For many travelers, planning a vacation is an exciting experience. You can choose from a variety of activities and tours to create a personalized itinerary and choose unique and beautiful vacation spots. However, I think we can all agree that researching travel insurance policies can be a little less exciting. It’s tempting to buy the first insurance policy that pops up on Google, but it’s important to understand your benefits and inclusions. This guarantees you a stress-free vacation, knowing you’re covered no matter what life throws at you.
In this guide, we take a closer look at Faye Travel Insurance, a highly rated and comprehensive insurance company based in the US, to determine if their cover lives up to the hype. Let’s break down the details and see what Faye has to offer travelers!
A quick glance
Faye Travel Insurance is a US-based insurance company that offers 100% app-based coverage and support and has received an “A” rating from AM Best for reliability. Its standout features include a customer-friendly approach with fast claims processing, no medical deductibles and a host of optional extras such as rental car protection, pet care and extreme sports coverage, depending on your location.
While Faye’s premiums are slightly higher than average, which may put off budget-conscious travelers, its comprehensive coverage provides higher payouts for delays and unexpected events than many competitors. This makes it an attractive choice for travelers seeking peace and quiet. Please note that Faye is only available to US residents and citizens.
How Faye Travel Insurance Works
Faye provides all of its services through an easy-to-use app with 24/7 customer support. Unlike other travel insurance companies that require you to compare multiple plans, Faye offers a single plan that can be customized to meet your specific needs. However, some benefits may not be available in all states.
Faye’s comprehensive plan includes coverage for trip delays, unexpected trip interruptions, missed connections, medical evacuation expenses, and travel health insurance. This means that travelers are entitled to compensation in a variety of situations, including lost or damaged luggage, flight delays, medical emergencies, etc. (details below).
What does Faye’s travel insurance cover?
Here’s a detailed breakdown of Faye Travel Insurance coverage, exclusions and extras:
Health insurance
- Emergency medical care: Covers up to USD 250,000 in case of medical emergency during international travel as basic insurance. This includes illness or injury during your trip and covers prescription drugs, hospitalization and doctor’s fees.
- Emergency medical evacuation: Provides up to $500,000 per person for transportation to specialized medical facilities when on-site care is not available, including helicopter transportation if necessary.
- COVID-19 coverage: Covers non-reimbursable travel cancellation, emergency medical services and quarantine costs related to COVID-19.
- Pre-existing conditions: Covers trip cancellations and interruptions caused by pre-existing conditions if the policy is purchased at least 14 days before departure and the traveler is physically ready to travel at the time of purchase.
Protection against disconnection
- Trip cancellation: Reimburses 100% of prepaid expenses for cancellations for covered reasons, such as illness, death, or severe weather (such as a hurricane interrupting your trip).
- Trip delay: offers daily compensation of up to $300 (up to $2,100 per trip) for delays of more than six hours caused by factors beyond your control, such as problems with the airline or stolen passports.
- Missed connection: Provides up to $200 for delays of more than three hours and an additional $100 for delays of more than six hours due to factors such as weather or mechanical problems.
- Non-medical emergency evacuation: Covers up to $100,000 for evacuation due to covered events, such as natural disasters that require relocation.
Luggage and personal belongings
- Lost, damaged or delayed baggage: Provides coverage of up to $2,000 per trip for the cost of replacing lost or damaged baggage, including items such as clothing, sports gear or electronics.
Additional applications
- Protection against adventure and extreme sports: Covers injuries or accidents resulting from activities such as skiing or scuba diving up to $250,000 for international travel and $50,000 for domestic travel.
- Car rental protection: Covers up to $50,000 for rental car damage, vandalism or theft.
- Damage protection for vacation rentals: Covers up to $3,000 in accidental damage to vacation rentals (such as Airbnb).
- Cancel for any reason: Reimburses up to 75% of non-refundable costs for cancellations outside of standard covered reasons, such as fear of contracting COVID-19, provided the policy is purchased at least 14 days before departure and the trip is canceled within 48 hours after departure. . You can read more about Cancel for Any Reason coverage here.
