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AXA Travel Insurance Review: Is it Worth The Cost?

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Table of Contents

What is AXA?

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• Lowest-cost plan includes some medical coverage.
• Pre-existing conditions waiver add-on available for higher-cost plans.
• No add ons are available for Silver-level policyholders.
• CFAR upgrade is only available for highest-cost plan.

In the era of staff shortages and extreme weather, your trip may not go exactly to plan. When that happens, travel insurance can be a big help. Although an insurance policy can’t prevent a delay or cancellation from happening, it can help relieve the financial burden if something unpredictable does occur on your trip.

But how do you know which insurance provider to go with? Here's a look at AXA travel insurance to help you determine if one of its plans is right for you.

AXA is a French insurance company that does business in over 200 countries. It offers many different types of insurance, including policies for travelers. These include coverage for baggage loss , trip cancellation and interruption, emergency evacuation and emergency medical costs. Cancel for any reason coverage is also offered. 

AXA Assistance USA is part of the AXA Group.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

AXA Assistance USA offers travelers three insurance plans: Silver, Gold and Platinum. The plans are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and their affiliates in Columbus, Ohio. Here's the coverage you can expect from each policy.

Silver: This is the least expensive plan that offers 100% trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, $25,000 in emergency accident and sickness medical coverage and $100,000 in emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage.

Gold: The mid-range Gold policy comes with 100% trip cancellation and 150% trip interruption coverage, $100,000 in emergency accident and sickness medical coverage and $500,000 in emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage. 

Platinum: The AXA Platinum travel insurance plan includes 100% trip cancellation and 150% trip interruption coverage, $250,000 in emergency accident and sickness medical coverage and $1,000,000 in emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage.

If you want to add Cancel For Any Reason coverage, you’ll need to select the Platinum plan and purchase a policy within 14 days of paying the initial trip deposit. It’ll cover 75% of the prepaid nonrefundable expenses for your travel. 

If you’d like coverage for pre-existing medical conditions , a waiver is available on the Gold and Platinum plans as long as you buy coverage within 14 days of your first trip payment.

» Learn more: How does travel insurance work?

Let’s compare AXA’s plans, the costs and coverage for a 19-day trip to Indonesia that costs $1,500 for a 36-year-old traveler who lives in Utah.

Coverage and limits for the Silver-level plan include:

Trip delay: $100 per day, with a $500 maximum.

Trip cancellation: 100% of the trip cost.

Trip interruption: 100% of the trip cost.

Baggage delay: $200.

Lost baggage: $750, up to $150 per article.

Missed connection: $500.

Emergency evacuation: $100,000.

Accidental death and dismemberment: $10,000 ($25,000 if on a common carrier).

Emergency accident and medical expense: $25,000.

The plan cost for our sample trip is $55.

For $79, the Gold-level tier offers the following coverage and limits:

Trip delay: $200 per day, with a $1,000 maximum.

Trip interruption: 150% of the trip cost.

Baggage delay: $300.

Lost baggage: $1,500, up to $250 per article.

Missed connection: $1,000.

Emergency evacuation: $500,000.

Accidental death and dismemberment: $25,000 ($50,000 if on a common carrier).

Emergency accident and medical expense: $100,000.

Collision damage waiver: $35,000.

Platinum is AXA’s highest tier level. This plan includes:

Trip delay: $300 per day, with a $1,250 maximum.

Baggage delay: $600.

Lost baggage: $3,000, up to $500 per article.

Missed connection: $1,500.

Emergency evacuation: $1,000,000.

Accidental death and dismemberment: $50,000 ($100,000 if on a common carrier).

Emergency accident and medical expense: $250,000.

Collision damage waiver: $50,000.

Lost golf rounds: $500.

Lost skier days: $25 per day.

Pet boarding fees: $25 per day (up to five days).

This level of coverage costs $95.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for travel insurance benefits

To get an AXA travel insurance quote, go to AXATravelInsurance.com and start by inputting your information in the quote box. Enter your state of residence, destination country, trip dates, date of first trip deposit, total trip cost, the number of travelers and their ages.

Once you’ve filled out the form, click on the “Get a quote now” button.

You’ll be presented with three quotes, one for each plan level. Make sure to click on the “See more benefits” link to get more information on each plan’s coverage limits. The plans with the highest coverage limits will be the most expensive.

