Zurich travel insurance reviews: Advantages & disadvantages

If you’ve reached this point it’s because you’re considering hiring the services of this Swiss insurer to cover you on your next getaway. Their promises sound good and they have quite a reputation. But do they deliver on coverage and assistance? What do those who have trusted them say? Today, to help you decide if this is right for you, we’ve collected information about Zurich travel insurance, opinions on their response to incidents and their customer service. Join us to find out!

What Is Zurich and What Travel Insurance Do They Offer?

Before we dive into Zurich travel insurance and opinions, let’s start with the company. Zurich Insurance Group was founded in 1872 in Switzerland. Over more than 150 years it has positioned itself as one of the most recognised insurers worldwide and expanded into over 215 countries and territories. It provides protection in areas such as home, vehicles, health and, of course, international travel insurance.

However, these travel policies are no longer available in all countries. For example, although Zurich once offered travel insurance in Spain, it has now refocused its offerings on other types of insurance and does not market such policies in the Spanish market. In other countries it still provides services adapted to various travel needs.

The insurer, often partnered with local firms in the sector, has designed policies specific to each market where it operates. These offer solutions that differ in coverage and benefits depending on the country. Let’s check some:

• In Switzerland:
  • Relax Assistance: For a single annual fee it includes worldwide medical insurance, cancellation up to 30,000 Swiss francs (≈ $32,400, €27,750), legal assistance for travellers (up to 500,000 Swiss francs/≈ $540,000, €462,525 in Europe and 100,000 Swiss francs (≈ $108,000, €92,500) outside Europe) and coverage for itinerary changes.
  • Relax Assistance with Roadside Assistance: In addition to the above, it includes on-road help for cars, bikes and e-bikes. This plan is ideal for those combining international travel with local escapes.
• In Chile: Zurich, in collaboration with local entities, offers three options:
  • Basic Plan: Medical assistance up to $40,000 (€34,260), coverage for lost luggage and emergency dental care ($400, €340). Ideal for short getaways.
  • Standard Plan: It expands medical coverage to $80,000 (€68,520) and includes greater dental support ($600, €510).
  • Premium Plan: Aimed at travellers seeking maximum protection, it covers up to $250,000 (€214,130) in medical assistance and $2,000 (€1,700) for lost luggage.

• In Mexico: Zurich Mexico’s policies offer international medical assistance, reimbursements for travel interruptions and coverage for loss or delay of luggage. These plans can be customised to trip duration and planned activities.
• In Argentina: Options available in this country target students and frequent travellers, with coverage including personal accidents, medical repatriation and legal assistance.

It’s important to note that terms, coverages and prices for Zurich policies vary greatly from country to country. If you’re interested in buying travel insurance with Zurich, we recommend visiting the group’s official site in your country to find the details and tailor your plan to your needs.

What Do Zurich Travel Insurance Policies Cover?

After checking which policies are available in your country, if you choose Zurich travel insurance, it’s important to understand their coverage. Although options vary by country, Zurich designs products suited to different types of travellers. You’ll find policies for occasional tourists and those engaged in specific activities. These are the main coverages usually included in their travel insurance:

• Medical assistance abroad: Covers expenses from illness, accidents or emergencies during travel. Depending on the policy, limits reach up to $250,000 (€214,130) (in Chile, for example) or include worldwide medical assistance, as in Switzerland.
• Repatriation and medical transport: In case of serious illness, accident or death, Zurich covers transport back to your home country or to a suitable medical facility.
• Loss, theft or delay of luggage: Compensation covers expenses caused by loss or damage to your belongings while travelling. For example, Chile’s Premium Plan offers up to $2,000 (€1,700) for lost luggage.
• Trip cancellation: Refund for prepaid flights, accommodation and activities if you must cancel for justified reasons, like illness or family emergencies. In Switzerland, policies include up to 30,000 Swiss francs (≈ $32,400, €27,750) for this purpose.
• Third-party liability and legal protection: Covers claims for damage to others or legal issues during travel. In Switzerland, this includes up to 500,000 Swiss francs (≈ $540,000, €426,525) in Europe and $108,000 (€92,505) ( outside the continent.
• Outdoor sports coverage: Some policies include medical assistance and accident cover for activities like hiking, skiing or cycling.
• 24/7 customer support: Zurich offers multilingual emergency lines and support anytime during your trip. Remember, to stay connected abroad, you can buy Holafly monthly plans.

