Fiatc travel insurance reviews: Advantages & disadvantages

Choosing a travel insurance policy is not just a formality. Although it might not be the most exciting part of a trip, it’s essential to take some time to find one that offers good coverage in case of any issues at your destination. If you’re looking for one, you’ll see that there are many companies offering this service, and you might find it hard to find one that meets all your requirements. Today, we want to talk about one that is quite popular among travellers. FIATC travel insurance plans Reviews, coverage, and the different policies it offers. Want to know if it’s what you’re looking for? Join us to discover everything about it.

What is FIATC and which travel insurance does it offer?

Founded in 1930 in Barcelona, FIATC (Federación Industrial de Auxilios y Consultas) is one of the most popular insurers in Spain. In its over 90 years of experience, it has established itself as a reliable option for those seeking protection in various areas, including health, life, home, and, of course, travel insurance. With a philosophy focused on proximity and personalised service, it stands out for its commitment to the peace of mind and safety of its policyholders.

As it grew, FIATC expanded its range of policies to meet users’ needs, including international travel insurance. It won’t be hard to find one that fits your needs. Here are the different options you can choose from with the Catalan insurer for your trips:

• Basic Travel Insurance: Designed for those who need coverage for essential emergencies, such as emergency medical assistance, repatriation, or transport due to illness or accident. It’s ideal for short trips or nearby destinations where risks are limited.
• Sports Travel Insurance: A specific option for those planning to engage in sports or adventure activities during their trip. This plan covers accidents related to sports such as skiing, diving, or mountain biking, among others.
• Business Travel Insurance: Focused on work trips, it covers medical expenses due to professional illness or work-related accidents, data recovery, and staff replacement.
• Study Travel Insurance: Ideal for students, offering up to €60,000 ($62,853) in medical expenses, with options for course cancellation or interruption, and up to €150,000 ($157,134) in private liability.
• Insurance for specific destinations: Designed for travellers heading to countries with high medical costs or special requirements. Among them, coverage for the United States, Canada, or China stands out, including extended medical assistance, legal protection, and baggage loss coverage.

As is common with this type of insurance, FIATC allows you to personalise your policies by adding specific coverage based on the policyholder’s needs. If you wish, you can add protection for technological equipment, cancellation for personal reasons, or roadside assistance, among others.

What FIATC Travel Insurance Covers

Does any of these policies fit what you were looking for? Before making the decision to choose this insurer, it’s important to know what kind of support they offer. Although, as mentioned, not all options cover the same, and you can add extra coverage, these are the main guarantees included in their travel insurance:

• International medical assistance: Covers medical expenses, hospitalisation, and medications in case of illness or accident during your trip. FIATC policies include healthcare coverage both for nearby destinations and countries with high medical costs. Up to €60,000 ($62,853), depending on the policy.
• Repatriation and medical transfer: In the case of a serious illness, accident, or death, the insurance covers the cost of returning you to your country or to the most appropriate medical centre.
• Loss, theft, or damage to luggage: Includes financial compensation (up to €1,200 ($1,257)) if your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged during transport. They also offer assistance to locate it in case of loss.
• Trip cancellation: Reimburses flight, accommodation, and activity costs if you can’t travel for justified reasons, such as illness or family problems.
• Delay coverage: Covers additional expenses caused by flight or transport delays, such as accommodation, meals, or alternative transportation.
• Public liability: Protects you against third-party claims during your trip, including potential legal fees or compensation.
• Coverage for sports and adventure activities: Their sports insurance is designed to cover medical expenses and accidents resulting from activities like skiing, diving, or hiking.
• Legal assistance and bail advances: In case of legal issues abroad, FIATC provides legal support and bail advances if necessary.
• Coverage for specific destinations: For countries like the United States, Canada, or China, their policies offer extended guarantees tailored to the requirements and medical costs of each destination.
• Pet assistance: If you travel with pets (dog or cat) and they need medical assistance, FIATC will cover them.
• 24/7 customer service: All FIATC insurance policies include a helpline available 24 hours a day to resolve any issues during your trip. They also have the “Your Travel Doctor” service, where insured users can contact a medical professional (via phone, chat, or video) to resolve any questions. Remember, to contact them through these channels once you’re abroad, you can subscribe to Holafly’s monthly plans.

