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24/7 Medical & Security Travel Risk Management

We provide corporate, education and leisure travellers with peace of mind, whenever – and wherever – they travel..

Worldwide Medical & Travel Assistance

Worldwide Security Assistance

We are security assistance experts committed to helping travellers prevent or mitigate travel risks and supporting them when something goes wrong. No traveller plans to be involved in a security incident, but incidents can – and do – happen.

Travel Risk Management

Traveller safety is our top priority, so immediate help via our 24-hour emergency assistance hotline is always only one phone call away. Plus, our Travel Assist App keeps travellers informed with pre- and mid-trip alerts relating to any relevant or nearby security risks.

Travel Tools That Protect 24/7

Our Travel Risk Management Tools help mitigate risk, monitor crises in real-time, and provide around-the-clock support.

COVID-19 Travel Risks & Advice

We ensure our customers stay up to date with the latest global COVID-19 risks via our exclusive Travel Risk Management Tools. Customers can monitor current outbreaks using our coronavirus travel risk map, as well as receive instant travel alerts via our app and around-the-clock guidance from our dedicated global travel risk management team.

NEW Travel Assist App

Our security experts and risk managers can keep in contact with travellers via our market-leading Travel Assist App. Its geolocation capabilities mean we can locate the user with pinpoint accuracy in an emergency to continually assess any potential risks and exit routes in real-time.

Try Our New COVID TravelCheck

TravelCheck displays up-to-date risk and infection scores, at-a-glance information on travel destinations and need-to-know information on departure and arrival requirements, as well as the COVID-19 policies of 75+ major airlines.

Our three global Command Centres in Toronto, Brisbane, and London are state-of-the-art assistance platforms backed up with a robust business continuity plan. We also have a supporting center in Buenos Aires through our sister company Universal Assistance.

These global emergency assistance Command Centres are staffed with qualified personnel, including doctors, registered nurses and registered paramedics, and security, case managers and logistics professionals who operate seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Key Facts About WTP

Stay on top of shifting global travel, medical and security risks.

Plus gain exclusive access to resources, products and trends before they hit the market

Manage Travel Risk with the ISO 31030 Guidance

The ISO 31030 is an industry-first best practice framework that helps organisations evaluate and manage their travel risks effectively. We’ve developed an FAQ page and a self- audit guide to help you and your team review your travel risk policies and identify any potential gaps in your current processes.

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Comprehensive Assistance

• Insurance & Travel Security Assistance Go Hand In Hand
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• Avoid The Complication Of Two Separate Solutions
• Supports Your Customer’s Travellers & Risk Managers
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We work with Brokers and seamlessly integrate with insurance companies

Our best-in-class intelligence and technology, paired with our teams and service packages, are what sets us apart. 

How We Support Our Clients Explore Our Case Studies Below

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WorldTrips Insurance

WorldTrips – Formerly Tokio Marine HCC

WorldTrips began in 1988 and was one of the first insurers in the world to offer its plans for purchase over the Internet. It has continued to grow its leading technical capacity, and now customers can buy insurance, file claims, check their policy, and get their documents online at any time, day or night. WorldTrips International has a financial strength rating of “A+ (Strong)” from S&P Global Ratings.

WorldTrips is a division of Tokio Marine HCC, which has helped customers for over 140 years. Tokio Marine HCC has offices in countries around the world, including the U.S., Mexico, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Its 3,000 employees apply a unique understanding of risk and a passion for underwriting.

WorldTrips insurance plans are with you anywhere you may travel for vacation, study abroad, business and mission trips, or extreme sports adventures.

WorldTrips is one of our Top 10 Travel Insurance Companies .

WorldTrips insurance (formerly Tokio Marine HCC) provides travel medical insurance to international travelers and students so they can receive the best treatment in the case of any accidents or unexpected issues while abroad. Thousands of customers in over 130 countries trust WorldTrips to give them an extra layer of security when they are traveling outside of their home country.

Why Choose WorldTrips Travel Insurance?

Member support.

24/7 Emergency Travel Assistance

Online Policyholder Portal

Members can easily access policy information and submit and track claims through the WorldTrips online policyholder portal for their plan.

Online Provider Search

Within the U.S., members can search for a doctor or hospital in the WorldTrips PPO network using the online provider search. Outside the U.S., members can seek treatment from any provider they want, and WorldTrips offers a curated list of excellent providers in locations around the world.

WorldTrips Comprehensive Travel Medical Plans

A WorldTrips travel insurance plan gives you access to the best doctors, wherever you are. After you have purchased coverage, if you need to find a provider in an unfamiliar location, just call WorldTrips or access their online list of providers to find the right doctor for you.

The plans also offer a number of added benefits for any of life's little hiccups, including emergency travel assistance, lost luggage tracking, emergency cash transfers, legal referrals, translation assistance, medical monitoring, emergency travel arrangements and more. Their customer service representatives offer customer support in a wide array of languages around the world.

Your medical coverage in your home country is often of no help when you're overseas. The Atlas Travel plan gives you protection while you're abroad, providing international travel medical insurance for periods of travel between five and 364 days. It is also customizable, allowing you to choose the right level of coverage to suit your personal needs.

• Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
• Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
• Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
• 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance

The Atlas Group insurance plan is available upon request for groups of 5 or more traveling abroad.

If you're studying abroad, you may need insurance to satisfy your visa requirements or your school requirements – and you will want insurance to ensure you are fully covered if any mishaps arise. The StudentSecure international student health insurance plan from WorldTrips provides comprehensive medical coverage for full-time students or full-time scholars studying outside of their home country. With four levels of coverage to choose from, you can find the plan that fits your needs and your budget.

• Provides Medical, Dental, Evacuation and other Benefits
• Keep your coverage when your studies last multiple years
• Medical providers are available in over 130 countries worldwide

The WorldTrips Provider Network

WorldTrips maintains relationships with hospitals, laboratories, and doctors throughout the world. In the U.S., WorldTrips has a vast Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). Throughout the rest of the world, it maintains an extensive list of recommended providers, although you are free to visit any provider you choose. Many of your provider selection decisions will be based on geographical location and provider specialty needs.

Areas of Coverage

Coverage is worldwide, so you can be assured that you are still protected if your travel is multinational. Customers can choose a policy that includes or excludes the United States.

How to Find a Provider

Outside the United States, members can see any doctor they like. WorldTrips also makes it easier to find a provider in an unfamiliar country with an extensive list of international providers. Once you have purchased your plan, to find a provider in your area, go to the WorldTrips website or call +1 (317) 262-2132 (collect calls accepted).

In the United States, members can access doctors and facilities from the robust WorldTrips Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network. Once you have purchased your plan, call WorldTrips directly at (800) 605-2282 or use their easy online tools to find a provider near you.

US Provider Network

The provider network for members in the United States is contingent on when the medical policy was purchased.

If the member purchased their travel medical policy before July 2019 or the member is an EU resident who purchased a policy before May 2020, their providers are in the First Health International network.

