nrma travel health insurance

NRMA Travel Insurance

Our verdict: nrma has some particularly high benefit limits and offers 5% off if you already have insurance with them..

In this guide

Summary of NRMA International Comprehensive policy

How does nrma travel insurance cover covid-19, what policies does nrma offer, here's a breakdown of nrma travel insurance features, standard features, optional add-ons, how to make an nrma travel insurance claim, here's the bottom line about nrma travel insurance, frequently asked questions, request travel insurance quotes and compare policies.

Destinations

• NRMA covers up to $10,000 of your rental car excess, higher than many other brands.
• NRMA covers up to $45,000 for loss of income. We didn't find another brand that offered more cover in this area.
• There's no option to add higher-risk activities to your policy, such as outdoor rock-climbing, which might rule NRMA out for some travellers.
• NRMA offers limited coverage for expenses related to COVID-19.

Compare other options

Congratulations, NRMA!

NRMA received the highly commended award for 'Travel Insurance - Comprehensive' in the 2023 Product Awards . NRMA also received the highly commended award for 'Travel Insurance' in the 2023 Customer Satisfaction Awards .

Table updated September 2023

NRMA offers some cover in relation to COVID-19, including:

• Appropriate overseas medical, emergency, evacuation or repatriation costs if you're diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Additional expenses if you're diagnosed or admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
• Additional expenses if a relative or your business partner not travelling with you becomes sick as a result of COVID-19.
• Amendment or cancellation costs if you or your travelling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19 before you leave.
• Amendment or cancellation costs if your non-travelling relative or business partner becomes sick due to COVID-19.
• Amendment or cancellation costs if you're are an essential health care worker whose leave is revoked due to COVID-19.
• Amendment or cancellation costs if you or your travelling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19 on your trip.

There are some scenarios that are not covered by NRMA Travel Insurance, including if your accommodation or tour cancels due to COVID-19 or if you travel knowing you have COVID-19.

NRMA offers six insurance policies to travellers - International Multi-Trip, International Comprehensive, International Essentials, Domestic Multi-Trip, Domestic Comprehensive, and Domestic Cancellation.

International Multi-Trip

International Comprehensive

International Essentials

Domestic Multi-Trip

Domestic Comprehensive

Domestic Cancellation

The insurer of this product is Zurich Australian Insurance Limited. It comes with a cooling-off period of 21 days and choice of $250 standard excess for international plans.

These are some of the main insured events that NRMA will cover. These benefits apply across all international policies.

• Overseas medical treatment
• Lost, damaged or stolen property
• Trip cancellation or amendment
• Additional accommodation and transport
• Delayed luggage allowance
• Rental car insurance excess
• Emergency dental costs
• Kidnap and hijack
• Personal liability
• Accidental death

NRMA also offers opportunities to tailor your cover to suit your needs. It has a specific Cruise Cover option but otherwise you just have to request a quote for your other needs.

• Cruise cover. Mandatory if you are going on a multi-night cruise, includes extra cover for some cruise-related risks such as cabin confinement and missed ports.
• Medical Conditions and Pregnancy. NRMA may consider covering your pregnancy or pre-existing condition following a health questionnaire.
• Increase luggage item limits. You may be able to increase the item limit by paying an additional premium.
• Motorcycle/moped riding. Extends your insurance policy to cover some motorcycle and moped-related claims, but not personal liability.
• Snow skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. If you want your policy to cover you while on the slopes, you'll need to pay an additional premium.

Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn't cover everything. Generally, NRMA will not pay your claim if it relates to:

• Unlawful, wreckless or unreasonably unsafe behaviour by you
• Behaviour while you were drunk or under the influence of drugs
• Expenses related to a pre-existing medical condition
• An act of war, invasion or revolution
• Insolvency of a travel agent , tour operator or accommodation provider
• Mandatory quarantines or isolations
• You being unfit to travel or travelling against medical advic
• Childbirth or pregnancy complications before the 24th week of gestation or if you have had previous pregnancy complications
• An elective medical or dental treatment , cosmetic procedure or body modification (including tattoos or piercing)
• Self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide or attempted suicide

Make sure you review the NRMA PDS for a detailed breakdown of what won't be covered, found under its list of general exclusions .

