a younger demographic, the 2025 data tells a more nuanced story.

  • Average age: The median age of travelers buying these policies clocks in at 38 years old.
  • Growth segment: Surprisingly, the 55-64 age group saw the fastest premium growth, with an average spend of $95 USD per policyholder in this bracket.
  • Younger Concentration: Despite this older boom, the largest portion of travelers by volume falls within the 25-34 age range (28% of total insured), closely followed by the 35-44 group (26%).

This spread signals both ends of the traveler spectrum are engaging: cost-conscious millennials and Gen Xers seeking adventure abroad, alongside older adults investing in peace of mind during longer leisure trips.

Travel Trends: How and Why They Travel

Delving deeper, we highlight that the typical travel experience for these policyholders is more vacation than business. The average trip length exceeded 13 days, suggesting extended leisure journeys rather than quick professional jaunts. Supporting this, fewer than 5% added the business travel extension to their policies.

Another fascinating takeaway? Many travelers are purchasing insurance spontaneously. About 13% bought coverage after their trip had already begun, while the rest planned (a bit more) ahead, purchasing an average of 21 days before departure. This speaks to the evolving nature of how—and when—consumers make travel protection decisions in an era of unpredictability.

Geographic Insights: Home Countries and Destination Hotspots

battleface’s global reach is apparent in the spread of both home countries and destinations.

Home Base: Out of 97 nations represented, the seven most common home countries (so far) in 2025 were

  1. Spain
  2. Haiti
  3. Italy
  4. Portugal
  5. Israel
  6. France
  7. China

Four European Union countries (Spain, Italy, Portugal, France) comprised 20% of all policy purchases.

Preferred Destinations: 78% of travelers covered just one destination per trip, bucking the multi-country “grand tour” stereotype. The top five destinations:

  1. Great Britain (16%)
  2. France (15%)
  3. Italy
  4. Jamaica
  5. Spain

Interestingly, there purchases were made through battleface’s English-language only direct-to-consumer platform, yet multi-currency checkout helped widen access for a diverse global audience.

Product Design: Flexible Coverage That Resonates Globally

The specific policy attracting this global surge is practical and affordable, averaging $75 USD per policy for just over 13 days’ coverage. Core benefits are bundled, including:

  • Up to $10 million in medical/emergency expenses
  • Hospital benefits
  • Personal accident & liability
  • Trip interruption ($2,000 limit)
  • Baggage loss/delay
  • Personal money/passport 

Two optional add-ons—business travel extension and winter sports equipment—provide additional flexibility for specific trip types. The straightforward, value-driven structure has encouraged adoption across regions and age groups.

Partnership Potential: Multiple Models for Distribution

There’s a silver lining here to take advantage of this growth: Eligible partners can offer this plan, as well via several models:

  • Embedded APIs within booking paths for customer opt-in
  • White-label e-commerce solutions
  • Co-branded affiliate landing page with custom partner ID purchase link

From what battleface has seen, the most successful partners embed offers during the booking process, boosting both conversion and customer attachment rates. Second-chance offers post-booking further amplify success.

Opportunity in Revenue Diversification 

The rapid, unexpected expansion of this travel medical product is proof that growth often comes from unlikely corners. With 97 home countries feeding 232 unique destination combinations, the potential remains vast—and largely untapped. As travelers’ needs and behaviors continue to change, agile insurance solutions like those from battleface are well positioned to keep pace, offering both security and opportunity in a dynamic marketplace.

Stay tuned to the Travel Insights Podcast for continued data-driven explorations of the future of travel and travel insurance.

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FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL STATES OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED BELOW: Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss or benefit or knowingly presents false information in an application for insurance is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in prison.

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COLORADO:  It is unlawful to knowingly provide false, incomplete, or misleading facts or information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding or attempting to defraud the company. Penalties may include imprisonment, fines, denial of insurance and civil damages. Any insurance company or agent of an insurance company who knowingly provides false, incomplete, or misleading facts or information to a policyholder or claimant for the purpose of defrauding or attempting to defraud the policyholder or claimant with regard to a settlement or award payable from insurance proceeds shall be reported to the Colorado division of insurance within the department of regulatory agencies.

DELAWARE: Any person who knowingly, and with intent to injure, defraud or deceive any insurer, files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete or misleading information is guilty of a felony.

FLORIDA:  Any person who knowingly and with intent to injure, defraud, or deceive any insurer files a statement of claim or an application containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information is guilty of a felony of the third degree.

IDAHO: Any person who knowingly, and with intent to defraud or deceive any insurance company, files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information is guilty of a felony.

INDIANA: A person who knowingly and with intent to defraud an insurer files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information commits a felony.

KANSAS: A “fraudulent insurance act” means an act committed by any person who, knowingly and with intent to defraud, presents, causes to be presented or prepares with knowledge or belief that it will be presented to or by an insurer, purported insurer, broker or any agent thereof, any written, electronic, electronic impulse, facsimile, magnetic, oral, or telephonic communication or statement as part of, or in support of, an application for the issuance of, or the rating of an insurance policy for personal or commercial insurance, or a claim for payment or other benefit pursuant to an insurance policy for commercial or personal insurance which such person knows to contain materially false information concerning any fact material thereto; or conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto.

KENTUCKY: 

Application: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance containing any materially false information or conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime.

Claim Form: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files a statement of claim containing any materially false information or conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime.

MAINE: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties may include imprisonment, fines or a denial of insurance benefits.

MARYLAND:  Any person who knowingly or willfully presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss or benefit or who knowingly or willfully presents false information in an application for insurance is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in prison.

MINNESOTA:  A person who files a claim with intent to defraud or helps commit a fraud against an insurer is guilty of a crime.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Any person who, with a purpose to injure, defraud, or deceive any insurance company, files a statement of claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information is subject to prosecution and punishment for insurance fraud, as provided in RSA 638:20.

NEW JERSEY:

Application: Any person who includes any false or misleading information on an application for an insurance policy is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

Claim Form: Any person who knowingly files a statement of claim containing any false or misleading information is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

PENNSYLVANIA: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance or statement of claim containing any materially false information or conceals for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime and subjects such person to criminal and civil penalties.

NEW MEXICO: ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY PRESENTS A FALSE OR FRAUDULENT CLAIM FOR PAYMENT OF A LOSS OR BENEFIT OR KNOWINGLY PRESENTS FALSE INFORMATION IN AN APPLICATION FOR INSURANCE IS GUILTY OF A CRIME AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CIVIL FINES AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

OHIO: Any person who, with intent to defraud or knowing that he is facilitating a fraud against an insurer, submits an application or files a claim containing a false or deceptive statement is guilty of insurance fraud.

OKLAHOMA: Any person who knowingly, and with intent to injure, defraud or deceive any insurer, makes any claim for the proceeds of an insurance policy containing any false, incomplete or misleading information is guilty of a felony.

OREGON: IMPORTANT NOTE: Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss or benefit or knowingly presents false information in an application for insurance may be guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in prison.

TENNESSEE: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties include imprisonment, fines and denial of insurance benefit.

TEXAS: Any person who knowingly presents a false or fraudulent claim for payment of a loss is guilty of a crime and may be subject to fines and confinement in state prison. 

VIRGINIA: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties include imprisonment, fines and denial of insurance benefits. 

WASHINGTON: It is a crime to knowingly provide false, incomplete or misleading information to an insurance company for the purpose of defrauding the company. Penalties include imprisonment, fines and denial of insurance benefits.

NEW YORK*:  Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person files an application for insurance or statement of claim containing any materially false information, or conceals for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto, commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime, and shall also be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars and the stated value of the claim for each such violation.