If the member purchased their travel medical policy after July 2019 or is an EU resident who purchased a policy after May 2020, their providers are in the United Healthcare network.

How to File a Claim Inside the US

How to File a Claim Outside the US

WorldTrips Member Services

WorldTrips has customer service specialists available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help customers in the case of a travel emergency. Their specialists are well-trained, multi-lingual, experienced people that can provide both emergency and travel assistance services.

The Customer Service area on the WorldTrips site also offers the ClientZone. In this area members can download policy documents, file and track claims, update their address, and handle renewal, extension or cancellation of their policy. This area also provides answers for frequently asked questions such as, "Where do I find my certificate ID number?" and "How do I verify the coverage area of my policy?"

WorldTrips' Customer Care Contact Information

• Within the United States: (800) 605-2282 (toll-free)
• Outside the United States: +1 (317) 262-2132 (collect calls accepted)

WorldTrips P.O. Box 2058 Farmington Hills, Michigan 48333-2005

FAQs about WorldTrips Travel Insurance

What type of insurance does worldtrips offer.

WorldTrips offers travel medical insurance and medical insurance for students studying outside their home country.

Their Student Secure plan is ideal for students coming to the USA or for US students studying abroad. The plan is also available for any student traveling abroad from any country excluding Canada and Australia.

The Atlas Travel Medical plan is for all travelers worldwide traveling abroad for 5 days or longer. 

Who is the underwriter for WorldTrips insurance?

WorldTrips’ Atlas Travel Series and StudentSecure international travel medical insurance products are underwritten by Lloyd's.

Does WorldTrips cover pre-existing conditions?

Pre-existing conditions are excluded from WorldTrips coverage. WorldTrips states that it defines pre-existing conditions as any condition:

• for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within 2 years prior to your effective date of coverage
• which would cause a reasonably prudent person to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment within 2 years prior to your effective date of coverage
• that existed (with reasonable medical certainty) with 2 years prior to your effective date of coverage, whether or not it was known to you

Is WorldTrips the new name for Tokio Marine HCC Travel Insurance?

Yes! If you were looking for Tokio Marine HCC Insurance, HCC Medical Insurance Services or HCCMIS, this is the same reliable company you have always known with a new name. The company rebranded its name to WorldTrips.

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WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review — Is It Worth It?

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Who Can Get WorldTrips Travel Insurance?

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Planning trips is fun. Reading about travel insurance for them isn’t. But a little effort to plan for problems during your upcoming vacation can make a big difference.

WorldTrips provides multiple types of travel insurance, ranging from minimalist policies with just medical insurance to full-scale policies that cover anything that might go wrong during your next family vacation. The insurer also offers add-ons that most competitors lack, such as policies for students studying abroad, special provisions for hunting and fishing trips, veterinary emergencies, school activities that force you to delay your vacation, and even coverage for destination weddings when the bride or groom calls it off.

However, you may be surprised that rental car protections are only available as an add-on to WorldTrips plans, and you’ll need the most expensive plan if you want to add coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

Here’s a look at the various travel insurance plans from WorldTrips and whether the costs are worth it.

Before understanding who can get a plan, it’s essential to understand the different types of travel insurance plans available from WorldTrips.

Atlas Travel plans are available for citizens and residents of numerous countries when traveling internationally. Conversely, Atlas Journey plans are available only to U.S. citizens and residents, covering domestic and international travel. Atlas Journey plans are geared primarily toward trip delay and cancellation benefits, while Atlas Travel plans are focused primarily on medical coverage. However, they share some crossover benefits.

WorldTrips also has travel insurance policies that aren’t focused on typical tourists. StudentSecure plans provide injury and illness coverage for those studying abroad. Atlas MultiTrip plans provide coverage for 364 days, covering trips up to 30 or 45 days each (depending on the plan you choose), and Atlas Group plans can provide up to a 10% discount if you’re traveling in a group of 5 or more people.

Additionally, WorldTrips Atlas Travel plans can provide medical coverage for those doing overseas volunteer or missionary work.

What Does WorldTrips Travel Insurance Include?

WorldTrips offers multiple types of travel insurance policies. Atlas Travel plans are available only for international trips (open to residents of many countries) and primarily focus on medical coverage. With these plans, you’ll choose your preferred deductible and maximum coverage limit, then provide your age and destination.

U.S.-based travelers have access to Atlas Journey plans. These cover domestic and international trips and are what you likely think of when considering travel insurance. We’ll analyze these in depth in the article and then cover the medical-focused Atlas Travel plans near the end.

To know what you’re looking for in a travel insurance policy, you should first understand what the types of coverage are:

• Trip Cancellation Insurance: Covers prepaid, non-refundable expenses when you cancel a trip for covered reasons like sickness, injury, or death of a family member.
• Trip Interruption: Reimburses prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you miss part of a trip or have to end a trip early due to covered reasons like weather, jury duty, or injury.
• Travel Delay: Applies to additional expenses incurred for delays of 5+ hours, covering accommodation, meals, and local transport costs.
• Travel Inconvenience: Applies when one of the following occurs: your return home is delayed and causes you to miss 2 or more days of work, your flight must land 50+ miles from the original destination, there’s a documented security breach causing delays at your departure terminal, you’re a victim of a verified physical assault, your credit/debit card is canceled for reasons beyond your control, or your travel documents are stolen and can’t be replaced locally.
• Emergency Accident and Sickness Medical Expense: Covers losses due to medical and dental emergencies. This is secondary coverage except on the Premier plan.
• Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains: Covers medically necessary transportation and care en route when you’re ill or injured and don’t have access to appropriate care in the immediate area. You also can be covered for repatriation to your home or other U.S. city with appropriate care, requiring prior approval.
• Baggage Damage or Loss: Provides reimbursement for loss, damage, or theft of personal effects in excess of other insurance, such as homeowners’ or airline baggage policies.
• Baggage Delay: Provides reimbursement for covered expenses after 12+ hours of baggage delay at your destination. Covered expenses include necessary clothing, laundry, toiletries, and costs for retrieving your baggage. Coverage ends when your luggage is retrieved or you return home — whichever is first.
• Missed Connection: Can reimburse expenses related to missed cruises, tours, flights, or trip departures due to 3+ hours of delays. Covered delays include weather, carrier problems, strikes, quarantines, and more. Expenses cover costs to catch up with your trip or money lost from missing the trip.
• Airline Cancellation or Reissue Fees: Reimburses costs for changing or canceling tickets after interruptions or canceled flights. This coverage applies to costs after any refunds or vouchers you receive.
• Travel Assistance Services: Provides 24/7 assistance services like security advice, coordination of medical benefits, interpreters, legal referrals, and referrals for needs during emergencies. Note that you may have costs for services you use from these referrals.

It’s also important to note that each section has rules and restrictions about which costs are covered, when coverage applies, and other terms you must follow.

