Race travel insurance reviews: Advantages & disadvantages

If you’re looking for a way to stay safe on your next adventure, you’ve probably come across this name. Although it’s best known for its roadside assistance service, it’s also quite popular among travellers. It promises to support users in any kind of incident abroad so they only need to focus on enjoying themselves. But does it really deliver on that promise? To help you decide if it’s what you had in mind, today we’ll review the RACE travel insurance policy, real customer opinions, and how it performs when it truly matters.

What is RACE and which travel insurance does it offer?

Before diving into the review, let’s talk about the Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE). It’s an organisation with over 100 years of experience in assistance and insurance services. Founded in 1903, it has become one of the most important motoring clubs both in and outside Spain. Since 1991, it has offered roadside assistance, insurance, and customised solutions for travellers and drivers. Its reputation relies on the reliability of its products, quick response times, and an extensive network of partners both nationally and internationally.

Although its main focus has always been in the automotive field, RACE has diversified its portfolio with a range of international travel insurance plans designed to cover unexpected events during trips both within and outside of Spain. It offers policies for leisure trips, sports getaways, and work or study stays. These are the options RACE provides:

• Holiday Travel Insurance: This is RACE’s most versatile option for those seeking full protection on leisure or business trips. Within this category, there are several types designed for different needs:
  • Trip Getaways: Designed for short trips of up to four days, it covers emergency medical care, repatriation, and compensation for lost luggage.
  • Trip Mini: A basic and affordable option offering medical coverage up to €15,000 ($15,635), repatriation, and assistance in case of accident or illness.
  • Trip Basic: Includes €50,000 ($52,118) for medical assistance, hospitalisation costs, medical repatriation, and compensation for lost luggage up to €750 ($782).
  • Trip Classic: Ideal for those seeking greater peace of mind, with medical coverage up to €100,000 ($104,236), trip cancellation protection, and luggage coverage up to €1,200 ($1,250).
  • Trip Plus: The most comprehensive plan, offering medical assistance up to €200,000 ($208,473), coverage for sports activities, trip cancellation reimbursement, and full protection for lost or damaged luggage.

• Ski Travel Insurance: Aimed at winter sports enthusiasts, it includes medical assistance on the slopes, mountain rescue, ski pass reimbursement, and coverage for accident-related costs.
• Study Travel Insurance: Designed for those planning to study or work abroad. It includes healthcare coverage, course cancellation, tuition reimbursement, and return expenses in case of illness.
• Business Travel Insurance: Aimed at professionals, covering overseas medical expenses, compensation for lost luggage, legal assistance, and flight delay or cancellation reimbursement.
• Cruise Travel Insurance: Specific for sea voyages, with onboard healthcare, onshore coverage, delay compensation, and reimbursement for interrupted trips.

Additionally, RACE allows users to add extra clauses or purchase trip cancellation insurance to protect their investment if they can’t travel. Thanks to this wide range of options, it stands as a reliable choice for those who want to travel safely and worry-free.

What do their travel insurance policies cover?

Is one of RACE’s policies what you were looking for? Before you decide to buy, it’s important to know in which situations you’ll be protected. Not all travel insurances offer the same coverage or respond in the same way when problems appear. Let’s go through everything RACE travel insurance usually covers so you can check if it truly fits your needs.

• Medical and hospital assistance abroad: Coverage for medical expenses, hospitalisation, surgeries, and medicines in case of illness or accident during the trip. Depending on the plan, the limits can reach up to €200,000 ($208,473) in medical assistance.
• Repatriation and medical transport: In case of serious illness, accident, or death, RACE covers the insured’s transfer back to their home country. It includes the assistance of a companion when required.
• Trip cancellation: Some plans include reimbursement of non-refundable expenses if the trip gets cancelled for valid reasons such as serious illness, a family member’s death, or job loss.
• Luggage coverage: Compensation in case of lost, stolen, or damaged checked baggage. Depending on the policy type, coverage may reach up to €1,200 ($1,250).
• Delays and disruptions: Reimbursement of additional expenses (accommodation, transport, food) if the journey is affected by flight, train, or bus delays.
• Third-party liability: Protection if the insured causes damage to third parties or property, covering potential financial claims.
• Coverage for sports and outdoor activities: The most comprehensive plans include protection for recreational activities such as hiking, skiing, or diving.
• 24/7 helpline: Medical and legal support available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in several languages.