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What Zurich Travel Insurance Doesn’t Cover

As you can see, Zurich’s travel insurance policies are quite complete to cover you against possible incidents away from home. However, before buying one, you must know that some situations and expenses aren’t covered. Understanding them helps you avoid unpleasant surprises during your trip. As with coverage, exclusions vary by country and product. Generally, these are the main ones:

• Undeclared pre-existing conditions: Any diagnosed medical condition before purchasing the policy and not reported during purchase might not be covered.
• Cosmetic or non-essential treatments: Procedures such as plastic surgery, routine check-ups or aesthetic dental treatments aren’t included.
• Extreme activities without specific coverage: High-risk sports like skydiving, professional climbing or motor racing require additional policies.
• Negligence or recklessness: Incidents linked to excessive alcohol use, illegal activities or personal negligence aren’t the insurer’s responsibility.
• Unjustified cancellations: Trip cancellation refunds only apply if the reasons appear in the policy, such as serious illness or the death of a direct relative.
• Conflict or high-risk zones: Zurich excludes assistance in countries facing armed conflicts, natural disasters or recognised epidemics.
• Loss of unsafely stored items: If your belongings aren’t supervised or kept in secure places (like safes), losses or thefts won’t be covered.
• Unreported expenses: Any medical, logistical or emergency service must be communicated to Zurich beforehand to guarantee reimbursement.

How Is Zurich Insurance’s Customer Service?

Now that you know what they offer and their policies, it’s time to discuss Zurich’s response to user incidents. When choosing travel insurance, having efficient customer service isn’t just a plus — it’s essential. Imagine needing help abroad, far from home, and finding no answer. 

Zurich Insurance offers several customer service channels to meet clients’ needs. Among them, its phone and in-person assistance in offices stands out. Their digital platforms, mobile app and “My Zurich” portal also allow you to manage policies, check coverage and solve queries without travelling. 

User experiences with these channels vary greatly between countries. For example, in some markets like Switzerland, customers praise the quick responses and friendly staff. Meanwhile, in Chile and Mexico, delays in claim processing are reported, which can frustrate travellers during urgent situations.

On the positive side, Zurich Insurance provides support in several languages, which is vital for travel policyholders. Its 24/7 assistance service, particularly useful for medical emergencies abroad, is highly valued. However, some users mention that email responses can be slow and sometimes issue resolution takes longer than expected.

In short, Zurich’s customer service combines modern tools and a global support network. Still, it’s crucial to consider regional differences and review local client opinions before buying your policy. Customer and doctor satisfaction symbols on mobile screen to symbolise Zurich Insurance’s customer service

Zurich Insurance Website and Digital Platform Review

We mentioned that one of Zurich’s ways to assist its clients is through digital platforms. Let’s explore them in more detail. Nowadays, choosing insurance also means checking how easy it is to buy and manage it online. For Zurich Insurance, the website and digital experience again depend on the country.

In countries like Switzerland and Germany, Zurich’s website stands out for its intuitive and clean design. It offers detailed policy information, allows comparisons between options and provides real-time price calculators. However, in other markets such as Mexico, getting basic information can be more tedious. For instance, in several countries, users must complete long forms to receive a personalised quote by email, which many find inconvenient.

The “My Zurich” mobile app is a useful tool for existing clients. You can download policies, report claims and contact support directly. Nevertheless, some users say the app has performance issues on certain devices and could improve its navigation.

Regarding payment methods, Zurich offers various options including credit and debit cards, bank transfers and, in some cases, digital payment systems like PayPal. This provides flexibility, but in some regions, you must consider exchange rate fees when paying in a foreign currency.

In summary, Zurich’s website and digital tools work well but still have room for improvement in some markets. If you decide to buy insurance with them, we recommend exploring their digital tools in advance. That way, you’ll know how they work and ensure they meet your expectations.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Zurich Travel Insurance

After reviewing Zurich’s travel insurance and services, it’s clear there are strong aspects and others needing improvement. To help you decide, we’ve summarised both in a table. This gives you a clearer overview.