If you need a pre-existing conditions waiver, select the Gold or Platinum plan. You’ll also have to purchase the plan within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit to be eligible. 

The Gold and Platinum levels are also the two plans that offer Schengen zone coverage and a collision damage waiver . The Platinum plan is the only one that offers a Cancel For Any Reason add-on, so keep that in mind if you need more protection.

Overall, if you’re looking for emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage specifically, the limits are good on all the plans, including the least expensive one.

To compare plans from multiple insurance providers at once, we recommend checking out Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site and a NerdWallet partner. The website helps you pick the right plan by displaying multiple quotes from many insurance providers, including AXA, in one spot.

AXA began in the early 19th century as a small insurance company specializing in property and casualty insurance. 

Since then, the company has evolved, changing names and acquiring other insurance brands, until it became AXA in the 1980s. It is now one of the largest insurance companies in the world. In other words, yes, AXA is a legitimate travel insurance provider.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

Every plan has different exclusions, so it's important to look at your coverage summary. Generally, pre-existing conditions without a previously purchased waiver are not covered.

Other limitations include:

Intentionally self-inflicted injuries.

Participation in bodily contact or extreme sports.

Traveling for the purpose of securing medial treatment.

Accidental injury or sickness when traveling against the advice of a physician.

Non-emergency treatment or surgery.

AXA handles more than 14 million cases each year, and every plan includes access to their 24/7 assistance hotline. The company is well established and has three plans for travelers to choose from.

AXA travel insurance covers several benefits including but not limited to 100% trip cancellation and trip interruption, medical emergencies, emergency evacuations, baggage delay or lost baggage, and accidental death and dismemberment. The Platinum plan also lets you add Cancel For Any Reason coverage.

AXA's least expensive plan, Silver, and its mid-range Gold policy do not have the option to add-on Cancel For Any Reason coverage. For travelers who opt to purchase the Platinum insurance plan, you can add Cancel For Any Reason coverage a la carte within 14 days of paying the initial trip deposit.

In the event that you need to make a claim, you can upload supporting documents online. If the claim is accepted, you will receive reimbursement within 30 days.

It's said that travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. But you don’t want to become poorer if something goes wrong before or during a trip. We don’t know what the universe has in store for us, so buying a travel insurance policy is one way we can protect our investment.

AXA offers budget, mid-range and premium policies that are easy to understand, provide adequate coverage and don’t cost a fortune.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

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If your policy was purchased outside of the USA please check your policy documents or visit www.axa-travel-insurance.com. The below contact form is meant for residents of the USA with a SILVER, GOLD, or PLATINUM plan.

Get a quote now

AXA already looks after millions of people around the world

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Not just a travel app but a comprehensive travel assistant that enhances your travel experience.

How do I contact AXA about my Travel Insurance?

Manage your policy

Manage everything you need - in one place

With your AXA online account, you can:

• Change, update and manage policy details with no admin charges
• Print and view your documents
• Make a claim
• View your renewal

Your policies may be renewed automatically, to ensure you're always covered.

You'll receive an email (and text, if you’ve provided your mobile number) reminder, just before it's up for renewal.

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Still have a question.

Be sure to get in touch with our expert travel team. Remember to have your policy number available when contacting us.  

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AXA Travel Insurance Review — Is it Worth It?

Jessica Merritt

Editor & Content Contributor

89 Published Articles 500 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 4 U.S. States Visited: 23

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

Why get travel insurance, travel insurance and covid-19, why purchase travel insurance from axa, types of policies available with axa, how to get a quote, how axa compares — summary, how to file a claim with axa travel insurance, final thoughts.

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Whether you’re traveling the world or crossing state lines, travel insurance such as the policies offered by AXA Travel Insurance can offer a safety net in case you have to cancel or interrupt your trip or need support along the way for medical emergencies, lost bags, or missed connections.

For more than 60 years, AXA Travel Insurance has provided peace of mind and financial stability to travelers. With solid ratings and underwriting by Nationwide Mutual Insurance, travel insurance plans sold by AXA are backed by an A.M. Best Excellent financial strength rating. AXA offers travel insurance with trip interruption and cancellation coverage, medical emergency and evacuation benefits, lost or delayed baggage, and more.

Let’s examine AXA’s travel insurance coverage options, benefits, and service and compare it to alternatives such as credit card travel coverage and other travel insurance providers.

Travel insurance can protect what you’ve invested in an upcoming trip. When the unexpected occurs, such as a trip cancellation or medical need , travel insurance can offer the benefits you need to cover it.

