Trawick International Travel Insurance Review — Is It Worth It?

There are many travel insurance companies you could consider before your next vacation.

One such company is Trawick International, which got its start in 1998 by providing insurance for students at universities and study-abroad participants.

Now, 25 years later, the company sells a variety of travel insurance plans, including those for domestic and international travel and even covering volunteer workers. Its most popular plans for U.S.-based travelers are underwritten by Nationwide, a household name in insurance.

Let’s look at everything you need to know about Trawick International insurance, review some of its plan types and costs, and then compare it to your other options for travel insurance.

Why Purchase Travel Insurance

While it’s not fun to think about, travel insurance can protect your health and your bank account when something goes wrong during your trip. This can include relocation when medical help isn’t nearby and reimbursement for extra expenses when your suitcase is lost or stolen.

Travel insurance covers the parts of your trip that don’t go according to plan. This includes cancellations and interruptions due to unexpected events like severe weather, illness, medical emergencies, theft, and more.

Each time you travel, you’ll decide whether to purchase travel insurance. You can purchase from travel companies while buying flights or cruises as well as purchasing from specialized travel insurance companies and customizing your policy to suit your needs. This also allows you to shop around for the best price. Additionally, you should consider whether it makes sense to purchase insurance coverage for each trip or an annual policy.

When does it make sense to purchase travel insurance? Consider the following:

• Your trip includes non-refundable upfront expenses and losing these (if your trip is canceled at the last minute) would be costly.
• You have multiple travel providers (ex: airlines, hotels, cruises, a tour guide, etc.), creating additional opportunities for pain points.

While travel insurance is meant to cover unforeseen events, buying Cancel for Any Reason coverage also might allow you to cancel your trip for any reason.

Travel Insurance and COVID-19

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic presented several new and unique problems for travelers. First, the medical concerns — should you contract COVID-19 while away from home, you may need to see a doctor or spend time in a hospital.

There are financial concerns, as well. The cost of tests, hospital visits, and seeing a doctor in a foreign country can add up quickly — as can the costs of quarantines or additional hotel nights. Moreover, some countries still require travelers to present proof of travel insurance that can cover these costs should they get sick or test positive for COVID-19 while in their destination country.

Why Purchase Travel Insurance From Trawick International

Trawick International has been providing travel insurance for 25 years and has an average of 4.4 stars across customer reviews on Trustpilot and 4.13 on Squaremouth. It also provides immediate plan documents and plan ID cards after purchasing a policy, helping you get proof of coverage immediately.

On top of positive customer reviews and the fact that it’s an established company with a worldwide footprint, Trawick International tends to provide higher maximum coverage amounts than competitors when comparing similar plan types. Moreover, COVID-19 coverage is included across plans, and coverage for pre-existing conditions can be added to most plans. This is good news for those needing this protection.

The variety of plan types is another bonus. While it may feel overwhelming to see so many options, this also indicates that plans are tailored to your specific needs, rather than a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

The biggest positive, however, may be Trawick’s partnership with Nationwide, which underwrites most of its trip cancellation-related policies for U.S.-based travelers. As a household name in insurance, this provides a sense of reliability.

Types of Policies Offered by Trawick International

Trawick International offers several types of insurance, depending on your home country, destination, and whether you’re looking for robust coverage or coverage that’s focused on medical costs.

For example, U.S. residents traveling internationally can buy a Safe Travels Outbound policy that’s focused on medical expenses but also includes coverage for delays, interruptions, or baggage problems. Policies start at $20 but have a 5-day minimum.

The most popular plan is the Safe Travels Voyager plan. It includes $1,000,000 of medical evacuation coverage, trip delay coverage, baggage delay benefits, rental car protections, and the ability to add “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) coverage for an extra cost. However, there’s no option to add coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. The CFAR coverage can reimburse up to 75% of your non-refundable costs if you cancel at least 2 days before departure.

