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Travel insurance can be a smart move to counter the unpredictability of life and travel. One popular travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services, or Travelex travel insurance for short. It's one of our top picks for the best travel insurance companies, with both domestic and international options. Travelex makes it easy to identify key differences between plans to make clear decisions.
It separates itself by offering a plan exclusively made for road trips around the US. Like other travel insurance companies, Travelex offers online quotes if you answer a few questions. It also offers some more specialized features like cancel for any reason travel insurance and sports equipment delay coverage.
Travelex Travel Insurance Review: Types of Policies Offered
Travel Basic
The Travel Basic travel insurance plan is Travelex's economic option for travelers who are looking for cheap travel insurance with only basic coverage. It offers essential travel protections like trip cancellation, trip interruption, and emergency medical and dental.
The Travel Basic plan is an introduction into what travel insurance covers. It does not include sporting equipment delay, and kids aren't included in the coverage. Additionally, this option won't cover any preexisting conditions or events caused by intoxication. Most buyers choose this when the budget is tight or it's a short trip.
Travel Select
The Travel Select option is more comprehensive compared to the Travel Basic plan. For example, it has higher coverage limits with up to $2,000 in trip delay coverage and up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage compared to the Basic Plan's limit of just $500 and $15,000, respectively. It also offers more travel insurance benefits overall.
Kids are automatically included in coverage as long as they are under 18. This plan also covers pre-existing conditions if the policy is purchased within 15 days of when your initial trip payment is due. If you're traveling for a sporting event, Travel Select specifically covers delays for sports equipment.
Travel America
The Travel America option from Travelex is designed for short excursions within the US, but coverage is far more extensive than the other two plans. It matches the coverage limits of Travel Select and exceeds the limits in areas like lost baggage. In addition, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage is limited as coverage is specifically for domestic trips.
Travel America may be ideal for road trips as well. It covers roadside assistance and car rental collision coverage. However, the most significant upgrade for families traveling domestically is coverage for lost pets and unexpected veterinary expenses. See below for a side-by-side comparison of these three plans.
| Travel Basic | Travel Select | Travel America | |
| Trip cancellation | 100% of insured trip cost | 100% of insured trip cost | 100% of insured trip cost, up to $750 |
| Trip interruption | 100% of insured trip cost | 150% of insured trip cost, up to $75K | 150% of trip cost, up to $1,125 |
| Trip delay | $250/day, up to $500 | $200/day, up to $2K | Up to $2K |
| Missed connection | Up to $500 | Up to $750 | Up to $2K |
| Emergency medical/ dental | Up to $15K | Up to $50K | Up to $50K |
| Emergency evacuation/ repatriation | Up to $100K | Up to $500K | Up to $250K |
| Baggage/ personal effects | Up to $500 | Up to $1K | Up to $2K |
| Baggage delay | $100 (with a minimum delay of 12 hours) | $200 (with a minimum delay of 12 hours) | Up to $1K |
| AD&D | Up to $10K | Up to $25K | Up to $25K |
| Sports equipment delay | N/A | Up to $200 | Up to $2K |
| Kids | N/A | Included | Included |
| Travel assistance | Included | Included | Included |
| Pet medical expense | N/A | N/A | Up to $1K w/ $50 deductible |
| Pet return | N/A | N/A | Up to $10K |
Additional Coverage Options Offered By Travelex (Riders)
Depending on your
Car rental collision coverage
If you're buying a Travel Basic and Travel Select plan, you can upgrade your coverage to include car rental collision coverage. Buyers ensure they're protected in an accident with a rental car. Travelex covers cars against accidents, vandalism, and natural events like flooding, fires, or hail.
AD&D common carrier (air only)
Travel Basic and Travel Select plans also offer upgrades to the standard AD&D coverage. This covers accidental death and dismemberment should anything happen during your flight or while you board or deplane. The AD&D common carrier coverage add-on is limited to $200,000.
Additional medical coverage
Especially when visiting another country, the additional medical coverage add-on with Travel Select does three key things:
- Helps you avoid unexpected medical bills
- Ensures prompt treatment in an emergency
- Provides peace of mind for the unexpected
With this add-on, you can feel more secure with an extra $50,000 in medical coverage plus $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage. This is on top of what you get with the Travel Select plan, which doubles your coverage.