You might choose travel insurance for these reasons:

• Your trip has deposits or payments that you can’t get refunded if you need to cancel your trip.
• The health insurance you use at home doesn’t work at your destination.
• You’re planning activities that aren’t covered by your health insurance.
• Medical care is subpar at your destination and you may need to be evacuated to another location with adequate medical facilities.
• You’re concerned about the possibility of lost bags, delays, or missed connections, especially if you have multiple flights or transfers.

Travel insurance isn’t necessary for every trip, such as if you’re traveling domestically where your health insurance works and you don’t have major nonrefundable expenses. But travel insurance is worth it if you’ve got a lot of nonrefundable expenses invested in your trip or you’ll need medical coverage at your destination.

COVID-19 can interrupt your travel plans, whether you get sick and have to cancel a trip, need to quarantine or get medical treatment while traveling, or plan to visit a destination with high COVID-19 numbers. While some travel insurance companies  exclude COVID-19 from insurance coverage , AXA offers COVID-19 coverage as part of its travel protection plans , including trip cancellation and trip interruption and emergency medical and evacuation coverage.

Any travel insurance company you purchase a policy from should be reputable, reliable, and stable. After all, you’re relying on the company to be there for you when you need it most. It pays to verify reviews and ratings — AXA offers good reassurance in this area.

With 64 years in business, AXA has an A- Better Business Bureau rating . On the travel insurance website Squaremouth , AXA has an overall 4.22/5 rating , with 0.1% negative reviews among more than 69,000 policies sold . AXA’s travel insurance plans are backed by Nationwide Mutual Insurance, which has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from financial rating company A.M. Best. With 6 decades in business and solid ratings , AXA is a travel insurance company you can trust.

AXA offers travel insurance with medical and emergency evacuation benefits, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss, and Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) options. Let’s look at the details of AXA travel insurance policies.

AXA offers 3 levels of travel insurance : Silver, Gold, and Platinum . Each level offers different limits, but all of AXA’s policies have 100% trip cancellation coverage, emergency medical coverage and medical evacuation, baggage delay and loss, and missed connection coverage.

Let’s compare what you get with each policy:

With plans as low as $16 and minimal coverage, AXA recommends the Silver plan for domestic travel. You can cover 100% of your trip cost for trip cancellation and interruption coverage. If your travel is delayed, you can get up to $100 per day for expenses, up to $500 total, and $200 for delayed baggage.

There’s also $500 in missed connection coverage. The $25,000 in emergency medical expense coverage isn’t much, but it might be adequate for domestic travel if you’re using your primary health insurance first.

Gold plans start at $36 but add more coverage and are appropriate for cruises or Schengen travel . Like the Silver plan, the Gold plan offers up to 100% trip cancellation coverage but bumps trip interruption to 150% of your trip cost. Limits for all coverages are higher, with $200 per day and $1,000 maximum in trip delay coverage and $1,000 for missed connections. Baggage delays offer up to $300, and you can get up to $1,500 for lost baggage and personal effects.

The health coverage is also much higher at $100,000, and it adds a $50,000 non-medical emergency evacuation option on top of the $500,000 medical emergency evacuation benefit. This plan also offers an optional $35,000 collision damage waiver.

The Platinum plan , starting at $52, steps up coverage and offers additional options. You’ll get 100% trip cost coverage for trip cancellation and 150% for trip interruption. Trip delay coverage offers up to $300 per day and a $1,250 maximum, plus $600 for baggage delays and $3,000 for lost baggage and personal effects.

Emergency medical treatment is also higher at $250,000, and you’re covered for $1 million in emergency medical evacuation — $100,000 for non-medical evacuation.

The Platinum plan also offers additional coverage for sports, with $25 per day for lost skier days, $500 for lost golf rounds, and $1,000 for sports equipment rental. It also offers optional coverage for up to 75% of trip cost with Cancel for Any Reason coverage and a $50,000 collision damage waiver.

You can get a quote directly from AXA by visiting the AXA Travel Insurance website . The quote form is the first thing you’ll see on the homepage.

To start your quote, you’ll fill out the quote form, including your state of residence, destination country, travel dates, first deposit date, total trip cost, number of travelers (up to 10), and the age of travelers.

