We may receive compensation from Faye as an advertising partner. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
I’ve been writing about travel for nearly two decades, and in that time I’ve seen the travel insurance industry evolve at almost the speed of a glacier. For years, the pitch was always the same: Buy an insurance policy, hope you never need it, and if something goes wrong, prepare for a marathon of paperwork and a check that arrives somewhere between “eventually” and “you forgot you ever filed a claim.”
I have personally been a victim of this confusion. This is also the case for most travelers I know. It’s just something you kind of manage. After all, you should never, ever, EVER travel without travel insurance. You don’t want to need a GoFundMe to pay your bills and get home if something goes wrong. (You can’t predict the future!)
There are many players in this space, but the one I want to highlight today is Faye travel insurancewhich I think makes something unique.
Faye is a digital-first travel insurance company that launched coverage in the US in 2022, so it’s fairly new to the US market considering that brands like World Nomads or Allianz have been offering coverage for over twenty years.
Faye is based on a fairly simple idea: travel insurance shouldn’t sit around waiting for things to go wrong. This should actively contribute to things going well.
That means protection for your entire trip (your trip, your health, your belongings, even your pet), an app that’s actually useful while you’re traveling, 24/7 access to real human customer support, claims that are processed in days instead of months, and a digital wallet that reimburses you almost instantly instead of waiting for a check in the mail, which some companies still do today.
It is available in all 50 states.
A plan, well done Faye has one plan for domestic and international travel, which makes things very easy. Many travel insurance companies have many plans and you end up squinting at the coverage charts trying to figure out which one won’t leave you stranded and offers the minimum coverage you need. Faye has put together a unique and comprehensive plan that covers most of what travelers actually need:
Trip cancellation and interruption Emergency medical care for travel outside the United States (up to $250,000) Emergency medical evacuation (up to $500,000) Trip cancellation (up to 100% of non-refundable travel costs) Trip interruption (up to 150% of non-refundable travel expenses) Travel delay (up to $2,100/trip ($300/day) after a delay of more than 6 hours) Missed connection (up to $200, after a covered delay of more than 3 hours) Non-medical emergency evacuation (up to $100,000) Lost, stolen or damaged items (up to $2,000/trip (capped at $150/item)) These limits are fairly standard, especially for medical coverage. If you want to add stuff, they have a few optional add-ons that I think are really good and unique:
Cancel for any reason (CFAR) – up to 75% of non-refundable travel costs refunded, if you purchase it within 14 days of your initial travel deposit and cancel up to 48 hours before your departure date Damage to the rental car – covers collisions, theft, vandalism, natural disasters Adventure and extreme sports – for bungee jumpers, freedivers and skydivers Damage to vacation rental – for the inevitable spilled wine on someone’s Airbnb couch Animal care – vet fees up to $2,000 if your pet travels with you, kennel fees if you come home late CFAR insurance is really useful and I have rarely seen a company let you add it to a contract. Usually it’s already incorporated at a higher price, but this creates an affordable add-on. I also love pet care, as more and more people travel with their pets.
All about the app Here’s where Faye really separates. Faye built something completely different! Here’s what you can actually do in the Faye app:
Take out an insurance policy in as little as 60 seconds – Enter your trip details, get a quote, get covered.
Get real-time flight tracking and alerts – You will receive information about delays, gate changes or baggage carousel numbers when you land! Many apps do this, but it’s a nice addition.
Telemedicine – Faye gives you access to a network of 20,000 telemedicine doctors in 21 languages when traveling abroad. If you wake up with food poisoning in a city where you don’t speak the language and don’t trust the advice of local hospitals, you can talk to a doctor from your hotel bed. (As someone who has had to find doctors in other countries, this feature is amazing!)
Find a nearby doctor, pharmacy, emergency room or ATM – The app does the job of knowing where to go when you’re disoriented and just need to find the nearest pharmacy open at 11 p.m. in a city you arrived in five hours ago. (For someone who has had to do this in other countries, this feature is amazing!)
Get Free Airport Lounge Access – If your flight is delayed three hours or more, Faye takes you to a lounge – and who wouldn’t want access to a lounge with free food and drinks during a long delay?
Keep your documents in a safe place – Securely download your passport, visa, insurance card, vaccination record. If something is lost or stolen, you have digital copies.
Check the destination essentials before you go – Visa requirements, types of plug adapters, local emergency numbers, weather, currency conversion and even local apps worth downloading.
Chat with real humans, 24/7 – True customer experience specialists, available every day of the year, including weekends and holidays.
Buy an eSIM – The app also lets you purchase an eSIM, meaning you can skip the hassle of physical SIM card swaps and connect to the internet as soon as you land.
File a complaint Here’s how Faye works: Something bad happens. You open the app. You file a claim in minutes by uploading photos of your receipts. If it’s a qualifying issue like a baggage delay or flight delay, you can get your money back almost instantly. Funds go directly into Faye Wallet, an in-app digital payment card that connects to Apple Pay or Google Pay. You tap and pay, on the spot, for everything you actually need: a new outfit, toiletries, dinner, a hotel.
For larger or more complex complaints, Faye aims to resolve them within 48 hours. to receive the necessary documentation.
If you don’t want to use the digital wallet, you can transfer the funds to your bank account or get a paper check.
What it costs Pricing depends on the cost of your trip, destination, duration, state of residence and age (as with any insurance product), but prices start at around $5.16 per day for international travel, which is much more competitive than other companies.
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I have used many travel insurance companies over the years. Most of them are fine. A few are horrible. Faye is the first that feels like it was designed by people who actually understand modern travel and understand that we book trips on our phones, communicate in apps, and expect the same digital convenience from insurance that we get from everything else.
The combination of travel-long protection, the app, Faye Wallet, real human support and fast claims has truly changed the way I think about this category. Travel insurance was what I bought and forgot about.
If you’re going on a trip soon, check it out on avecfaye.comget a quote and see for yourself.
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Book your trip: logistical tips and tricks Book your flight
Find a cheap flight using Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the world so you always know nothing is left to chance.
Book your accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Reservation.com because it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft and cancellations. This is complete protection in case something goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I have had to use it several times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Security wing (ideal for budget travelers) Nomads of the world (ideal for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTravel (for those aged 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to travel for free?
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Need a rental car?
Discover the cars is an international budget car rental website. No matter where you’re going, they’ll be able to find the best – and cheapest – rental for your trip!
Need help finding activities for your trip?
Get your guide is a huge online marketplace where you You can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides and much more.
Ready to book your trip?
Check out my resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list all the ones I use when I travel. These are best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.