Travelex ranks 11th among 13 travel insurance companies with an 88 score. It provides strong customer service (99 out of 100) but costs more than top competitors. Founded in 1996 and underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company (A+ AM Best rating), Travelex operates as part of Cover-More Group across 15 countries.
Travelex Travel Insurance Review
Travelex earned an 88 overall score with the second-highest customer service rating (99 out of 100) among 13 travel insurers. It offers three plans at higher costs than competitors.
Find out if you should buy travel insurance from Travelex.
Updated: January 22, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Travelex ranks 11th for affordability but second for customer service with 24/7 assistance through phone and mobile app.
Only the Ultimate plan covers pre-existing conditions (when purchased within 21 days of initial deposit) and offers optional cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage.
No annual multi-trip plans available, so frequent travelers must purchase separate policies for each trip.
Travelex Pros and Cons
- Strong customer service: Earned a 99 out of 100 service score with 24/7 assistance and responsive claims support
- Strong financial backing: Underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company with an A+ AM Best rating
- Primary medical coverage: All plans pay first without requiring coordination with health insurance
- Higher premiums: Cost score of 81 ranks 11th among 13 companies
- No annual plans: Frequent travelers must purchase separate single-trip policies
- Pre-existing conditions limited: Only Ultimate plan covers pre-existing conditions
Travelex Travel Insurance Plans and Features
Travelex offers three single-trip plans with increasing coverage limits. Essential caps cancellation at $10,000, Advantage removes dollar limits, and Ultimate doubles medical coverage while adding pre-existing condition waivers.
Trip Cancellation | 100% ($10,000 max) | 100% | 100% |
Trip Interruption | 100% ($10,000 max) | 100% | 150% |
Emergency Medical | $100,000 (primary) | $100,000 (primary) | $200,000 (primary) |
Emergency Evacuation | $250,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 |
Trip Delay | $600 ($200/day) | $600 ($200/day) | $2,000 ($150/day) |
Baggage Loss | $750 ($500/item) | $750 ($500/item) | $1,500 (up to $4,250) |
Pre-Existing Conditions | Not covered | Not covered | Covered within 21 days |
CFAR | Not available | Not available | Optional (75%) |
Essential works best for budget travelers on trips under $10,000, Advantage suits expensive trips without medical concerns, and Ultimate provides comprehensive international protection.
Travelex Travel Insurance Rates
Travelex's affordability score of 81 reflects premiums running 15% to 20% higher than top-rated competitors. Rates increase with traveler age, trip length and destination medical risk.
$2,500 (Age 30) | $62 | $80 | $92 |
$5,000 (Age 30) | $202 | $237 | $245 |
$10,000 (Age 30) | $481 | $552 | $550 |
A $2,500 trip costs $62 (Essential), $80 (Advantage) or $92 (Ultimate) for a 30-year-old across major destinations. Rates for travelers age 65 and older increase by 50% to 75% depending on destination and trip length. Ultimate costs $2 less than Advantage at the $10,000 level while providing double the medical coverage.
Comparing Travelex vs. Other Companies
Travelex ranks 11th overall but ranks second for customer service, scoring 99 out of 100.
World Nomads | 93 | 98 | 86 | 89 |
Generali | 92 | 94 | 88 | 89 |
Allianz | 91 | 86 | 89 | 100 |
Travel Guard | 91 | 88 | 86 | 98 |
Travelex | 88 | 81 | 85 | 99 |
World Nomads scores 17 points higher for affordability (98 vs. 81) and includes adventure coverage across all plans, but Travelex provides stronger customer service infrastructure with more accessible claims support. For travelers prioritizing cost efficiency, Generali outperforms Travelex on both affordability (94 vs 81) and coverage (88 vs. 85). Allianz edges out Travelex with a 100 service score compared to Travelex's 99. Travelex scores 81 for affordability compared to Travel Guard's 88, though Travelex maintains a slightly higher service rating (99 vs. 98).
Travelex User Reviews
Customer feedback shows responsive assistance but includes complaints about documentation requirements and processing timelines.
What Customers Love About Travelex
- Responsive 24/7 assistance: Quick response times during emergencies with helpful guidance for medical referrals and travel document replacement
- Straightforward claims portal: Online system allows documentation uploads and claim tracking without phone calls
- Flexible upgrade options: Customizable add-ons like rental car protection and adventure sports coverage
Common Complaints About Travelex
- Strict documentation requirements: Medical claims need specific physician certifications, with some denials due to incomplete paperwork rather than ineligible claims
- Higher premiums: Pricing exceeds comparable plans from competitors, raising value questions for budget-conscious travelers
- Pre-existing condition restrictions: Essential and Advantage exclude medical histories, frustrating buyers who disclosed conditions during purchase
- Processing delays: Complex medical reimbursements can extend several weeks beyond the standard 10 to 15 business days.