You can claim online via the NRMA website, following these instructions:

• Describe the incident
• Enter your expenses or losses
• Upload any supporting documents
• Provide your bank details
• Review and finalise your claim

You can save and return to an incomplete claim for up to 28 days. Once you've lodged your claim, NRMA will update you within 10 working days.

You can also phone NRMA on 1300 135 640 between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Or you can fill out a claim form and post it to:

NRMA Travel Insurance c/o Cover-More Claims Department Private Bag 913 North Sydney NSW 2059

NRMA offers particularly high benefit limits, so if you're travelling with expensive items or have a high rental car excess, it could be a good option.

However, any travellers keen to take part in risky or high-adrenaline activities may want to look elsewhere as NRMA doesn't offer an opportunity to add an adventure pack to its policies, whereas many other insurance brands do.

If you're still not sure about NRMA, you can compare other travel insurance companies here .

What type of documentation do I need when making a claim?

NRMA may ask you to provide a range of documents including receipts, valuation certificates, credit card or bank statements, photos or an emergency services report.

Does NRMA cover pre-existing conditions?

NRMA covers a range of pre-existing conditions as standard, including asthma, coeliac disease, and bunions. Some additional conditions are covered with specific conditions, such as not being hospitalised within a certain time period, while others you will need to apply for specific cover and pay an extra premium..

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Nicola Middlemiss

Nicola Middlemiss is a contributing writer at Finder, with a special interest in personal finance and insurance. Formerly a business and finance journalist, Nicola has written thousands of articles helping Australians better understand insurance and grow their personal wealth. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including Domain, the Educator, Financy, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Insurance Business, MoneyMag, Mortgage Professional, Yahoo Finance, Your Investment Property, and Wealth Professional. Nicola has a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds. See full profile

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Thanks for reaching out to Finder.

If you are looking to apply for a travel insurance with NRMA , you may directly visit their website to request a quote or to speak to a representative who can help with your insurance enquiries.

Alternatively, you may compare policies from different brands from our Travel insurance for Singapore page. Simply enter your travel details and press “Get my quote”. Once you have chosen a particular cover, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the insurer’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.

Before applying, please ensure that you read through the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.

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Travel insurance

NRMA Comprehensive Multi-Trip review

Annual policy..

This is the provider of the insurance product and correlates with the Financial Services Provider (FSP) as registered with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. You can look up your insurer's provider in the AFCA comparative tables to see how common it is for consumers to bring a travel insurance dispute to AFCA about them.

In years (up to and including the number stated). For policies listed as '100+', there is no age limit.

Maximum age for dependants listed on the policy. In years (up to and including the number stated).

Does the policy list pre-existing medical conditions that are automatically covered.

Does the policy cover pre-existing medical conditions that are not listed as automatic cover on the policy (on application and subject to approval)

The lower the number, the better. It's the time period before booking your trip that a medical condition would be covered if you've had no symptoms,  medication or treatment (as long as that condition isn't specifically excluded). If for example, your condition last showed symptoms 18 months ago, but the time period here is 12 months, then you'll be covered subject to the other conditions of the policy.

Are claims covered that arise from pregnancy or pregnancy complications?

Until which stage pregnancy is covered for single births (up to and including).

Are medical costs covered for the mother if childbirth occurs up to the maximum pregancy stage

Limit for medical and emergency evacuation and repatriation expenses for illness or injury.

Expenses for an accompanying person such as a member of the travelling party, a friend or a close relative (not necessarily listed as insured on the certificate of insurance) to travel to the sick policyholder overseas, remain with them in hospital and accompany them home during an emergency repatriation.

Daily hospital cash allowance per person.

Minimum number of hours the insured must be continuously hospitalised before receiving the hospital cash allowance.

Limit for dental as a result of an accident.

Limit for dental as a result of sudden and acute pain.

Limit for overseas funeral costs and the return of mortal remains per deceased person, in the event of the death of the policy holder. There may be a separate limit for 'return of mortal remains' and 'overseas funeral costs', so check the policy terms for more details.

Limit for additional accommodation and travel expenses if the policy holder cannot travel due to injury or sickness.

The limit for additional travel expenses per person if travel is interrupted by an insured event (not including injury or sickness as that is covered separately under 'Additional travel expenses for injury or sickness'). Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for additional travel expenses per person if travel is interrupted due to a lost or stolen passport or travel documents. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether or not the policy covers you for additional accommodation and travel expenses if you need to curtail travel due to the serious illness or injury of a relative at home. May be subject to assessment of pre-existing conditions for the relative.

