Trip Mate Insurance Reviews

Trip Mate is the insurance that is covering our high school aged daughter’s travel. When we were signing up, the communication was that it could be cancelled for essentially any reason (within reason) due to the nature of the coverage, it being for high schoolers, etc. We found out we would no longer be able to have our child attend her trip (which doesn’t even occur for a year yet), due to having to move out of state. They refused citing that she wasn’t hospitalized, or some crazy thing. Again I recognize we didn’t read the fine print well enough, we were blinded by the claims they would be covering for basically anything, which is why we purchased.

We booked a Bahamas Atlantis vacation. Cat 5 hurricane headed towards the Bahamas and cancellation was NOT covered!! We’re out $1500. Do not use this company!! How can a pending hurricane not be covered?

I purchased travel insurance through TripMate for my daughter’s school trip, which we had to cancel because she is no longer a student and was no longer allowed to attend. We submitted everything they asked for, and it’s been months now with no resolution. Every time I contact them, I’m told the refund is “processing” or “on the way” — but it never actually comes. We’re out both the trip and the money, and it feels like we’re being strung along with empty promises. This has been incredibly frustrating and disappointing. Travel insurance is supposed to provide peace of mind — not make a stressful situation worse. I would not recommend TripMate to anyone.

Submitted a claim on 6/23 for a missed connection due to flight delay. Had to call Trip Mate 3 weeks after submitting the claim form to check on the status. Received email noticed a day later saying they actually did receive the documents. 1 week later, received another request from Trip Mate for more documents, including a totally unrelated outgoing flight, submitted the documents on the same day. Had to call Trip Mate again 2 weeks later to see if the documents were received. Received email the same day saying receipt of documents. Bottom line is, customers have to follow up every step of the way otherwise nothing will get processed. It has been at least 6 weeks since I submitted my claim and I have yet to receive any determination from Trip Mate and that is after the agent told me during the 2nd call that he would request an “expedited” process for me.

Updated on 07/06/2025: As before, TripMate isn't offering a reasonable response. This is my reply to the company: "This information wasn't made clear to us at our time of purchase. What people need to be aware of is that the voucher is only good for one year, only at a Sandals/Beaches resort, and non transferable. The voucher is of no use to us."

I am writing to express my profound disappointment with Trip Mate's travel insurance service. This was my first time using their company, and it will certainly be my last. I filed a claim almost a month and a half ago, and to date, I have received absolutely no meaningful updates. Every time I call for information, the representatives simply repeat the same details available on their website. This is an unbelievable lack of customer service. I have dealt with various insurance companies in the past, and I have never encountered such lengthy delays or a complete absence of transparent communication when processing a legitimate claim.

0 Rating. Trip Mate refuse to give refund for flight cancellation that was booked to attend a funeral, due to unforeseen reasons I can not explain here the travel plans had to be cancelled, however TripMate is aware of the circumstances. I’ve been trying to get my refund for over 4 months now. And every time. I check into the claim they request more information or documents, which I have provided to them on every request, yet they continue to start over the process every time more information is requested. Now after 4 months they have made a decision and refuse my claim and not to give me my money back. $2000 is a lot of money to lose out on. DO NOT PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE FROM TRIPMATE…. File a complaint on the BBB.

Worst airline claims service. I filed my claims in February, and they are still pending review. The last time I called on 05/09, customer service said it's approved, and I will get my refunds in 7 business days. Today, May 22, I called, and they said it's still in review. Just for one claim, it's taken 4 months to process. What a joke. Do not pay insurance on top of your airline ticket. That is only a scam to get extra dollars from your pocket.

Sarah from Crystal Lake, IL. I suffered a tibial plateau fracture in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on my first evening of my Odysseys Unlimited Patagonia tour. I had to have emergency surgery two days later. Despite needing emergency help, we got nothing from our TripMate insurance people. They did not reply to numerous phone calls and messages, finally telling us that they needed a “Fit to Fly” form filled out before they would do anything. The doctors would not release me as “Fit to Fly” until fifteen days later. We had to move to a hotel until that time.

It's clear that the goal is to collect premiums and to deny claims. Very, very slow chat response. Requirements for more documentation than required for a passport. Phone calls are handled by first denier, then ridiculous requests for documentation. Essentially a scam company. They do not provide insurance. They just collect premiums.

