For many travelers, planning a holiday is a thrilling experience. You get to choose from a variety of activities and tours to craft a personalized itinerary and select unique, beautiful places to stay. However, I think we can all agree that researching travel insurance policies can be less exciting. It’s tempting to purchase the first insurance policy that pops up on Google, but it’s crucial to understand your benefits and inclusions. Doing so ensures you can enjoy a stress-free holiday, confident that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at Faye Travel Insurance, a highly rated and comprehensive travel insurer based in the U.S., to determine if their coverage lives up to the hype. Let’s break down the details and see what Faye has to offer travelers!
Quick Glance
Faye Travel Insurance is a U.S.-based insurer offering 100% app-based coverage and support, rated “A” by AM Best for reliability. Its standout features include a customer-first approach with fast claims processing, no deductibles on medical claims, and a variety of optional add-ons, such as rental car protection, pet care, and adventure sports coverage, depending on your location.
While Faye’s premiums are slightly higher than average, which might deter budget-conscious travelers, its comprehensive coverage provides higher payouts for delays and unexpected events compared to many competitors. This makes it an appealing choice for travelers seeking peace of mind. Note that Faye is only available to U.S. residents and citizens.
How Faye Travel Insurance Works
Faye provides all its services through an easy-to-use app with 24/7 customer care. Unlike other travel insurance companies that require comparing multiple plans, Faye offers a single plan that can be customized to meet your specific needs. However, some benefits may not be available for purchase in all states.
Faye’s comprehensive plan includes coverage for trip delays, unexpected trip interruptions, missed connections, medical evacuation expenses, and travel medical insurance. This means travelers are eligible for reimbursement in various scenarios, including lost or damaged luggage, flight delays, emergency medical events, and more (details below).
What Does Faye Travel Insurance Cover?
Here’s a detailed breakdown of Faye Travel Insurance’s coverage, exclusions, and optional add-ons:
Health Coverage
- Emergency Medical Expenses: Covers up to $250,000 in medical emergencies on international trips as primary insurance. This includes illnesses or injuries during your trip and covers prescription drugs, hospitalization, and doctor fees.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: Provides up to $500,000 per person for transport to specialized medical facilities if care is unavailable locally, including helicopter transport if needed.
- COVID-19 Coverage: Covers non-refundable trip cancellation costs, emergency medical services, and quarantine accommodation expenses 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 fit to travel at the time of purchase.
Trip Protection
- Trip Cancellation: Reimburses 100% of pre-paid costs for cancellations due to covered reasons like illness, death, or severe weather (e.g., a hurricane disrupting your trip).
- Trip Delay: Offers daily compensation of up to $300 (up to $2,100 per trip) for delays over six hours caused by factors beyond your control, such as airline issues or stolen passports.
- Missed Connection: Provides up to $200 for delays over three hours and an additional $100 for delays over six hours due to factors like weather or mechanical issues.
- Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation: Covers up to $100,000 for evacuation due to covered events, such as natural disasters requiring relocation.
Luggage and Personal Belongings
- Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Baggage: Provides coverage of up to $2,000 per trip for replacement costs of lost or damaged baggage, including items such as clothing, sports gear, or electronics.
Optional Add-Ons
- Adventure and Extreme Sports Protection: Covers injuries or accidents from activities like skiing or scuba diving, up to $250,000 for international trips and $50,000 for domestic trips.
- Rental Car Protection: Covers up to $50,000 for rental car damage, vandalism, or theft.
- Vacation Rental Damage Protection: Covers accidental damage to vacation rentals (e.g., Airbnb) up to $3,000.
- Cancel for Any Reason: Reimburses up to 75% of non-refundable expenses for cancellations beyond standard covered reasons, such as fear of contracting COVID-19, as long as the policy is purchased at least 14 days before departure and the trip is canceled within 48 hours of 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, as well as $250 for extended kennel costs if your trip is unexpectedly prolonged.
Please note: This list is an example of what is available to a U.S. resident traveling internationally, provided they purchase a policy at least three days before their scheduled 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, for Washington residents here, and for Missouri residents here.
What Does Faye Travel Insurance NOT Cover?
Faye policies may not cover the following:
- Medical Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions: Claims related to undeclared medical issues prior to the trip may not be covered. Faye specifies that pre-existing conditions are only covered under their trip interruption and trip cancellation policy, not their medical coverage.
- Certain High-Risk Activities: Coverage for extreme sports or other risky activities requires an additional add-on. However, activities performed for pay, such as working as a scuba diving instructor, are not covered.
- Short Delays: Delays of less than three hours typically do not qualify for reimbursement.
- Certain Destinations: Faye does not cover travel to countries such as Cuba, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iraq, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or Russia.
- Self-Harm Injuries: Injuries resulting from intentional self-harm or attempted self-harm are excluded.
- Other Policy-Specific Exclusions: Situations such as government travel advisories, certain natural disasters, or incidents occurring while intoxicated may not be covered. Review the full list of exclusions in the policy documentation for a comprehensive understanding.
Pros and Cons of Purchasing Faye Travel Insurance
As with any insurance provider, there are both advantages and disadvantages. Fortunately, the benefits of Faye Travel Insurance significantly outweigh its drawbacks.
Benefits of Faye Travel Insurance
- Digital Experience: Faye’s user-friendly app simplifies policy management, claims processing, and access to 24/7 customer care. The app also provides real-time notifications for flight alerts, gate changes, and baggage carousel updates, enhancing the travel experience.
- Customer Service: Unlike many digital-first insurers, Faye offers multiple customer support options, including a 24/7 hotline, email support, and live chat, allowing travelers to choose their preferred method of communication.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Faye excels in providing extensive coverage for trip cancellations, delays, medical emergencies, baggage issues, and other unexpected events, giving travelers peace of mind during their journey.
- Higher Medical Claims Coverage: Faye offers higher medical expense limits compared to many competitors, though some companies provide even higher limits for travel medical and evacuation coverage.
- Fast Claims Processing: Known for speedy claims resolution, Faye often processes claims within 48 hours of submission. Their Faye Wallet, a personal digital card linked to Google Pay and Apple Pay, ensures rapid reimbursements, allowing travelers to access funds immediately during emergencies.
- No Deductibles for Medical Claims: Faye eliminates deductibles for medical claims, encouraging travelers to seek necessary medical care without financial hesitation.
- Reliable Rating: Backed by the United States Fire Insurance Company, rated “A” by AM Best, Faye offers dependable coverage and financial stability.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: This feature is vital for travelers heading to remote destinations, covering the high costs of medical transport to specialized facilities.
- Customizable Add-Ons: Optional coverage for rental cars, adventure sports, and more allows Faye to cater to a wide range of travelers’ needs.
Downsides of Faye Travel Insurance
- Higher Cost: Faye’s premiums are above average, which might deter budget-conscious travelers. However, these premiums reflect the added convenience, features, and high-quality customer service that set Faye apart.
- No Annual Policy Option: Faye does not offer an annual policy or auto-renew feature, making it less convenient for frequent travelers or digital nomads who must purchase plans for each trip.
- Limited Compensation for Short Delays: Unlike some competitors, Faye does not provide trip delay compensation for delays shorter than three hours.
What’s the Verdict?
Faye Travel Insurance feels like an efficient, reliable travel companion who 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 an excellent choice. However, if you prioritize traditional phone-based customer service or are looking for the cheapest option, Faye might not be the best fit.
For the digital-savvy traveler who prefers travel insurance at the speed of a swipe, Faye is the perfect match! Get your own quote now and experience seamless coverage today.