Limit for resumption of a journey interrupted due to the serious illness, injury or death of a relative. May be subject to assessment of pre-existing conditions for the relative. Check the policy terms for more details. 'Cancellation cover chosen' means variable cover options are available.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation or amendment expenses.

Limit for cancellation or amendment expenses. 'Cover chosen' means variable cover options are available.

Limit for cancellation expenses for transportation bought using frequent flyer points.

Limit for travel agent cancellation fees.

Whether the policy covers you for losses arising out of insolvency of a travel services provider (e.g. airline, accomodation provider, bus line, shipping line, railway company, motor vehicle rental agency). Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to insolvency of a travel agent. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to unexpected/involuntary retrenchment. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to cancellation of pre-arranged leave from work for members of the Defence Force and Federal, State or Territory Emergency Services. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to cancellation of pre-arranged leave from work for non-emergency services occupations. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Are stolen or damaged personal belongings covered

The overall limit for stolen or damaged personal belongings.

Limit for a single unspecified item.

Limit per item for a video or photo camera. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for a laptop or tablet. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for a smartphone. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for any prescribed medications. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Overall limit for specified items, available for an extra premium. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover for belongings locked in a luggage compartment of a car out of sight during the day. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover for belongings locked in a luggage compartment of a car out of sight overnight. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover for valuables such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, jewellery or cameras locked in the luggage compartment of a car. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover limit per person for lost or stolen cash. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Overall limit for a single person for baggage lost temporarily. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

The minimum period of time in hours before which cover applies for temporarily lost baggage. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for additional travel expenses to reach a special event such as a wedding, conference or sporting event on time if the scheduled transport is cancelled or delayed.

Limit for additional travel expenses to reach pre-paid travel arrangements on time if the scheduled transport is cancelled or delayed. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy is automatically extended if your journey is extended due to unforeseen circumstances.

Limit for additional meal and accommodation expenses if scheduled transport is delayed.

The minimum number of hours before transport delay is covered. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit per person per 24-hour period for this transport delay. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Is the collision damage excess for a hire car covered?

Limit for collision damage excess for a hire car. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Does the policy cover cancellation and additional expenses for claims due to transport incidents like mechanical breakdown and accidents?

Does the policy cover cancellation and additional expenses for claims due to strikes?

Does the policy cover claims due to mental health illness experienced for the first time on the trip, and not classified as an ongoing or existing medical condition?

Does the policy cover claims due to COVID-19?

Does the policy cover claims due to pandemics other than COVID-19?

Does the policy cover claims due to natural disaster?

Does the policy cover claims due to civil unrest?

Does the policy cover claims due to terrorism?

Does the policy cover claims due to war?

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A Practical Guide to Buying Travel Insurance

Travel insurance could be the difference between a huge medical bill or a modest copay. use these tips to find the best policy for your trip..

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It’s far better to buy travel insurance and never use it than to not be covered in an emergency.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

For many, travel insurance seems like an unnecessary additional expense. But if you get stuck in a costly situation—a medical emergency, a canceled trip due to a pandemic , a stolen camera—it suddenly becomes a totally worthwhile investment that saves, not costs, you money.

This was the case for writer Chris Ciolli. After years of traveling without a safety net, she invested in travel insurance on a recent trip during which she was rushed to the hospital at 3 a.m. for a slew of just-in-case tests. She ended up with an underwhelming diagnosis of gastritis, but also a slow trickle of medical bills—a few hundred dollars here, a thousand there—that totaled nearly $6,000. Fortunately, her monthlong $185 World Nomads policy covered everything after an initial $80 copay.

But even if you understand the benefits and you’re committed to buying travel insurance, choosing the right policy for your needs—and even knowing what those needs are—can be tricky. To help you choose the best travel insurance for your trip, we’ve consulted a number of travel agents, insurance industry professionals, and lifelong travelers for advice. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know, from travel insurance reviews and comparisons to common questions answered, to pick the best policy for your next trip.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a plan, similar to health or auto insurance, that protects you from expenses incurred during unforeseen mishaps while traveling, such as lost luggage, trip cancellations, or medical emergencies.

Although your current homeowner’s, renter’s, auto, or health insurance may cover you for certain things while traveling, it usually doesn’t cover everything—especially on international trips. A good travel insurance plan will cover the gaps.

