Travel opens our eyes to new worlds yet unpredictability shadows each step abroad. As one story illustrates, a family vacation to Paris became a medical odyssey when an appendix ruptured, costing over $100,000 in care abroad. Thankfully, travel insurance defrayed costs – and a review finds Tripmate particularly worth investigating for comprehensive coverage affordably. In this Tripmate Travel Insurance Review, we take a deep dive to explore what TripMate has to offer.
An Affordable Industry Veteran
Founded in 1987, Tripmate has decades of experience insuring millions of travelers worldwide under parent company Sirius America Insurance Group. Their focus on affordability and user-friendly policies has earned them a loyal customer base. Operating seven global call centers for 24/7 multilingual assistance, Tripmate prioritizes fast, responsive claims handling – processing over 90% within 15 days through their extensive provider networks.
Plan Options in Detail
Single-Trip Plan Options
Ideal for standalone vacations from one week up, single-trip plans provide affordable per-trip coverage. Rates start around $50-250 depending on trip length and a traveler’s state of residence. Destinations like Mexico and Canada can often be insured for under $150 with $50,000 in medical coverage. Higher limits up to $1,000,000 are available for a small premium increase.
Multi-Trip Annual Plans
Perfect for frequent travelers, multi-trip plans offer excellent value by covering an individual for unlimited U.S. or international trips under 30, 45, or 60 consecutive days each. Renewing annually, rates range from $300-500, insuring all qualifying excursions for a full year. Savvy travelers appreciate the flexibility and budget-friendly rates compared to insuring each trip separately. Common benefits like trip cancellation and interruption are included.
Family Plan Options
Catering to families vacationing together, family policies can cover up to six family members, often starting at around $500 annually. Children under named ages like 15 or 18 can be added at just 50% of the full premium, representing substantial savings for families. Benefits are the same as multi-trip plans, providing peace of mind while sharing travel experiences.
Frequent Traveler Plans
For road warriors who average multiple domestic or international trips per year, frequent traveler plans offer even more extensive coverage – with options covering up to 180 or 210 total travel days annually worldwide. Though premiums increase proportionate to usage, these plans deliver excellent value for active globetrotters. All standard benefits apply across itineraries.
Adventure Travel Insurance
Recognizing that not all trips involve relaxing beach vacations, Tripmate also accommodates more active itineraries with their adventure plans. Offering coverage for sports like mountain climbing, kayaking or snowmobiling at moderate surcharge rates compared to standard plans, benefits remain identically comprehensive for these specialized activities. A phone call can provide accurate adventure plan quote comparisons.
Coverage Details and Benefits
To be covered fully requires understanding what is and isn’t included. Upcoming sections dive into the specifics: which medical conditions receive treatment abroad and at what payment limits? Under which circumstances may travelers cancel trips pre-departure or in progress for full refunds? How do Tripmate’s global medical evacuation services function? By illuminating these and other intricacies, travelers can select the ideal plan empowered with the knowledge to travel freely without fretting “what if?” minor mishaps threaten major monetary losses abroad due to chance alone.
Medical Expenses Coverage
Tripmate provides coverage for necessary medical care during international travel, including hospitalization, surgeries, emergency room visits, outpatient treatments, and prescription medications. The maximum coverage amount that can be reimbursed varies depending on the specific plan purchased, ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000.
For the basic economy plans that cover single trips, the default medical maximum is typically $50,000. However, travelers can choose to pay a small additional premium to upgrade to higher limits of $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, or even $1,000,000 for the premium plans. This provides greater financial protection for those visiting destinations with higher medical costs or planning extended trips.
Most routine medical issues are covered, such as care for injuries, illnesses, infections, and chronic conditions requiring continued treatment abroad. However, certain pre-existing conditions may be excluded from coverage if the traveler cannot prove the condition has been fully stabilized for a defined period of time prior to travel through ongoing treatment and maintenance with their physician without any recent changes to medication or treatment protocols.
