Consumer Reports: Travel insurance (2024)

FAQs

What is the best rated travel insurance? ›

We at the MarketWatch Guides team awarded Allianz Travel Insurance 4.1 out of 5 stars based on our provider review methodology. Named our pick for concierge services, Allianz offers 24/7 travel assistance through a multilingual team, which can help policyholders with travel and coverage issues while abroad.

In general, you can buy coverage any time before the date of your trip. That said, it's always best to buy coverage as soon as you make your reservations. The sooner you buy travel insurance, the sooner you'll have protection and the more benefits you may be eligible to receive.

The more costly your trip, the more your provider will need to reimburse you for a valid claim, which increases the cost of your policy. In addition, plan costs will generally increase with age, as younger travelers may be less likely to file a claim than senior travelers based on overall health.

According to our research, the average cost of travel insurance is $204, but you could pay anywhere between $14 and $765 for travel insurance. Solo travelers can expect to pay around $60-$100 for coverage. Travel insurance provides a range of protection before and during your trip.

Claims due to known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories or fear of travel are generally not covered (coverage can vary by state.)

Allianz offers a variety of coverages, which makes them appealing for many types of insurance customers. The carrier's extremely rich history and massive size and financial strength clearly demonstrates Allianz's reputability as a trustworthy insurance company with commendable staying power.

Unlike other aspects of your travel experience like airfares or hotel-room rates, the price of travel insurance doesn't increase the closer you get to your travel date. There's no financial penalty if you wait to buy travel insurance (except for those bonus coverages, of course).

Does travel insurance cover flight cancellation? ›

Does travel insurance cover cancelled or missed flights? Your travel insurer may cover you if your flight was cancelled and the airline company doesn't or can't reschedule your flight. Your insurer may also cover you if the airline company doesn't reimburse you as a result, or only reimburses part of your expenses.

We suggest you buy a travel protection plan as soon as possible. We suggest you buy a travel protection plan as soon as possible. Here's why: That way you maximize your coverage period in case you need to cancel your trip. All sorts of things can impact your travel plans and force you to cancel your trip.

Most travel insurance policies won't pay out if you're negligent while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and have an accident or have property stolen.

Allianz travel insurance is highly regarded, and for good reason. Allianz offers five plans, so travelers' policies can cover what's important to them. As well, children under 17 can be included for free on an eligible plan, so it can make sense that those seeking a plan that they can customize will consider Allianz.

Travelex and Allianz provide the same trip cancellation and interruption benefits and similar medical expense limits through comparable plans — Allianz offers only $25,000 more in medical expense coverage than Travelex. However, Allianz provides double the amount of lost baggage and emergency evacuation coverage.

Medical Tourism, Medical Exclusions

Medical tourism is a common exclusion. Elective procedures, mental health care, routine physicals and exams and physical exams are also usually not covered by travel medical insurance.

Medical emergencies (59.8%) Needing to cancel a trip for an unforeseen reason (31.2%) Lengthy travel delays (5.7%)

Unlike other aspects of your travel experience like airfares or hotel-room rates, the price of travel insurance doesn't increase the closer you get to your travel date. There's no financial penalty if you wait to buy travel insurance (except for those bonus coverages, of course).