Where do you get travel insurance?

Some very basic forms of travel insurance are included if you booked your trip with a credit card such as World MasterCard, Capital One Venture Rewards, and Chase Ink and Sapphire cards. With these plans, you may be protected regarding some delay, luggage, and travel accident expenses, but the coverage is usually pretty basic.

You can also purchase it as an add-on while booking flights, cruises, or hotels. These plans are also limited and will only cover you in the event of an unavoidable cancellation due to events such as a natural disaster or a death in your family. “While it may seem less expensive, it may not cover all of the components of your trip,” says Andrew David Harris, vice president and COO of Harris Travel Service . While both of these are better than nothing, the most comprehensive and best travel insurance policies are sold by providers such as World Nomads, Allianz Global Assistance, Seven Corners, or TravelEx. You can purchase these plans through your travel agent, but it’s often less expensive to book directly with the travel insurance provider or through a comparison website, like SquareMouth .

What does travel insurance cover?

Every traveler and trip is different, which is reflected by the variety of travel insurance plans on the market. No matter what plan or provider you choose, below are some common things travel insurance covers. Experts agree that before you buy, you should absolutely look for specific exclusions in the fine print on potential policies. If you’re unsure about something, reach out. A good insurance company will be responsive and willing to clarify your questions.

Trip cancellation and interruption

Most travel insurance policies will include some form of trip cancellation and interruption coverage to reimburse you for nonrefundable expenses, like a prepaid hotel or plane ticket. Unless you add cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance to your plan, there will be a limited set of acceptable reasons to claim this. Illness, death of an immediate family member, and weather are commonly accepted reasons.

Trip delays and missed connections

Also common is reimbursement for additional expenses incurred if a trip is delayed and meets criteria set out by the provider. With World Nomads, your flight must be delayed by at least six hours to qualify.

Baggage and personal effects

Most plans will cover the cost of lost or damaged luggage and personal belongings as well as the cost of purchasing additional items if your luggage is delayed.

Emergency medical and dental care

This covers the cost of medical care when you get sick or have an accident in another country and usually includes medical evacuation. However, travel insurance isn’t a substitute for regular health insurance so nonemergency medical expenses (physicals, anything cosmetic, eye exams) aren’t covered. Childbirth isn’t covered either, even for pregnant travelers who go into labor prematurely.

Shannon O’Donnell, 2013 National Geographic Traveler of the Year and blogger at A Little Adrift , mentions another coverage gap travelers miss: “You’re only covered for what you’re licensed to do back home—if you don’t have a permit for a motorbike and you drive one in Southeast Asia, you might not be covered in an accident.”

Emergency medical evacuation

This covers the cost of an emergency transfer (in an ambulance or helicopter, for example) from an area with inadequate medical care to the nearest medical center with the services you need. It’s costlier but essential in isolated and politically unstable parts of the world.

Accidental death and dismemberment and repatriation

Experts say that “truckloads of coverage for hospital costs and medical repatriation home” are the most important things to look for. “The rest is just window dressing.” A lot of basic plans won’t include this in their coverage, but you can easily add this on with an upgrade to a more premium tier.

Concierge and 24/7 service

Daniel Durazo, director of Marketing and Communications for Allianz Global Assistance , says that “a good policy includes a 24/7 contact line for both medical and travel emergencies.”

Common travel insurance add-ons to consider

A basic plan is usually enough for most travelers, but it may not cover everything you need if you’re older, have pre-existing medical conditions, participate in sports while traveling, book an expensive trip, or travel with expensive gear (such as a high-end camera). If you fall into any of these categories, consider an add-on or upgrade.

Upgrade lost luggage, trip delay, and cancellation amounts

“Standard travel insurance levels cover more modest belongings and lodging,” advises Annette Stellhorn, president and Group Luxury Travel designer at Accent on Travel . If you’re traveling with expensive gear or spending a lot on your trip, consider upgrading to a tier that covers your costs adequately.

Additional coverage for adventure and high-risk travel

Stellhorn also notes that adventure and high-risk travel “require higher benefit amounts for medical evacuation, which can run more than $250,000.” And Judy Perl at Judy Perl Worldwide Travel says that “most insurance companies will not insure high-risk travel at all, with the exception of big companies like First Allied and Travelex .” Even fewer risky activities and sports may only be covered to a limit: that is, climbing to certain heights and diving to certain depths.