Once you fill out the form, you’ll be presented with plan options. For a 60-year-old visiting Japan and spending $2,500, we were offered a Silver ($155), Gold ($183), or Platinum ($218) plan .

If you select a Platinum plan, you will be able to add CFAR optional coverage for up to 75% of your trip cost.

With your plan and options selected, the next and final step to secure coverage is entering your traveler information including your name and contact information, then making your payment for the policy.

AXA is a good option for travel insurance, but it’s not your only option. Let’s see how AXA compares to the coverage you can get from popular travel credit cards and travel insurance competitors .

AXA vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Many travel credit cards offer travel insurance as a complimentary benefit, whether it’s car rental collision waivers , trip cancellation coverage , or emergency medical and evacuation benefits. This coverage can be helpful if you’re using your card to pay for your travel expenses, but it’s often not as comprehensive as the coverage you can get from a travel insurance policy like what AXA offers .

Let’s compare AXA’s best travel insurance policy against The Platinum Card ®  from American Express  and the  Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , which both offer some of the best travel protections available with credit card benefits.

Unless you’re taking a trip with expenses higher than $10,000, the trip cancellation coverage should be about the same whether you’re using an Amex Platinum card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card, or the AXA Platinum plan. However, the AXA Platinum plan comes out ahead with 150% of your trip cost for trip interruption.

We see a major difference in coverage for emergency medical treatment and evacuation. The Amex Platinum card doesn’t offer emergency medical coverage, but you can arrange an emergency medical evacuation using the Premium Global Assist Hotline. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers up to $2,500 in emergency medical coverage and $100,000 for emergency evacuation. Neither of these offerings compares to the $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and $1 million in emergency medical evacuation coverage you can get from AXA Platinum.

Credit card travel insurance coverage is complimentary if you already have the card, but it is lacking in some areas. It’s a good idea to use your card’s travel insurance as a backup for trip cancellation, interruption, travel delays, or lost baggage, but use the AXA Platinum plan for its superior emergency medical and evacuation coverage.

AXA vs. Other Travel Insurance Companies

It’s always a good idea to compare travel insurance quotes across multiple providers so you can find the best price and coverage. We used Squaremouth , a travel insurance comparison website, to see how AXA’s policies compare to those of other companies.

As with the initial price quotes we pulled from AXA’s website, our sample trip on Squaremouth had:

• Traveling to Japan a month from now
• Trip cost: $2,500
• Initial trip deposit paid within the last 24 hours
• State of residence: Texas

We limited results to policies that offer at least as much coverage as the AXA Platinum policy does on major benefits:

• COVID-19 coverage
• Minimum $250,000 emergency medical benefit
• Minimum $1 million emergency medical benefit
• 100% trip cancellation
• 150% trip interruption

Each policy offered nearly identical coverage for these major benefits, and Tin Leg ‘s Silver plan had the lowest cost at $164.35, followed closely by $165.84 from HTH Worldwide ‘s TripProtector Classic plan.

If you’re mainly concerned with full coverage for trip cancellation and interruption along with $250,000 in emergency medical and $1 million for emergency medical evacuation, you can save if you go with Tin Leg .

However, the higher-priced policies offer additional coverage and options. For example, AXA Platinum offers the option to add Cancel for Any Reason coverage and includes sports equipment rentals and missed ski days or golf rounds. Tin Leg doesn’t have missed connection coverage, but Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice and AXA Platinum offer up to $1,500 for missed connections on cruises or tours.

All of the policies we quoted except for Tin Leg Silver offer employment layoff as a covered cancellation reason, and AXA Platinum allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, though none of the other policies do. AXA Platinum also offers $100,000 in non-medical evacuation , which Tin Leg Silver and HTH Worldwide TripProtector Classic policies do not, and is much higher than the $20,000 benefit offered by the Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice policy.

AXA Platinum has a higher cost than competitors but offers more robust coverage. If you’re mainly concerned with major coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical, and emergency evacuation, other travel insurance companies may offer a better quote. But if you want additional coverage and options such as non-medical evacuation and expanded cancellation reasons, check out the details on what AXA Platinum offers.

You can file a claim with AXA in a few ways:

• Using the claim administrator portal

If you’d like to file your claim online, you can visit the portal for Co-Ordinated Benefit Plans and enter your policy number and last name to get started.

Alternatively, you can call AXA toll-free at 888-957-5015 or collect at 727-450-8794 .

If you’d like to submit your claim via email or mail, you can download claim forms on the AXA website.

