Most people who travel occasionally don’t give travel insurance much consideration. No matter how infrequently or easily you travel, it can provide valuable protection against the unknown.
Among the most well-known domestic and international travel insurance carriers is the worldwide firm Allianz, which maintains a sizable office in Virginia. Nonetheless, it is not the only one.
Travelers from the United States can choose from a surprisingly large variety of travel insurance policies. Don’t just settle for the option presented to you by your airline or trip-booking website; instead, do some comparison shopping to see how the major players stack up in terms of coverage, cost, and quality of service.
What follows is a detailed comparison of Allianz Travel Insurance with that of several other major companies.
Coverage & Covered Events for Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz Travel Insurance offers protection against a variety of potential travel-disrupting incidents. Below is a list of everything that Allianz covers, but keep in mind that not every plan covers everything and that the dollar amounts vary widely.
Carefully examine the coverages and advantages of your chosen plan, as described in more depth on Allianz’s website, to ascertain what risks are covered, how much money you’ll receive, and what you’ll be accountable for after making a purchase. Allianz retains the right, at its discretion, to modify the limits of coverage at any time.
Costs and Coverages of a General Policy
Premiums for multi-trip annual plans begin at just over $100 per person per year and can go up to more than $500. Premiums for single-trip policies, which insure trips that begin and end on different dates, begin at around $30 per person and can reach far over $100.
It is highly recommended to use Allianz’s online quote tool to acquire exact information related to your unique circumstances, as pricing for single-trip policies can vary greatly depending on traveler counts and ages.
The prices listed below are estimates only, and Allianz’s website does not allow clients to pick and choose individual coverages. There are not a lot of leeways for customers to alter their plans. All coverage amounts are per insured traveler and not per policy unless otherwise specified.
Protection against Pre-Existing Conditions
You should know that Allianz insurance covers preexisting medical issues, which the firm defines as a disease or injury that manifested symptoms or was treated at any time 120 days before purchasing your plan.
A severe asthma attack that necessitates hospitalization is an example of an incident that would result in covered expenses under the conditions of any of the covered reasons outlined below, such as emergency medical treatment and emergency medical transportation. No additional fees will be assessed for this level of protection.
Collision Damage and Loss for Rental Cars
Accidental loss and damage coverage for rented cars reimburses you for the following, depending on the policy you select:
- Broken windshields
- Collisions with animals, nonliving objects, and other vehicles
- Vandalism or general damage
- Tire damage
- Fire
- Theft without recovery
- Theft with the vehicle recovered in damaged condition
The maximum amount of coverage varies from $25,000 to $45,000. The Rental Car Protector option is the only add-on of its kind, covering up to $75,000 for just $11 a day and rendering the renter’s existing auto insurance null and void.
Therefore, customers who have made travel insurance arrangements with other companies or have opted not to acquire any travel insurance at all will benefit from Allianz’s rental car collision and loss damage coverage.
Trip Cancellation
If you must cancel a trip prior to its start date for any of the following reasons, trip cancellation coverage will compensate you for prepaid, nonrefundable charges including flights and hotel rooms.
- An immediate family member’s birth
- Carjacking
- Being required to work due to a merger or acquisition in your company or organization
- Being required to work because your workplace is rendered unsuitable for business due to fire, flood, vandalism, or other covered reasons
- Cessation of service by your travel carrier — such as an airline — due to strike, natural disaster, or other covered reasons
- A delay that cuts into more than half the scheduled length of your trip
- A family member’s, traveling companion’s, or your own death, serious injury, or serious illness
- A destination rendered inaccessible for 12 hours or more due to bad weather
- Involuntary termination from an employer for whom you’ve worked for more than three years
- A felonious assault on you or your person within 10 days of your scheduled start date
- Terrorism
- Hijacking
- Your home rendered uninhabitable by a natural disaster, fire, or certain other covered reasons
- Military obligations
- Jury duty or court subpoena
- A serious traffic accident while en route to your point of departure
- Your own pregnancy
- Quarantine due to illness or other condition
- Being required to work during your scheduled trip for reasons not described above
- The theft of your personal vehicle
The minimum coverage is $2,000 per trip, and the maximum is $10,000 or the whole, nonrefundable cost of the trip, whichever is larger. Although some policies do cover cancellation fees, others do not.