Most sports are covered up to a certain level of intensity; any higher and you may have to purchase a different tier of insurance. World Nomads, for example, will cover a slew of adventure travel activities and sports, but at an additional cost on top of its basic insurance.

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance

It’s important to read the fine print of any insurance plan because, even if it includes trip cancellation coverage, this often only kicks in under certain circumstances. As many travelers found out recently, trips canceled due to the recent coronavirus pandemic were not covered unless they had a CFAR add-on .

Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, co-owner and copresident at Valerie Wilson Travel , explains that these plans “only cover 75 percent of trip expenses [and only] if travelers cancel their trips at least 48 hours in advance.”

Does travel insurance cover pandemics?

No. “Once actual events have unfolded, such as the coronavirus outbreak, they are considered known or foreseeable events and are no longer covered by most travel insurance policies,” says Afar’s Michelle Baran . The exception is if you chose to upgrade your plan to include a CFAR add-on.

What are the best travel insurance policies?

The best travel insurance policy will depend on you and your trip. You’ll want to make sure you have a plan that covers the cost of your entire trip and the activities you want to do and won’t leave you in the dark if you have preexisting conditions. The following are some of the best travel insurance partners to consider:

Best for: Older travelers and those with preexisting conditions.

While Allianz provides great travel insurance for any traveler, it’s especially appropriate for those with pre-existing conditions, since those are covered in every one of its plans. However, its basic coverage only covers up to $500 in lost or damaged baggage, so consider an upgrade if you’re traveling with more expensive equipment.

Get a quote: allianztravelinsurance.com

Best for: Medical coverage only

GeoBlue’s Voyager basic medical coverage is not a comprehensive travel insurance plan that covers a slew of scenarios; rather it provides travelers with basic medical travel insurance. The deductible is a high $500, but at $19 to $35 per trip, it’s an inexpensive way to protect yourself in case something catastrophic happens. If you’re adequately covered for travel mishaps like lost luggage or stolen goods by other insurance (like your credit card or homeowner’s insurance), this might be the plan for you.

Get a quote: geobluetravelinsurance.com

Best for: Traveling with kids

With TravelEx, travelers can choose between a basic or select travel insurance package with options to customize it according to their needs. Both plans cover standard things like trip cancellation and emergency medical services and are an all-around comprehensive option. However, its Travel Select plan also includes free coverage for any children under 17 traveling with you. For families, TravelEx Select is a great money-saving option.

Get a quote: travelexinsurance.com

How much does travel insurance cost?

Complete travel insurance packages can cost as little as $8 per day but vary depending on the length of the trip, destination(s), and the tier of travel insurance you choose. Some, but not all, travel insurance may also cost more for travelers with pre-existing conditions or older adults.

As a comparison, here are some examples of travel insurance costs for a 45-year-old traveler on a $5,000, one-week trip to Mexico:

• $138 for an explorer plan with World Nomads
• $179 for a basic plan with Allianz
• $248 for an essential plan with AIG
• $261 for a basic plan with Travelex

While some of these plans may seem expensive, keep in mind that if they provide you the coverage you need, they can be a huge money saver. Insurer World Nomads says that its average claim amount for 2017 was $1,634, and its most expensive claim—a medical evacuation of a child from Sitka, Alaska, to Seattle—was nearly $200,000. Suddenly, that $8 per day makes travel insurance worth it . But, as Michael Holtz, founder and CEO of the travel agency SmartFlyer , says, “People don’t think they need it until they need it.”

How do I buy travel insurance?

You should always buy travel insurance from an official, reputable provider or website, such as purchasing directly through the insurance provider, a travel agent, or a comparison website; these “offer a way to search, compare, and purchase from a wide array of plans,” says Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com .

Comparison sites to buy travel insurance include:

• Travelinsurance.com
• SquareMouth
• Insuremytrip

Sandberg strongly recommends consumers speak with a licensed agent when they are unsure about benefits. The website Elliott Report is another good resource and features a list of reputable travel insurance companies compiled by consumer advocate Christopher Elliott.

When to buy travel insurance

Generally, you should book your travel insurance as soon as you can after booking your flights and hotels. If you’re traveling to a destination affected by hurricanes , book sooner rather than later, because you can’t buy insurance to cover delays or cancellations related to a storm that already has a name.