Optional Add-ons to Atlas Journey Plans

You’ll see options for additional coverage depending on the base plan you select:

• Cancel for Any Reason Coverage (CFAR): This add-on policy covers up to 75% of your losses if you cancel for reasons not covered in other sections of your policy, so long as you purchase within 21 days of your first deposit and cancel 48+ hours before the trip. This add-on isn’t available for Economy plans.
• Interruption for Any Reason: Provides reimbursement for 50% of non-refundable trip costs after a trip is interrupted for non-covered reasons. WorldTrips says, “No questions asked” on this coverage. This add-on is available for Premier plans only.
• Pre-existing Conditions: Requires purchasing a policy within 21 days of the initial deposit and covers pre-existing conditions that have a change in treatment or that make you unable to travel.
• Adventure Sports: Provides coverage for leisure, non-professional sports like bungee jumping, scuba diving, and mountain climbing up to 7,000 meters, as well as safari activities. This add-on is available for all plan levels.
• Rental Car Damage and Theft: Requires a $250 deductible; afterward, provides rental car coverage for collision, theft, and damage beyond your control. You must be authorized to drive at the destination and listed on the rental policy. This add-on is available for all plan levels.
• Pet Care: Provides reimbursement for a trip canceled due to the death or critical illness of your dog or cat within 7 days of trip departure. Provides up to $250 in coverage for boarding fees if your return home is delayed for a covered reason and up to $500 for emergency veterinary care for a pet traveling with you. This add-on is available with all plan types.
• Rental Accommodations Protection: Covers trip interruptions if you can’t access your vacation rental property for 12+ hours or if your property is unsuitable or not as described on arrival. It’s available on all plan levels.
• School Activities: Provides cancellation coverage for trips you must cancel due to school activities like exams or sporting events beyond standard season dates. This coverage also applies to study abroad, volunteer, or philanthropic programs. This add-on is available for all plan levels.
• Hunting and Fishing: Covers canceled and interrupted trips related to changes in government regulations or delays of 24+ hours in receiving your necessary equipment. This coverage also applies to theft, damage, and destruction of your essential equipment and trips where your guide or traveling companion becomes medically unfit to participate. This add-on is available for all plan levels.
• Destination Wedding: Provides reimbursement for lost funds when you plan to attend a wedding and then it’s canceled. Coverage also applies to canceled flights, flights forced to land 50+ miles from the intended airport, and flight delays of 12+ hours. This add-on isn’t available for Economy plans.
• Security/Terrorism: This covers cancellations due to terrorist events at your destination or trip interruption for riots/civil unrest lasting 12+ hours. It also can provide ransom payments or security assistance for kidnapping. However, it doesn’t cover countries like Mali, Afghanistan, Syria, or others excluded from the policy. It’s available on all plan levels.
• Primary Medical Coverage: This paid upgrade to Preferred plans makes the emergency medical and dental benefits primary coverage rather than secondary.
• Primary Baggage Coverage: This makes baggage coverage primary rather than secondary. This is available on all plan levels.

It’s also possible to upgrade your maximum coverage limits on certain benefits. These include baggage loss and upgrading benefits from secondary to primary coverage.

Few companies offer kidnapping ransom, destination wedding, or school activity coverage. If these are concerns for your upcoming trip, WorldTrips can make sense over competitors that lack these protections.

Take note that rental car protection isn’t included in any plans — not even the Premier plan. It’s available for an additional cost, but this reinforces the importance of using a good credit card that provides built-in rental car protections .

When purchasing an Atlas Journey plan, this coverage is included if you purchase your plan within 21 days of your initial trip payment.

Atlas and StudentSecure plans purchased on or after February 2, 2023, include coverage for medical expenses related to COVID-19.

Comparison of WorldTrips Atlas Journey Travel Insurance Plans

There are several coverages that are the same across all 3 plans :

• Coverage for Pre-existing Medical Conditions — Included if conditions are met and policy is purchased within 21 days of initial deposit
• 24/7 Travel Assistance Services — Included
• Adventure Sports Medical Coverage — Available add-on service; average cost $44
• Pet Care — Available add-on service; average cost $10
• Rental Car Damage and Theft — Available add-on service; average cost $50
• Rental Accommodation Protection — Available add-on service; average cost $21
• School Activities Protection — Available add-on service; average cost $16
• Hunting and Fishing Protection — Available add-on service; average cost of $20

This is the most inexpensive plan but still covers the essentials. You can be reimbursed for canceled, interrupted, and delayed trips and get reimbursed for sicknesses, injuries, and even delayed bags. Numerous add-ons can improve this plan, though the cost will increase.

This intermediate plan offers more coverage and higher cover limits than the Economy plan but costs more. This plan has additional add-on options, and it’s the lowest plan with an option for CFAR coverage.

The most expensive plan also offers the most robust coverage — in terms of types and values. It’s the only plan with an option to add coverage for pre-existing conditions, though many options remain add-ons and aren’t included in this plan (such as rental car coverage).

None of the Atlas Journey plans include rental car protections. Those are available as an add-on, however.

WorldTrips provides another travel insurance plan called On-The-Go . It’s only available to U.S. residents and covers non-refundable trip costs, lost or damaged personal items (including luggage), and medical expenses (including COVID-19).

You can be covered for trip interruption, travel delays, missed connections, and emergency medical expenses. However, you won’t be covered for trip cancellation and cannot add coverage for pre-existing conditions or CFAR.

How Much Does WorldTrips Travel Insurance Cost?

Let’s price some sample plans to see how they cost. This will give you a better idea of whether these plans fit your budget.

These plans are available to U.S. residents and citizens and cover domestic and international trips.

These plans are available to residents of numerous countries and only cover international trips.

Notice there is a high additional cost for elderly travelers . Also, your maximum coverage amount is lower for people aged 60 and above.

Since Atlas Travel plans primarily focus on medical coverage, you don’t need to provide your trip cost when getting a quote. These plans can make sense if you’re OK with minimal trip protections while ensuring you’re covered for possible injuries during a trip. You can choose from several options for a maximum coverage amount and deductible payment for your claims.

These plans are focused on medical coverage during international trips. If you aren’t worried about expenses for delays or cancellations, you could potentially save money by purchasing an Atlas Travel plan. These especially make sense for last-minute trips where your odds of cancellations are low.

As these plans have maximum coverage amounts and don’t cover trip cancellation, they’re cheaper. This can be a good option if your trip is unlikely to be canceled and you want protection for your stuff and your health during a vacation. As long as you’re a U.S. resident, plans are available for both international and domestic travel.

How WorldTrips Travel Insurance Compares To Other Options

Part of shopping for trip insurance is understanding what you get and how much it costs. The other part is understanding how this compares to competitors. What are companies like Generali Global Assistance and Nationwide charging for similar plans? Here’s a comparison of costs.

We priced a 1-week itinerary for 2 travelers (ages 40 and 39) going to Colombia in November 2023. The cost for the trip was estimated at $3,000, and the first trip deposit was made in the last 24 hours. Squaremouth provided these comparison costs.

The WorldTrips plan had the middle cost of the 3 .