Even for stable pre-existing medical issues, there is usually a waiting period of 6-12 months post-treatment before coverage for the condition would come into effect. Tripmate does consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis for certain rare or easily managed medical conditions if recommended by a doctor. Pregnancy-related care is also excluded, though emergency medical care for abortions or miscarriages may be partially covered.
In general, most routine diagnostics lab tests, x-rays, prescription medications, doctor’s office visits, and consultations are fully reimbursed under reasonable and customary costs defined by Tripmate based on averages in the destination country. Some specialty procedures like MRI/CT scans, cancer treatments, dialysis, physical therapy, or experimental medications may have partial coverage limits or require pre-approval to verify medical necessity while abroad.
Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage
When medical care is required beyond what is available locally, Tripmate provides full coverage for emergency medical evacuation services to get the traveler safely transferred to the nearest appropriate facility for treatment. This can include ambulance transportation or air evacuation (via fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter) to the nearest suitable location.
Emergency evacuation coverage applies worldwide except in instances where travel is discouraged or prohibited due to dangers like civil unrest, terrorism or natural disasters. The insurer works closely with their global medical assistance partners to arrange the evacuation based on medical necessity after consultation between the traveler’s local doctor and the Tripmate medical team.
Intensive care medical units, qualified medical escorts if necessary, and airline/ambulance seating upgrades for stability are also covered costs in qualifying emergency situations. Evacuation of mortal remains back home following death while traveling is covered up to $250,000 as well. Any friends or family members traveling with the insured can also be evacuated together at no extra cost if their support is deemed essential to the recovery process.
Tripmate aims to handle all emergency situations safely, ethically, and compassionately while balancing the medical outcomes and safety factors unique to each case. Claims reps are extensively trained to process requests quickly during these stressful times of need. Any disputes over coverage eligibility undergo further clinical review to ensure fairness.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
Should travel plans change unexpectedly prior to departure or while traveling, Tripmate offers financial protection through trip cancellation and interruption coverage. Policies reimburse the insured for non-refundable trip deposits or payments lost either by canceling in advance or interrupting/cutting the trip short due to a covered reason.
Common causes eligible for reimbursement include unexpected serious illnesses or injuries impacting the traveler’s immediate family members, directly affecting the insured’s relative, employer changes causing inability to take the trip, natural disasters declaring a destination unsafe to visit, or even death. The maximum reimbursement per traveler is usually equivalent to the overall trip cost insured, up to $10,000.
Notice of cancellation must be submitted as soon as possible after learning of a covered reason in order to minimize claimed losses. Additional transportation and accommodation costs for the early or modified return can also be reimbursed under interruption claims. However, claims involving pre-existing medical conditions face further review that the issue unexpectedly worsened versus showing typical progression.
Baggage Loss and Damage Coverage
Insuring against the hassle and expense of lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, Tripmate reimburses up to $1,500 total for an individual’s belongings presumed lost during the covered trip. Coverage applies to items in checked luggage as well as those carried personally, excluding cash, electronic items like laptops with serial numbers, and items intended for commercial use.
Reimbursements consider standard depreciation schedules deducted from original purchase costs or replacement values for items over 6 months old. Receipts must substantiate values claimed when possible, though reasonable estimates can substitute when no longer available. Only unintentional, non-excludable damage, theft, or permanent loss qualifies rather than normal wear, defects, or breakage.
Qualifying events include common carrier overbooking or flight cancellations incurring extra costs, damage or theft occurring at destinations while lodging or sightseeing, as well as items temporarily held by public transport providers like trains, buses, and taxis suffering losses. Losses traced to declared natural disasters also receive coverage. All claimed items must undergo documented attempts to first locate or reimburse through other involved parties.