People with preexisting conditions need to consider other factors. Most insurers will cover only expenses related to prior illnesses in very specific circumstances; travelers with preexisting conditions must book coverage within a specific time frame, usually between 14 and 21 days, following their initial trip reservation, and they must be medically able to travel on the date they purchase the insurance.

Your travel insurance policy period should be for the duration of your trip from door to door (no gaps or shortcuts, please) and cover you for every place you plan to visit, whether it’s in-state, out-of-state, or international. Some destinations are at higher risk than others, so insurers don’t offer the same coverage for the same price everywhere.

What does your existing insurance cover while traveling?

While your existing health, auto, renter’s, or homeowner’s insurance may cover a few things while you’re traveling, it likely doesn’t cover everything.

• Health insurance: Many U.S. health-care policies, including Medicare, don’t cover travelers on international trips. Some plans will cover you abroad, so check with your provider. If your health insurance only covers you domestically, both the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. State Department recommend purchasing medical travel insurance.
• Travel insurance: Credit cards can provide limited coverage of some delay, luggage, and travel accident expenses, as well as part of your rental car insurance.
• Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance: Home contents or rental insurance may cover some lost, stolen, or damaged valuables or even offer a reasonably priced floater policy (an add-on to your regular policy that covers easily moveable property) if you travel with expensive equipment.
• Auto insurance: Within the United States, your primary auto insurance will almost always cover rental vehicles. There are a few exceptions for domestic rentals, like if your current auto insurance has low coverage limits. International car rentals are a different story. In Mexico, for example, rental car insurance is mandatory , even if you have insurance at home. Always be sure to check local rules before you reserve a rental car.

Tips for filing claims and getting reimbursed

Unlike most domestic health insurance policies, travel insurance doesn’t typically have a deductible. Some inexpensive policies will require you to pay a small, nonrefundable, initial policy excess amount before further costs up to the benefit limit are covered. Many policies work on a reimbursement plan: You pay upfront, save your receipts, and file a claim, then after processing, your insurance company pays you back for covered expenses.

Most policies require you pay non-emergency expenses out of pocket and submit your claim for reimbursement afterward. In a non-life-threatening emergency, call your insurer for instruction if you’re able; it will make the claims process easier, and the insurer may be able to direct you to a hospital or medical center where your care can be billed directly to it.

Hannah Logan, of the blog Eat Sleep Breathe Travel , says this step is especially important because the small print on many policies “reads that calling the contact number [may be] a requirement for coverage.”

No matter what, document everything. Whether it’s lost baggage, a medical expense, or damage to your rental car, gather and keep anything that can help your claims case: your original rental car agreement, receipts, photos, medical paperwork, a copy of your boarding pass.

Buying travel insurance is a little like packing a suitcase: It can seem overwhelming at first, but eventually it becomes routine and a necessary part of every trip. Once it does, you can travel worry-free, secure in the knowledge that you’ve saved yourself from a possible $6,000 mistake.

This article originally appeared online in 2018; it was updated on June 19, 2020, and on May 15, 2024, to include current information.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

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Help Hub Priceless London Promotion

Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722, Level 4, Tower 2, Darling Park, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia. Ph: 02 9292 9222

For any inquiries regarding this Promotion, please contact the Promoter at [email protected] or on 02 9292 9222 .

Promotional Period:

Start date: 20/05/24 at 09:00 am AEST

End date: 15/07/24 at 09:00 am AEST

Eligible entrants:

Entry is only open to Australian residents who are 18 years or over and are new or existing NRMA Insurance Help Hub customers.

Individuals that: (i) join Help Hub during the Promotional Period; and (ii) satisfy all other entry requirements, are considered as eligible entrants for the purposes of this Promotion.

How to enter:

To enter the Promotion, the entrant must, during the Promotional Period, visit https://www.nrma.com.au/help-hub/win-a-london-trip and follow the prompts to fully complete and submit a valid online entry form for the Promotion with their personal details (first name, last name, email address, phone number, state/territory of residence and their Help Hub Rewards number).

Entries permitted:

Only one (1) eligible entry per person will be accepted. By completing the entry method, the entrant will receive one (1) entry.