Trip Interruption
If you are already on your trip and must cut it short for any of the reasons listed in Allianz’s trip cancellation coverage (with the exception of your own pregnancy), you will be covered by its trip interruption coverage. The rule remains in effect whether or not you decide to pick up your journey again.
Limits on coverage might be as little as $2,000 per trip and as high as $10,000. The insurance only applies to non-refundable parts of the trip. Keep in mind that not all policies include coverage for trip interruptions.
Coverage of Change Fees
When customers are forced to reschedule their flights due to an insured incident, Allianz will pay the associated airline change fees. Trip cancellation due to legal separation or divorce for you or a traveling companion is covered up until the time of departure, however, pregnancy is not. There’s a $500 maximum per claim for covered exchange costs.
Emergency Medical Compensation
In the event of an accident or illness, while traveling, Allianz’s emergency medical reimbursement coverage will pay for necessary medical and dental care. Up to $50,000 in coverage is available for each incident.
Medical Transport in Case of Emergency
Paying for your own or a loved one’s ambulance or helicopter ride to the hospital in the event of your death, critical illness, or major injury is covered by this policy. The average limit of liability insurance is $50,000 per incident.
Loss and Damage to Baggage
Your personal belongings and any checked bags that are lost, damaged, or stolen on your vacation can be replaced thanks to baggage loss and damage coverage. If your suitcase goes missing, it doesn’t matter if it’s lost by the airline, the hotel, or some other common carrier; you’re covered.
If your luggage is stolen and either never returned or is returned damaged, you will not be compensated. It’s possible to get as much as $2,000 in protection.
Baggage Hold-Up
If your luggage is delayed by more than 24 hours because of a common carrier, hotel, or tour operator, you will be reasonably reimbursed for necessary items under this policy.
You can be reimbursed for necessities like toiletries and clothing before your baggage arrives, but not for luxury things like jewelry or designer wear. Insurance policies can provide protection up to $1,000, while policies with lesser limits are more common.
Travel Delay
In the event of a covered travel delay of six hours or more, you will be reimbursed for incidental costs incurred as a result, including, but not limited to, meals, lodging, and transportation.
- Civil disorder or unrest along your route, such as mass street protests
- Common carrier delay
- Hijacking
- Lost or stolen travel documents or essential items, including your passport and money — unfortunately, an all-too-common consequence of theft abroad
- Natural disaster
- Quarantine
- Severe weather resulting in road closures
- Unannounced strikes by personnel essential to your travel
In the event of a delay that causes you to miss your flight or cruise, this sort of coverage may also compensate you for additional fees, such as rebooking your trip. Cases when this is acceptable include:
- A flight canceled or delayed for more than three hours due to bad weather
- Bad weather en route to your departure point
- Unavoidable delays due to traffic accidents while en route to your departure point or connecting point
There is a possible maximum of $1,600 in coverage.
Trip Accident Insurance
If you or a traveling companion are ever involved in an accident while under Allianz’s protection, you will receive monetary compensation for things like death, amputation, and blindness. The minimum amount of coverage you can get is $10,000.
Coverage for Business Equipment
Business equipment, such as a camera or computer, can be reasonably replaced or repaired under this policy if it is lost, stolen, or damaged while on the road, or if it is delayed due to circumstances beyond your control, such as those imposed by a common carrier.
When referring to equipment, fair replacement or repair typically refers to either the cost of replacing the item with an identical model or the cost of repairing the item at less than its assessed value. Equipment that has been stolen and later found damaged or never found at all will be covered under this policy. It’s possible to get as much as $1,000 in coverage.
