Expedia Travel Insurance: Plans, Costs, Reputation, & Services
Expedia markets itself as “the world’s travel platform.”
In business since 1996, the company has grown to be one of the biggest travel insurance providers in the world.
It has several plans with different coverage levels suitable for a variety of travelers, helping keep its spot as a leading travel insurance company in the industry.
Expedia’s plans can be customized with a variety of add-ons and extra benefits that let travelers make sure they get the best travel insurance for their needs and budget.
Travelers can find out more about the costs of an Expedia travel insurance plan by visiting its website and inputting their personal information, with the details of their planned trip.
The company routinely provides flights and hotels, bundling travel insurance as part of this main offering.
Expedia’s travel insurance is only available for purchase when you book your trip and accommodation with the company.
Aon Affinity Travel Practice, who administers Expedia’s travel insurance policies, has a rating of A+ from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
This is an indicator of the efficient way this company deals with complaints that are filed against it.
While it had 49 logged complaints within the last 12 months, according to the BBB, the company’s prompt response time is reflected in its A+ rating.
Expedia provides a mobile app which gives its customers the ability to file a claim from anywhere in the world.
It also offers 24/7 telephone support.
While this is a pretty standard offering in the travel insurance industry, it’s a great relief knowing that if you need to talk to your travel insurance provider from a different time zone, you’ll be able to.
An insurance company’s financial stability is regularly overlooked by potential customers, but can often be just as important as analyzing travel insurance reviews.
Expedia’s underwriting company, Stonebridge Casualty, has received a rating of “A” by A. M. Best through its parent organization Transamerica Casualty.
Financial stability should always be something to consider when you’re looking at travel insurance providers.
Coverage Options | Costs | Customer Reviews & Reputation | Customer Service Benefits | Financial Strength |
---|---|---|---|---|
Coverage is only available when you book travel arrangements through Expedia. | An extensive list of add-ons provides large-scale protection. | The BBB awarded the plan administrator a rating of A+. | Expedia provides 24/7 support, so you're never out of touch. | Stonebridge Casualty underwrites Expedia's insurance policies. |
The company offers a full range of coverages, from medical to accidental death. | Customizable plans allow consumers to exercise a certain degree of control over the costs. | All complaints with the BBB have been addressed. | The mobile app allows you to file claims at any time. | An "A" rating from A. M. Best indicates adequate financial stability. |
Expedia Travel Insurance Coverage & Plans
Expedia travel insurance offers a wide variety of coverage plans to ensure protection across a variety of situations.
Each offering has several available levels of coverage, so there’s a big chance you can find something that’s right for you to protect you when you’re away from home.
Expedia travel insurance provides the following types of coverage:
- Comprehensive
- Trip Cancellation/ Interruption
- Medical
- Baggage
- Accidental Death
Expedia Package Protection
This plan provides trip cancellation and interruption coverage.
It also includes reimbursement for any expenses incurred if your travel is delayed due to mechanical failure, strike, or adverse weather conditions.
This plan also protects you in the event of medical emergencies and can help with the costs of medical expenses and medical transportation.
Baggage and personal property is covered, so any lost, stolen, or damaged items during travel can be replaced.
If a hurricane warning has been issued and you need to change the specifics of your trip, the company may waive cancellation fees and liaise with its partnering companies to waive its associated fees as well.
You can also receive assistance with re-booking the entirety of your trip, including your flight and any activities you may have booked.
Covered Excuses | Expedia Package Protection |
---|---|
Tour Operator Cancellation | |
Injury/Illness/Death of Traveler | Yes |
Injury/Illness/Death of Non-traveling Family Member | Yes |
Injury/Illness/Death of Business Partner | Yes |
Injury/Illness/Death of Host | |
Injury/Illness/Death of Host’s Family or Friends | |
Natural Disaster at Destination | Yes |
Tour Operator/Airline/Cruise Line Ceases Operation | Yes |
Terrorism/Evacuation at Destination | Yes |
Home or Business Damaged | Yes |
Jury Duty/Court Appearance | |
Military Deployment | |
Work Related | Yes |
Victim of Crime Prior to Trip | Yes |
Car Accident Prior to Trip | Yes |
Theft of Passport Prior to Trip | Yes |
Separation/Divorce | |
School Related | |
CFAR Coverage (Cancel for any reason) |
Coverage | Expedia Package Protection |
---|---|
Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% |
Cancel for Any Reason | |
Trip Interruption | Up to 100% |
Interrupt for Any Reason | |
Accident and Sickness Medical Expenses | $5,000 |
Emergency Evacuation, Medically Necessary Repatriation, and Repatriation of Remains | $15,000 |
Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation | |
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) | |
Air Flight Only AD&D | $50,000 |
Baggage and Personal Effects | $1,000 |
Baggage Delay | $500 |
Change Fee Coverage | |
Travel Delay | $500 up to $100 per day |
Missed Connection | |
Itinerary Change | |
Reimbursement of Miles or Rewards Points | |
Rental Car Damage |
Though Expedia only offers one travel insurance plan, the company has a wide range of add-ons.