Once you download the claim form, you’ll get a list of documents required for submitting your travel insurance claim, along with mail or email info. For example, on a trip interruption claim form, AXA requires you to send in:

• Completed claim form
• Policy verification
• Booking confirmation, such as a ticket or proof of purchase
• Your original unused, nonrefundable tickets
• Your new ticket with confirmation of early return
• A cancellation statement from travel suppliers
• A medical report or physician statement if you interrupted the trip due to medical necessity
• Death certificate, if applicable
• Documentation of circumstances that led to trip interruption
• Documentation of reimbursement request expenses, such as receipts or credit card statements

You can email the form and other required documents to [email protected] or mail to:

AXA Assistance USA On Behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies P.O. Box 26222 Tampa, FL 33623

AXA Travel Insurance is a reliable option with more than 6 decades of experience and solid ratings. There are 3 levels of coverage to choose from — Silver, Gold, and Platinum — that offer varying levels of coverage and options. AXA Travel Insurance isn’t the cheapest option, but it offers robust coverage options and reputable service, so it can be a good choice if you’re looking for enhanced travel protection.

For the premium global assist hotline benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by premium global assist hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the axa silver travel insurance plan provide coverage for a safari.

Yes, AXA’s travel insurance policies offer coverage for safaris, including emergency medical expenses. Safaris are under the sports and activities covered for emergency medical and repatriation costs and personal accidents.

Is AXA travel insurance worth it?

AXA travel insurance can be worth it if you need coverage for significant nonrefundable expenses or your health coverage doesn’t extend to your destination. Competitors may offer lower cost policies for similar major coverage, but AXA may have greater policy options, so it’s a good idea to compare your options.

Is AXA travel insurance good for a Schengen visa?

AXA recommends its Gold plan or higher for Schengen travel.

Is AXA an international insurance?

Yes, you can use AXA for international travel , with coverage for countries in Europe, Asia and Pacific islands, the U.S. and Canada, Africa and the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

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About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

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Introduction to Cat 70 Travel Insurance

• Coverage Options
• Purchasing and Managing Your Policy
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Cat 70 Travel Insurance Review 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Anyone taking a trip should consider travel insurance. It can help offset the cost of emergency medical care and reimburse you for lost belongings, canceled flights, or other issues that may come up while you're away.

If you're looking for a reputable travel insurance provider that offers a straightforward and easy-to-understand travel insurance policy, Cat 70 Travel Insurance is a great option. Cat 70 is backed by the well-known and respected travel insurance comparison provider Squaremouth. Its Travel Plan, the only policy it offers, can be used for domestic and international trips.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High emergency medical coverage limit
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver available, so you can still get coverage regardless of your health history
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a "cancel for any reason" policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Premiums are generally lower than the industry average
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only one travel insurance policy available, so there's less opportunity to customize your coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some other companies offer higher coverage amounts for trip delay and baggage loss
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not available in all states and does not cover all major destination countries
• Cat 70’s Travel Plan policy was designed for travelers who want comprehensive coverage for an affordable price. This plan provides travelers with popular benefits, including Trip Cancellation and extensive Emergency Medical Coverage.
• Travelers whose trips are protected by Cat 70’s Travel Plan have $500,000 of Primary Emergency Medical coverage, as well as $500,000 of Medical Evacuation coverage.
• Policy holders also have Trip Cancellation coverage for illnesses, injuries or other accidents, hurricane and weather, and terrorism. Additional benefits include Baggage and Persnonal Item Loss, Travel Delay, and Missed Connection.

Cat 70 is one of the simplest travel insurance companies on the market. Operated by travel insurance aggregator SquareMouth, Cat 70 offers just one single trip policy aptly and simply named Travel Plan. The policy covers trips that cost up to $30,000 and last up to 90 days. Travelers up to 83 are eligible for coverage.

One of the best aspects of Cat 70's Travel Plan is its sizable emergency medical coverage limit of $500,000. The plan also covers a wide range of other potential problems, including stolen baggage, trip delays, and more.

While the simplicity can be nice for buyers who don't want to spend a lot of time researching, it's not great for travelers who want more niche coverage. For example, Cat 70 won't cover most sports activities, excluding sports that involve body contact and organized sporting events.  

Coverage Options Offered by Cat 70

Below are the coverages and corresponding coverage limits of the Cat 70 Travel Plan.