Coverage for Business Equipment Rentals
If your business’s equipment is lost, destroyed, stolen, or delayed, you can get the money you spent on renting replacement tools back under the business equipment coverage clause. Rental coverage is included in the purchase of business equipment insurance. It’s possible to get as much as $1,000 in coverage.
Regular Traveler Loyalty Program
If your trip is canceled for a covered cause, Allianz will pay the redeposit fee for your frequent flyer miles. This price is charged by airlines when an award flight must be rescheduled.
Similar to travel cancellation insurance, but with the following added as covered reasons:
- Divorce decree issued before departure
- Assuming you’ve put in at least a year of service, your employer has the right to fire you.
- Inability to use previously arranged non-hotel lodging in a foreign country, such as when an ailing family member living abroad must cancel their invitation.
- The insolvency of a travel company, airline, or ship
Insurance policies can have a maximum $250 limit.
Pricing, Coverage, and Annual Plans
Several different annual plans are available from Allianz Travel Insurance under the AllTrips name, and they cover any and all journeys taken within a given calendar year within the defined regions.
Their rates vary widely based on factors such as the type of traveler, the length of their trip, where they are going, and so on, but for frequent fliers who take many trips for business or pleasure each year, these plans are often the most cost-effective option. Minor children are always included at no extra cost, and preexisting diseases can be covered.
1. AllTrips Basic Plan
This package is best suited for light-packing vacationers or business travelers who don’t need to bring a lot of expensive gear. It includes and may be modified at any time by Allianz in its sole discretion the following protections, subject to any relevant monetary limits:
- Baggage Loss and Damage, up to $1,000
- Emergency Medical Transportation, up to $100,000
- Travel Delay, up to $600
- Emergency Medical, up to $20,000
- Travel Accident Coverage, up to $25,000
- Baggage Delay, up to $200
- Rental Car Loss and Damage, up to $45,000
All AllTrips plans, including this one, also provide access to:
- Dial the Allianz Travel Insurance Emergency Number. In the event of a medical emergency, legal concern, or misplaced or stolen travel documents, this multilingual, round-the-clock phone service is there to help. It can also help with missed connections and other travel emergencies, as well as arrange messages to people in other parts of the world, which is especially helpful for those traveling in less populated parts of the world.
- Allianz Personal Concierge. Aside from helping customers book reservations at restaurants, theaters, golf courses, hotels, and other establishments, this service also offers in-depth, personalized information about each stop along a trip’s route.
Allianz notes that the cost of this and other annual plans is dependent on several variables, including the total number of travelers, their ages, and the destinations they visit. Allianz’s quotation generator takes into account a variety of eventualities, but in fact, prices don’t appear to change much. In general, the Annual Basic Plan starts at about $135 per year for one insured traveler and $270 per year for two covered travelers.
2. AllTravel Prime Plan
Additionally, this package caters to light packers on business trips or vacations. The following coverages and maximums are included in the package:
- Trip Cancellation, up to $3,000
- Trip Interruption, up to $3,000
- Baggage Loss and Damage, up to $1,000
- Emergency Medical Transportation, up to $100,000
- Travel Delay, up to $600 (daily limit of $200)
- Emergency Medical, up to $20,000
- Travel Accident Coverage, up to $25,000
- Baggage Delay, up to $200
- Rental Car Loss and Damage, up to $45,000
In 2018, the Annual Deluxe Plan’s base premium was $275 for one covered traveler and $550 for two covered travelers.
3. Executive Plan for AllTrips
This package caters to business travelers, particularly those who need to bring along necessary equipment. These are the types of protection and the maximum amounts included:
- Trip Cancellation, up to $10,000
- Trip Interruption, up to $5,000
- Change Fee Coverage, up to $500
- Business Equipment Coverage, up to $1,000
- Business Equipment Rental Coverage, up to $1,000
- Baggage Loss and Damage, up to $1,000
- Emergency Medical Transportation, up to $250,000
- Travel Delay, up to $1,600 (daily limit of $200)
- Emergency Medical, up to $50,000
- Travel Accident Coverage, up to $50,000
- Baggage Delay, up to $1,000
- Rental Car Loss and Damage, up to $45,000
- Loyalty Program Redeposit Fee, up to $500
A single traveler on the Annual Executive Plan will pay a yearly premium of $500, while a couple will pay $1,000.