Total Prize Pool:

Up to $44,465.00

Prize conditions

Major Prize Conditions:

• 15 December 2024 – 5 January 2025; and
• 17 April 2025 – 26 April 2025.
• If the winner is unavailable or unwilling to travel by the date required by the Promoter, they will forfeit their right to the prize and will not be awarded cash or any other alternative in lieu.
• The winner should provide at least 65 days’ notice of their intended travel dates.
• Travel itinerary will be determined by the Promoter in its absolute discretion. All arrangements are subject to booking and flight availability and the itinerary may be modified due to weather, availability and any other unforeseen circumstances.
• With regards to the non-operation of a tour/activity, the winner will be offered an alternative day and/or time or destination. If there are any additional charges incurred due to change of destination/tour, then the winner would be responsible for these costs. If an alternative is not an option, then Mastercard Asia/Pacific Pte Ltd ABN 53 143 050 043 (“ Mastercard ”) or its agent will provide a Mastercard Priceless voucher (to the value of the prize component not taken) to the winner.
• Prize is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the participating prize provider and associated service providers.
• The winner and their chosen travel companion must depart from and return to the same departure point and travel together.
• The winner and their chosen travel companion are entitled to a return economy class flight each from the winner’s nearest Australian capital city to London Heathrow Airport, up to a maximum value of $4,000AUD per person. If there are any additional charges incurred in connection with the selected flights, then the winner will be responsible for these costs.
• Subject to the terms and conditions of the participating prize provider(s), if for any reason the winner does not, once the prize has been booked, take the prize (or an element of the prize) at the time stipulated, then the prize (or that element of the prize) will be forfeited and will not be redeemable for cash.
• The prize is subject to booking and flight availability.
• The winner and their chosen travel companion are responsible for ensuring that they have requisite passport, visas, vaccinations and travel documentation.
• Frequent flyer points will not be awarded and do not form part of the prize.
• Spending money, meals, taxes (excluding airline and airport taxes), insurance (including travel insurance), passports, visas, vaccinations, transport to and from departure point, transfers, items of a personal nature, in-room charges and all other ancillary costs, unless otherwise specified in the prize description, are not included.
• The winner may be required to present their credit card at accommodation check in to cover any incidentals that are not included in the prize.
• Both the winner and their chosen travel companion must be aged 18 years or over.
• The winner will be contacted by Mastercard (or its agent) to make the applicable travel arrangements.
• The winner and their chosen travel companion are responsible for meeting all travel and health requirements for any travel. It is the responsibility of the winner and their chosen travel companion to check with all government health authorities regarding travel requirements.

Gift Card and Voucher Prize Conditions:

Any ancillary costs associated with redeeming a gift card/voucher are not included. Any unused balance of a gift card/voucher will not be awarded as cash. Redemption of a gift card/voucher is subject to any terms and conditions of the issuer including those specified on the gift card/voucher.

Winner notification:

The winners will be contacted by email and phone by the Promoter, its agent(s) or the draw conductor within seven (7) days of the draw. By entering, entrants agree that emails to the winner in relation to claiming a prize will not contain an unsubscribe facility. The winners will be published at www.nrma.com.au/win by 26/07/24.

Unclaimed Prizes:

Prizes must be claimed by 20/09/24 at 12:00 pm AEST. To avoid doubt, the travel does not need to be booked to be considered ‘claimed’ for the purposes of these Conditions of Entry. In the event of an unclaimed prize, the prize will be redrawn on 20/09/24 at 12:00 pm AEST at Plexus, Level 4, 411 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. The winners of the redraw will be notified by email and phone by the Promoter, its agent(s) or the draw conductor within seven (7) days of the redraw. If the prize is redrawn, the winner’s details will be published at www.nrma.com.au/win by 27/09/24.

If there are no prize winner/s or winner/s for this Promotion cannot be found, this information will be published at www.nrma.com.au/win .

These Conditions of Entry (and Schedule) outline the agreement between the Promoter and entrants, and include terms that limit the Promoter’s liability for certain types of loss or damage and permit the Promoter to disclose your personal information to third parties (in accordance with the NRMA Insurance Privacy Policy ). You will need to accept these Conditions of Entry (and Schedule) to continue to participate in the Promotion.

