Travelex Basic Travel Insurance - 2026 Review

Travelex is a partner of AARDY. The policy is administered by Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. (“Travelex”) and their plans are underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, a well-respected insurer in multiple segments. For more than 25 years, Travelex has been helping protect travel investments. Its staff are among the most experienced in the industry.

The travel assistance services provided by the policy are not insurance benefits and are not provided by the Travelex. World Travel Protection offers assistance through an extensive network of worldwide partners.

Travelex has two plans available: the Travel Basic Travel Insurance Plan and the Travel Select Travel Insurance Plan. In this article we will be reviewing the Travel Basic plan.

Travelex Travel Basic Plan

The Travelex Travel Basic Plan is a good choice for travelers who want reliable domestic travel insurance coverage and access to 24-hour emergency travel assistance services.

The Medical Expense benefit is only $15k, which is far less than the $100k of coverage that we recommend for overseas travel. However, as a supplement to a Medigap policy which incorporates $50k of overseas medical insurance, the Travelex Travel Basic Travel Insurance should be considered.

The Travelex Travel Basic Plan is a good fit for business travelers and families staying within the lower 48 United States.

Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Travel Insurance provides emergency assistance services should you need help while you travel.  Travel Insurance offers coverage for covered reasons, such as: having to cancel or interrupt your trip due to unexpected reasons, illness of you, a family member, or a travel companion, severe weather, missed connections, strikes, default of the travel supplier and other unexpected events that may arise before or during your trip.  Plans include trip cancellation and interruption, accident and sickness with assistance services, medical evacuation/repatriation, baggage coverage, accident insurance, travel accident insurance and many other benefits.

Travel insurance also includes toll-free, 24/7 emergency assistance services to help arrange any care you may need while you are away from home.

How Much Medical Insurance Do I Need?

We recommend travelers buy at least $100,000 of Medical Insurance and $250,000 of Medical Evacuation coverage when traveling abroad. If traveling domestically, we recommend a minimum of $10,000 of Medical Insurance and $150,000 of Medical Evacuation coverage.

Since Travelex Travel Basic includes only $15,000 of Medical Insurance and $100,000 of Medical Evacuation, it is best suited for domestic travel within the US, as it is not enough to protect you overseas.  If you travel abroad, consider more robust policies offered through AARDY such as the Travelex Travel Select . The Travel Select plan offers $50,000 in Medical Insurance and $500,000 in Medical Evacuation. This plan also has an optional medical upgrade that increases the Medical Expense to a total of $100,000 and the Medical Evacuation & Repatriation to $1,000,000, which is  better suited for international travel.

The Travelex Travel Basic Plan is their most economical policy but is packed with benefits.  It’s for travelers seeking to protect their trip investment against trip cancellation and trip interruption. It is the lowest priced Travelex trip insurance policy and provides coverage for travel and baggage delay as well as emergency travel assistance service.

Travelex Basic Benefits Per Person

Trip Cancellation
100% Trip Cost up to $10,000 max per person

Trip Interruption
100% Trip Cost up to $10,000 max per person

Accident & Sickness Medical Expense
$15,000

Emergency Dental Expense
$500 (sublimit of Emergency Medical Expense)

Medical Coverage Type
Primary Medical Insurance

Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation of Remains
$100,000

Baggage & Personal Effects
$500

Baggage Delay
$100 (min 12-hour delay)

Single Occupant
Up to $10,000 max

Travel Delay
$250 per day, $500 max (min 5-hour delay)

Missed Connection
$500 (3-hour min delay)

Accidental Death & Dismemberment
$10,000

Extra Coverage

The following benefits are included at no extra cost when you purchase Travelex Travel Basic within 15 days of Initial Trip Payment:

• Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage due to Financial Default of an airline, cruise line, or tour operator (some exclusions may apply).

Optional Coverage

The following benefits are included if requested and the additional premium has been paid:

• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (common carrier air only) (not available in NH)

$200,000

• Car Rental Collision Coverage (not available in KS or NY) $35,000 ($100 deductible)

$35,000 ($100 deductible)

Optional coverages are not available through AARDY.com directly; however, if you call us directly at 650.492.6298 immediately after purchase of your policy, we will assist with any add on coverage you wish to purchase.