A Safe Travels First Class policy provides $1,000,000 in medical evacuation coverage, $150,000 in coverage for medical expenses, and missed connection coverage (for cruises and tours), but it requires a 12-hour delay before your baggage benefits kick in. You can add CFAR coverage to this policy also.

The Safe Travels Single Trip plan covers up to $75,000 of medical expenses and $350,000 for emergency medical evacuation (including COVID-19). Unfortunately, you can’t add CFAR to these policies.

With a Safe Travels Explorer plan, you get trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage at a low cost. You can add coverage for pre-existing conditions if you buy your plan within 7 days of your first deposit toward the trip.

Hot Tip:

If you’re concerned about coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, understanding the timeline for when you need to purchase your policy is critical. It’s typically based on the time from your first payment toward your trip.

A Safe Travels Rental Plus plan covers your non-refundable trip expenses if bad weather cancels or interrupts your trip. This policy applies to costs for tickets, hotels, vacation rentals, and more.

Students studying outside their home countries can buy a Collegiate Care Essential policy. It covers up to $150,000 of expenses per injury or illness with a maximum of $300,000 per policy. It covers COVID-19 expenses as well as injuries from some sports.

Trawick International — Reviews of Plans and Prices

To compare prices, we got quotes for a 1-week trip to England for a family of 4 (ages 35, 34, 5, and 3). The travel dates were October 5-11, 2023, and the first trip deposit was made within 24 hours. We estimated the trip cost as $1,000 per person.

Policy Name	Cost (Low to High)	Key Highlights	Available Add-ons
Safe Travels Outbound	$80	$50,000 of emergency medical coverage $25,000 of emergency evacuation $50,000 of emergency medical evacuation $1,000 for lost baggage, $200 for baggage delays of 24+ hours $150 per day for trip delays of 12+ hours $7,500 of trip interruption coverage No trip cancellation coverage	Reduced deductible Increased medical maximum (up to $500,000) Increased trip delay maximum (up to $500 per person per day), Return to home country coverage for an incidental trip not related to the primary trip
Safe Travels Flex	$87.12	$10,000 of emergency medical coverage $25,000 of emergency medical evacuation $500 for lost baggage, $200 for baggage delays of 24+ hours $200 per day for trip delays of 12+ hours $25,000 of trip interruption coverage $25,000 of trip cancellation coverage	CFAR Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation Baggage delay Trip delay Emergency accident and sickness Baggage & personal effects
Safe Travels Explorer	$115	$50,000 of emergency medical coverage $200,000 of emergency medical evacuation $750 for lost baggage, $200 for baggage delays of 24+ hours $150 per day for trip delays of 12+ hours 100% of insured trip cost for trip interruption coverage 100% of insured trip cost for trip cancellation coverage	Rental car collision damage waiver
Safe Travels Single Trip	$128	$75,000 of emergency medical coverage $350,000 of emergency medical evacuation $1,000 for lost baggage, $200 for baggage delays of 12+ hours $200 per day for trip delays of 12+ hours 150% of insured trip cost for trip interruption coverage 100% of insured trip cost for trip cancellation coverage	Rental car collision damage waiver
Safe Travels Explorer Plus	$166.92	$50,000 of emergency medical coverage $200,000 of emergency medical evacuation $750 for lost baggage, $200 for baggage delays of 24+ hours $150 per day for trip delays of 12+ hours $30,000 of trip interruption coverage $25,000 of trip cancellation coverage	Rental car collision damage waiver
Safe Travels First Class	$183	$150,000 of emergency medical coverage $1,000,000 of emergency medical evacuation $2,000 for lost baggage, $400 for baggage delays of 12+ hours $200 per day for trip delays of 12+ hours 150% of insured trip cost for trip interruption coverage 100% of insured trip cost for trip cancellation coverage	CFAR Rental car coverage
Safe Travels Journey	$207.98	$150,000 of emergency medical coverage $500,000 of emergency medical evacuation $2,000 for lost baggage, $400 for baggage delays of 12+ hours $200 per day for trip delays of 6+ hours $62,500 of trip interruption coverage $50,000 of trip interruption coverage	Rental car collision damage waiver Accidental death and dismemberment CFAR
Safe Travels Voyager	$261.28	$250,000 of emergency medical coverage $1,000,000 of emergency medical evacuation $2,500 for lost baggage, $600 for baggage delays of 8+ hours $250 per day for trip delays of 6+ hours 150% of insured trip cost for trip interruption coverage 100% of insured trip cost for trip cancellation coverage	CFAR Trip interruption for any reason Enhanced medical upgrade ($500,000 per person primary medical coverage) Higher limits for accidental death & dismemberment Higher limits for trip delay