All 3 plans included COVID-19 coverage; all 3 provided the same trip cancellation benefits and the same medical evacuation benefits . However, WorldTrips and Nationwide had lower maximums for emergency medical benefits than Generali, and WorldTrips also had the lowest maximum benefit for trip interruption .

WorldTrips has a competitive cost against similar plans from other providers. You’ll see similar coverage types and maximum payouts in some areas. However, you’ll see lower benefits for emergency medical and trip interruption than more expensive options. Consider these numbers and how important they are.

You may be surprised that your credit card could provide some of the same travel insurance . This could help you save money by not needing to buy a separate policy.

However, when the coverage goes into effect varies. Some credit cards require you to pay for the entire trip (including round-trip tickets, not one-way) with that card to trigger the protections. Others go into effect by paying just a portion of the trip with that card. It’s important to understand exactly what your card offers and when it’s available to determine if those protections are sufficient.

Here’s a look at how WorldTrips’ Atlas Journey Premier plan compares to coverage with The Platinum Card ® from American Express , Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card , and Chase Sapphire Reserve ® .

WorldTrips’ Premier plan has lower trip delay, lower lost luggage, and lower accidental death and dismemberment benefit maximums than you may get with premium credit cards. However, WorldTrips’ top plan has better baggage delay protections and offers the best protections for emergency medical and emergency evacuation.

Even before your trip, you should think about “what if something goes wrong” and have a plan. That includes buying your plan within required deadlines (based on initial and final trip payments) and keeping receipts for every expense. Keep receipts for flights, hotels, rental cars, meals during trip delays, and even a toothbrush while waiting for delayed luggage. Keep it all.

You also should read the policy documents before and after buying a plan. These will help you know precisely what is and isn’t covered. For instance, destination wedding coverage can be handy if the wedding gets called off, but the policy’s fine print will tell you you’re not covered if you’re the bride or groom.

Keeping a paper trail and knowing what is (and isn’t) covered will ensure a smoother claim process because you’ll avoid submitting unnecessary claims and will avoid unnecessary delays during the evaluation process. It also helps you know what’s covered before you swipe your card for expenses during a delay.

If you need to submit a claim, WorldTrips has a “How the claims process works” page , and it includes instructions on what to do, what forms you need, and how the claims process varies based on whether your trip was inside or outside the U.S. It also provides information on how medical facilities can direct bill WorldTrips, which can save you the hassle of paying and then waiting for reimbursement.

No one likes to think about emergencies when planning an exciting holiday. However, planning for emergencies can reduce stress and costs should something go wrong. WorldTrips offers several types of travel insurance, covering all your bases or potential medical expenses. The sheer variety of options provides more potential coverage types than many competitors.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa ® or Mastercard ® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of the Amex Platinum card, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the premium global assist hotline benefit of the Amex Platinum card, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by premium global assist hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of the Amex Platinum card, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Is worldtrips legit.

WorldTrips has been around since 1879 and operates in 180 countries. It’s headquartered in Houston, Texas, has excellent financial strength ratings from multiple credit rating organizations.

 How do I contact WorldTrips insurance?

In the U.S., you can call 800-605-2282. From outside the U.S., call collect to 317-262-2132.

How do I submit a claim to Worldtrips?

Within the member portal (formerly the Client Zone), you can access the claimant form, fill it out, and then upload all of your documents electronically. It’s also possible to bill WorldTrips directly for medical expenses.

How do I cancel my Worldtrips policy?

Send an email to [email protected] to cancel your travel insurance policy. You must submit your request prior to the policy’s effective date to receive a refund.

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

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WorldTrips Plans and Reviews

Quote and compare policies.

• Customer Reviews
• Contact Information

Why Choose WorldTrips for Travel Insurance

Notable Features

• All plans hold an AM Best’s Rating of A (Excellent)
• Extremely generous Money Back Guarantee period
• Almost all plans include $1,000,000 in Medical

WorldTrips is a popular travel insurance provider that specializes in creating policies with strong medical protection for both domestic and international travelers. On Squaremouth, you can find a broad spectrum of their policies that offer varying benefits and coverage limits.

WorldTrips excels with their Pre-Existing condition coverage, which is included in all eligible policy purchases. Their Medical Evacuation coverage is also among the highest found on Squaremouth, with the majority of their plans providing up to $1,000,000 in coverage. Certain WorldTrips policies also feature up to $150,000 in Emergency Medical coverage, making them a great choice for travelers concerned about experiencing a medical emergency while away from home.

Aside from generous coverage within the medical benefits, a handful of WorldTrips’ policies include financial protection against cancellations, delays, and missed connections. WorldTrips also offers one of the most generous Money Back Guarantee periods on the site, with certain policies allowing travelers to refund their policy up until the day before they depart for their trip.

This provider summary was written internally by a Squaremouth policy expert.

About WorldTrips

Established in 1998, WorldTrips has crafted its medical plans over years of experience to benefit non-U.S. residents and U.S. residents alike. The medical plans available are designed to assist travelers taking a single trip abroad, or multiple international trips throughout the year. The comprehensive plans offer trip protection benefits for U.S. residents looking to cover pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs.

WorldTrips, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a full-service company offering international medical insurance designed to meet needs of consumers worldwide. They are a recognized leader in the field of international health insurance, offering international medical insurance products designed to meet needs of customers worldwide.

Assistance services for WorldTrips comprehensive and medical plans are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. WorldTrips is committed to “Coverage Around the World”. Whenever you travel, you’ll have someone in your corner.

• 5 stars 236
• 1 star   16

60,053 policies sold

0.1% negative reviews

0.1% (33) negative reviews to sales Average on Squaremouth is 0.2%

Policies Offered by WorldTrips

Atlas international excl us.

Policy Description:

This product provides medical coverage outside your home country for as little as 5 days and up to 12 months. Coverage can be extended or renewed up to 12 months.

Underwritten By: Lloyd's

Underwritten Location: One Lime Street, London, UK, EC3M 7HA

AM Best #: 085202

AM Best Rating: A (Excellent)

Policy Detail

Atlas America incl US

This product provides medical coverage outside your home country, including the US, for as little as 5 days and up to 12 months. Coverage can be extended or renewed up to 12 months.

Atlas Premium International excl US

Atlas Premium insurance provides the same benefits as our popular Atlas Travel plan, but offers higher coverage limits for many important benefits.

Atlas Premium America incl US

Atlas journey economy.

Atlas Journey Economy, underwritten by U.S. Specialty Insurance Company ( USSIC ), is a comprehensive travel insurance plan for budget-conscious U.S. residents traveling domestically and abroad.

This customizable plan features a Trip Cancellation benefit that provides full reimbursement for prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel your trip for one of many covered reasons. It offers many other travel-related benefits as well, including Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, Missed Connection, and Baggage Damage or Loss.

Atlas Journey Economy also includes several travel medical benefits to help cover unexpected health costs, like Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Medical Evacuation & Repatriation of Remains.

