What are people saying about Allianz travel insurance?
✅ The Verdict
Travelers and experts view Allianz as a massive, reliable global insurer, but user opinions are mixed regarding its claims communication and lower-than-average medical limits.
👍 The Good
- 👶 Free Kids: Children 17 and under are covered at no extra charge on plans like OneTrip Prime.
- 🚗 Rental Cars: Standalone rental car protection options are easy to purchase.
- 💳 Financial Stability: As part of a massive global financial group, it reliably pays valid claims.
👎 The Bad
- 🏥 Low Medical Caps: Emergency medical limits ($50k–$75k) trail competitors who offer $100k–$250k for similar prices.
- ⏳ Customer Service: Users report long wait times and frustrating communication gaps during the claims process.
- ❌ Strict Exclusions: Certain specialized or chartered services may be excluded, catching some users off-guard.
💡 Recommendation
- Great for: Domestic family vacations where kids can be added for free.
- Skip for: International trips or cruises where higher medical and evacuation limits are critical.
Is it worth paying for Allianz travel insurance?
Allianz travel insurance is worth paying for if you are traveling with children under 17 (who are covered for free on qualifying plans) or need reliable emergency medical evacuation, but it often provides lower medical limits than competitors at a similar price point.
When Allianz is Worth It
- Family Travel: Minors aged 17 and under receive complimentary coverage when added to qualifying plans like OneTrip Prime or Premier, making it a great value for domestic family trips.
- Reputation and Claims: Allianz is a massive, highly legitimate global insurer that reliably pays out valid claims.
- Convenient App: The Allyz mobile app provides 24/7 global assistance and smooth digital document management.
When to Look Elsewhere
- Cruises or High-Cost International Trips: Allianz standard plans often cap emergency medical limits at $50,000 to $75,000, whereas other reputable insurers offer two to five times that amount for the same or lower premium.
- Budget Travelers: Premiums can run higher than competitors, and some online customer reviews report frustration with repetitive paperwork during complex claim processes.
- Credit Card Coverage: If you already hold a premium travel credit card, you may already have built-in trip delay or baggage protection for basic trips.
You can review specific plan tiers and pricing details directly on the Allianz Travel Insurance portal.
Is there a class action lawsuit against Allianz travel insurance?
Yes, Allianz Global Assistance reached a 19.75 million dollar class action settlement regarding hidden and deceptive assistance fees on travel and event protection plans.
Settlement Overview
- The Issue: The lawsuit claimed Allianz, Jefferson Insurance Company, and BCS Insurance Company charged secret, illegal assistance fees bundled on top of regular policy premiums.
- Affected Group: California residents who bought plans between September 4, 2016, and September 30, 2023, and Washington residents who bought plans between April 2, 2018, and September 30, 2023.
- Current Status: The court granted final approval in late 2024, but cash payouts are currently delayed due to an active objector's appeal. The deadline to file a claim has already passed.
Other Actions
- Mental Health Discrimination: Washington State's Attorney General also secured a separate $1.5 million resolution with Allianz over denied claims related to mental and nervous health exclusions.
What is the most highly rated travel insurance?
Travelex Insurance Services is widely ranked as the best overall and most highly rated travel insurance provider by major publications like U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.
Top-Rated Providers by Category
Different companies excel depending on your specific travel needs:
- Best Overall: Travelex Insurance Services offers robust trip cancellation, high customer satisfaction scores, and excellent customizable add-ons.
- Best for Families: Travel Insured International covers children under 18 for free on its higher-tier plans when traveling with an insured adult.
- Best for International Medical & Evacuation: Seven Corners provides extensive medical coverage limits (up to $500,000) and strong international support.
- Best Tech & Claims Experience: Faye is a fully digital, highly rated modern insurer known for fast app-based claims and generous delay compensation.
- Best for Active & Adventurous Travelers: World Nomads is heavily endorsed for covering hundreds of adventure sports and physical activities.
Does Allianz insurance have a good reputation?
Allianz has strong financial backing and high industry ratings, but customer satisfaction varies widely depending on the region and the specific type of insurance.
Financial Strength
- AM Best: A+ (Superior)
- S&P Global: AA
- Moody's: Aa3
- Global Standing: Recognized as one of the world's largest financial services and asset management companies.
Customer Feedback and Reviews
- Mixed Opinions: Opinions on Facebook are mixed; some users report smooth claim settlements and helpful service, while others complain about delayed payments or denied claims.
- Travel Insurance: Highly rated on platforms like Trustpilot with millions of protected travelers, though individual complaints on sites like Yelp cite long hold times and difficult claims processes.
- Regional Variation: International and regional branches (such as car and home policies in the UK) hold strong 5-star product ratings from Defaqto, whereas US and international care divisions encounter more critical individual customer feedback.
Allianz Travel Insurance Honest Review - Watch Before Using
9 related questions found
What is not covered by Allianz travel insurance?
