Travel insurance is an essential aspect of trip planning, providing peace of mind and financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances. With so many travel insurance providers in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. To help you make an informed decision, our team conducted a comprehensive survey of dozens of travel insurance companies, evaluating them based on coverage, quality, and service. We also collected sample quotes to simulate the customer experience and created a scoring system to rate each provider.
Cost is a significant factor when choosing a travel insurance provider, as it directly impacts your budget. To determine the average cost of travel insurance, we gathered quotes for different traveler profiles and trip scenarios. Companies that offer prices at or below our calculated average cost of $221 received full points in this category. Our sample quotes included trips to various destinations, such as Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Greece, and Spain, catering to different traveler demographics.
In addition to cost, we also considered the availability of plans offered by each travel insurance provider. A diverse range of travel insurance plans and the option to customize coverage with upgrades are essential factors in our evaluation process. Companies that offer flexibility and a variety of policy options scored higher in this category, as they cater to the unique needs of different travelers.
Coverage details play a crucial role in determining the quality of a travel insurance plan. We reviewed the baseline coverage included in each company’s cheapest comprehensive plan, looking for essential features such as baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Providers with comprehensive coverage and the option to add on additional benefits like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports coverage, and cancel for any reason coverage received higher scores in this category.
When it comes to coverage times and amounts, we assessed each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for various scenarios like baggage delays, travel delays, and cancellations. Companies that offer quick reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays and cover more than 100% of trip costs in case of cancellations or interruptions received full points in this category. This ensures that customers are adequately protected and reimbursed in case of unexpected events.
Company service and reviews are also essential considerations when evaluating travel insurance providers. We looked for indicators of excellent customer service, such as a global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple claim filing options, and concierge services. Reputation and customer experience ratings from reputable sources like AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) were also taken into account. Companies with positive reviews and a strong track record of customer satisfaction scored higher in this category.
In conclusion, choosing the right travel insurance provider involves considering various factors such as cost, plan availability, coverage details, coverage times and amounts, and company service and reviews. By conducting a thorough evaluation based on these criteria, you can select a travel insurance plan that meets your needs and provides the necessary protection for your trip. For more information on our methodology and to make an informed decision, read our full travel insurance guide.