stas683

Hello,
I am looking for some data/statistics to find a travel insurance company that is worth dealing with. Is there such data somewhere?
Could be data on average length of claim process (or its distribution wrt time would be perfect).
Or could be percentage of denied claims (yes its biased but can be still usefull I believe)
Don't want to go through many months of nightmare sending and resending same documents etc in case smth happens during the trip (I'm mainly looking for trip interruption/cancellation).
According to reviews I've read there are insurance companies that seem to do this on purpose probably hoping that customers will give up.

I did lots of research and cannot find any data for US besides customer reviews, which may be biased and don't really see how to use them for choosing a company (at least in a reasonable time).
Is there any report with any kind of statistics for US travel insurance companies?

I first started similar thread on tripadvisor, but that thread was closed by tripadvisor stuff without any explanation:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi....html#74657278

There are lots of replies, but still have no idea which company to go with as nobody provided the data I'm looking for or suggested a reliable company.
Please kindly have a look at this thread before you post.
I am traveling on single return ticket from US to Europe. Only need coverage for getting to final destination and back (don't need it in between). Already have medical insurance that works around the world.
I don't have a goal to find cheapest policy, I would rather pay a couple times more if I believe its going to be less hassle and/or higher chance to be reimbursed.
If there's a company you filled a number of claims and can recommend, that would be also very helpful (please provide some details).
Thanks!

thursdaysd

If all you need is coverage for the airfare, why bother?

mlgb

Exactly my thought.

Many airlines offer a small trip insurance policy for that when you buy the ticket.

nytraveler

Partly depends on what type of insurance you want.

Do you want the usual type that covers you if you or an immediate (really immediate - not great aunt Tilly) family member has a medical emergency that prevents your going?

Or are you looking for insurance that covers you if you cancel for any reason whatsoever (much more expensive)?

stas683

thursdaysd, the airline I booked with (United) has a long list of exception for trip interruption e.g. terrorist attack, weather and so on that release them from any liability.

thursdaysd

First, most insurance policies will have the same exclusions.

Second, how much money are you actually insuring? I have never found interruption/cancellation worthwhile just for airfare. If you are flying half way round the world in first class, sure, but across the Atlantic in economy? No.

stas683

nytraveler,
I am not looking for cancel for any reason insurance. Also 'family member has a medical emergency' doesn't really apply to me.

I mainly worried about such cases:
-if I get too sick to flight
- a car accident while getting to airport which prevents me from getting to airport on time
- airport is closed for whatever reason (I have 2 connections each way and there are airports in Europe where I cannot even leave transit zone)
- flight is cancelled to irrelevant of me reason and I'm stuck in the middle for several days

Don't care much about luggage.

As I mentioned airline have very limited responsibility according to their policy. Don't know if there's travel insurance that really works for above cases, thats what I'm trying to find out.

stas683

thursdaysd,
I'm flying in economy. whole ticket 950$. I'm international student,please take this into account

MmePerdu

If I understand you correctly, it's only the airfare you want covered, likely not a huge amount of money. One way to avoid the "nightmare" of the claims process is to be sure to get on the plane at the scheduled time and return, except in the most dire circumstances (like your own death or dismemberment, as the policies love to describe it). In which case the amount you paid for airfare will seem a pittance compared to your ordeal.

My suggestion is to just stop fretting about it. I, for one, wouldn't dream of missing a flight, being my 2nd to the top priority in life. I realize others may feel differently and might let lesser events bar their way. If you're one of those, then a refundable airfare may the way to go. If your fare is non-refundable, take a deep breath and realize how little it is to lose in the scheme of things and get on with enjoying the thought of your upcoming travels.

stas683

I spent quite a lot of time to find such a cheap ticket. I believe if I have to buy another one in case flight is cancelled it will be much more expensive.

MmePerdu

OK, $950 is the figure, indeed not a huge amount when compared to what worst scenario expenses will be. Some of the items you list as worries the airline will handle by putting you on another flight. The others, car accident or serious illness, for instance, fall under the category of "airfare will be minor compared to the rest". Take care of yourself and get on the plane. And relax!

MmePerdu

If the flight is cancelled, the airline will put you on another flight, no additional ticket required.

stas683

MmePerdu,
Airfair is only a part of my worries. If I get stuck in the middle of the trip for couple of days, its hard for me even to estimate what it can cost me. Could be thousands of $.
May be if smbd could describe the worst possible scenario of what can happen with my trip and how much it can cost me (besides medical expenses as I should be covered), then I could sleep better

MmePerdu

It sounds like you may not be cut out for the sometimes unpredictability of travel. Stop worrying or stay home.

thursdaysd

Go here and do some research:

https://www.insuremytrip.com/

But you won't find a policy at a reasonable price that will cover "thousands" in putative costs. In the unlikely event that your return flight is canceled the airline will put you on another. Worst case you can sleep in the airport (see http://www.sleepinginairports.net/ )

BUT travel is all about the unexpected. You need to be willing to go with the flow, and to come with a Plan B when necessary.

suze

<the worst possible scenario of what can happen with my trip and how much it can cost me>

Well if you're too sick to travel or get in a car accident on the way to the airport... the $950 ticket price is what you would lose, right?

If the airline cancels flights, they would reschedule yours.

stas683

thursdaysd,
I've already spent time on insuremytrip site. There is no information about insurance reliability there. Don't see much sense in comparing policies if some companies can be almost a scam.
Need to determine which are reliable first.

janisj

ALL of the companies on insuremytrip are reputable.

I think you really don't know what you are looking for . . . or are REALLY over thinking things.

stas683

>Well if you're too sick to travel or get in a car accident on the way to the airport... the $950 ticket price is what you would lose, right?

Right, and this is lots of money for me.

stas683

> ALL of the companies on insuremytrip are reputable.

Allianz global is on insuremytrip. But every 2nd review on consumer affairs saying that its not possible to get reimbursment from them with lots of details (most saying its simply a scam). Same thing on BBB and BBB gives it A+ rating. I know lots of happy people doesn't write reviews, thats why I'm trying to find some numbers about claims. You should read them to understand what I'm talking about.

I believe there are companies that make claim process easier.

> I think you really don't know what you are looking for . . . or are REALLY over thinking things.

May be. I never had travel insurance and didn't travel for several years.