Travel Guard has been serving the North American market for more than 25 tears. Travel Guard provides 24/7-customer service through a network of assistance centers located in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The Pros

TravelGuard offers a wide variety of plans to choose from including annual plans and sports-specific plans. They also have the option to purchase medical insurance only for those with very specific insurance coverage needs.

The Cons

The amount of different plans makes it difficult to choose from and it takes a lot of research to select the best option. The company will not count lost or stolen passports or visas as a valid excuse for cancelling or interrupting your trip.

What Others Have to Say

“My wife ended up in the hospital in the Dominican Republic and [TravelGuard] paid for the days away from the resort and all the bills that my health insurance did not pay including the taxi rides to the hospital and back to the resort.”

“Plan has too many exclusions. To waive pre-existing conditions you must purchase the plan when making a deposit on a trip. No one told me this. Some plans provide this coverage if insurance is purchased within 10 days of final payment. Plan seems to be quite expensive for provided coverage. Plan written in legalese, difficult to get a clear understanding of what is covered and what is excluded. Wish it were written in ‘plain’ English.”

“I thought the plan was too expensive for the coverage provided”

Details

TravelGuard offers several products including the Popular Package Plans (four different insurance plans), Active Package Plans, Medical, and Specialized.

Popular Package Plans

Choose from four popular packages; Platinum Plan, Gold Plan, My Travel Guard, and Savvy Traveler. All plans include:

• Trip Cancellation & Interruption
• Medical Expense & Transportation Coverage
• Lost/Stolen Baggage
• 24/7 Travel Assistance Services

Active Package Plans

Choose from two active plans; Great Outdoors and My Travel Guard. These plans offer an emphasis on expanded coverage for participation in sports activities and coverage for specialty equipment you may need while traveling like golf clubs, fishing gear, or hunting equipment

Plans include:

• Trip Cancellation & Interruption
• Medical Expense & Transportation Coverage
• Lost/Stolen Baggage
• 24/7 Travel Assistance Services

Medical

These plans are for customers who are looking for medical coverage specifically. These plans do not include trip cancellation/interruption but include:

• Medical Expense & Transportation Coverage
• Lost/Stolen Baggage
• 24/7 Travel Assistance Services

Specialized

These packages are an a la carte option for specific travel investments. Categories include Flight Guard and Car Rental Collision Coverage.

Get a Quote

Travelex Insurance Services provides travel insurance in North America. Travelex Insurance Services is part of the Travelex Group, a provider of foreign exchange services.

Headquartered in London, and with North American offices in New York, Omaha, Washington D.C. and Toronto, Travelex is a privately owned company with more than 5,000 employees globally.

The Pros

TravelEX offers a wide variety of different plans and the website makes selecting a plan and additional coverage options easy. Children are covered for free (under the right plan), and plans that cater specifically to business travellers are available.

The Cons

‘Cancel for any reason’ is only available on Travel Max or as an additional option, not standard with all plans. The company does not insure groups of 10 or more nor do they do not offer any formal identity theft services.

What Others Have to Say

“A portion of our trip involving offshore flights was cancelled due to weather. The tour company refunded essentially all of the trip cost ($4K) but retained an “administrative fee” (whatever that is) of $80. I filed a claim for this and it was paid promptly and without any hassles. A tiny claim to be sure, but it was handled efficiently.”

“We had a problem come up on the weekend. When I tried calling Travelex I was disappointed to find out that they only offer assistance with medical emergencies during regular office hours. They had no customer service representatives available on the weekend.”

“They don’t cover reward flights/ tickets purchased with certificates to which I cannot provide receipts. I was disappointed at this. I provided them with the reservation and cancellation but they say these type of flights were not covered…that is not stated in the contract anywhere!”

Details

TravelEx Insurance offers five packages; Travel Basic, Travel Select, Travel Max, Business Traveller, Travel Max and Flight Insurance Plus.

All plans include:

• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Trip Delay
• Missed Cruise Connection
• Baggage Delay
• Medical Expense Benefits
• Medical Evacuation
• Travel Assistance

Additional Benefits from the Travel Select & Travel Max Plans include:

• 24 Hour AD&D
• Pre-Existing Condition Waiver
• Children covered free

Additional Upgrades and Options are available including:

• Cancel for any reason
• Rental Car Damage
• Flight Accident

Get a Quote

TravelSafe Insurance, a division of the Chester Perfetto Agency, Inc., has offered travel insurance products since 1971 in the United States and Canada.

The Pros

TravelSafe Insurance offers very thorough coverage ranging from loss of employment to war or terrorism. They offer a package to ‘cancel for any reason’ and customers have the ability to purchase coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. The company also insures trips up to three years in length.

The Cons

The basic plan is not available to those aged 80 years and older. While TravelSafe does offer Cancel for Any Reason, the reimbursement is 75% while other companies offer 95%.

What Others Have to Say

“My mother is 92 and I wanted to be sure to have return coverage options. I think the policy is reasonably priced. I do think the terms regarding pre-existing conditions could be defined more clearly.”

“Great plans, great customer service, and quick response. There is a lot of paperwork required when filing a claim, but once the paperwork is submitted the claim was handled quickly. I will always use TravelSafe when traveling. It’s a very small price to pay for peace of mind.”

“The amount of paperwork required to submit a claim, compared to other plans, is ridiculous.”

Details

Offers three insurance packages; Basic, Classic, and Classic Plus. Each package offers different amounts of coverage.