Customize your Atlas Journey Economy plan to fit your needs by adding one or more of the optional upgrades, including a Trip Cancellation for Any Reason upgrade. This benefit upgrade offers reimbursement for up to 50% or 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel your trip at least two days before departure for a reason not already covered by your Trip Cancellation benefit.

Other optional upgrades include a Security/Terrorism upgrade, Vacation Rental Accommodations upgrade, Adventure Sports upgrade, and more.

Finally, the Atlas Journey Economy plan features travel assistance services to assist you before and after departure. These multilingual services include medical assistance and transportation services, emergency travel services, pre-trip information, referrals, and more.

While everyone hopes for a trip free of interruptions or emergencies, Atlas Journey Economy is designed to be there for you if trouble arises.

Underwritten By: U.S. Specialty Insurance Company

Underwritten Location: 13403 Northwest Freeway Houston, Texas 77040-6094

AM Best #: 000747

AM Best Rating: A++ (Superior)

Atlas Journey Preferred

Atlas Journey Preferred, underwritten by U.S. Specialty Insurance Company ( USSIC ), is a comprehensive travel insurance plan for U.S. residents traveling domestically and abroad.

Atlas Journey Preferred also includes several travel medical benefits to cover unexpected health costs, like Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Medical Evacuation & Repatriation of Remains.

Customize your Atlas Journey Preferred plan by adding one or more optional upgrades, including a Trip Cancellation for Any Reason upgrade. This benefit upgrade offers reimbursement for up to 50% or 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel your trip at least two days before departure for a reason not already covered by your Trip Cancellation benefit.

Finally, the Atlas Journey Preferred plan features travel assistance services to assist you before and after you depart on your trip. These multilingual services include medical assistance and transportation services, emergency travel services, pre-trip information, referrals, and more.

While everyone hopes for a trip free of interruptions or emergencies, Atlas Journey Preferred is designed to be there for you if trouble arises.

Atlas Journey Premier

Atlas Journey Premier, underwritten by U.S. Specialty Insurance Company ( USSIC ), is a comprehensive travel insurance plan for U.S. residents traveling domestically and abroad. It offers the highest coverage limits of the Atlas Journey series.

Atlas Journey Premier also includes several travel medical benefits to cover unexpected health costs, like Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Medical Evacuation & Repatriation of Remains.

You can customize your Atlas Journey Premier plan by adding one or more optional upgrades, including a Trip Cancellation for Any Reason upgrade. This benefit upgrade offers reimbursement for up to 50% or 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs if you cancel your trip at least two days before departure for a reason not already covered by your Trip Cancellation benefit.

Other optional upgrades include a Trip Interruption for Any Reason upgrade, Security/Terrorism upgrade, Vacation Rental Accommodations upgrade, Adventure Sports upgrade, and more.

Finally, the Atlas Journey Premier plan features travel assistance services to assist you before and after departure. These multilingual services include medical assistance and transportation services, emergency travel services, pre-trip information, referrals, and more.

While everyone hopes for a trip free of interruptions or emergencies, Atlas Journey Premier is designed to be there for you if trouble arises.

Verified Customer Reviews

• 411 Reviews Since 2008

The issue we encountered so far was not receiving copy of our paid policy via email that we provided. We found a link for rating the service and only after then someone sent us a copy. We don't know how the claiming process will be like, we are done with our trip and grateful that we didn't have to use the insurance.

Submitting the appropriate paperwork was user friendly. However, uploading docs was more challenging with different sections to upload and a potential to duplicate. Wasn't able to delete the previous upload into another section. I had to add another doc after submitting the request, which was straightforward.

The whole process was quick (1 week). However, there is no way to check the status of your claim. Or any notification that the claim was approved and payment sent until I contacted them to inquire.

It would be more convenient to be able to receive the check(s) through electronic deposit. They mailed them instead.

Overall, a very good experience. I used this company again for our upcoming trip.

Called a couple of times and everything was answered and taken care of.

All reviews are from WorldTrips customers

Contact Information for WorldTrips

For Use With These Policies: Atlas International excl US, Atlas America incl US, Atlas Premium International excl US, Atlas Premium America incl US

Everyday, 24 hours per day

For Use With These Policies: Atlas Journey Premier, Atlas Journey Preferred, Atlas Journey Economy

Monday through Friday 8:00am - 6:30PM ET

Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm ET

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Business Claims

World offers around-the-clock claims service to our business clients. You can expect personal, expedited claims assistance from the first notice of loss until the claim is resolved.

To speak with Claims Advocate you can call 888-449-4201 and pressing 3 or fill out the business claims form below. You can also email us at [email protected] . 

For trucking claims, you can call 888-449-4201, and pressing 1, please provide our claims team with your information so we can better assist you or you can complete this PDF Accident Report Form and email it to [email protected]  

Report a Business Claim

Personal claims.

For claims regarding your home, flood, fire, boat, or auto policy, you can contact our Personal Lines Claims Team by dialing 888-449-4201 and pressing 2. You may also email [email protected] or complete the personal lines claim form below.

A list of insurance company claim numbers is at the bottom of this page for your convenience.

Report a Personal Claim

Contact claims.

Have you experienced a loss? We’re here for you. Our expedited claim assistance team will support you through the process.

Insurance company claim numbers

Below are the direct insurance company claim numbers.

Acadia Insurance | 800-773-4300

Adirondack | 877-468-3466

AEIG – American Equine Insurance Group | 800-783-9418

AIG | 888-760-9195

Allied | 800-252-1446

American Bankers | 800-358-0600

American Collectors | 800-360-2277

American Integrity | 866-277-9871

American Strategic | 866-274-5677

American Strategic Flood | 866-511-0793

Amtrust | 888-239-3909

Anchor Property Insurance | 866-388-0092

Andover | 800-225-0770

Arbella | 800-272-3552

ASI | 866-274-5677

Assurant | 800-654-4895

Atlantic Specialty | 800-368-2095

Auto Owners | 888-252-4626

Avatar/Elements | 877-233-3237   Option 1

Bankers | 800-865-9700

Bascule Equine | 877-474-5006

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance | 800-673-2465

Cabrillo Coastal | 866-482-5246

Central Insurance | 888-263-2924

Chubb |800-252-4670

Cincinnati Insurance | 877-242-2544

Citizens | 866-411-2742

Concord Group  | 800-888-6050

Condon Skelly | 877-371-9774

Co-Operative Insurance | 800-388-6638

CountryWay | 888-223-3649

Cumberland | 800-232-6992

Cypress | 888-892-9773

Dairyland  | 800-334-0090

Donegal Insurance Group | 800-877-9006

Dryden Insurance Company | 800-782-0154

Eastern Alliance  | 800-336-3658

EMC Insurance | 888-362-2255

Encompass | 800-588-7400

Encova Insurance | 844-362-6821

Everest National | 855-252-4695

Farmers Insurance Company of Flemington | 800-842-5032

Farmers Insurance of Salem Insurance | 800-498-0954

Federated National | 800-293-2532 Option 2

Florida Peninsula/Edison | 877-229-2244

Franklin Mutual Insurance | 800-336-3642

Frontline | 866-673-0623

Foremost | 800-527-3907, 800-274-7865 (auto)