What's Covered by Travelex?
- Essential: 100% cancellation up to $10,000 for illness, injury, death, weather and natural disasters. Excludes financial default and work cancellations.
- Advantage: Removes $10,000 cap on cancellation and interruption. Adds employment layoff protection.
- Ultimate: 100% cancellation with 150% interruption coverage. Optional CFAR reimburses 75% within 21 days. Includes financial default protection after 14-day wait.
- Essential and Advantage: $100,000 primary medical, $250,000 evacuation. Coverage includes emergency dental ($750 to $1,000), zero deductibles and COVID-19 treatment.
- Ultimate: $200,000 medical, $500,000 evacuation, includes all Essential/Advantage benefits.
- All plans: Medical quarantine extends coverage up to 7 days. Primary coverage means Travelex pays first without health insurance coordination.
- Essential and Advantage: $600 trip delay ($200 per day after six hours) and $750 baggage loss ($500 per item limit; jewelry and electronics limited to $250 per item). Baggage delay coverage pays $200 after 12 to 24 hours.
- Ultimate: $2,000 trip delay ($150 per day after six hours) and $1,500 baggage loss (up to $4,250 with upgrades). Baggage delay coverage pays $500 ($100 per day).
Trip Cancellation and Interruption
Medical Coverage and Evacuation
Travel Delays and Baggage
Add-on Coverages
- Cancel for any reason (Ultimate only): 75% reimbursement within 21 days of deposit
- Rental car damage: Reduces collision deductibles across all plans
- Enhanced baggage: Increases Ultimate limits to $4,250 for professional equipment and electronics
- Adventure sports (Ultimate only, not in Illinois): Search and rescue ($10,000), security evacuation ($100,000)
- Pet care (Ultimate only, not in New York or Virginia): Kennel fees and veterinary expenses if trip interrupted
What Travelex Doesn't Cover
- Pre-existing medical conditions: Essential and Advantage exclude entirely. Ultimate covers only when purchased within 21 days of initial deposit, with all trip costs insured.
- High-risk activities: Professional sports, racing, and extreme altitude adventures require an optional adventure sports upgrade (Ultimate only).
- Government travel restrictions: Travel advisories, border closures and pandemic-related bans excluded unless CFAR purchased.
- Pregnancy care: Routine pregnancy care, childbirth and complications are excluded except for unexpected medical emergencies.
- Work-related cancellations: Essential and Advantage exclude job-related cancellations. Ultimate includes work coverage when purchased within 15 days of the deposit.
Travelex Claims Documentation Requirements
Travelex processes most claims within 10 to 15 business days once complete documentation arrives. Submit trip cancellations within 72 hours and provide full documentation within 20 days.
Medical Emergency | Itemized bills from providers, hospital discharge summaries, prescription receipts, proof of payment
For evacuation: Physician certificates stating medical necessity, evacuation service receipts, transportation records |
Trip Cancellation and Interruption | Documentation proving cancellation reason (medical certificates, death certificates, employment termination letters), booking confirmations, payment receipts, nonrefundable cost proof, supplier refund statements
For medical cancellations: Completed medical certificate forms, physician notes confirming travel inability, supporting medical records |
Baggage | Police reports for theft or loss, ownership proof (receipts or photos), damage repair estimates, airline baggage reports |
Travel Delay | Delay cause documentation (weather reports, airline confirmations), expense receipts (meals, accommodations, transportation), proof original travel was disrupted |
*File claims online at travelexinsurance.com, call 800-501-4781 or email.
FAQ: Travelex Travel Insurance
Can I add coverage after purchasing my policy?
You can upgrade to a higher plan tier or add optional coverages like CFAR, adventure sports or enhanced baggage before your trip starts. Contact Travelex directly for upgrade eligibility and specific timing requirements.
Does Travelex cover trip cancellations due to work emergencies?
Only the Ultimate plan covers work-related cancellations when purchased within 15 days of the initial trip deposit. Essential and Advantage exclude job-related cancellations.
How long can Travelex automatically extend my coverage?
Coverage extends up to seven days automatically if you're delayed due to covered reasons like medical quarantine or travel delay. This extension applies to medical, baggage and assistance services without additional premium.
Do travel companions need separate policies?
Yes, each traveler needs individual coverage. Travelex doesn't offer family or group plans. Calculate each person's trip costs separately and purchase individual policies.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.