Travelex Travel Basic Travel Insurance

Travelex Travel Basic - Covered Perils

Emergency Sickness/Illness/Injury/Death to you or traveling companion - Yes

Life-threatening Sickness/Injury or Death to non-traveling family member or business partner – Yes

Inclement Weather and Natural Disaster Causing Trip Cancellation - Yes

Home uninhabitable due to fire, flood, burglary or Natural Disaster - Yes

Direct involvement in a documented traffic accident while en route to your departure - Yes

Organized Labor Strike at departure or destination - Yes

Revocation of previously granted military leave – Yes

You, or a Traveling Companion are hijacked, quarantined, subpoenaed, or required to serve on a jury - Yes

Involuntary termination by employer after 1 year or more of service - Yes

This is only a summary of the policy. Please read the policy carefully to fully understand the coverages, terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions. Not all plans or coverages are available in every state. This summary does not replace or change any part of the policy. If there is a conflict between this summary and the policy, the policy will control.

The amount of benefits provided depends upon the plan selected. Premium is based on the travelers age and the trip cost. Rates are subject to change at any time.

You can purchase the plan at any time up to 21 days prior to departure, but after 15 days from the initial trip deposit or payment you will not be eligible for cancellation/interruption for default of supplier or for cancellation/interruption due to work reasons.

*The trip cancellation benefit is determined by the amount of your trip you elect to protect, up to the maximum benefit stated above.

**The trip interruption benefit is determined by the amount of trip cancellation benefit purchased. All benefits are per insured person.

Travelex Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I contact if I have questions about one of Travelex’s plans?

Contact the Travelex customer service department, which would be happy to assist you in understanding the plan details of travel insurance and each of the offered plans.

You may reach their customer service department at 1-800-228-9792 and refer to Location 09-1257, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST, or you can email them at: customersolutions@travelexinsurance.com

What is a definition of a “Trip”?

“Trip” means a period of travel away from home to a Destination outside the Insured’s City of residence; the purpose of the trip is business or pleasure and is not to obtain health care or treatment of any kind; the trip has defined Departure and Return Dates specified when the Insured applies; the trip does not exceed 30 days; travel is primarily by Common Carrier and only incidentally by private conveyance.

Note: Select the return date when you will be returning home from your trip, as specified in your travel documents prior to your departure.

If I already have medical coverage, why do I need to pay for it again within travel insurance coverage?

Travel Medical Expense is designed to cover expenses for accidental injury and sickness occurring on your trip. This benefit provides coverage for medically necessary care that may not be covered on your health insurance plan. You should check with your health insurance provider to verify if you are covered outside of the plan area or the US. This travel insurance also includes valuable 24/7 emergency assistance to aid with locating medical care, medically necessary transportation, and arranging payment for medically necessary care.

If your trip is extended on order of a physician due to an illness or accidental injury incurred while traveling, hotel and meal expenses as well as additional airline transportation costs may be covered.

The assistance services can also help you with many other services, such as arranging for forgotten or damaged prescription medication, locating an English-speaking doctor, and ensuring you are receiving the right care for a medical emergency. The multilingual assistance staff can provide you with helpful information and advise you where to go if you lose your passport, need cash assistance or need legal services at your destination.

Are there any destinations or countries that are not covered by rental car insurance?

Yes. The travel insurance described here does not provide coverage for travel to the following locations:

• Costa Rica
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Mexico

Additionally, the travel insurance does not provide coverage and will not reimburse expenses if sanctions, laws or regulations prohibit doing so.

What is a Pre-existing Condition?

Pre-existing medical condition means any accidental Injury, sickness or condition of you, your traveling companion or your family member booked to travel with You for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the 60-day period ending on the effective date. Sicknesses or conditions are not considered pre-existing if the sickness or condition for which prescribed drugs or medicine is taken remains controlled without any change in the required prescription throughout the entire 60-day period ending on the effective date and no medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment has otherwise been received.

What events are covered under the Trip Interruption benefit?

Typically, an insured can interrupt their trip for the same or similar reasons as they can for canceling their trip. These perils are similar to the trip cancellation perils except they provide coverage once you depart for your covered trip. The insured will be reimbursed for pre-paid, unused, and non-refundable travel arrangements plus additional transportation costs to catch up to their trip or return home early.

What does Baggage Delay cover?

This benefit will reimburse a specified amount for the purchase of emergency toiletries and clothing when an insured’s checked luggage is lost or delayed by the airline or other common carrier for 12 hours or more.

Is loss of baggage covered?

Baggage and personal possessions are covered up to $500. A maximum benefit of $250 per item applies.

Please refer to the policy certificate for full details of coverage terms, limitations and exclusions that may affect benefits payable. Please read the certificate carefully and all state exceptions that may apply.

What are the stipulations to cancel my travel insurance coverage?

You may cancel insurance under the Policy by giving the policy administrator or Travelex written notice of cancellation on the earlier of: (a) 15 days from the date your policy is purchased; or prior to your departure date. If you do this, Travelex will refund your premium paid provided you have not filed a claim under the policy.