4. The Premier Plan for AllTrips
This package is made for vacationing families, businessmen with their equipment, and anyone else who needs to travel with a lot of people and stuff. These are the types of protection and the maximum amounts included:
- Trip Cancellation, up to $15,000 per policy per year
- Trip Interruption, up to $15,000 per policy per year
- Change Fee Coverage, up to $250
- Business Equipment Coverage, up to $1,000
- Business Equipment Rental Coverage, up to $1,000
- Baggage Loss and Damage, up to $2,000
- Emergency Medical Transportation, up to $500,000
- Travel Delay, up to $1,500 (daily limit of $300)
- Emergency Medical, up to $50,000
- Travel Accident Coverage, up to $50,000
- Baggage Delay, up to $2,000
- Rental Car Loss and Damage, up to $45,000
Premiums for the Annual Premier Plan change based on factors such as the number of people in the traveling party, their ages, and the location of their primary residence. They are similar to the Annual Executive Plan in structure.
Single-Trip Coverage, Pricing, and Plans
Allianz provides a variety of single-trip plans for infrequent business and pleasure travelers under the OneTrip brand. The duration of coverage for each plan is limited to that of a single trip. The cost of a single-trip plan might vary quite a bit more than the cost of an annual plan.
Factors such as the number of insured people, their ages, the type of trip (international or domestic), and the total cost of the trip are taken into account. Similar to annual plans, single-trip plans do not increase in price for those under the age of 25.
Pricing for each strategy is broken down into three categories:
- An individual in their twenties spends a total of three thousand dollars on their vacation, including flights, hotel, food, and entertainment during their weeklong trip outside the country. Here, we have a low-cost, low-risk scenario.
- During their week-long trip, a middle-aged couple spends $6,000 on overseas expenses and $2,000 on local ones (international). What this means is that they are a middle-class couple that is willing to take some chances throughout their trip.
- During their weeklong trip, a group of four people (aged 75, 45, 43, and 19) spends $6,000 in the United States and $9,000 abroad (international). Here we see the perils that accompany a family vacation that lasts several weeks and the aging of the eldest traveler.
Concierge assistance and a toll-free helpline are standard features of most OneTrip packages. The Emergency Medical Plan is the only exception; it only provides access to a hotline at all hours.
1. Basic OneTrip Plan (Domestic and International)
The AllTrips Basic Plan served as inspiration for this plan’s revisions. In terms of what it covers and how much it will pay out, it has the following provisions and restrictions:
- Trip Interruption, up to the lesser of $10,000 or the full prepaid, nonrefundable cost of the trip
- Trip Cancellation, up to the lesser of $10,000 or the full prepaid, nonrefundable cost of the trip
- Baggage Loss and Damage, up to $500
- Emergency Medical Transportation, up to $50,000
- Travel Delay, up to $300 (daily limit of $150)
- Emergency Medical, up to $10,000
- Baggage Delay, up to $200
The one-trip Basic Plan costs are as follows:
- Pricing Scenario #1: $36 for domestic travel and $91 for international travel
- Pricing Scenario #2: $108 for domestic travel and $262 for international travel
- Pricing Scenario #3: $358 for domestic travel and $740 for international travel
2. Prime OneTrip Plan (Domestic and International)
The AllTrips Prime Plan was the basis for this one, but it’s been tweaked a bit. The policies’ characteristics, restrictions, and coverages are as follows:
- Trip Interruption, up to 150% of the prepaid, nonrefundable cost of the trip
- Trip Cancellation, up to the full prepaid, nonrefundable cost of the trip
- Baggage Loss and Damage, up to $1,000
- Emergency Medical Transportation, up to $500,000
- Travel Delay, up to $800 (daily limit of $200)
- Emergency Medical, up to $50,000
- Baggage Delay, up to $300
- Missed Connection, up to $800
- Change Fee Coverage, up to $250
- Frequent Traveler Loyalty Plan, up to $250
The following are the costs associated with the OneTrip Prime Plan:
- Pricing Scenario #1: $51 for domestic travel and $120 for international travel
- Pricing Scenario #2: $150 for domestic travel and $342 for international travel
- Pricing Scenario #3: $408 for domestic travel and $934 for international travel
3. OneTrip Premier Plan (International Only)
An all-inclusive package like this is a good idea for those venturing to far-flung or dangerous locales, where problems are more likely to arise and cost a lot of money. This plan is not available in an annual cycle.