Repatriation of Remains
In the unfortunate event that a traveler passes away while traveling internationally, Tripmate provides coverage of up to $250,000 to repatriate the deceased’s remains back home. This involves arranging all necessary documentation like an official death certificate from local authorities. It also covers expenses associated with embalming, a basic casket or air transport container, and transportation of the remains from the place of death back to a port or airport in the home country.
The claims team is sensitive to the added emotional trauma families face during this difficult time and works discreetly with local funeral directors to fulfill any cultural traditions or home country requirements for receiving and transporting human remains. This includes adhering to varying regulations between locations regarding requirements like sealing caskets or transporting partial remains. The goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for grieving loved ones.
Personal Liability
Tripmate’s personal liability coverage provides protection of up to $25,000 per person insured if they are alleged to be legally responsible for accidental bodily injury or property damage caused to a third party during the covered trip. This includes paying any legal defense costs and settlements or judgments found against the traveler if deemed at fault.
The coverage only applies to incidents that happen accidentally during the trip and are unintentional. Any claims arising from illegal acts, commercial activities for profit, or damage to property owned by the traveler or their family members are not covered. This gives protection against lawsuits if, for example, a traveler is involved in a car accident abroad or an accidental slip and fall causes damage to someone else’s property. The insurer handles the full legal defense and works to avoid out-of-pocket costs for the insured within the defined coverage limits.
Additional Coverage (Optional)
Adventure Sports Coverage
For active travelers, Tripmate offers optional coverage for injuries sustained while participating in adventure activities. Covered sports include skydiving, rock/ice climbing, scuba diving up to 60 feet, zip lining, whitewater rafting up to Class IV rapids, and cycling. Higher-risk activities like bungee jumping, base jumping, or climbing without ropes also qualify for an additional premium.
Coverage limits match the selected medical maximum. However, some sports like mountain climbing require special approval due to inherent dangers. Coverage only applies to amateur engagements, excluding instruction or competitions. Trip cancellation and baggage coverage also extend to adventure gear. Prices range from $20-100 adding this coverage depending on the activity’s risk level and trip cost/length.
Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Tripmate offers the option to include stable pre-existing conditions normally excluded for an extra fee. The traveler must have been treatment/symptom-free and without prescribed changes for 6 months before travel. Certain serious/experimental conditions require individual underwriting. The premium supplement averages $100-300 depending on the condition’s severity and trip length. This expanded choice accommodates more traveler medical profiles.
Rental Car Coverage
Insuring rental cars abroad against damage, loss or theft proves valuable. Often included at no added cost, coverage limits reach the vehicle’s actual cash value with standard liability coverage up to regulated state minimums. Common exclusions involve the rental of large vans/trucks, losses due to conflicting rental agreements, or driving in areas prohibited by rental firms against policy terms.
Other Optional Benefits
Customizing plans further, travelers may add benefits like:
Weighing benefits importance, these affordable supplemental options customize protection to travelers’ unique requirements, tastes and budgets while journeying carefreely under Tripmate’s experienced oversight.
Benefits of Choosing Tripmate
Affordable Pricing Structure
Tripmate consistently offers excellent value through competitive premiums when compared directly to competitors’ plans. Budget-minded travelers especially appreciate their multi-trip annual plans starting from just $300 on average. Rates factor in location, age, and trip duration to find fair balances. Discounts also benefit students (15%), groups (5-10%), and multi-trip renewals (5-10%). Combined, affordability makes international travel costs manageable for most budgets with Tripmate’s protection.
User-Friendly Online Resources
Tripmate constructed an intuitive website and mobile app that allows potential customers to instantly compare plan options and costs between single and multi-trip scenarios tailored to personal travel calendars. Once purchased, digital policies upload within these dashboards granting secure, convenient access from any device during journeys. Knowledgeable live chat aids clarify policy terms 24/7 too.