Cat 70 also offers a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, which means that your coverage won't be restricted because of your health history. This will apply only if you buy the Travel Plan to cover the full cost of the trip within 14 days of making your first trip deposit.

Additional coverage options from Cat 70

Cat 70 offers a "cancel for any reason" policy , which allows you to cancel your trip without being penalized, even if the reason is not already listed in the base policy. Say, for example, that you find out your favorite football team is playing an important game during your planned dates — under this coverage, you could easily get a refund. 

Cat 70's CFAR coverage will reimburse 75% of what would have been non-refundable otherwise. Just make sure to purchase Cat 70's CFAR within 14 days of initially putting down a deposit for the trip, and be mindful that claims must be made at least 48 hours before departure time.

Cat 70 Travel Insurance 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% to 8% of your travel costs.

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for Cat 70 travel insurance plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate Cat 70 travel insurance coverage costs.

As of 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would pay $113. Premiums for Cat 70 travel insurance plans are between 3.7% of the trip's cost, just below the average cost of travel insurance.

A 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip would pay $152 for travel insurance. Once again, the premium for Cat 70is 3.8%, below the average range of travel insurance costs.

A Texas family consisting of two 40-year-old parents with a 10-year-old and 4-year-old on a two-week trip to Australia for $20,000 would pay $828, which is 4.14% of the trip's cost.

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New Jersey for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would pay $419, which is 7% of the trip's cost. While covering this trip is more expensive, older travelers often pay higher rates for insurance. However, Cat 70's premiums for older couples doesn't have as high of a price spike compared to other travel insurance companies. 

You can find our guide on the best senior travel insurance here.

Purchasing and Managing a Cat 70 Policy

Purchasing Cat 70travel insurance is simple. You'll need to obtain a quote on its Squaremouth page by inputting the following information:

• Travel dates
• Destination
• State of residence
• Number of travelers
• Age of traveler(s)
• Date of first deposit
• If your trip is paid in full 
• Whether you want cancellation coverage

There are a few particularities to note. For one, Cat 70 policies will not show up if you're looking for travel insurance the same day you pay your deposit. Additionally, you wont see Cat 70 quotes if you opt out of cancellation coverage.

Once you get a quote, you'll also have the option to add CFAR insurance as long as you're purchasing insurance within the purchasing window. 

How to File a Claim with Cat 70 Travel Insurance

To file a travel insurance claim with Cat 70, start by downloading and filling out a claims form to initiate the process. You can also call 800-567-3512 to request a claims form by mail or email. Claims must be submitted within 20 days of the loss occurring.

Cat 70's claims department can be reached Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST at 866-477-6741, or by email at [email protected] .

Cat 70 Customer Support and Claims Reviews

Cat 70has few reviews to speak of. It averages 4.08 stars out of five on its Squaremouth page across just over 100 reviews. That said, many five star reviews come from customers who didn't have to file a claim or people who haven't filed claims yet. Customer service was reportedly very responsive to customizations and questions from buyers.

Reviews from claimants are mixed, reporting a complicated claims process, unresponsive agents, and long wait times. 

Learn more about how Cat 70 Travel Insurance compares to industry leading travel insurance policies. 

Cat 70 Travel Insurance vs AIG Travel Insurance

Travel Guard is another popular travel insurance company. We'll use Travel Guard's mid-tier Travel Guard Preferred plan to compare coverage with Cat 70.

With 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, and travel delay coverage of up to $800.

The piece that stands out most prominently when comparing the two is the emergency medical coverage limits. Cat 70's coverage of $500,000 is 10x more than Travel Guard's Preferred plan. But otherwise, the two plans are relatively comparable, with the Travel Guard Preferred plan offering a bit more coverage for travel delay and baggage loss, theft, or damage.

Read our AIG Travel Insurance review here.

Cat 70 Travel Insurance vs AXA Travel Insurance

Now we'll look at how Cat 70 compares to another popular travel insurance provider, AXA Assistance USA . AXA offers three levels of coverage, Gold, Silver, and Platinum. But for the purpose of this review, we'll use the Silver plan. 

With AXA's Silver plan, you'll get up to 100% of trip costs for trip cancellation and up to 150% of trip costs for trip interruptions. You'll also get $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, baggage loss coverage up to $1,500, and travel delay coverage of $1,000.

