The main reason to choose Travelex insurance is the cost. It’s one of the cheapest insurance policies we’ve found for short-term travel abroad. But cheaper doesn’t always mean better.
The trade-off is that it’s far from the most comprehensive insurance policy that you’ll encounter, but for many travelers, it ticks enough boxes to give you peace of mind while on the road.
Read LocalsInsider’s Travelex insurance review for the lowdown on what you can expect and whether one of these policies can work for you.
What is Travelex Insurance?
Travelex started in 1996 by acquiring the travel distribution arm of Mutual of Omaha. Today, it’s owned by the Cover-More Group, a subsidiary of Zurich Insurance, one of the world’s largest and most recognized insurers.
As a global firm, Travelex has offices in cities around the world, but its US base is in Omaha, Nebraska.
The company is particularly known for comprehensive single-trip policies, covering emergency medical expenses, cancellations, delays, and lost luggage, making it a popular option for individuals and families planning vacations.
What it Covers & Who it Works For
Travelex offers three core travel insurance products: Essential, Advantage, and Ultimate. They’re structured similarly but differ in the amount of coverage for key items like trip cancellation, medical coverage, and emergency evacuation.
This is a particularly good travel insurance option for families, as one child is covered for every adult on the Ultimate Plan. So, if you and your partner both take out an Ultimate plan, your two kids receive free cover for the duration of your trip.
Travelex Pricing & Plans: What Level of Coverage Can I Expect?
Here’s an overview of the core benefits included in each Travelex tier:
| Cover | Essential | Advantage | Ultimate |
| Trip cancellation | $10,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| Travel delay | $600 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Personal effects & baggage | $750 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Emergency medical expenses | $25,000 | $50,000 | $250,000 |
| Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation | $200,000 | $250,000 | $1,000,000 |
Optional extras include rental car damage, CFAR cover, adventure activities, additional baggage benefits, and pet care. Including these extras will increase your premium’s price.
Pricing
The price of a Travelex insurance policy depends on several factors. To give you a ballpark figure, we generated a quote with the following information:
- 35-year-old healthy male with no pre-existing medical conditions
- Planning a two-week trip to Mexico from the United States in May
- The rough cost of the trip is $3,000
We were quoted $75.00 for the Essential plan, $98.00 for the Advantage plan, and $112.00 for the Ultimate plan. You can save considerably, though, by opting for on-trip coverage only through Travelex’s Travel Med Go option. This removes all pre-trip cover and only insures you when you touch down.
The cost saving is significant; the Travel Med Go policy for our two-week trip to Mexico was just $38.00, covering up to $50,000 in medical emergencies and $250,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation.
You can also opt to cover flight-related expenses only, thanks to Flight Insure or Flight Insure Plus. These policies are cheaper, but they’re not fully comprehensive, and lack the in-country coverage you may need on your travels.
Given that Ultimate plans include one child per paying adult, Travelex represents good value for money in the market and is cheaper than Cigna Global, AXA, and World Nomads, particularly if you’re planning a short-term trip with children.
Reviews & Ratings: How Does Travelex Shape Up?
Travelex has a strong industry reputation and is a trusted Insurer, with an impressive 4.4/5.0 rating on Trustpilot from over 1,200 reviews. Reading between the lines, Travelex gets top marks for its affordable short-term policies, making it popular among holidaymakers looking for sufficient cover for short stays away from home.
It’s also clear that many reviewers agree that Travelex offers good customer support, particularly over the phone, which is reassuring for anyone who may need to make a claim further down the line.
Trustpilot Review: “When I traveled to Sweden in 2023, Travelex was great in responding to our reimbursement submission due to travel delays that left us stranded overnight in Amsterdam. The process was easy, and we didn’t experience any issues. As of now, I only use Travelex.” SandiA, USA
Manage Your Policy Through Travelex’s Travel On Mobile App
Like its competitors, SafetyWing and Cigna Global, Travelex has a free mobile app (Travel On) for iOS and Android users. You can download the app directly on your smartphone or tablet, and it’s highly rated, particularly among iOS users, where it scores 4.7/5.0 from 885+ ratings.