Included in the following coverages and features are:
- Trip Interruption, up to 150% of the prepaid, nonrefundable cost of the trip
- Trip Cancellation, up to the full prepaid, nonrefundable cost of the trip
- Baggage Loss and Damage, up to $2,000
- Emergency Medical Transportation, up to $1 million
- Travel Delay, up to $1,600
- Emergency Medical, up to $50,000
- Baggage Delay, up to $600
- Missed Connection, up to $1,600
- Change Fee Coverage, up to $250
- Frequent Traveler Loyalty Plan, up to $250
The following are the costs associated with the OneTrip Premier Plan:
- Pricing Scenario #1: $185
- Pricing Scenario #2: $532
- Pricing Scenario #3: $1,375
4. Plan for One-Trip Cancellation Plus (Domestic Only)
This is a basic policy designed for vacationers who want some security in the event of a trip delay, cancellation, or other disruption. Among its features, restrictions, and maximum coverages are:
- Trip Interruption, up to the full prepaid, nonrefundable cost of the trip
- Trip Cancellation, up to the full prepaid, nonrefundable cost of the trip
- Travel Delay, up to $150 (daily limit $150)
Here are the costs associated with the OneTrip Cancellation Plus Plan:
- Pricing Scenario #1: $26
- Pricing Scenario #2: $114
- Pricing Scenario #3: $235
5. OneTrip Medical Emergency Plan (International and Domestic)
The benefits provided by this plan are limited to those received after the participant has left the company and include a comprehensive set of medical protections.
In terms of what it covers and how much it will pay out, it has the following provisions and restrictions:
- Baggage Loss and Damage, up to $2,000 ($50 deductible and $500 limit per article)
- Emergency Medical Transportation, up to $250,000
- Travel Delay, up to $1,000
- Emergency Medical, up to $50,000
- Baggage Delay, up to $750
- Missed Connection, up to $1,000 (daily limit of $200)
- Supplier/Itinerary Change, up to $500
- Accidental Death or Dismemberment, up to $10,000
The OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan costs are as follows:
- Pricing Scenario #1: $37
- Pricing Scenario #2: $90
- Pricing Scenario #3: $224
Claims and Extra Features
The claims procedure with Allianz Travel Insurance is easy to understand. The website’s File a Claim and Check Claim buttons allow users to do just that. It is possible to file a claim over the phone, but it is far more convenient to do so online and then follow up with a phone call if necessary.
Allianz Travel Insurance provides a wealth of tools to its customers in an effort to minimize the possibility that their claim may be delayed as a result of an administrative error. A vital part of this system is the Claim Documentation Checklist, which details the proof that must accompany various claims.
Both the frequently asked questions section of the website and the Travel Insurance 101 resource center explain the claims process in simple terms.
The complexity of the problem and the type of claim filed to determine how quickly and easily a claim is processed to acceptance or rejection. Medical expenses and missing things typically take longer to resolve than travel cancellations or missed connections.