Advantages and disadvantages of Zurich travel insurance: User reviews

Customer Experiences and Opinions on Zurich Insurance

The real experiences of other users are crucial when evaluating whether Zurich Insurance is the right choice for your travels. By analysing reviews on platforms like Trustpilot and Google Reviews, we found a mix of positive and negative comments, with ratings differing by region.

Some customers praise the quick emergency response and international medical coverage as Zurich’s strongest points. However, others mention issues with reimbursement processes and long waiting times to resolve claims. Let’s look more closely at what users say about Zurich’s performance in key areas:

Medical Assistance Abroad with Zurich Travel Insurance: Reviews

Knowing you can rely on trustworthy medical help during a trip is vital for most travellers. Zurich stands out for its international network and promise to provide comprehensive medical care abroad, covering emergencies and repatriation. But what do users actually think about this crucial part of their policies?

• Strengths: Many value the broad medical cover including hospitalisation, medication and urgent healthcare across several countries. They also highlight the 24/7 multilingual phone assistance, which gives peace of mind in emergencies. Some users note that Zurich meets entry requirements for destinations with strict conditions, such as the United States.
• Areas to improve: Some reviews mention delays in treatment approval and complex reimbursement processes. Others say the quality of medical services depends on the country where coverage is used, creating inconsistency in customer experience.

Luggage Protection and Tools in Zurich Travel Insurance: Reviews

Losing your belongings during a trip can ruin the experience, so having cover for loss, theft or damage is essential. Zurich claims to offer strong protection here, but does it really meet traveller expectations?

• Strengths: Users praise the adequate compensation for lost or damaged luggage, which usually covers essential items across all markets. They also highlight proactive assistance when locating missing baggage.
• Areas to improve: Some travellers mention that the compensation claim process feels tedious because of the required documentation. Others add that cover for tech gadgets or specific tools isn’t always enough, especially when not declared during purchase.

‘They have to deal with travel insurance where there was a delay in the delivery of luggage and their liability is less than €200 ($216).
After several weeks and two people handling the case, there is nothing but silence and a request to send the required documents again.’—
Jesús Mª Aniento Peces, on Trustpilot

Trip Cancellation and Refund in Zurich Travel Insurance: Reviews

When unexpected events force you to cancel a trip, getting your prepaid costs back can be a real financial relief. Zurich includes cancellation cover in its policies, but how well does it actually work?

• Strengths: Travellers appreciate the clear refund conditions. Many say Zurich covers major costs such as flights, accommodation and prepaid activities. It gives security when facing serious issues like illness or family emergencies.
• Areas to improve: Some reviews note that proving eligibility for cancellation can be complicated, especially without complete documentation. Others criticise the narrow list of valid reasons for refunds, like non-covered plan changes.

“I had a planned trip for which I took out insurance. Two weeks before travelling, my father became seriously ill and was hospitalised. He’s still there today. I submitted all required documents through their platform, as instructed by Booking.com, since direct contact was impossible. Later, they emailed me requesting the same paperwork at least six times, each time in a different format.”— Sonia Arrollo, on Trustpilot

Activities and Liability in Zurich Travel Insurance: Reviews

From sports to driving abroad, travel often includes activities with risks. Let’s see what users say about Zurich’s liability cover and recreational activity options:

• Strengths: Customers appreciate coverage for third-party damage while driving or doing moderate outdoor activities. They also value the flexibility to expand coverage for adventure sports, which lets them tailor the policy to their travel needs.
• Areas to improve: Complaints focus on the exclusion of some high-risk sports from standard policies, which adds extra cost for full protection. Some also say liability coverage limits could expand to include less common situations or niche activities.

And that’s our complete overview of Zurich Travel Insurance and customer opinions. As we’ve seen, this global insurer offers options designed for many traveller types and needs. If you want a company with worldwide backing and flexible policies, Zurich could be worth considering. Always read the conditions carefully to ensure they fit your destination, activities and budget. Travelling insured helps you enjoy every moment even more. Have a good trip!

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