Travel Insurance Reviews for Travelex

Two days before my scheduled departure for Italy I injured my knee and was unable to travel. I filed a claim and three weeks later there was a check in my mail box for the entire amount.

I was traveling to a small town in Spain by train when my ipad was stolen. When I realized the loss we went to the local police department to get a police report documenting the theft. With that report we were able to file a claim with Travelex and were reimbursed for the entire expense except for a small deductible. As a result of the insurance I was able to replace my ipad, and it paid me back for the cost of the insurance. I had tried to insure my ipad as a rider on my homeowner's policy, but they did not insure ipads.

For some reason, I've always been a little skeptical of travel insurance, but with a big trip to Italy, Spain and France planned for just my son and I, I Googled, Yelped and generally researched options. I chose Travelex through InsureMyTrip and then thought, well, that's probably a waste of my money. Wrong! I was biking in Italy, had an accident and tumbled down an embankment. No serious injuries, but I did end up in a doctor's office to be patched up and have some x-rays taken. I got a handwritten receipt. A few days after returning home, I filled out the form for a claim and sent it off. Less than 3 weeks later the Travelex check from their underwriter, Stonebridge Casualty, arrived for the full amount. Wow. No hassle. I'd use Travelex and InsureMyTrip again in a flash.

I really appreciated that the claim was able to be submitted without printing. I got a check for the amount I spent replacing my stolen shoes within a couple weeks of filing my claim.

On the travelex website, a button stating, "file a claim online" is the link to the printable claim form. It is not fillable, but not read-only either. The workaround I chose was a pdf overwriting website, to which I uploaded what Travelex had asked me to print. I then filled it out, downloaded the completed form and emailed the file along with photo of another applicable form, and also forwarded another pertinent email. The claim specialist did not complain, but instead helped me to get them the necessary documents in whatever fashion I could.

I'm not a programmer, but I think this could have been done more simply, and more true to the button's claim:

1) A fillable PDF, with fields embedded, OR a fillable form on the webpage.itself (caution: should be https)
2) Add an option to upload to the website pertinent claim files, and/or fillable PDF claim form.

I recognize this is probably already in the pipes.

It was good to know I was covered. I'll use these folks in the future.

We had to cancel our cruise due to a last-minute illness. The claim process was demanding to say the least. It gave the impression that Travelex wanted any little piece of information that might reduce their liability. Nevertheless, they came through with a full refund in less than three weeks.

My wife had to go to the medical center on our cruise ship. Treatment and medicine totaled $148.00.
We submitted a claim on Feb. 7 and received a check for the total cost in two weeks. No questions, no problems and fast response.
We will buy a policy from Travelex again.

Missed our connection and thought I was going to have to stay overnight, so I called the concierge to find out if they could help. They opened a claim, told us what we could spend, if needed and even looked for alternative flights for us.

Luckily, we made a standby flight and didn't have to process a claim after all.

Our cruise was extended because of a hurricane and we missed our original flight home. We returned a day later on a different airline and from a different city. The plan payed the cost of the new tickets...no problems.

I've purchased Travelex Select from InsureMyTrip.com for my last 10 vacations and never had a claim. In August 2012, on a cruise ship somewhere off the Mexican Coast I suffered a heart attack in the middle of the night. After the E.R. Physician on board saved my life, I spent the next 11 days in a private hospital in Cabo San Lucas getting some of the best treatment available anywhere. Thankfully, my health insurance covered my very expensive bills from the hospital and what wasn't covered by them was covered by Travelex and Stonebridge. Please let me share the following tips for all:

1. ALWAYS ensure your U.S. health insurance plan covers you outside the U.S. Some plans do not, mine did and that was fortunate since the contracted hospital submitted bills totaling $219,000 U.S.

2. Understand that treatment provided on board is not generally covered under any plan. My bill was over $4,000.00 for three hours of treatment that saved my life.

3. Make sure someone keeps meticulous notes on expenses and receipts for everything. DO NOT expect to be reimbursed if you cannot prove you paid the bill.

4. Ask for copies of receipts and medical records from everyone that treats you. You'll need them for your claim!

As for my experience overall. My wife kept perfect notes and collected everything we needed. My family stayed at a local hotel to be close by just in case. Travelex and On Call stayed in touch with us throughout, arranged our return flights home and we submitted our claim with all the required paperwork received by them on September 14th, 2012. Our claim was processed quickly and efficiently and because our documentation was complete all of our expenses, trip interruption and medical expenses, were approved in full and we received our check for nearly $10,000.00 on October 13th. 2012. My premium was just $133.00 for my entire family. You tell me if it was worth it this time!

I can highly recommend Travelex and Stonebridge and applaud their professionalism. I never leave home without travel insurance and never will in the future. But please follow my tips above. No receipts, no reimbursement and ALWAYS download and read the contract BEFORE you buy. There is a reason travel insurance costs are so varied, they each cover different things. Don't assume, check whether everything you want covered is covered and there will be no surprises! Thanks to all at InsureMyTrip, Travelex and Stonebridge Casualty Co. for eliminating our stress and making us whole again. GREAT JOB!!!!

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 and is the only basis upon which I can make a report.