Plans don’t provide coverage in Belarus, Russia, or Ukraine. Additionally, the optional add-ons you see will vary based on your home state of residence.

If you’re looking for annual travel insurance, Trawick International has it. Here’s how the 3 options compare:

Policy Name	Cost	Key Highlights
Safe Travels Annual Basic	$155 per person	Up to 30 days per trip Up to $2,000 of trip cancellation/interruption per policy Up to $10,000 in excess emergency medical coverage Up to $50,000 of emergency medical evacuation per trip
Safe Travels Annual Deluxe	$305 per person	Up to 30 days per trip Up to $10,000 of trip cancellation/interruption per policy Up to $50,000 in excess emergency medical coverage Up to $100,000 of emergency medical evacuation per trip
Safe Travels Annual Executive	$675 per person	Up to 30 days per trip Up to $5,000 of trip cancellation/interruption per policy Up to $20,000 in excess emergency medical coverage Up to $250,000 of emergency medical evacuation per trip

Note that for the above plans, coverage starts the day after purchase and is only available for U.S. citizens and residents.

If you’re looking for a plan that covers adventure sports, you can read about inclusions and exclusions with the SafeTreker plan.

Hot Tip:

Trawick also offers plans for non-U.S. residents traveling to countries outside the U.S., plans for those who need insurance that meets Schengen visa requirements, and more. We’ve focused on plans available to U.S. residents here, but there are additional options.

How To Get a Quote

You can obtain a quote online easily by heading to Trawick International’s website. Interestingly, you can choose “multiple countries” as your destination.

After choosing your home and destination country(ies), provide your travel dates. Then, you’ll provide your deposit date and trip cost. You also have the option of choosing whether you want trip protection (for cancellations).

Policies will be cheaper if you choose “no” to trip protection, resulting in a policy that’s mostly focused on medical coverage. On the next page, you’ll provide the ages of anyone traveling on this policy and indicate whether or not you’re a student.

After this, you’ll receive a list of quotes showing prices and payout maximums in the various categories. You’ll also see options for add-ons and upgrades.