Those coverage limits are comparable to Cat 70's Travel Plan in many ways. But Cat 70's emergency medical coverage is superior. At the same time, AXA's coverage for things like baggage loss and trip delay are better. The right plan for you will depend on which coverages are most important.

Read our AXA Travel Insurance review here.

Cat 70 vs Credit Card Travel Insurance

Do your research before buying a travel insurance policy if you already have a great rewards credit card. Standard coverage for a rental car is often included in credit card benefits.

Say you have no non-refundable trip costs and are driving to your destination. In this scenario, the coverage from your credit card may be sufficient. Another time it could work is if you're in good health and have health insurance that covers you while overseas, and you aren't concerned with potential medical expenses during your trip.

Just remember, credit card travel protection is often secondary. So if you have an accident or loss and need to file a claim, you must first file with the other insurance company before contacting your credit card provider.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance  here.

Cat 70 Travel Insurance FAQs

Yes, Cat 70 typically provides comprehensive coverage for international travel, including medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and other standard travel insurance benefits.

Most high risk activities are excluded from Cat 70's coverage, such as sports involving motor vehicles, spelunking, parachuting, bungee jumping, and sports involving bodily contact. The policy also excludes coverage for organized sports. 

Cat 70 treats COVID-19 coverage like any other illness and will cover cancellations due to COVID-19 illness as long as the traveler can provide documentation of a positive test.

Cat 70 is often recognized for its simplicity and its low costs.

Customer feedback indicates that Cat 70's claims process is complex and the claims team is unresponsive.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Cat 70 Travel Insurance

In our review of Cat 70's travel insurance, we compared Cat 70's coverage alternatives to those from the best travel insurance providers . We looked at various coverage choices, claim limitations, what is covered, available extras, and extra services provided by the company.

When selecting a policy, the most crucial aspect isn't simply the cost — it's ensuring that you're getting adequate coverage, too. Filing a claim should be straightforward if you ever have to utilize your policy.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Is travel insurance refundable here’s everything you need to know.

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Sometimes, travel insurance is refundable. Here's when you can get your money back.

Peter Hoagland always checks to see if his travel insurance is refundable. That's because anything can happen between the time you book your vacation and when you leave — and because travel insurance isn't always refundable.

During the pandemic, he discovered that the hard way. He had to cancel a trip and asked for his money back from the insurance company. It refused.

"Since then, I always read the fine print on the policy," he says.

The refundability of travel insurance has always been an open question. Some countries and U.S. states regulate refundability. Travel insurance companies put refundability details in the fine print of the policy. And, as Hoagland found out, there are always exceptions.

Like the pandemic, when refund policies were all over the map. Some insurance companies adhered to their published policies. Others offered a credit that could be reused within a year, which was minimally useful because the pandemic was still happening a year later. Others quietly gave their customers a refund.

Hoagland says he fought for his money. Eventually, he contacted a manager at his travel insurance company.

"That produced a quick result," he says. "I got my money back."

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But let's face it: Getting a refund for travel insurance can be difficult. There are times when insurance is always refundable because it's required by law. There are times when it's sometimes refundable. And there are times when it's almost never refundable. But even then, there may be a way to recover some — or all — of the value of your policy.

Getting a refund for travel insurance can be a challenge

If you have a travel insurance policy and would like to get a refund, it might be easier said than done, say experts.

"While travel insurance is regulated like auto and home insurance, it’s often less standardized," says Stuart Winchester, CEO of Marble, a digital wallet for your insurance. "So first off, it’s important to check the fine print of your specific policy. Don’t assume it’s like the last one you got."

Even when you have something in writing, a refund can require some serious negotiating skills.

"Getting a refund for travel insurance can be complicated and frustrating," says Peter Hamdy, the managing director of a tour operator in Auckland, New Zealand. He's asked for a refund on policies numerous times and says that despite what travel insurance companies may tell you, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to getting a refund on your policy.

"Some situations can warrant a refund," he says. "It depends on your policy."

What does a typical refundability clause look like? For example, the World Explorer Guardian from Insured Nomads notes that it's refundable only during the 10-day review period from the date of delivery or 15 days from the date of delivery if mailed, provided you have not already departed on your trip and you have not incurred any claimable losses during that time. If you depart on your trip before the expiration of the review period, the review period ends and the policy can't be refunded.

"We go a bit further with our World Explorer Travel Medical plans," notes Andrew Jernigan, CEO of Insured Nomads. "If no claims have been filed then we can refund the unused portion of the policy if you cut your trip short.”