All plans include:

• Trip cancellation/interruption
• Missed connection
• Trip/Travel Delay
• Accident & Sickness Medical Expenses
• Emergency Dental
• Emergency Medical Evacuation
• Baggage & Personal Effects
• Sickness, Injury or Death

Additional Options offered through Classic & Classic Plus:

• Non-medical emergency evacuation
• A pre-existing medical condition
• 24 hour Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Additional Options offered through Classic Plus:

• Cancel for any reason

Get a Quote

Online quote calculator at their website www.travelsafe.com or call 1-888-885-7233.

Originated in the UK, Protect Your Bubble launched in the U.S. in 2008 and currently serves customers the UK, Ireland, the U.S. and Brazil.

The company offers electronic protection plans, travel insurance, rental car insurance, renters insurance and ID theft protection.

All insurance products are offered by The Signal, L.P., a licensed Insurance agency appointed by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida and American Security Insurance Company.

The Pros

Insurance is quick and easy to purchase online and the quote calculator makes the cost very clear prior to purchasing. Insurance plans are affordable. Great reviews on smartphone protection plan, not many on travel or flight insurance.

Protect Your Bubble’s multi-trip insurance covers unlimited trips within a 12-month period.

The Cons

The amount of emergency medical transportation is much lower when compare to other travel insurance policies. The policy doesn’t offer accidental death and dismemberment coverage if you’re using a common carrier.

What Others Have to Say

“Submitted a claim due a fire at destination airport so my flight was cancelled, wrecking mine and my partners travel plans but they are refusing to pay out as this is apparently not covered which is absolutely ridiculous.”

“Awesome service! I set up Protect your Bubble’s travel insurance a while ago. And I wasn’t disappointed. When I needed to claim, the representative that I talked to was very helpful. Everything was sorted out without stress. Awesome customer service! Great insurance coverage. Would recommend”

Details

Protection Plans – These plans protect the electronics and appliances in your home (tablets, smartphones, fridges, etc.) from accidental and liquid damage to breakdowns and electrical failures. You can customize your plan to add or drop various devices.

Renters Insurance – Protects renter’s personal property from water damage, medial payments, theft, fire, wind & smoke, and personal liability. Customizable plans can include roommates or covering a child who is away at college.

Rental Car Insurance – Worldwide coverage that includes damage & theft protection, primary coverage, and personal effect protection. Add Roadside Assistance for $2.99 per day.

Travel Insurance- Can choose to purchase a general travel insurance plan or a flight insurance plan.

General Travel

• Trip cancellation or interruption
• Travel delay
• Missed connection
• Baggage coverage
• Baggage delay coverage
• Medical & dental expenses
• Emergency assistance & transportation
• Accidental death & dismemberment
• Rental car damage coverage

General Travel Available add-ons

• Sports & adventure coverage
• Trip cancellation for business reasons
• Trip cancellation for any reason
• Trip interruption for business reasons

Flight Insurance Plan

• Trip cancellation
• Trip interruption
• Trip delay
• Trip delay minimum
• Lost/damaged/stolen baggage
• Delayed baggage
• Delayed baggage minimum**
• Ticket change fee

Get a Quote

The website says users can purchase insurance in less than two minutes. Online quote function allows you to type in what you want insured and gives quote prior to purchase and without having to speak to customer service. https://us.protectyourbubble.com.

CSA Travel Protection is based in San Diego, California, but owned by Europ Assistance (EA), a worldwide emergency assistance services company.

CSA Travel Protection offers two travel insurance packages for individuals and families; the Freestyle and Freestyle Luxe. Features in these plans include; 24/7 Emergency assistance, Teledoc (formerly Consult a Doctor), identify theft resolution services, and emergency assistance and transportation.

The Pros

With two packages to choose from, it’s easy to select your plan. All plans include the usual package benefits (trip cancellation, medical and dental coverage, etc.) plus 24-hour emergency assistance services, including Teledoc which allows clients to speak with a doctor. Plans include identity theft resolution, rental car damage, and concierge services as well.

The Cons

CSA travel insurance plans are only available to residents of the U.S. and some of their coverage services don’t apply to residents of certain states. If selecting the Freestyle Plan, you can only get Accidental Death & Dismemberment as an Add-On and it only covers air flight accident. Most complaints are about the length of time it takes to process claims.

What Others Have to Say

“I have always used CSA for my travel (cruise) insurance.   We have had very good luck with them and continue to use them.   My suggestion when buying insurance like this is to contact them via phone and discuss your needs and wants BEFORE purchasing. There are many reasons why insurance companies have restrictions and you should be well aware of them prior to your purchase.”

“They did not pay for a travel delay by my companion’s airline. Since I was the one paying for the tour and transportation, I put the entire cost on my policy.”

“My claim for reimbursement was denied because only delays caused by weather, mechanical breakdown of the aircraft or an organized labor strike were covered! Because my flight had been cancelled because of a fire, I was not covered.”

“We cancelled our cruise a week before departure due to an impending death in our family. No problems at all with getting reimbursed. I will use them again.”

My partner has breast cancer and had to book an unscheduled flight home for treatment. The flight was not covered because “the illness that caused your loss did not commence while on your trip.”

Details

Plans include:

• Trip Cancellation
• Trip Interruption
• Travel Delay
• Missed Connection
• Baggage Coverage
• Baggage Delay
• Medical and Dental Coverage
• Emergency Assistance & Transportation
• Rental Car Damage Coverage –not available to residents of Texas
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment – Only available to FreeStyle Luxe plans
• On Demand Medical Care
• 24-Hour Emergency Assistance Services
• Identity Theft Resolution Services
• Concierge Services

Available Add-On Coverages

• Accidental Death & Dismemberment- Air Flight Accident
• Trip Cancellation for Any Reason (Not available to residents of NY) Only available to FreeStyle Luxe plans

Get a Quote

Quote and buy direct: Get a quote directly at the CSA website. http://www.csatravelpro.com/