Allianz Travel Insurance does not cover expected events, normal pregnancies, drug or alcohol-related illnesses, and extreme high-risk sports.
You can read the full breakdown on what is excluded by visiting the official Allianz Partners Unforeseen Event Coverage guide.
Common Exclusions
- Foreseeable Events: Any loss, event, or condition that was already known or expected when you bought the policy (such as buying insurance after a hurricane is named).
- Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Existing health issues are generally not covered unless you buy your plan within 14 days of your first trip deposit and meet waiver requirements.
- Normal Pregnancy and Childbirth: Routine pregnancies without complications are excluded, though sudden complications may qualify.
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse: Illnesses or injuries caused by using or abusing drugs or alcohol are not covered.
- Extreme Sports: High-risk activities, professional competitions, and recreational scuba diving deeper than 60 feet or without a dive master are excluded.
- General Exclusions: War, civil disorder, nuclear radiation, terrorism, and government travel bans are typically excluded unless a specific endorsement applies.
Who is the most reliable travel insurance company?
Travelex is widely rated as the most reliable and best overall travel insurance company by major financial publications like U.S. News & World Report and Investopedia.
Top-Rated Providers for Reliability
- Travelex: Ranked best overall for its strong coverage, low premiums, and high customer satisfaction scores.
- Allianz Travel: Noted for exceptional digital tools via the TravelSmart app and high reimbursement caps on "Cancel Anytime" upgrades.
- WorldTrips & Berkshire Hathaway: Both hold superior financial strength ratings (A++ from AM Best), indicating high reliability for paying out large claims.
- Seven Corners: Highly recommended for specialized or international trips with robust medical evacuation limits.
How to Choose the Right One
- Use comparison marketplaces like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth to weigh quotes against your specific destination.
- Check financial stability ratings (A.M. Best) to ensure the underwriter can handle large claims.
- Read policy details carefully if you need pre-existing condition waivers or Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-ons.
Which travel insurance is better, AIG or Allianz?
Allianz Travel Insurance is generally better for frequent travelers and families looking for lower pricing and a higher Cancel Anytime reimbursement rate, while AIG Travel Guard is better for higher emergency medical limits and customizable add-ons.
📊 Quick Comparison
| Feature | 💡 Allianz Travel | 💡 AIG Travel Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Frequent/annual trips, families | High medical limits, custom bundles |
| Pricing | Generally 20%–30% cheaper | Higher baseline pricing |
| Cancel Anytime (CFAR) | Up to 80% reimbursement | Up to 50% reimbursement |
| Emergency Medical | Lower mid-tier limits ($20k–$75k) | Higher mid-tier limits ($50k–$150k) |
| Child Coverage | Free on Prime/Premier plans | Free on all standard single-trip plans |
✅ Choose Allianz If You:
- Take three or more trips a year and want a cost-effective annual plan.
- Want a higher Cancel Anytime (CFAR) payout (80% vs. AIG's 50%).
- Value a top-tier digital experience using the Allyz / TravelSmart app.
✅ Choose AIG Travel Guard If You:
- Need robust emergency medical and sickness coverage abroad ($100k–$150k+).
- Require specific add-on bundles like wedding or non-traditional family coverage.
- Need a same-day "Pack N' Go" style policy.
How many people are in the class action against Allianz?
About 200,000 people are eligible for a share of the settlement in the car dealer add-on insurance class action against Allianz in Australia.
Class Action Overview
- Case: Tracy-Ann Fuller & Jordan Wilkinson v Allianz Australia Insurance Limited in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
- Settlement Amount: $170 million (approved without admission of liability).
- Products Involved: Consumer credit insurance, guaranteed asset protection (GAP), extended warranties, and tyre and rim insurance sold through car dealerships between June 1, 2006, and September 27, 2021.
- Administrators: Run by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
Does Allianz cover cancelled flights?
Yes, Allianz Travel Insurance covers cancelled flights, but only under specific circumstances outlined in your policy.
What Is Covered
- Covered Reasons for Cancellation: Standard Allianz Plans reimburse pre-paid, non-refundable flight costs if you must cancel before departure due to sudden events like a severe illness, injury, family emergency, or severe weather shutting down the airport for 24+ hours.
- Airline-Caused Delays and Cancellations: If an airline cancels or delays your flight for a covered reason (such as severe weather or equipment failure), Trip Delay and Interruption Benefits can help reimburse extra expenses like meals, hotels, or alternative transportation.
- Cancel Anytime Upgrade: If you want coverage for reasons not typically listed (such as simply changing your mind), you must purchase the optional Cancel Anytime add-on, which reimburses up to 80% of non-refundable costs.
What Is Not Covered
- Self-Cancellations for Personal Whim: Standard policies exclude cancellations due to oversleeping, changing your mind, or missing a passport.
- Airline Refunds: If the airline already provides a full cash or credit refund for a canceled flight, travel insurance will not duplicate the reimbursement.