TravelSmart App
Allianz’s TravelSmart app is available at no cost to policyholders. The app supports both iOS and Android, and it has the following features:
- Full policy information for all active policies
- Direct access to Allianz’s 24/7 hotline
- A real-time flight status checker
- Basic, country-specific contact information for the ambulance, security, fire, and other authorities
- Country-specific, searchable hospital directories
- Language translation for first aid terms
- Medication dictionary with multilingual translations of prescription and over-the-counter medications
TravelSmart, however, does not offer a claims-submission feature. You can make a claim with Allianz Travel Insurance by going to their official website from any computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Financial Stability of Allianz Travel Insurance (Ratings)
The success or failure of Allianz Travel Insurance hinges on how quickly and fairly it settles valid claims filed by its policyholders. In turn, a company’s financial health can make or break that capability.
Both Allianz Travel Insurance and its parent business, Allianz SE, have received high marks from a variety of reliable rating agencies, which provide a positive but not perfect picture of the company’s financial health.
Although there are no guarantees in life and financial stability ratings can change at any time, Allianz Travel Insurance is still widely recognized as a dependable insurer that has shown it can pay out on legitimate claims in the past and is likely to do so in the future.
Pros
- Plans for Both Regular and Occasional Travelers are Detailed Here. A wide variety of potential travel complications can be covered by the various plans offered by Allianz Travel Insurance. It’s best to get an annual plan if you plan on taking numerous trips within a year, but if you only travel sometimes, it’s best to get a single-trip plan so you don’t end up paying too much. OneTrip Premier is the best option for individuals who want comprehensive coverage, while OneTrip Cancellation Plus is adequate for those who just need the bare minimum. The good news is that there is probably an Allianz Travel Insurance package that will work for you, no matter where you’re traveling or why.
- Claims Procedure that is Easy to Understand and Follow. Customers are encouraged to follow Allianz Travel Insurance’s claims filing guidelines. In order to assist passengers in this endeavor, it provides a plethora of tools, including as in-depth publications and a claim documentation checklist tailored to each type of claim. As a result, the notion that Allianz’s claims process is opaque or difficult to manage will be weakened, which is excellent for business and will likely boost the insurance provider’s reputation in the eyes of its customers. As a result, customers have a lower risk of making a mistake that could delay their claim being paid.
- Budget-Friendly Option for Just the Car Rental. If you’re not seeking comprehensive coverage and don’t want to use your own auto insurance on a rental car, Allianz Travel Insurance offers a rental car plan that’s reasonable. Typically, this coverage is less expensive than what is provided by rental car agencies, and it only costs $9 a day.
- Compensation for Delays is More Generous Than that Offered by Other Rivals. Allianz’s trip insurance covers unexpected delays in travel very well. That amount often covers the price of rebooking and any extra fees incurred as a result of the delay. Unfortunately, many insurance providers place little importance on covering passengers who have delays while traveling.
- There Are No Limits on Medical Care Depending on Age. There are no age limits for medical coverage with Allianz Travel Insurance. That’s a big plus compared to certain budget carriers, as they may not cover medical expenses for passengers above a certain age.
- An Efficient Mobile App. People who are constantly on the go would benefit greatly from downloading the TravelSmart app. Nowadays, many people choose not to bring computers on their trips because cell phones are so powerful and convenient, and because it’s less of a hassle to use one’s phone rather than staking out a hotel’s business center or hunting down one of the dwindling number of Internet cafés in a foreign city.
- The Insurance is Free for All Minor Children. Allianz does not charge more for families with minor children. It’s good news for families taking a trip with kids, who are more vulnerable to getting sick or hurt on the road than adults. While many policies exclude pre-existing conditions, not all insurers cover children under 18 for free, especially on overseas trips.
- Highest Possible Ratings for Financial Stability. Allianz’s travel insurance frequently earns top marks from respected rating agencies. The company has received a high quality, superior, and outstanding ratings from Moody’s, A.M. Best, and Standard & Poor’s, respectively, for its financial stability and its ability to make good claims. Although such rankings could shift in the future owing to economic or company-specific events, they should nevertheless give passengers peace of mind when comparing different policies. When compared to other well-known competitors, such as Travel Guard, a subsidiary of AIG, which has routinely received lower ratings (in the “B” range) reflecting increased risk, Allianz fares better.