FUBA | 800-444-9098 Option 1

Goodville Mutual Casualty Company | 800-448-4622

Grand River Insurance | 517-290-7387

Grange Insurance | 800-445-3030

Great Bay | 609-434-2000

Gulfstream | 866-485-3005

Hagerty | 800-385-0274 (auto), 877-922-9701(marine)

Hanover | 800-628-0250

Harford Mutual Insurance  | 800-638-3669

Hartford | 800-327-3636

Hartford Equine Division | 800-427-4876

Heritage | 855-415-7120 Option 1

Homeowners Choice | 888-210-5235 Option 4

Hull & Company | 800-727-4855

ICW Group | 800-877-1111

Imperium Insurance Group | 888-321-0714

Johnson & Johnson | 800-487-7565 Ext. 5024

Kemper | 888-252-2799

Kingstone | 855-394-0704

Lebanon Valley Insurance Company  |   800-932-0363

Liberty Mutual | 800-225-2467

Lititz Mutual | 855-725-5642

Main St America (NGM Insurance) |877-425-2467

Mapfre Insurance | 877-224-5677 (CT), 855-627-3732(NY)

Markel Group | 800-362-7535

MarketScout Equine | 800-732-6012

MEMIC | 800-636-4292

Merchants | 888-644-6680

Mercury Insurance | 800-503-3724

MetLife | 800-854-6011

Millers Mutual Insurance | 800-745-4555

MMG Insurance  | 800-343-0533

Mutual Benefit Group   |  814-643-3003

Narragansett Bay Insurance | 800-343-3375

National General | 800-468-3466

National Grange Mutual | 877-425-2467

National Risk | 866-417-4855

Nationwide/Harleysville | 800-892-8877, 800-421-3535

New York Central Mutual | 800-234-6926

NFIP/FEMA | 800-767-4341

NJ Skylands | 888-855-4622

NJM Insurance  | 800-232-6600

Norfolk & Dedham | 800-688-1825

Normandy Insurance | 877-404-6442

Ohio Mutual | 888-895-7725

Old Dominion/Main Street America | 877-425-2467

Olympus Insurance | 866-281-2242

Orchid | 866-370-6505 Ext. 606

Peerless | 800-522-7152

Patrons Oxford  | 800-542-7032

Penn National Insurance  | 800-766-2245

People's Trust | 877-333-1230

Philadelphia Contributionship | 800-269-1409

Philadelphia Insurance Companies | 800-765-9749

Plymouth Rock Assurance/Palisades | 844-346-1226

PMA | 888-476-2669

Prepared Insurance | 877-313-1824 Option 2

Preferred Mutual Insurance Company | 800-333-7642

Progressive Insurance | 800-776-4737

Providence Mutual | 877-763-1800

PURE | 888-813-7873

Quincy Mutual | 800-490-0047, 866-423-7197 (glass)

RIL | 800-444-0406

Rockingham Insurance | 800-662-5246

Rockwood Casualty  | 800-837-9062

Safeco | 800-332-3226

SafePoint | 855-252-4615

Safety Insurance  | 800-951-2100

Seacoast Brokers | 404-751-4400

SECURA  | 800-318-2136

Security First Insurance | 877-581-4862

Selective Insurance Company | 866-455-9969

ShoreOne | 888-201-0394

Southern Fidelity | 866-722-4995

Southern Oak | 877-900-2280

State Auto | 877-722-5246

Sterling Insurance | 800-462-4661

Stillwater | 800-220-1351

Tapco | 800-334-5579

The Flood Insurance Agency | 877-356-6348

Tower Hill | 800-342-3407

Travelers Insurance (personal) | 800-252-4633

Travelers Insurance (business) | 800-238-6225

TypTap | 844-289-7968 Option 3

Union Mutual  | 800-445-2330

Universal | 800-470-0599

UPC | 888-256-3378 Option 1

USLI | 888-875-5231

Utica First | 800-456-4556 Option 7

Utica National Insurance Company | 800-216-1420

Velocity Risk Underwriters | 844-878-2567

Vermont Mutual  | 800-435-0397

Wright National Flood | 800-725-9472

Zurich | 800-987-3373

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Our headquarters is located in Iselin, New Jersey, and we have offices across the United States.

World Insurance Associates HQ

100 Wood Ave South, 4th Floor Iselin, NJ 08830

(732) 380-0900

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How to File a Travel Insurance Claim

W hen it comes to travel, there are generally two types of people: people who cannot travel as it is too expensive and those who budget $4,000 per year for vacations, according to Forbes. Travel is costly, so people often purchase travel insurance to safeguard their financial investment from unforeseen events like illnesses, luggage delays, personal emergencies, and more.

When policyholders pay honest money for an insurance policy to offer protection, they want to be able to reap the benefits of the travel insurance claim. If your travel insurance company has denied payment, our tips on how to properly file a travel insurance claim may be helpful.

Why Buy Travelers Insurance?

Travel is generally less stressful with vacation insurance — it is packaged as a wise investment that can protect you against financial losses due to unexpected events. For instance, the U.S. State Department highly recommends international travel trip insurance as Medicare and Medicaid often do not cover overseas medical costs.

The travel insurance premium is relatively small compared to the non-refundable trip costs you could lose in a bad situation. It is particularly worth it if your trip involves non-refundable costs, international travel, or travel to a remote area with limited healthcare facilities or regions prone to natural disasters.

Some of the primary reasons people buy trip insurance are to help offset:

• Emergency medical services and treatment
• Cancellations due to a sudden illness or serious health condition
• Emergency evacuation
• Loss of a friend or family member
• Compromised destinations
• Delayed or lost luggage
• Trip interruption or cancellation

What Is Not Covered By Travel Insurance?

The best insurance policies cover basic and common travel risks and bundle different coverage types related to trip cancellation, medical issues, luggage or trip delays, and more. Travel insurance is not meant to cover all foreseeable events, and every policy will address exclusions differently. Examples of potential limitations are:

• Tropical storms, hurricanes, and other dangerous weather conditions
• Certain medical issues
• Acts of war
• High-risk behavior involving drugs, unlawful acts, or riots
• Government-imposed restrictions

Travel insurance claims submitted without proper documentation or cancellation for reasons not covered by your travel policy are surefire ways to prevent coverage and reimbursement. This is why it is helpful to understand travel insurance coverage properly and take appropriate actions before assuming foul play.

Can You Cancel Travel Insurance and Get a Refund?

Most travel insurance carriers allow refunds, depending on when a policy is canceled and if there is a money-back guarantee. Most insurers ask that the policy be revoked during the review period outlined in the contract terms to qualify for a complete travel insurance refund. If the review period has passed, then policyholders might be eligible for a partial refund or not qualify for one at all.

