Buying Travel Insurance Directly from the Company vs. Using a Comparison Site
31 March 2011
Travel insurance companies offer their products for purchase on their own websites to make it easy for travelers to purchase their plans. You can also use a comparison site, which works the same as a flight comparison site like Expedia or Orbitz, to make your travel insurance purchase.
While each website is designed a little differently, they all ask for a few up-front details about your travel plans: when you’re going, how much it will cost, and where you’re going, before displaying a list of travel insurance plans to fit your needs.
Whether buying directly from a travel insurance company or purchasing through a comparison site, you can get immediate quotes, pay with a credit card, and receive an e-mail with your purchase confirmation and travel insurance plan documents.
No price difference when using a comparison site
You won’t pay any more for your plan if you purchase it from a comparison site versus purchasing it directly from the provider. Similar to your home or auto insurance, a comparison site is an ‘agent’ for the travel insurance company, earning a commission for assisting with your purchase. Either way, the price is the same for you.
Benefits of buying through a comparison site
A comparison site gives you access to many plans offered by a number of different travel insurance providers. Some of the features that make using a comparison engine attractive include:
- Side-by-side comparisons of individual plans and coverages
- Send quotes to other travelers by e-mail
- Review travel insurance company and plan ratings
- Make plan upgrade selections and see real-time price adjustments
- Instant access to review plan certificates
- Purchase immediately and receive an e-mail confirmation and plan documents
The primary benefit to using a comparison site is that you can compare quotes, ratings, and features from many companies offering a variety of products. You won’t, however, have access to every plan offered by every travel insurance provider on the market.
Benefits of buying directly from the travel insurance company
Buying directly from the travel insurance company’s website gives you access to all of the company’s plans at once. Some of the features that make purchasing this way attractive include:
- Access to the company’s guarantees and customer support
- Many, but not all, company websites offer plan comparison capabilities
- Review plan descriptions and exclusions
- Access to the company’s travel alerts
- Instant access to review plan certificates
- Purchase immediately and receive an e-mail confirmation and plan documents
When you prefer a particular travel insurance provider, buying direct through the company’s website works well. You can start by visiting our travel insurance company reviews page for ratings and information.
Summary
- There are benefits to both purchasing directly and using a comparison site
- If you go directly to the company, you’ll have only their plans to choose from
- Using a comparison site, you can compare travel plans from a number of companies
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DamianTysdal
Damian Tysdal is the founder of CoverTrip, and is a licensed agent for travel insurance (MA 1883287). He believes travel insurance should be easier to understand, and started the first travel insurance blog in 2006.
Damian Tysdal is the founder of CoverTrip, and is a licensed agent for travel insurance (MA 1883287). He believes travel insurance should be easier to understand, and started the first travel insurance blog in 2006.