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What travel insurance doesn’t cover

Although, as you can see, FIATC travel insurance offers broad coverage designed to protect you against many eventualities, it’s important to know what aspects are not included. Understanding the exclusions will help you plan your trip better and avoid unpleasant surprises if you face any problems abroad. Here are some of the situations and costs not covered by FIATC policies:

• Undeclared pre-existing illnesses: Any medical condition diagnosed before purchasing the insurance that you haven’t informed FIATC about may not be covered, even if it worsens during your trip.
• Aesthetic or non-essential treatments: Procedures such as plastic surgery, cosmetic dental treatments, or routine medical check-ups are not covered under any policy.
• Non-specified extreme or high-risk sports: Extreme sports like base jumping, professional climbing, or motor racing are not covered unless you purchase a specific extension.
• Damage caused by negligence or recklessness: Any incident related to reckless behaviour, such as excessive alcohol consumption, illegal activities, or reckless conduct, will not be covered.
• Cancellation for non-covered reasons: Cancellation insurance only covers cancellations for justified reasons specified in the policy, such as serious illness, the death of a close relative, or unexpected work-related problems. Personal changes of plans are not protected.
• Assistance in conflict zones: FIATC excludes coverage in countries declared as war zones or those with high risks due to natural disasters or epidemics.
• Loss of valuables not adequately protected: If you leave your belongings unattended or fail to use adequate security measures (such as safes), the insurance will not be responsible for theft or loss.
• Unauthorised expenses: Any medical, logistical, or emergency expenses that you haven’t previously notified FIATC’s assistance service about might not be reimbursed.

How’s customer service?

With the coverage and exclusions clear, let’s talk about one of the most important aspects when choosing an insurer: customer service. When it comes to deciding who will back you up in case of issues far from home, any research on this matter is valuable. 

FIATC insurance policies come with various channels to ensure that, if the time comes, you’ll be able to rely on them. Although opinions on their customer service vary, they are generally praised for their multichannel approach and support designed to resolve issues efficiently. These are the main channels FIATC provides for its users:

• 24/7 phone helpline: Ideal for medical emergencies or serious issues abroad. The assistance team is available in several languages and operates every day of the year.
• Email: a useful option for general inquiries or non-urgent tasks, such as policy modifications or document submission. Replies take 24–48 business hours.
• Online portal: FIATC has a client area where you can manage your insurance, review coverage, download documents, and check the status of any procedures.
• Mobile app: Although functional, their app still has room for improvement. It allows access to documents and incident management, but some users have reported stability issues with certain features.

Regarding response times, users highlight that emergencies are usually resolved quickly. Administrative queries or more complex claims, however, may take a bit longer. Despite this, professionalism and friendliness are points that are positively rated in most reviews.

Having a solid customer service team is key to enjoying your trip with peace of mind. With FIATC, you’ll have access to a team ready to help, although it would be ideal if they improved some technical aspects of their digital platforms to further speed up the user experience.

Opinion of the FIATC website and platform

You’ll agree that a company without an efficient website that allows users to manage services through it is at a clear disadvantage compared to competitors. In the case of FIATC’s website, it’s designed to allow users to easily find key information about available policies. This makes it easier for users to decide which one best suits their travel needs.

The navigation is simple and intuitive, even for those who aren’t used to handling digital transactions. You can access the “Travel and Ski Insurance” section with just one click from the main page. Once you enter it, you can access the list of insurance policies. There are also links to the coverage and exclusions for each policy. Additionally, you’ll find a section with useful links, including one to the FAQ page. It answers common questions like “Which countries require travel insurance?” or “What is travel assistance and how does it work?”.

The booking process isn’t fully digital. Although there is a tab to calculate the price of your insurance, you need to enter the traveller’s details to receive a quote. You’ll also need to wait for one of their agents to call you to complete the booking.

Some users mention that the website could improve in these areas and others, such as personalising insurance options or including more interactive tools. Moreover, while the platform is functional, there’s a need for a more efficient mobile app to facilitate even easier access and insurance management from anywhere.

In general, FIATC’s website meets its goal of providing a clear and efficient digital experience. It’s perfect for those who want to get information online and then receive personal assistance. However, if you’re expecting advanced functionalities, knowing the exact cost, or an efficient app, you may want to consider other options.

“I took out travel insurance. I need to use it because I need medical assistance after an accident. The phone doesn’t work to make calls. The app doesn’t let me register. I have no way of contacting them. The website doesn’t let me in. I’ve been trying for half a day. For now, I’m going to the doctor, covering the costs myself. Let’s see how it ends.”— FIATC Travel Insurance: User review Traveller in App Store

Advantages and disadvantages of FIATC travel insurance

As you’ve seen from the review so far, FIATC travel insurance and the insurer in general have both strengths and areas for improvement. To help you assess whether it’s the best option for you, we’ve prepared a table outlining both:

Advantages and disadvantages of FIATC travel insurance: User reviews

FIATC Travel Insurance User Experiences and Customer Reviews

The best way to evaluate if an insurer meets your expectations is to see how they perform in real situations. That’s why, to end this review of FIATC travel insurance, we’ll take a look at the experiences of other users. This will give us a clearer perspective on the insurer’s strengths and areas for improvement. If you’re considering taking out FIATC for your upcoming adventures, this review can help you make a decision.

