Travel Insurance Companies vs. Travel Comparison Sites

As an added bonus, comparison sites typically partner with well-regarded insurance companies. For example, Squaremouth’s Zero-Complaint Guarantee promises that Squaremouth will stop selling an insurer’s products if a claim is handled unfairly. Similarly, InsureMyTrip’s Best Plans Guarantee states that if an insurance plan or provider earns less than the 4-star minimum rating, they will be removed from the site. (If you were curious, Seven Corners is listed among the top insurance providers on both websites!)

Price comparison tools can help reduce the overall cost of insuring your trip. By comparing plans, you can get a top-level view of the coverage versus cost offered by various providers. As you compare, remember that cheaper isn’t always better. In fact, Squaremouth reports that most of it customers purchase the third, fourth, or fifth cheapest option, due to the extra benefits that come with pricier plans. 

Comparison sites typically share reviews from current and past customers. This means you’ll see the good, the bad, and the ugly of customer experiences. It’s best to take these reviews with a grain of salt, but keep an eye out for patterns. Do people regularly complain about their customer service? Confusing websites? If there are any consistent red flags reported, it might be worth looking into a different company.

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Before you purchase an insurance plan, it’s important to read through all benefits and exclusions listed in the plan’s documents. Unfortunately, this area is where the simplicity of comparison sites can be a drawback. It’s a good idea to visit the insurance provider’s website directly to ensure that you aren’t missing any important plan details or forms before you buy and not after. 

Although travel comparison sites have customer support staff of their own, these staff may not be specialists on the policies that are sold. Because of this, consider visiting the insurance provider’s website to get in touch with a qualified product rep. Insurance companies’ in-house sales and customer support teams can help you determine whether a plan recommended by a comparison site is really the right fit for your trip.

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So, you’ve narrowed down your travel insurance options to a few companies and plans. At this stage, visiting an insurer’s website directly will give you an opportunity to review similar plans that the insurance comparison website might have missed. You’ll also have the chance to learn about additional coverage options that you can add on to your plan before you purchase. 

It’s worth mentioning that many insurance comparison sites offer additional support with the claims process. Programs like InsureMyTrip’s Anytime Advocates provide optional assistance and mediation if you have a dispute with your travel insurance provider. While these services may sound like a wise investment, what’s even more valuable is understanding your plan’s coverage before you buy. Purchasing direct will ensure that you have access to in-house customer support, plan details, and claim information prior to finalizing your purchase — arming you with the knowledge you need to avoid a claims dispute altogether. 

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It’s true that on an insurer’s website, you won’t find the same wide variety of plans as you would on a comparison website. Because of that, you may need to visit a few different providers’ websites to ensure that you’re getting the best possible deals. Remember that most plans can be customized, as well. In many cases, you can incorporate additional benefits into your plan, such as CFAR coverage, rental car coverage, or cancel for work reasons. 

Travel insurance comparison sites are a useful way to learn about available travel plans, but there’s just no substitute for a trusted insurance provider. Buying directly from the provider will ensure that you’re supported at every step along the way: from picking the perfect plan, to customizing your coverage, to receiving personalized support when you’re on the road. Plus you aren’t likely to save money because the aggregator’s price is the same as the insurance company’s. 

With a trusted insurance provider like Seven Corners, you’ll be in great hands. With a Stevie Award Winning Customer Service Team, an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, UStiA membership, and customers ranging from astronauts to RVers, Seven Corners’ expertise means that you can purchase, plan, and travel with confidence.