How Trawick International Compares

To Credit Card Travel Insurance

Coverage	Trawick International Safe Travels Voyager	The Platinum Card® from American Express	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Annual Fee	None; pay per plan	$695 (rates & fees)	$395 (rates & fees)	$95	$550
Rental Car Insurance	Primary insurance; covers up to $35,000	Secondary insurance; covers up to $75,000	Primary insurance; covers up to $75,000	Primary insurance; covers up to the cash value of any vehicles not excluded in the policy	Primary insurance; covers up to $75,000
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance	Up to 100% of insured trip cost for cancellations (up to $100,000) and up to 150% for interruption (up to $150,000)	Up to $10,000 per trip; up to $20,000 per account per 12-month period	Up to $2,000 per person for you and immediate family members	Up to $10,000 per person, up to $20,000 per trip
Trip Delay Reimbursement	Up to $250 per day for delays of 6+ hours	Up to $500 per trip on delays of 6+ hours; maximum of 2 claims per account per 12 months	Up to $500 per person on delays of 6+ hours	Up to $500 per ticket on delays of 12+ hours or overnight	Up to $500 per ticket on delays of 6+ hours or overnight
Baggage Loss/ Damage Insurance	Up to $2,500	Up to $3,000 per person for luggage (up to $2,000 maximum for checked luggage); up to $1,000 per person maximum on high-value items Up to $2,000 per bag per each person maximum for New York residents, including a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered bags and covered persons on the trip	Up to $3,000 per person ($2,000 per person for New York residents)	Up to $3,000 per person, with a $500 cap on jewelry and watches and a $500 cap on cameras and other electronic equipment
Baggage Delay Insurance	Up to $600 (on delays of 8+ hours)	None	None	Up to $100 per day, maximum of 5 days for delays of 6+ hours
Emergency Medical and Dental	Up to $250,000 (primary coverage; up to $750 for dental	None	None	None	Up to $2,500 for emergency medical expenses (with a $50 deductible); up to $75 per day for a maximum of 5 days for a hotel room after a hospital stay
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (Travel Accident Insurance)	Up to $50,000 for common carrier; up to $25,000 for 24-hour coverage	Up to $500,000 per person on common carrier travel	Up to $1,000,000 per person on common carrier travel	For common carrier travel: up to $500,000 per person; in other situations: up to $100,000 per person	For common carrier travel: up to $1,000,000 per person; in other situations: up to $100,000 per person
Emergency Evacuation	Up to $1,000,000	Included if coordinated through and approved by the Premium Global Assist Hotline	Can arrange it on your behalf, but you pay the costs	None	$100,000; evacuation must be pre-approved by the benefits administrator to be covered

To Other Travel Insurance Companies

How does Trawick stack up to its competitors? We used Squaremouth to compare prices for that same 1-week family trip to England. Here’s how Trawick International compares to travel insurance plans and costs from USI Ruby and Generali Global Assistance Preferred when looking for similar types of coverage.

Trawick’s plan is the most expensive. All 3 plans cover COVID-19 but only USI and Trawick offer add-ons for pre-existing medical conditions; Generali doesn’t offer this on the Preferred plan. While Generali only offers $150,000 of secondary emergency medical coverage, USI and Trawick offer $250,000 of primary coverage. Trawick offers $1,000,000 of medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, while the other 2 only offer $500,000.

Trawick has the shortest waiting period for baggage delays and travel delays, as well as the highest maximum payouts in these areas. It also provides the highest maximum coverage for missed connections and baggage loss.

All 3 plans have the same coverage amounts for trip cancellation and trip interruption. Generali’s coverage for hurricanes and weather kicks in immediately, while Trawick requires waiting 12 hours; USI requires 48 hours.

Bottom Line:

Trawick International charges a higher cost than competitors for plans with the same types of coverage if you compare mid-tier plans. However, its maximum payouts are higher in several categories, plus waiting periods for delay-related coverage are shorter in several aspects.

How To File a Trawick International Travel Insurance Claim

You can file a claim with Trawick International online, by email, or through the mail. You’ll start by finding the name of your plan (listed in the confirmation coverage, which you received after purchase) and gathering all documents related to your claim. These include receipts, documents related to the claim — such as a doctor’s note or letter from the airline confirming the reason for a delay — and a claim form specific to your plan type.

If you have a Safe Travels plan, you can submit your claim online at CBP Connect, by email to NWTravClaims@cbpinsure.com, or by mail to this address:

Co-ordinated Benefit Plans, LLC
On Behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies
P.O. Box 26222
Tampa, FL 33623

Final Thoughts

Trawick International offers a wide range of travel insurance plans, has largely positive customer reviews, and its maximum coverage amounts tend to be higher than competitors when looking at similar plans. That said, its costs can be higher than competitors, so evaluate whether you need these extra benefits before paying for them.

All plans should cover COVID-19 and several cover pre-existing medical conditions. However, you need special plans for adventure sports. If you’re going to buy a plan, ensure you know what you need and get the right policy. Having a policy that doesn’t cover your needs is the same as not having a policy at all.

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For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa^® or Mastercard^® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the Amex Platinum card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the premium global assist hotline benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by premium global assist hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.