These include coverage for lost passport and document assistance, emergency cash, translation services, medical case management, and concierge services such as restaurant or event referrals and reservations.
While these add-ons may understandably increase the cost of your travel insurance, they also provide you with a greater degree of protection and offer added value.
Expedia Travel Insurance Costs
Travel insurance generally costs between 4 and 8 percent of the total trip.
While this is the industry standard, the actual costs of your travel insurance usually depend on the level of coverage you select and how comprehensive your plan is.
Travel insurance companies base their actuarial math on several factors.
The length of the trip is a significant determiner, as the longer you’re traveling, the more likely adverse calamities could occur. Destination dramatically impacts the price as well.
If you’re visiting an area with a high crime rates, political unrest, or poor infrastructure, to name just a few, insurance providers may view you as a higher risk. The age of the policyholder can also influence the price of the premium.
Generally, consumers aged 70 or over can expect to pay considerably more for their travel insurance.
The price of travel insurance is calculated based on risk, and the older you are, the more your risk increases in the eyes of the insurance providers.
Travelers can get a quote from Expedia by visiting its website and providing precise details of the trip that they plan on making.
Expedia doesn’t have annual options available, so it may not be possible to get a standard rate year in year out.
There’s no minimum age limit for insuring children via this company, though dependents are covered under their parents’ policy.
Expedia only refunds policies purchased ten days before the trip, provided no claims have been made.
Customer Reviews & Reputation
Before purchasing any travel insurance policy, it’s important to look at the insurer’s reviews, to gain insight into the company should you need its services on your trip.
Expedia (through Aon Affinity) has been awarded the Better Business Bureau’s highest rating of A+.
Though this rating is not uncommon, it is noteworthy that Aon Affinity has closed 49 complaints in the past 12 months.
This high volume of complaints can be attributed to the fact that this company is quite a large insurance provider.
Customer Assistance Services
When you take out a travel insurance plan with Expedia, you benefit from 24/7 support and access to its mobile app, with paperless claim filing available.
Choosing a travel insurance company that has modern interfaces is always a good choice, as instant access can significantly reduce your stress should something go wrong on your trip.
Another critical aspect to consider, and one which may not initially cross your mind, is whether the insurance company you choose has 24/7 support available.
This is particularly important for travel to far removed time zones from your own.
Expedia also provides additional concierge services such as ground transportation, up to the minute travel advice, and event or restaurant referrals and bookings.
Expedia Travel Insurance Financial Stability
Financial stability is an essential factor to consider when choosing an insurance company.
Dedicated credit rating agencies such as A.M Best, Standard and Poor’s, and Moody’s analyze insurance companies and report their findings, publishing results regularly.
Good ratings with any of these are generally indicative of a company’s ability to meet its obligations.
Expedia is underwritten by Stonebridge Casualty, a subsidiary of Transamerica Casualty, which has received a rating of A from A. M. Best.
This high rating shows that the backing company can meet its ongoing insurance obligations.
If there were any concerns with the quality of the coverage offered by this company, or of its ability to make good on claims, A. M. Best would have a lower rating.
Expedia Travel Insurance Phone Number & Contact Information
- Homepage URL: https://www.expedia.com/
- Provider Phone: (877) 227-7481
- Headquarters Address: 333 108th Ave NE Ste 300, Bellevue, WA 98004-5736
- Year Founded: 1996
Best Alternatives to Expedia Travel Insurance
Not satisfied with what Expedia has to offer? These companies provide great travel insurance alternatives:
Additional Providers
There are several other travel insurance providers that deserve consideration as well which you can see in our Best Travel Insurance Companies article.
These companies didn’t make our list of top providers but we have created some more detailed reviews that you can view below:
- Allianz Travel Insurance Review
- Aon Travel Insurance Review
- Carnival Travel Insurance Review
- Chubb Travel Insurance Review
- CSA Travel Insurance Review
- Expedia Travel Insurance Review
- Hotwire Travel Insurance Review
- IMG Travel Insurance Review
- InsureMyTrip Travel Insurance Review
- JetBlue Travel Insurance Review
- John Hancock Travel Insurance Review
- Medjet Medical Transport Insurance Review
- Orbitz Travel Insurance Review
- Patriot Travel Insurance Review
- Priceline Travel Insurance Review
- Progressive Travel Insurance Review
- Red Sky Travel Insurance Review
- Ripcord Travel Insurance Review
- Travel Insured International
- Travelex Travel Insurance Review
- USAA Travel Insurance Review
- USI Affinity Travel Insurance Review
- World Nomads Travel Insurance Review