Cons
- Insurance Rates Might Be Greater Than Average. Allianz Travel Insurance’s premiums aren’t always the highest in the industry, but they are sometimes more expensive than those of its rivals. Obviously, the prices offered by competitors can and do fluctuate, and it’s not always possible to do a fair comparison across plans or even between similar services.
- Only the Insured Occurrences Are Covered. Allianz Travel Insurance only pays out for things that are specifically stated as covered in the policy. However, the company does not provide coverage for any risks that aren’t specifically mentioned; such plans are more expensive than those that simply cover certain dangers, but they’re worth it for those who value their safety while on the road.
- There Are More Generous Alternatives in Terms of Trip Interruption Coverage. Allianz’s trip interruption insurance will reimburse you for up to 150% of your non-refundable trip deposits and other prepayments. That’s great and all, but it doesn’t compare to the fact that other rivals offer rebates of up to 200% of similar expenses.
- Fees Associated with a New Passport Will Not Be Covered. The cost of a new passport is not covered by Allianz Travel Insurance if yours is lost or stolen. Passport reimbursement is a standard element of travel insurance, and it comes in useful for individuals who lose these crucial credentials while traveling.
- There is a Great Deal of Legalese in Policy Documents that Must Be Carefully Studied. Allianz Travel Insurance’s coverage paperwork is typical of those found in insurance plans in that they contain a great deal of jargon and legalese describing coverage definitions, limits, and exclusions. Spend plenty of time reading and comprehending this material before acquiring insurance; doing so could mean the difference between recovering hundreds or thousands of dollars in travel expenditures and being out of luck. While confusing legalese is par for the course in the insurance sector, you can find some relief by shopping around for a company that translates crucial sections of its policies into plain English. GeoBlue, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association licensee, provides policies with clear language in an effort to reassure nonspecialists.
- Complaints About Service and Lack of Coverage Keep Coming Up. There has been a long-standing trend of customer complaints regarding Allianz Travel Insurance’s coverage and customer service, and while it’s important to take any anonymous internet comments or reviews with a grain of salt, it’s worth highlighting that there are many of these. High amounts of aggressively negative reviews, modest volumes of glowingly positive reviews, and a dearth of more balanced opinions characterize user-generated comments on trustworthy review services like Yelp and TrustPilot. Incorrectly denied claims for ostensibly covered occurrences and insensitive or incompetent customer service are the two most common sources of customer dissatisfaction. It’s possible that many of the first set of complaints might have been avoided if policyholders had read the fine print, but the customer service complaints imply that Allianz employees aren’t always attentive to or understanding of their client’s demands.
- There is No Provision for Individual Coverage, and there is little room for adjusting the benefits. Allianz Travel Insurance does not offer coverage a la carte with the exception of loss and damage for rented cars. This drastically limits your ability to tailor your solution to your needs, requiring you to stick to the parameters of the predetermined plans. You should opt for a more adaptable service provider if you simply want or need specific coverages, such as business equipment replacement and emergency medical transportation.
Bottom Line
You don’t have to buy travel insurance from a specific company, like Allianz Travel Insurance, if you want to cover your next domestic or international vacation or at least some of it. Premium cash-back and travel rewards credit cards from Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, among others, often come with a plethora of free travel-related perks and protections, provided the covered travel is purchased with the credit card.
Lost-luggage reimbursement, insurance against medical emergencies, and coverage for damaged or stolen rental cars are common examples of such advantages.
Credit cardholders and those in the market for new credit cards should compare these perks to those offered by travel insurance before making a decision on how to best safeguard their upcoming trips. You should verify the specifics of your cards’ coverage and remember that you can only be reimbursed for eligible travel costs if you use your cards to pay for the entire trip.