I spent over 90 minutes collecting all of the information required by Trip Mate when I made my initial claim. Also, their service was down so I had to mail my claim thru another company as they were not taking online claims. After a month of hearing nothing, they emailed me a response that requested everything that I'd already sent be sent in an online form. They also requested information that was impossible for me to obtain (ie. the specific reason why my carrier cancelled my flight in written form in English). I was on an India flight. After another frustrated hour of recollecting my things, I gave up and wrote this review instead. The flight reimbursement never happened and they closed my claim without any further announcement or review.

Trip Mate is famously (see below for other reviews) terrible. We filled out every portion of the extensive documentation they sent us. And guess what? They claimed something was missing. From somewhere. We have no idea where. And added they had sent us the complaint (to the wrong address. Of course). We phoned them and asked for a supervisor. Guess what???? Right.

Won't pay your claim, total scam. They will find a way to take your money. Total waste of time to pay for this. Never again would I waste my time to get travel insurance since they make it way too hard to get money back.

I added Trip Mate insurance to our trip on the Danube River, I submitted a claim and was rewarded by a confusing letter from Trip Mate denying my claim. I paid money to this scamming company to cover my trip and now all I get is a denial. This company should be denied from preying on travelers and I will never use them again. They are a total scam who gives you excuses why they won't pay. Buyer beware.

My disabled daughter and I took Amtrak train to Glacier National Park. Our train on way home was cancelled. Had to find another Hotel to stay at. Next day got on train. Took whole extra day, delayed meeting adjoining train home. Had to stay in hotel a second night and then home. We sent in all what happened in more detail, all our receipts and even a letter from one of the Amtrack people. I have called and emailed several times, and they say they never received it and can't help me. I bought this insurance in case of something like this. We were 3 days late home all due to Amtrak fault, and we are not getting reimbursed at all what we are supposed to. Even after I offered to send copies of the photocopies, I had of what I sent.

Our American Airlines flight from Lafayette, La to Dallas, Tx on 12/10/2024 was delayed and our connecting flight from Dallas Tx to Burbank Ca was missed, so we were put on another AA flight and bumped down from business class to coach and rerouted to LAX. We had to take a bus and an Uber to get back home, many hours later. I called American the following day and was told we would be refunded the price difference from business to coach...but not to me. The refund would go to the credit card that booked the flight. I used a AAA travel agent to book the flight, who in turn used a different travel agency to charge the flight on their credit card. I agreed on travel insurance, because of the winter weather, and have used TripMate in the past. I paid AAA who in turn paid the travel agency who in turn paid American. I called AAA, the Travel Agency, American Airlines and Trip Mate to find out where my money was.

The worst customer service ever encountered! After 2 appeals since August of '24, I finally got a denial and I have given up as they are the bottom of the barrel. Coverages do not correlate with their outcomes and subjective decisions! Never again! Too bad that Viking (top notch) is affiliated with such a low end business. They need to regroup in this one!

Tripmate is a scam. We arrived at the airport missing a Passport. We reschedule our flight so we could go home and find it. We could not find it. I reported it stolen and applied for a new one. I had to cancel the trip and flights. I sent all the documentation to Tripmate. They denied my claim because I did not have a police report. What a waste of time and money. Why does Sandals offer such a useless insurance on their Website.

Terrible. We had a severe spinal stenosis, and could not fly, fully documented. Still has not paid claim 5 months later. Worst example of an insurance scam I have seen. Completely unethical. Save yourself a big headache, and use another insurance company.

Buyer beware of Trip Mate Insurance. I'm not sure why Viking Cruises partners with Trip Mate. I would encourage anyone considering Trip Mate for travel insurance to run in the other direction. I booked a Viking Cruise in June of 2023. The Viking rep strongly encouraged me to purchase "their insurance" for the cruise which I did as I believed Viking to be a reputable business. The cruise was booked for December 2025. The cost of the insurance was $2985.00. I had to pay Viking in full for the cruise by August 31st, 2023. I had to cancel the cruise in November 2024 due to a job change which is a covered reason for cancellation per Trip Mate Terms and Conditions.