- Pet care coverage: Covers up to $2,500 in veterinary fees for pets traveling with you, plus $250 in additional kennel expenses if your trip is unexpectedly delayed.
Please note: This list is an example of what is available to US residents traveling abroad, provided they purchase the policy at least three days prior to their intended departure date. You can find a summary of their International Faye Travel Plan here, as well as details on their International Faye Travel Protection Plan for New York residents here, Washington residents here, and Missouri residents here.
What does Faye’s travel insurance NOT cover?
Faye’s policies may not cover the following:
- Medical insurance for existing diseases: Claims related to undeclared pre-trip medical conditions may not be covered. Fay clarifies that pre-existing conditions are only covered under their Trip Interruption and Trip Cancellation policies, not health insurance.
- Some high-risk activities: Coverage for extreme sports or other risky activities requires an additional supplement. However, activities performed for pay, such as working as a scuba diving instructor, are not covered.
- Short delays: Delays of less than three hours are generally not refundable.
- Certain destinations: Faye does not cover travel to countries such as Cuba, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iraq, Iran, Syria, North Korea or Russia.
- Self-harm: Injuries resulting from intentional self-harm or attempted self-harm are excluded.
- Other exclusions related to the policy: Situations such as government travel advisories, certain natural disasters, or drunk driving incidents may not be covered. Please review the full list of exclusions in the policy documentation for a complete understanding.
Pros and cons of purchasing Faye travel insurance
As with any insurance provider, there are advantages and disadvantages. Fortunately, the advantages of Faye Travel Insurance far outweigh its disadvantages.
Faye travel insurance benefits
- Digital experience: Faye’s user-friendly app simplifies policy management, claims processing and access to 24/7 customer support. The app also provides real-time notifications of flight alerts, gate changes and baggage carousel updates, enhancing the travel experience.
- Customer service: Unlike many digital insurers, Faye offers multiple customer support options, including a 24/7 hotline, email support and live chat, allowing travelers to choose the way they prefer to communicate.
- Full coverage: Faye excels at providing comprehensive coverage for trip cancellations, delays, medical emergencies, baggage problems and other unexpected events, giving travelers peace of mind during their journey.
- Superior coverage for medical claims: Faye offers higher medical expense limits than many competitors, although some companies provide even higher limits for travel and evacuation medical coverage.
- Fast claims processing: Known for its quick resolution of claims, Fay often processes claims within 48 hours of submission. Their Faye Wallet, a personal digital card linked to Google Pay and Apple Pay, provides fast reimbursement, allowing travelers to access funds immediately in emergencies.
- No medical deductibles: Fay waives medical deductibles, encouraging travelers to seek medical care they need without financial hesitation.
- Reliable rating: Fay offers reliable coverage and financial stability backed by AM Best’s “A” Fire Insurance Company of the United States.
- Emergency medical evacuation: This feature is vital for travelers heading to remote destinations, covering the high costs of medical transport to specialist facilities.
- Customizable applications: Additional coverage for car rentals, extreme sports and more allows Fay to meet a wide range of travelers’ needs.
Disadvantages of travel insurance Faye
- Higher cost: Fee premiums are higher than average, which may turn off budget-conscious travelers. However, these awards reflect the added convenience, features and superior customer service that make Faye stand out.
- No annual insurance option: Faye doesn’t offer an annual policy or auto-renewal feature, making it less convenient for frequent travelers or digital nomads who have to buy plans for each trip.
- Limited compensation for short delays: Unlike some competitors, Faye does not provide compensation for journey delays of less than three hours.
What is the verdict?
Faye Travel Insurance feels like an efficient, reliable companion that anticipates your needs and keeps you informed, but at a slightly higher upfront cost.
If you value peace of mind, appreciate managing your travel insurance through a seamless app, and want responsive customer service, Faye is a great choice. However, if you prefer traditional phone customer service or are looking for the cheapest option, Faye may not be the best option.
For the digitally savvy traveler who prefers travel insurance at the speed of a finger, Fay is the perfect option! Get your own quote now and experience seamless coverage today.