We tried it, and it’s genuinely helpful. When you download it and sign in, you get immediate access to all your travel insurance documents. We also like that you can tap the ‘Call’ icon in the app to connect directly with an agent 24/7. No scouring Google for a hidden phone number when you’re stuck abroad. This feature makes the app worth its weight in gold.
There’s also a cool feature in the app where Travelex delivers real-time safety alerts based on your current location. This could be a handy feature if you’re traveling in a country prone to inclement weather, as it could keep you out of danger.
Travelex vs World Nomads: Which is Better for You?
World Nomads has long been the choice of backpackers and adventure travelers, thanks to comprehensive coverage for activities like skiing, white-water rafting, and rock climbing in most of its policies.
This makes it a better, albeit more expensive, option than Travelex if you’re planning a vacation that involves a higher degree of risk (skiing in Italy or surfing in Australia, for instance). To give you a direct comparison point, we got a quote from World Nomads for our two-week trip to Mexico, with prices ranging from $97.49 for Standard to $345.60 for Epic.
As you can see, it’s more expensive than Travelex, but it comes with more cover and higher benefits (World Nomads’ medical benefit in its lowest plan starts at $125,000, compared to $25,000 in the Travelex Essential plan).
The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a cheap, no-frills insurance policy for a short vacation that gives you peace of mind, Travelex is worth considering. But if you need something more comprehensive for sports and activities, and are concerned about the low medical benefit in the Travelex plan, World Nomads is a great alternative.
Our Verdict: Is Travelex Insurance a Good Fit for You?
Here’s why we think Travelex insurance might be a good option for you:
- You’re traveling with kids – Travelex gives you free cover for one child for every adult covered on an Ultimate plan
- You’re on a budget – Travelex is one of the cheapest insurance options for short-term vacations, with cover offered for less than $100 for a two-week trip abroad
- You’re traveling to a low-cost-of-living area, where the comparatively low medical benefits shouldn’t be an issue if you require healthcare on your trip
But you might be better served by an alternative travel insurance policy for the following reasons:
You’re looking for long-term insurance as a digital nomad or expat – SafetyWing, AXA, and Cigna Global have better options for long-term travelers
You’re planning adventure sports or activities while abroad. Most of these aren’t covered by a standard Travelex plan – opt for World Nomads as a better option
Travelex Travel Insurance FAQs (2026)
| Is Travelex travel insurance worth it in 2026? | Travelex is a strong option for short-term trips thanks to its low pricing and straightforward coverage. However, its lower medical limits make it less suitable for long-term travel or high-cost destinations. |
| Is Travelex a legitimate and reliable insurance company? | Yes, Travelex Insurance is owned by Zurich Insurance Group and has a solid reputation as a global insurer with decades of experience. |
| What do reviews say about Travelex insurance? | Reviews are generally positive, with ratings around 4.4/5 on Trustpilot. Users often highlight affordability and helpful customer support, while noting that coverage is more basic than premium providers. |
| Is Travelex good for families and UK travelers? | Travelex is particularly good for families, as some plans include free coverage for children. It’s mainly designed for U.S. travelers, but UK users can still consider it for short trips abroad. |
| What does Travelex travel insurance cover? | Coverage includes trip cancellation, travel delays, emergency medical expenses, evacuation, and baggage protection. Optional add-ons are available for extra protection. |
| How much does Travelex insurance cost? | It’s one of the cheapest travel insurance options. Short trips can cost under $100, with even lower prices for medical-only coverage plans. |
| Is Travelex better than World Nomads? | It depends on your trip. Travelex is cheaper and ideal for standard vacations, while World Nomads offers better coverage for adventure travel and higher-risk activities. |