Since each RACE insurance policy offers coverage tailored to different traveller profiles, make sure to check every policy’s details carefully to confirm it matches your needs.

What RACE travel insurance doesn’t cover

As you can see, RACE travel insurance generally offers broad coverage. However, just as important as knowing what’s included is understanding what situations might fall outside the policy. Some circumstances aren’t covered and could lead to unexpected costs if you don’t take precautions. To avoid unpleasant surprises during your trip, let’s review what RACE travel insurance excludes and what you should know before buying.

• Pre-existing conditions: Unless a specific coverage is added, treatments related to medical conditions existing before the trip aren’t included.
• Unlisted high-risk sports: Although some recreational activities are covered, extreme sports such as skydiving, mountaineering, or motor racing are usually excluded or require extra coverage.
• Loss or theft of valuables without safety measures: If luggage or personal belongings are left unattended in public places, the insurer won’t be responsible for compensation.
• Conflict zones or risky areas: RACE travel insurance doesn’t cover assistance in countries affected by armed conflicts, severe natural disasters, or declared health crises.
• Trip cancellations due to personal change of plans: Reimbursement applies only if cancellation results from justified reasons listed in the policy, such as illness or job issues. Any cancellation by personal decision isn’t covered.
• Cosmetic or non-urgent treatments: Medical procedures for aesthetic purposes, routine check-ups, or non-essential treatments aren’t part of the medical coverage.
• Intentional or reckless damage: Any damage caused by negligence, alcohol or drug use, or illegal behaviour isn’t covered by the insurance.
• Medical expenses without prior authorisation: In most cases, you must contact the insurer before receiving treatment for the coverage to apply.

Before purchasing a travel insurance policy with RACE, read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure the chosen plan truly covers your needs and prevents unforeseen issues that could affect your experience abroad.

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What’s RACE’s customer service like?

Now that we know more about its policies, it’s time to talk about how RACE handles travellers’ issues. This point is key when choosing an insurer because, when you’re far from home, having quick and efficient assistance really matters. 

In this case, RACE offers several channels to manage questions, request help, or file claims at any moment during the trip. Let’s see its main contact methods and how each one works:

• 24/7 helpline: In case of a medical emergency or any other problem during your trip, you can contact their support team at any time, every day of the year. This service is essential for solving urgent matters immediately.
• Email: For general queries or less urgent requests, customers can contact the company via email. Response time varies, but they usually reply within 24 to 48 business hours.
• Online form: RACE has a contact form on its official website, ideal for sending questions or claims online. It’s a simple option for travellers who prefer not to call.
• Social media: Although it’s not the best channel for urgent cases, the company maintains an active presence on platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Users can ask general questions or request information about their services there.

Regarding the speed and efficiency of its customer service, opinions are mixed. Some users appreciate the 24/7 phone support, while others mention that some administrative processes can take longer than expected.

Remember that, to stay in touch with your insurance provider during your trip, you can choose Holafly’s monthly plans. You’ll have 10 GB, 25 GB, or unlimited data (depending on the plan you choose) to contact them, track your requests, or report emergencies at any time.

Opinion of the RACE website and platform

Nowadays, the ability to buy and manage insurance online is almost as important as the coverage itself. A clear, intuitive, and functional website makes choosing and purchasing a policy much easier.

After analysing RACE’s website, we found that it has a platform designed to offer a smooth experience, with detailed information about its travel insurance and easy access to purchase options from the homepage. The menus are simple to navigate and let users compare coverages, review policy details, and get a quote in just a few steps.

The purchase process is 100% online. You only need to choose the insurance type, enter your travel details, and make the payment. RACE accepts several payment methods, including credit and debit cards.