Before diving into the user reviews, it’s important to note that FIATC has a rating of 1.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot. While opinions on various websites and forums are mixed, and these reviews also refer to its home or health insurance services, this rating is not a good sign. 

Customer Care and Medical Expenses Abroad with FIATC Travel Insurance: Reviews

When travelling, the peace of mind knowing you’ll receive proper medical care in case of an emergency is priceless. Especially if you’re heading to destinations where medical services are costly, like the United States or Japan. FIATC travel insurance promises immediate assistance and coverage for medical expenses abroad, which is a crucial need for many travellers. But how well does it perform in practice? Here are the conclusions based on what users think of this essential aspect.

• Strengths: Some users highlight the availability of a 24/7 phone helpline in multiple languages, which builds trust in emergency situations. They also praise the fact that the insurance meets entry requirements for countries like the United States.
• Areas for improvement: Other customers mention delays in treatment approval or reimbursement for medical expenses, as well as slow responses to requests for information. There are also comments about the varying quality of medical services offered, depending on the country where coverage is used.

Protection for Luggage and Equipment with FIATC Travel Insurance: Reviews

For many travellers, ensuring the safety of luggage and essential tools is a priority. FIATC travel insurance promises support in case of unexpected events like loss, damage, or theft. Let’s see if it delivers, according to users:

• Strengths: Travellers appreciate the personalised assistance for locating lost luggage. Many consider the compensation amounts adequate and sufficient to cover most unexpected situations.
• Areas for improvement: Some users mention that the coverage for technological equipment or specific tools isn’t always sufficient, especially when they haven’t been declared beforehand. Additionally, the process of claiming compensation can be tedious due to the amount of documentation required.

“I booked with FIATC, an insurance that cost me almost €50. I went on holiday feeling relaxed because the insurance was supposed to cover almost everything. Well, when I arrived at my destination (Miami), my bags were missing. The first thing was calling these “guys” to report the issue and ask how to proceed. I spent four days without my bag, paying for taxis daily from the hotel to the airport, calling all the counters at the airport (because no one wanted to help), and calling FIATC every day. Upon returning from my trip, 2 months later, I’m still insisting by sending letters and emails because they refuse to reimburse me even for essential items”— FIATC Travel Insurance: User review ELECKTRIKO on losviajeros.com forum

Trip Cancellation and Reimbursement with FIATC Travel Insurance: Reviews

When an unforeseen event forces you to cancel your trip, having insurance that makes the reimbursement process easy is essential to minimise the financial impact. FIATC includes cancellation coverage in their policies. However, users’ experiences reflect some nuances that are worth considering.

• Strengths: Travellers appreciate the clarity of the conditions for requesting reimbursements. Many highlight that the insurance covers significant expenses like flights, accommodation, and non-refundable bookings, providing peace of mind in unexpected situations.
• Areas for improvement: Some customers point out that the process to justify a cancellation can be complicated, especially if the necessary documentation is not available. Additionally, there are criticisms about the limitation of valid reasons for compensation, such as personal plan changes or reasons outside the specific conditions of the policy.

Activities and public liability

Travelling doesn’t always mean relaxing on the beach; many seek adventures, engage in sports, or even drive abroad. In these scenarios, having coverage that includes civil liability and protection during high-risk activities can make a difference. FIATC offers options for these types of situations, but does it meet the expectations of more active travellers?

• Strengths: Users appreciate that the policies include protection against third-party damage, whether driving a vehicle or engaging in moderate sports. They also highlight that the specific coverage for adventure sports is clear and easily expandable, allowing the insurance to be tailored to the trip’s needs.
• Areas for improvement: Criticism centres on the exclusion of certain high-risk sports in the standard coverage, requiring additional costs for those who want full protection. Some users also feel that civil liability coverage could be expanded to include less common situations, like accidents during unconventional activities or unexpected events.

Taking out travel insurance is an investment in peace of mind and protection. As you can see from this FIATC travel insurance review, with user opinions, this experienced insurer offers interesting solutions. If you value personalisation and the backing of a well-established insurer, FIATC may be the right choice for you. Always remember to read the policy conditions carefully and check that they match your itinerary and planned activities. Travelling with the security of being protected will allow you to enjoy your adventure even more. Have a good trip!

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