What To Do if a Travel Insurance Claim Is Denied

If your travel insurance claim submitted for medical reasons, delays, cancellations, or any other reason was denied by your insurer, then remember that you have options. Both denials and rejections may happen for valid as well as unethical reasons. An insurance claim denial is not the end of the road; you can dig deeper to figure out whether you can still be reimbursed under your insurance.

Travel insurance claims are routinely denied when policyholders make common mistakes in their claim forms, or they mistakenly assume their policy covers their specific situation. Good faith denials happen when policyholders do not fill out their travel insurance claim form correctly, do not submit the right documents, or do not include info like contact details for follow-up questions.

In some cases, travel insurance companies may wrongly deny claims and stall the claims process. For instance, they might fail to investigate the claim or conduct proper due diligence. In such scenarios, it is advisable that policyholders adjust and resubmit their insurance claim, appeal the denial, or pursue legal action if insurers continue to illegally hold their payout.

How To Appeal a Travel Insurance Claim: 4 Steps

The travel insurance claim appeal process allows policyholders to ask the insurer to reconsider its decision. When appealing their travel insurance claim, policyholders must:

• Carefully Review the Denial Letter: Review the specific reasons for the denial to determine your next steps. Cross-check the reasons stated with your policy documents, additional emails, and other papers.
• Review Your Policy: Review the terms of your travel insurance policy and pay attention to disclaimers, damage limits, filing time limits, and submission requirements.
• Reach Out for Assistance: After carefully reviewing your policy, if you find the denial letter and policy terms do not line up, contact an insurance legal expert with experience in handling travel insurance claims for help.
• Gather Documentation and Keep Careful Records: Maintain communication records with your insurer, copies of denial letters, and other documentation regarding your claim.

How To Write a Travel Insurance Claim Letter

Sometimes, travelers have to file a trip insurance claim when their vacation does not go according to the plan. A travel insurance claim letter is a formal piece of communication between you and your insurance agency. Its purpose is to ask for reimbursement for covered damages or losses under the travel insurance policy. Therefore, it is important to craft a professional and detailed claim letter to increase your chances of a favorable resolution.

A claim letter should include the following information:

• Introduce Yourself. Include all relevant information of the person appealing (such as the policy number and contact information).
• Address the Denial. Summarize the date you received the letter and why the denial was made. Do not leave out any important details.
• Point Out the Error. Explain why you do not agree with the claims denial, based on your policy and pertinent information.
• Attach Extra Documents. Include all other documents supporting your trip insurance claim, such as photos, additional correspondence, transcripts of phone calls, etc.

How Long Does It Take To Get Reimbursed From Insurance?

Travel insurance companies generally process most claims within a few weeks. Sometimes, the insurance claims process office might have follow-up questions, thereby increasing the time you can expect to hear back. However, if you feel that your insurance claim is taking months to resolve without a proper reason, you should speak to an experienced insurance dispute lawyer. While every situation is different, policyholders should always keep careful and consistent notes as it will help them take informed legal action if necessary.

Travel Insurance Claims Advice on Documentation

You must be thorough with your documentation to enhance your chance of successful recovery. When you file a trip claim, your insurer will more likely refund travel insurance when you include the following information in your claim submission:

• Lost Luggage: Make a list of what was lost, along with the details and cost of each lost item.
• Job Loss: Request that your previous employer send you a notarized letter on company letterhead in the case of a trip cancellation due to job loss.
• Medical Emergency: Include detailed medical records in your claim if a health emergency kept you from traveling.
• Canceled/Delayed Flight: If you could not attend your trip because the flight was canceled or delayed, provide proof such as an email that relays the reasons (mechanical issues, weather, etc.).
• Receipts for Delayed Flights: You might want to keep receipts for necessary expenses incurred due to delays, like hotel stays, transportation costs, meals, and personal necessities.
• Police Reports: These reports can help substantiate claims made for stolen items or car troubles.
• Other Reports: You may include tickets for unused flights or excursions in your insurance claim.

Has a Formal Complaint Been Filed Against the Travel Supplier?

Formal complaints against travel suppliers are helpful in legal cases dealing with similar situations. The Van Rossem v. Penney Travel Service (April 15, 1985) case exemplifies travel insurance gone wrong.

In this case, a newlywed couple arranged a honeymoon trip with travel agent Penney Travel. The agent used a wholesaler, Lotus Tours, to book the reservation without the couple's knowledge. Lotus Tours abruptly went bankrupt before booking the client's reservation with SANDLES, which remained unpaid. When the case came before the court, the judge noted that "an agent who makes the contract in his own name for an undisclosed principal is liable as a principal." Here, the defendant had failed to disclose the identity of Lotus Tours, and so, it was responsible as the principal. The couple had paid $2,059 in advance. The judge awarded them reimbursement of $1,312, plus costs and disbursements.

In another lawsuit, Touhey v. Trans National Travel , a travel agent did not check to see if the hotel a client had booked was duly constructed. The plaintiff-client was awarded $25,000 in special damages because of the mistake.

What Are Bad Faith Insurance Practices?

Bad faith insurance refers to unethical insurance practices used by an insurer to delay, deny, or lowball policyholders. Examples of bad faith insurance practices include:

• Misrepresenting contract language to prevent a payout
• Failing to disclose policy limitations and exclusions to policyholders
• Making unreasonable demands, like excessive paperwork requests to prove a covered loss

Sometimes, only a seasoned insurance dispute lawyer who regularly deals with contract breaches and bad faith claims can identify honest errors from serious red flags and help a policyholder get paid their due.

How to File a Travel Insurance Claim: A Summary

Travelers usually plan their vacations down to the last detail. Travel insurance is a buffer for unplanned curveballs that can derail even the most meticulous plans, such as medical emergencies or misplaced luggage.

Insurance companies are explicit about what travel mishaps or unexpected events they will or will not cover, which is why it is crucial to understand policy limitations and how to properly file a travel insurance claim.

As a final snapshot, the key steps to filing a travel insurance claim include:

• Reviewing policy terms and exclusions.
• Gathering necessary documentation based on submission requirements.
• Submitting your claim according to the insurer's timing and filing guidelines.
• Filing an appeal if an insurance claim is wrongly denied.
• Consulting an experienced insurance dispute lawyer to assist with an intentionally stalled, denied, or undervalued claim.

Travel insurance claims can become challenging, depending on the situation and response from your insurer. When small bumps in the road become permanent roadblocks, it is helpful to know that qualified travel insurance claims attorneys are available to help frustrated policyholders recover their losses. 

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Who Will Pay for the Baltimore Bridge Collapse?

Disputes over liability and the cost of claims could take years for insurers to resolve and result in billions of dollars in payouts.

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By Jenny Gross ,  Michael Forsythe ,  Emily Flitter and Peter Eavis

Jenny Gross reported from London. Michael Forsythe, Emily Flitter and Peter Eavis reported from New York.

On the day the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed, President Biden said the federal government would pay the “ entire cost ” of rebuilding it, which some suggest could run to more than $1 billion. Washington will foot the bill so the bridge and nearby port can reopen “as soon as humanly possible,” he said.

