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Travel insurance is important because it can help cover the cost of unexpected medical expenses while you're traveling. It can also reimburse you for lost or stolen baggage, canceled flights, and other unforeseeable problems that may occur while you're away from home.
Simply put, there's a lot to consider.
But not all policies are created equal, and you must understand what you're covered for before you purchase a policy. This article will look in-depth at AXA Assistance USA travel insurance. We'll discuss the costs, coverage limits, exclusions, and more to help you make an informed decision about whether or not this particular travel insurance provider is right for you.
Types of Travel Insurance Plans from AXA Assistance USA
| Gold plan | Silver plan | Platinum plan | |
| Trip cancellation | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Trip interruption | 100% | 150% | 150% |
| Missed connection | $500 | $1K | $1,500 |
| Travel delay | $500 | $1K | $1,250 |
| Baggage delay | $200 | $300 | $600 |
| Missed connection | $500 | $1K | $1,500 |
| Baggage delay | $200 | $300 | $600 |
| Baggage and personal items loss | $750 ($150/ item, $250 specific items limit) | $1,500 ($250/ item, $500 specific items limit) | $3,000 ($500/ item, $1,000 specific items limit) |
| Accidental death and disbursement | $10K | $25K | $50K |
| Emergency medical | $25K (secondary coverage) | $100K (primary coverage) | $250K (primary coverage) |
| Preexisting condition | No coverage Preexisting look-back period of 60 days | Covered if purchased within 14 days of trip deposit | Covered if purchased within 14 days of trip deposit |
| Medical evacuation | $100K | $500K | $1M |
| Nonmedical | N/A | $50K | $100K |
Some policies might even include added coverage free of charge, such as a waiver for pre-existing conditions, fee reimbursement for single occupancy rooms, or emergency medical assistance anywhere in the world. Compare each policy carefully to know what is included.
Additional Coverage Options
The plan you purchase will determine which add-ons are available. For example, those with a Platinum plan can add CFAR (cancel for any reason) coverage, allowing you to receive a full refund if you cancel your trip within 14 days of making the initial deposit.
Or, if you want extra protection for your rental car, depending on your AXA Assistance USA plan, you might be able to add a collision damage waiver (CDW). Policyholders with Gold plans can add $35,000 CDW, and those with Platinum plans can include $50,000 CDW.
How Much Does AXA Assistance USA Cost?
The premium you pay will depend on various factors, including the age of the travelers, destination, and total trip costs. The average cost of travel insurance is 4-8% of total non-refundable travel costs.
For example, look at the premiums for a 50-year-old Florida resident spending $5,000 on a trip to Denmark.
AXA Assistance USA
In this case, the Silver plan costs nearly 3.5% of the total trip cost, while the Platinum plan costs just over 5% of the trip's price.
And here's another example. In this scenario, we looked at premium costs for a 45-year-old New York resident taking a trip to Mexico that cost $3,000. The lowest cost Silver plan costs just 3% of the total trip cost, while the Platinum plan runs 5%.
AXA Assistance USA
You can see that the higher the trip cost and the older the traveler, the greater the premium. But these rates still fall within industry standards, if not on the lower end.
How to File a Claim
To file a claim with AXA Assistance USA, head to the claims forms online to find the appropriate form. Once you've filled out your form and gathered the required documentation, you can mail your claims to:
AXA Assistance USA
On Behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies
P.O. Box 26222
Tampa, FL 33623
Or, submit your claim via email to AXAClaims@cbpinsure.com.
AXA Assistance USA's customer service phone numbers are as follows:
Toll-Free (888) 957-5015
Collect (727) 450-8794
AXA Assistance USA FAQs
Who owns AXA Assistance USA?
AXA Assistance USA is owned by the AXA Group and provides various insurances, including travel, home, health, and automotive. With over 8,000 employees, it operates in over 200 countries and territories.
Does AXA cover me abroad?
Yes, you can be covered anywhere in the world with an AXA Assistance USA travel insurance policy. Just remember, your policy will likely come with restrictions that'll exclude coverage under certain circumstances, like, for example, traveling to a war-torn country,
How do I get a refund from AXA?
Review the specific terms of your plan concerning refunds. You can get a refund within 10 days of the cancellation request.
Methodology: How We Reviewed AXA Assistance USA
We researched
What's important when choosing a policy isn't just the price — it's making sure you're getting adequate coverage that meets your needs without breaking the bank. Filing a claim should also be easy and stress-free if you ever have to use your policy.
Compare AXA Assistance USA vs. AIG Travel Guard
When comparing AXA Assistance USA to
With AIG's Travel Guard Preferred plan, you'll get:
- Trip cancellation coverage up to $150,000
- Trip interruption coverage up to $225,000
- Emergency medical coverage of $50,000
- Coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $1,000
- Travel delay coverage of up to $800
Comparing those AIG Travel Guard coverages with AXA's Silver plan, you'll see that AXA's coverage limits are a bit higher. With AXA's Silver plan you'll get $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, for example. And the baggage loss coverage limit is up to $1,500.
If you're looking for greater coverage limits, AXA makes the most sense in this scenario. But premiums will also vary based on factors like the traveler's age, trip destination, and trip cost. So you'll have to run your own numbers to make a final decision.
Compare AXA Assistance USA vs. Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz's most popular single-trip option is the OneTrip Prime plan, which offers:
- Trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000
- Trip interruption coverage up to $150,000
- Emergency medical coverage for $50,000
- Coverage for baggage loss, theft or damage up to $1,000
- Travel delay coverage up to $800
Looking at AXA's mid-tier Silver plan, you'll see that, again, AXA offers more coverage for emergency medical and baggage loss, theft, or damage than Allianz. That said, if cost is an essential factor for you, you'll have to get quotes using your personal trip information to make an informed decision.
Compare AXA Assistance USA vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance
Already have a great travel rewards credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum? Some of the standard coverages, such as rental car insurance, may be included in the card you already have. It's a good idea to research your travel rewards credit cards' insurance coverage before purchasing a separate travel insurance policy.
If you're driving to your destination and don't have any non-refundable trip expenses, the coverage from your credit card may be enough. Another time it might work is if you have health insurance covering you while abroad and you're in good health without worrying about possible medical costs.
It's essential to remember that credit card coverage is usually secondary. This means you'll have to file a claim with the other applicable insurance before filing a claim with your credit card company.