When can you get a refund for travel insurance?

Here are the most common cases where travel insurance can be refunded:

• If you cancel during the "free look" period required by the government. Most states require what's called a "free look" period of anywhere from 10 to 14 days. "During this period, travelers can review the purchase and make sure it fits their needs," explains James Nuttall, general manager of Insubuy . "If it does not, they can cancel it for any reason and get a full refund, no questions asked, so long as you haven’t departed yet.
• If you cancel during the travel insurance company grace period. Many insurance companies also have a grace period for refunds (usually, they are the same as the "free look" although some grace periods can be longer). "If you’re outside your grace period, which typically lasts one to two weeks after signing, you’re contractually obliged to pay your premiums," says David Ciccarelli, CEO of the vacation rental site Lake . "Still, it doesn’t hurt to ask your company for a refund or alternative options if you’re outside your grace window. You might not get a yes, but it could lead to some cost savings or better solutions."
• When someone else cancels your trip. "For instance, if your cruise is canceled due to low river tide, you are not at fault and would typically receive a full refund or credit for a future sailing, thus eliminating the need for the travel insurance policy," explains Rhonda Abedsalam vice president of travel insurance for AXA Assistance US.
• If you die. Typically, the policy would be refunded to your next of kin. Generally, you can also ask for a refund if your travel companion dies before your trip.

Remember, it depends on where you buy your insurance

The refundability of your insurance can depend on where you purchased it. Commercial policies bought from a cruise or tour company are generally canceled and refunded if you cancel the trip far enough in advance of your departure date.

"The travel insurance cancellation provisions are generally tied to the cancellation provisions for the cruise or tour," explains Dan Skilken, president of TripInsurance.com . "After you have paid the last deposits on the cruise and are close enough to departure that they will not provide a refund on the cruise, they generally will also not provide a refund on the travel insurance. But if you cancel early enough to get all or most of your deposit back, you will also get your travel insurance premium refunded."

If you’ve purchased retail travel insurance from a third-party provider or comparison website, you can often get a refund if you can show receipts proving that you received a full refund of all trip deposits and have not had any cancellation penalties or taken any travel credits when you canceled your trip.

That's because retail travel insurance is sold for a specific traveler and for a specific trip. If you have proof of a complete refund and have not received travel credits, then you no longer have what's called an "insurable interest" in the trip. The insurance company must cancel and refund your premium in full, says Skilken.

Insider tip: If the insurance company refuses, just tell them you have proof that you no longer have an insurable interest in the trip. You have to have an insurable interest in a trip to own a travel insurance policy.

Your agent may be able to help you get a refund

You may also be able to lean on the agent who sold you the policy. For example, all policies on Squaremouth come with a money-back guarantee.

"The purpose of this benefit is to give travelers extra time to review their policy documentation to be sure it’s the best policy for their coverage needs," says spokeswoman Jenna Hummer. At Squaremouth, the money-back period typically lasts between 10 and 14 days, which is in line with the mandated "free look" period.

However, I have also seen agents negotiate with travel insurance companies for a more generous refund period in case of extenuating circumstances. There's no guarantee that you'll get it, but it's worth asking — and one reason to work with a third party.

Agents can also help you avoid this problem. Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips , a travel agency, notes that American Airlines Vacation Packages offers a predeparture protection insurance plan, which allows cancellation for any reason before the outbound departing flight time. Other restrictions apply, she adds.

"More flexibility will often cost you more," she says. "But having the flexibility is a great way to sleep well at night."

Can't get a refund? Look for other kinds of flexibility from your travel insurance company

Even if your travel insurance company says no to a refund, it doesn't necessarily mean you've lost the value of your policy.

"If a travel supplier changes or cancels your trip, you should be able to change your travel insurance policy to match the new dates of your trip or even cover a new trip, sometimes up to two years into the future," says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA .

Pro tip: Be sure to change the dates of your travel insurance policy before the departure date of your current itinerary. You can do that online or by calling your agent. Once the policy's effective date has passed, making any changes or initiating a refund or credit becomes much more difficult.

Don't forget to do your due diligence

Bottom line: Travel insurance is refundable under certain circumstances. But knowing when can require research.

"It's important for consumers to carefully read their policy upon receipt to understand the specific terms offered by their insurance provider," says Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association.

The more you know, the likelier you are to get the refund you want when your plans change.

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