If I was able to give less than a star I would. I purchased trip protection from World Nomads for a trip my wife and I took to Nepal. Unfortunately both my wife and I fell very sick after making it to Everest Base Camp and climbing Ama Dablam. We were rushed to a hospital and had to sent to Kathmandu by helicopter and had to stay 4 days in a hospital. We spent over $7,500 between the flight and hospital feeling secure that we had coverage and would be reimbursed. This was in November. After several phone calls trying to navigate their claim submission we submitted our claim on 11/27/2024. It is now 02/04/2025 and I still have no resolution to my claim. I will never use World Nomads or anything related to Trip Mates again

We are dealing with terrible customer service from TripMate. We booked my "dream vacation" for my 50th Birthday Dec, 2024. A Western Mediterranean Cruise. I started to feel nauseous on the long flight to Rome. Once we got to the hotel in Rome the day before the cruise I started to get worse. I was so sick, weak and body shakes, etc. So we went to the ER in Rome. (That is another story, a terrible experience one at that.). The ER was less than helpful and didn't do much after hrs. After returning back to the hotel I was not feeling any better. We cancelled the cruise in fear of getting worse on the ship and having to be medivaced to another hospital. We had to rebook flights next day to return to the US. I did not want to go back to that horrible hospital. Upon speaking with Tripmate they said to scan and email all documents and proof of expenses, etc.

Updated on 01/28/2025: Well after all the crap and all the complaints made about Trip Mate they have paid my claim! What a fight just to get what was truly owed! I still not done yet. Will also be notifying attorney general’s office! This company is doing people so wrong something needs to be done.

Buyers beware. Trip Mate Insurance is nothing more than a scam. They will not cover anything. They just steal your money, the customer service is deplorable and the majority of their staff are incompetent. DO NOT BUY their Insurance to protect your travel experiences.

I am very unhappy with my experiences with TripMate Insurance. I booked an flight from Dallas Tx to Houston Tx and canceled it well within the time required by the guidelines of the insurance policy. After filing the claim and receiving a seven page claim form for myself and my doctor to fill out was complied with the insurance company delay the claim and insisting more information and documents from the airlines and my doctor to sign. Information they already had access to, they showed me that they never intended to honor the contract by giving me the runaround. I would never use Trip mate services again nor will I use any booking site affiliated with them again nor would I recommend it for anyone. My name is Columbus ** and I swear this statement to be true.

I had to cancel my trip to Jamaica due to the fact the Orlando Airport shut down because of a hurricane which in turn my connecting flight was canceled. I called Couples Resort and canceled my reservation because I had no way of getting there. I then called Trip Mate to ask them my next step. The gentleman I spoke to asked if the flights were canceled yet. I said no but, the airport shut down. He then stated that I should have not canceled my room yet and I messed everything up. I called Couples back 15 minutes later and re-established my room. Couples had to give me a new booking number even though I was still getting the same room for the same dates. The airline then canceled the flights the next day. I then called Couples back and canceled the reservation again.

Since returning from our trip, I have submitted about 20 emails and 40 documents to tripmate. When I questioned why additional redundant doc was needed I was told the claim adjuster will not work the claim unless I sent the requested doc. IMO… It’s a runaround delay tactic to not pay our claim. Viking Cruises scheduled the doctor for us.. My husband and I were diagnosed with bronchitis and acute respiratory illness. We were prescribed antibiotics and bed rest. What is the problem with Trip Mate honoring our insurance claim? So far, I have spent at least 8 hours collecting, copying, scanning, and emailing them doc. Ridiculous amount of time for two doctor visits. So far - after about a month - I have not been sent any compensation for our out of pocket medical expenses.

Trip Mate has used the exact same reason for the delay in payment for the second time.. In 2020 we had to cancel a trip because I was diagnosed with cancer. This year we took the same trip we didn't go on in 2020. This time my wife got ill half way through the trip and we were dropped from the tour. (Another complaint with CIE Tours.) Both trips were covered by TripMate and both claim payments were delayed for about 3 to 4 months after being approved for the exact same excuse.

Worst experience ever! I had to cancel a Viking cruise due to a disabling and sudden medical condition. After 6 months of haggling, providing documentation, repeat doctor appointments just so that she could personally fill out forms because it was not allowed that her office staff fill out the forms for her signature, etc. After the second and unfounded denial, I finally filed a complaint with the Missouri Insurance Commission. Surprise, a few days later my claim was suddenly approved! They still took several weeks to mail my reimbursement though. If you’re still having a hard time collecting on a legitimate claim I would highly recommend contacting the Missouri Insurance Commission. They were really helpful and nice.

Booked a honeymoon vacation at a Sandals Resort which was told make sure I purchase travel insurance. What a waste of money. Our flight was cancelled while we were in Jamaica leaving us wondering how we were going to make it home and where we would stay till the next flight out would be in TWO days. The extra days was $1000. The insurance was $250. Tripmate only gave us $600 back. I will never use this company again or even stay at a Sandals. Truly unhappy from day one.