The hope is that much of the cost will be recouped from insurers, but determining who is ultimately on the hook for the deadly disaster is set to become one of the messiest and most expensive disputes of its kind. Rebuilding the bridge, repairing the cargo ship that hit it and compensating companies for the disruption at one of the nation’s busiest ports may take years to resolve.

“We’re not going to wait,” said Mr. Biden, who plans to visit Baltimore on Friday to survey the damage.

The legal wrangling began this week when the shipowner, Grace Ocean Private Ltd., and the ship manager, Synergy Marine, both based in Singapore, filed a petition in U.S. District Court to limit their liability to $43.7 million. They cited an 1851 law that allows a shipowner to cap financial damages mostly to the value of a ship after a crash, if the owner is determined not to have been at fault.

Claims against the ship’s owner and manager must be filed to the federal court in Baltimore by Sept. 24, a judge said.

Experts in maritime law and insurance said determining liability was particularly complex because of the many parties involved, from shipowners in Asia to insurers in Europe to companies around the world that move goods in and out of Baltimore. Numerous lawsuits are expected, and the six deaths caused by the disaster add a grim layer of complications.

“You can’t just necessarily settle with one party and make it go away,” said Franziska Arnold-Dwyer, a senior lecturer in insurance law at Queen Mary University of London.

Investigators are still determining what caused such a catastrophic failure on the cargo ship, the Dali; why the massive vessel appeared to lose power and propulsion before hitting the bridge; and whether negligence was involved. The answers will have implications for who is liable for damage that may cost insurers and reinsurers up to $4 billion, according to industry experts.

“You’re looking at historic, record losses” for maritime insurers, said Sean Kevelighan, chief executive of the Insurance Information Institute, a trade group. The higher estimates could exceed the roughly $1.5 billion paid out after the Costa Concordia crisis in 2012, when 32 people were killed as the cruise ship ran aground off the Italian island of Giglio .

Losses are accumulating, with the Port of Baltimore, a top destination for car shipments , largely closed. Officials said this week that they had opened a channel around the wreckage for limited traffic. A full reopening of the port is expected in late May .

Very little is known about the owner of Grace Ocean, a Japanese businessman named Yoshimasa Abe, except that he is very wealthy.

Most of his known wealth comes from his fleet of more than 50 vessels, including container ships, bulk carriers, tankers and refrigerated cargo ships. They are owned by two Singapore-based companies, Grace Ocean Private and Argosy Pte., that Mr. Abe controls through an offshore company. VesselsValue , which compiles shipping data, estimates that those ships, including the damaged Dali, are worth a combined $2.9 billion.

Shipowners often borrow large amounts of money to buy their fleets. There is little public information about Mr. Abe’s debts, but in 2010 Grace Ocean borrowed $250 million from Mitsui & Company, a Japanese trading firm.

Mr. Abe is also the majority owner of two Chinese shipyards on islands off the coast of Ningbo, according to Sayari and WireScreen , companies that compile and analyze corporate data. Combined, the two shipyards can repair more than 200 vessels a year.

It is unusual for foreign companies to control Chinese shipyards, especially in recent years as industry consolidation in the country has favored state-owned companies, said Matthew Funaiole, who has written about Chinese shipyards for the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. “There’s really not much space for there to be foreign ownership,” he said.

Among the 68 member companies, schools and associations focused on ship repair that belong to the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, a trade group, three are foreign-owned shipyards, of which Mr. Abe has a majority interest in two.

Mr. Abe did not respond to a request for an interview or answer written questions about his business. “Out of respect for the investigation and the legal process we will not be making additional public statements,” Jim Lawrence, a spokesman for the Dali’s management company and for Grace Ocean, said in an email. He confirmed earlier that Mr. Abe owned Grace Ocean Investment Limited, a company based in the British Virgin Islands that owns both Argosy Pte. and Grace Ocean Private.

If the shipowner is found liable, its insurer, a mutual association called Britannia P&I Club, will cover the first $10 million of claims, which could include coverage for loss of lives, debris removal, property damage and cargo damage. The Dali was carrying products including paper, U.S. soybeans destined for China and some hazardous materials, according to Concirrus, a marine insurance data provider, and DG Global, an agricultural exporter with goods on the ship.

Beyond $10 million, the 12 clubs including Britannia that make up the London-based International Group of P&I Clubs, which collectively insure about 90 percent of the world’s oceangoing tonnage, would share the cost of claims of up to $100 million. For claims above $100 million, dozens of reinsurers will cover costs up to roughly $3 billion.

The $3 billion figure is so widely known that it could become a target for businesses making damage claims. “There are some reinsurers expecting the worst,” said Hugo Chelton, a managing director at Howden Re, a reinsurance broker.

The global reinsurance industry ended last year with $670 billion in capital, according to Aon , an insurance broker. Though the bridge damage promises to be costly, it is not likely to be among the largest payouts reinsurers have faced recently. Hurricane Ian, which hit Florida in 2022, caused more than $50 billion in insured losses.

Sridhar Manyem, an analyst for AM Best, a ratings agency for insurers, said the potential losses from the bridge collapse did not seem large enough to do long-term damage to any insurers or reinsurers. “It should not affect their balance sheets,” he said.

While a significant share of the claims may be directed at the ship’s insurers, other businesses affected by the bridge and port closure could make claims on other policies to cover their losses, adding to the insured losses caused by the incident.

Scott Cowan, the president of International Longshoremen’s Association Local 333, the union representing Baltimore dockworkers, said on Tuesday that nearly 2,000 workers were still doing jobs at the port, like unloading cargo that arrived before the bridge collapsed.

Mr. Cowan said union leaders had asked for help from the federal and state governments. “The longer the channel’s closed and the longer we’re out, the bigger the problem is going to be,” he said. Many jobs at the port are considered daily hire jobs rather than full-time positions, so they will last only as long as work remains to be done.

Government funds for companies whose operations have been disrupted may not be fully recouped from insurers, said Oscar Seikaly, chief executive of NSI Insurance Group, an insurance broker.

In recent years, when Washington has stepped in with emergency aid after a commercial disaster, taxpayers have later largely recovered the costs, although the international scope of claims in the Baltimore bridge collapse will add complexity to the process.

Representative Dan Meuser, Republican of Pennsylvania, said he was outraged that Mr. Biden had immediately offered to use federal money to pay for the bridge’s reconstruction without considering other sources of funds, including from the owners and insurers of the Dali.

“Insurance payouts could potentially cover the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge without any taxpayer dollars being spent,” he said.

Robyn Patterson, a White House spokeswoman, said the responsible party or parties must be held accountable, but added, “We’re not waiting to get started on this critically important infrastructure project.”

Alain Delaquérière contributed research.

An earlier version of this article misstated a division of an insurance broker. It is Howden Re, not Howden.

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Jenny Gross is a reporter for The Times in London covering breaking news and other topics. More about Jenny Gross

Michael Forsythe a reporter on the investigations team at The Times, based in New York. He has written extensively about, and from, China. More about Michael Forsythe

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