Another positive point is transparency. The site clearly lists the included coverages and the limits for each plan. There’s also a comparison section showing what each policy offers. This gives travellers enough information to make a well-informed decision. Moreover, there’s a FAQ section that answers common questions about purchase, policy use, and claims management.

For existing customers, the platform allows them to access their account, manage documents, and check the status of assistance requests. It’s a practical tool that helps users keep track of everything in one place.

Advantages and disadvantages of RACE travel insurance

After analysing RACE’s policies in detail, it’s clear they have strong points that can make them a great choice for some travellers, but also aspects that could be improved. To help you decide, we’ve prepared a comparison table with both options. This way, you’ll be able to clearly see which insurance plan suits you best.

Pros and cons of RACE travel insurance

RACE travel insurance user experiences and customer opinions

Choosing travel insurance isn’t just about comparing coverage and prices. It’s also important to know how the company reacts when you really need it. The best way to understand an insurer’s effectiveness is through the experiences of real customers. Does RACE deliver what it promises? Is it easy to manage a claim from abroad? To answer these questions, we reviewed customer experiences on different review platforms, analysing both positive feedback and recurring complaints.

Medical care and expenses abroad

Having access to fast and efficient healthcare abroad is one of the main reasons people buy travel insurance. RACE’s policies include overseas medical assistance, hospitalisation, medicines, and repatriation. But what do users actually say about the service?

• Strengths: Customers praise the 24/7 assistance and the quick handling of medical emergencies. They highlight the coverage in countries with high healthcare costs and how easy it is to reach the support team during emergencies.
• Areas to improve: Some reviews mention delays in treatment authorisation and difficulties getting reimbursements for unscheduled consultations. There are also reports of service quality varying by country, which can cause inconvenience for some travellers.

“I purchased travel insurance with medical assistance. Destination: Puerto de la Cruz, Canary Islands.

When I called for a medical appointment on Sunday, they offered assistance in La Laguna, another town. It’s unbelievable. To get an antibiotic prescription, they send me to another city!”— RACE travel insurance review: Armando, on Trustpilot

Luggage protection and tools

Losing or damaging luggage during a trip is one of the most frustrating experiences. RACE includes protection in case of theft, loss, or damage of suitcases and work equipment. However, travellers’ experiences with this coverage vary.

• Positive aspects: Many customers appreciate that the insurance includes compensation for lost or damaged luggage. They also highlight support in locating bags at airports and coverage for theft at accommodation.
• Negative aspects: Some travellers feel that the compensation amounts are limited, especially for valuables like cameras, laptops, or sports gear. Others mention that the claim process can be bureaucratic and require detailed documentation.

Trip cancellation and refund — RACE travel insurance reviews

When an unexpected event forces you to cancel your trip, having insurance that covers non-refundable costs is a real relief. RACE provides protection for this, but customer experiences differ.

• Strengths: Users appreciate the coverage for cancellations due to illness, family issues, or unforeseen circumstances. They also value the clear policy wording, which helps them understand their rights before making a claim.
• Weaknesses: Some reviews mention that refund requests can take time and that extra documents may be required, which aren’t always easy to get. Others point out that certain cancellation reasons aren’t included in standard coverage.

Activities and liability coverage — RACE travel insurance reviews

For travellers engaging in sports, driving abroad, or adventure trips, liability coverage is crucial. RACE includes protection in this area, but reviews show different experiences depending on the activity type.

• Positive feedback: Customers say the liability coverage is useful in cases such as accidental damage or injury to others. They also appreciate the option to extend coverage to more demanding activities.
• Improvement areas: Some travellers mention that high-risk activities like extreme sports or driving specific vehicles aren’t covered in standard plans. In some cases, adding this protection means an extra cost that isn’t always clearly stated during purchase.

That concludes our analysis of RACE travel insurance and the opinions of those who trusted it to travel with peace of mind. If you’re considering buying one of their policies, we recommend checking each plan’s details carefully to ensure it covers your needs. The key to a worry-free journey lies in choosing the right protection for your destination, activities, and budget. Safe travels!

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