Expert 24/7 Emergency Assistance
Should needed, 7 global call centers expertly operate in over 30 languages assisting with anything from claims filing to medical situations requiring guidance. Staff undergo rigorous training emphasizing compassion for travelers’ vulnerabilities during crises abroad. Over 90% respond to non-emergency claims within 15 business days – outperforming 50-day averages elsewhere too slow failing real needs. Quality prioritizes over quantity here.
Considerations and Potential Drawbacks
Potential Coverage Limitations
While Tripmate covers typical vacation risks, some limitations apply. Extended trips over 6 months may not qualify. Professional athletic events, off-piste skiing without guides, and rock/ice climbing without ropes require additional premiums. Pre-existing conditions also need verified medical history for eligibility. War zone travel, illegal acts, self-harm, impaired driving, substance abuse, or neglecting recommended care voids claims too. Regular reviews help minimize gaps, though travelers should understand precise limitations.
Claims Process Requirements
Filing involves submitting completed claim forms detailing losses, along with corroborating documentation like medical records, receipts, and police reports if applicable. Failure to provide complete proof can delay processing, as can improper claims forms. A valid ID also confirms the insured’s identity. Most claims finalize within 15 days barring complications like overseas investigations. Travelers should allow sufficient time depending on circumstances.
Reported Challenges
On rare occasions, claims processing dragged according to online reviews, usually during unusual circumstances stretching investigations. One customer mentioned waiting over a month for payment of extensive medical bills incurred while critically ill. However, many reviews also praise prompt claims service, and Tripmate typically processes standard cases efficiently. Unusual delays appear rare and lack recurring patterns. Overall customer satisfaction ratings remain very high.
Alternative Provider Considerations
Travel Guard and Allianz offer competitive plans preferred by some due to greater name recognition. However, premiums often prove costlier for comparable coverage to Tripmate, lacking discounts. General exclusions and claim processes also resemble Tripmate closely. World Nomads appeals to adventurers due to extensive adventure sports coverage, but prices are higher than Tripmate options. Nationwide provides basic travel insurance through home/auto policies, though medical maximums remain substantially lower. Comparing specific details ensures the best fit.
Comparison with Competitors
While some competitors like Allianz and Generali offer similar coverage, Tripmate stands out for affordable comprehensive options. World Nomads costs 10-30% more on average. Limited network access abroad makes Nationwide plans riskier.
Tripmate’s staff expertise and worldwide provider access provide comfort beyond just competitive premiums. Multi-trip plans particularly out-value other carriers for frequent international travelers. Superior user resources like mobile claims filing sets Tripmate apart too.
Conclusion
In summarizing this extensive Tripmate Travel Insurance Review, several strengths emerge. Key benefits include affordable comprehensive coverage options through budget-friendly annual multi-trip plans. Expert 24/7 emergency support handled by a dedicated global team ensures quality assistance is never far. User-friendly online tools provide easy management of policies and claims.
Among limitations, some unusual high-risk activities or scenarios requiring additional review face narrower coverage. Lengthy or complex claims can experience occasional delays too, though Tripmate’s fast average processing sets the standard. Overall limitations remain reasonable considering the competitive premium rates.
Based on these factors, Tripmate emerges as a top recommendation for budget-minded travelers, families, and students annually experiencing global explorations. Their multi-trip plans deliver excellent all-in-one protection synchronizing with active lifestyles. Adventurers also find value via specialty coverage upgrades as needed.
Those prioritizing rock-bottom rates or occasionally venturing farther off typical itineraries may compare alternatives. But for reliable comprehensive coverage accessible without breaking banks, Tripmate offers peace of mind empowering citizens to follow worldwide curiosities from Alaska to Zimbabwe without financial restraints shadowing every destination.
In conclusion, seamless claims service and affordable premiums substantiate Tripmate as a leading provider ensuring safe travels worldwide. Readers would be wise to explore personalized quotes reflecting their unique profiles and upcoming adventures. One-click at www.tripmate.com presents options for beginning every new journey freely without undue worries distracting from life’s priceless experiences discovered along varied roads ahead. Bon voyage!