Adventure sports coverage
Consider the Travel Select policy with an adventure sports coverage upgrade if you want to engage in extreme sports or risky adventures. This can include skydiving, mountain climbing, or parasailing. The good news is the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans cover some activities already, including hiking, scuba diving, horseback riding, and bungee cord jumping. The adventure sports coverage add-on can protect you during other high-risk activities.
Cancel for any reason
The flexibility to cancel your trip and recoup some expenses is a significant perk, as many things could happen. Under the Travel Select plan, consumers can get a "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) add-on. As you can imagine from the name, you can cancel for any reason as long as it's within 48 hours of your departure. In addition, you are eligible for up to 75% of the insured trip cost. Buyers must purchase cancel for any reason coverage alongside the base plan within 15 days of the first trip-related payment.
Travelex Travel Insurance FAQs
Is Travelex reputable?
Is Travelex only for US citizens?
Travelex is a travel insurance company based in the US and also provides travel insurance policies for US citizens. Its policies can be used abroad, but the Travel America policy is just for domestic travel.
Is the claims process simple if I need to file a claim?
Many Travelex reviews describe responsive customer service agents and a straightforward claims process. Many customers also describe themselves as repeat customers.
Do I need medical coverage while I travel?
Domestically, your health insurance plan should offer coverage, especially in emergencies. Travel insurance with medical coverage may supplement that coverage while you're traveling. If you're traveling internationally, your plan may not be accepted in your destination's hospitals. So if there's a medical emergency, having medical coverage could save you a lot of hassle. Some countries may also request a certain amount of medical coverage when entering from another country.
Travelex Travel Insurance Cost
The rates for
Let's say you're a 35-year-old from California headed to Brazil for the first two weeks of January and the total cost of the trip is $5,000. The Travel Basic policy would be $239, and the Travel Select Policy would be $319. Rates stay the same for 45-year-olds and 55-year-olds. Then, rates jump to $325 for the Travel Basic plan and $437 for the Travel Select travel insurance for seniors.
If you're a 25-year-old from Maryland, who wants to go to Scotland for the week of Valentine's Day with a trip cost of $3,500, the Travel Basic plan is $100. The Travel Select plan is $137.
How to File a Claim With Travelex
To file a claim with Travelex travel services, you can complete a claim form online with your Plan ID number. Ensure you have receipts, confirmations, medical documents, and other supporting documents.
You can reach a Travelex claims team if you need help or have additional questions.
You can contact Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company via phone at 1-855-205-6054 or by email at travelex.claims@bhspecialty.com.
You can also contact Zurich Travel Assist via phone at 1-800-501-4781 or by email at claims@zurichtravelassist.com.
Compare Travelex Travel Insurance
See how Travelex Travel Insurance stacks up against the competition.
Travelex Travel Insurance vs. Allianz Travel Insurance
When shopping for travel insurance, there are many options out there on the market. One of the foremost leaders in the space is Allianz. It offers more plans than Travelex travel insurance. In addition,
However, one major perk for Travelex is the ability to add on cancel for any reason coverage easily. Unfortunately, CFAR is not available via Allianz online. According to our research, Allianz plans also lack pet coverage, sports equipment coverage, and other specialty options available with Travelex.
Read our Allianz travel insurance review.
Travelex Travel Insurance vs. AIG Travel Guard
Another contender in the travel insurance space is
However, AIG Travel Guard stands out as it also offers an annual travel insurance option. All Travelex plans are meant to be purchased far ahead. AIG separates itself with a unique travel insurance plan for last-minute coverage called the Pack N' Go Plan offering only post-departure benefits. The Travel Guard Preferred plan is similar to the Travelex Select Plan, as both cover 100% of trip cancellations and $50,000 for medical expenses.
Read our AIG Travel Guard travel insurance review.
Travelex Travel Insurance vs. Credit Cards
If you have a rewards credit card, you may not realize some cards include limited travel insurance benefits. Typically, this is limited to small amounts for trip cancellation, trip delay, and baggage delays. In addition, some credit cards and your auto insurance company may cover rental cars if you're traveling domestically. If looking into travel insurance coverage, you can see if you get any benefits via your credit card.
Benefits may be limited compared to a comprehensive travel insurance plan through a company like
Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
Why You Should Trust Us: What Went Into Our Travelex Review
As part of the
Travelex may be a good fit for consumers looking for a cancel for any reason add-on or for those who have pets and looking for benefits to include them. Additionally, those who participate in extreme sports may consider Travelex for coverage.