What does the Travel Delay benefit cover?

Travelex will pay your additional expenses on a one-time basis, up to $500 ($250 per day), if you are delayed en route to or from the covered trip for at least 5 consecutive hours due to an unforeseen event for the trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits occurring on or after the effective date of the policy.

Can I buy travel insurance after an incident has occurred?

Travel insurance coverage applies only to unforeseen issues that occur after the policy is in effect. Insurance does not cover events that are no longer unexpected or unforeseen.

What is considered an Accident?

An accident is defined as a sudden, unexpected, unusual, specific event that occurs at an identifiable time and place during the covered trip and also includes a mishap to a conveyance (plane, train etc.) in which you are traveling.

Are there any coverage exclusions?

The complete details of coverage exclusions that may affect coverage and benefits payable are summarized in the certificate. Please read the certificate carefully and note all exclusions and state exceptions that may apply.

Can the Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion be waived?

No.

How can a traveler get assistance while on a trip?

Call World Travel Protection 844.215.1672 (within USA & Canada) 647.775.8042 (outside USA & Canada) or email at: assist@wtpassist.com. Assistance is available 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week.

When does insurance coverage begin?

Subject to payment of any premium due:

• For Trip Cancellation: Coverage begins at 12:01 A.M. local time, at your location on the day after the required premium for such coverage is received by Travelex or their administrator as shown in the confirmation of benefits. Coverage ends at the point and time of departure on your scheduled departure date.
• For Trip Delay: Coverage is in force while en route to the covered trip from your home, and while en route from the covered trip to your home.
• For all other coverages: Coverage begins at the later of the time of your departure on the scheduled departure date; or your actual departure for your covered trip.

When does coverage end?

Coverage is effective for the stated term shown in the confirmation of benefits. In addition, your coverage will end at 11:59 P.M. local time on the earliest of the following dates:

• the date you cancel your covered trip
• the scheduled return date as stated on the travel tickets
• the date you return to your origination point if prior to the scheduled return date or
• the date you leave or change your covered trip (unless due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances covered by the policy).

If you extend the return date, coverage will terminate at 11:59 P.M., local time, at your location on the scheduled return date.

What is AD&D – Air only?

This benefit covers for loss of life, limb or sight that is a direct result of a covered accident that occurs while you are riding as a passenger in or on, boarding or alighting from, any air conveyance operated under a license for the transportation of passengers for hire during the covered trip.

Complete details of coverage terms, limitations and exclusions that may affect benefits payable are summarized in the certificate. Please read the certificate carefully and all state exceptions that may apply.

Why is Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Protection Important?

All travel suppliers, whether they are tour operators, hotels, travel agencies, cruise lines or airlines, have cancellation penalties. You pay a deposit or final payment toward a trip and these suppliers will apply their published penalties to your trip. You will find the published penalties higher as your scheduled departure date gets closer. These published penalties inform you that if you cancel, the supplier will hold all, or a large percentage of your monies placed as down payment, deposit, or final payment. You will lose this money. Trip cancellation and Interruption is designed to reimburse you for your loss if you cancel or interrupt for a covered reason.

Can I buy travel protection without any trip cancellation coverage?

Yes, you can choose a plan that excludes this coverage but still includes a full range of benefits to protect you during your trip, including cover for: trip delay, emergency medical, medical evacuation/repatriation, baggage, and baggage delay, and more!

What happens if I purchase a protection plan and need to make changes (trip cost, dates, etc.)?

Simply call Travelex or AARDY prior to your departure date and we will happily make any changes. Please refer to your confirmation of coverage for the appropriate phone number to call.

If I change my mind after enrolling in a protection plan, can I get a refund?

Yes, Travelex will refund your plan cost if you are not completely satisfied within 15 calendar days of purchase, provided you have not departed or filed a claim. This refund period is known as the ‘Free-Look Period’.

Will I receive an insurance card to carry with me after I purchase?

You will receive a Confirmation of Coverage, plan documents, and a Description of Coverage via e-mail. The Confirmation of Coverage will include travel assistance phone numbers to call in case of emergency. The Description of Coverage, also known as the ‘Schedule of Benefits’, will provide a summary of the plan details including benefits, conditions, limitations, and exclusions.

You should take both your Confirmation of Coverage and Description of Coverage with you while you travel in case of an emergency. You may also want to print your travel assistance calling information if traveling abroad.

This is a general explanation. Certain conditions, limitations and exclusions apply as outlined in the applicable certificate. If you still have questions, please call the Travelex customer service department at 1-800-819-9004.

Overall, we rate Travelex Travel Basic Travel Insurance a 7 out of 10.