• The entrant agrees and acknowledges that they have read these Conditions of Entry (and Schedule) and that entry into the Promotion is deemed to be acceptance of these Conditions of Entry (and Schedule). Any capitalised terms used in these Conditions of Entry have the meaning given in the Schedule, unless stated otherwise.
• The Promotion commences on the Start Date and ends on the End Date (" Promotional Period "). Entries are deemed to be received at the time of receipt by the Promoter and not at the time of transmission or deposit by the entrant. The Promoter has no control over telecommunications networks and accepts no responsibility for problems associated with them. The Promoter is not responsible for any delay in, or failure of, transmission in circumstances beyond the Promoter’s reasonable control which causes an entry not to be received during the Promotional Period. Records of the Promoter and its agencies are final and conclusive as to the time of receipt.
• Valid and eligible entries will be accepted during the Promotional Period.
• agencies/companies directly associated with the conduct of this Promotion;
• the Promoter or its related bodies corporate;
• businesses involved in determination of winner/s for the Promotion;
• businesses involved in the management of the Promotion; or
• any organisation benefiting from the Promotion.
• The first valid entry drawn will be the winner of the Major Prize specified in the Schedule above.
• The next five (5) valid entries drawn will be the winners of the Minor Prize specified in the Schedule above.
• The draw conductor may draw additional reserve entries in case an invalid entry or entrant is drawn.
• If a draw is scheduled on the weekend or a public holiday, the draw will be conducted at the same time and location on the following business day. The Promoter will ensure each draw is open for public scrutiny and anyone may witness the draw on request. The winner of a drawn prize is determined by chance.
• All reasonable attempts will be made to contact each winner.
• If any winner chooses not to take their prize (or is unable to), or does not take or claim a prize by the time specified in the Schedule above, or is unavailable, they forfeit the prize and the Promoter is not obliged to substitute the prize.
• The value of the prizes is accurate and based upon the recommended retail value of the prizes (inclusive of GST) at the date of printing. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any variation in the value of the prizes after that date.
• No part of a prize is exchangeable, redeemable for cash or any other prize or transferable, unless otherwise specified in writing by the Promoter.
• Tickets or rights for alcohol prizes will not be distributed by or to any person under 18, nor can a person under 18 dispense or collect an alcohol prize. Entrants will be refused service of alcohol or provision of an alcoholic beverage prize if it would breach any relevant laws or codes including those relating to the responsible service of alcohol. The Promoter supports the responsible service of alcohol.
• If a prize (or portion of a prize) is unavailable the Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize (or that portion of the prize) to a prize of equal or greater value and specification, subject to any written directions of a regulatory authority.
• No entry fee is charged by the Promoter to enter the Promotion. Where entry is allowed online, there is no additional cost to enter the Promotion other than any cost paid by the entrant to access the website or social media platform of entry via their internet service provider.
• Each prize will be awarded to the person named in the entry and any entry that is made on behalf of an entrant or by a third party will be invalid. If there is a dispute as to the identity of an entrant or winner, the Promoter reserves the right (acting reasonably), to request proof of identity to determine the identity of the entrant or winner.
• Entrants' personal information will be collected by the Promoter. Personal information will be stored on the Promoter's database. The Promoter is bound by the Australian Privacy Principles in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and its privacy policy which is located at https://www.nrma.com.au/documents/privacy-policy . The Promoter's privacy policy contains information about how the entrant may access, update and seek correction of the personal information the Promoter holds about them and how the entrant may complain about any potential breach by the Promoter of the Australian Privacy Principles or any other Australian privacy laws and how such complaints will be dealt with. The Promoter collects personal information about entrants to enable them to participate in this Promotion and may disclose the entrants' personal information to third parties including its contractors and agents, prize suppliers, service providers and regulatory authorities to assist in conducting this Promotion. If the entrant does not provide their personal information as requested, they may be ineligible to enter or claim a prize in the Promotion.
• For the purposes of public statements and advertisements, the Promoter may only publish the winner's surname, initial and State/Territory or postcode of residence.
• The Promoter reserves the right to refuse to allow a winner to take part in any or all aspects of a prize, if the Promoter determines (acting reasonably), that a winner is not in the physical or mental condition necessary to be able to safely participate in or accept the prize.
• It is a condition of accepting the prize that a winner and their chosen travel companion may be required to sign a legal release as determined by the Promoter in its discretion (acting reasonably), prior to receiving a prize.
• If a prize is provided to the Promoter by a third party, the prize is subject to the terms and conditions of the third party prize supplier. The terms and conditions which apply to the prize at the time it is issued to the winner will prevail over these Conditions of Entry, to the extent of any inconsistency.
• The Promoter (subject to State and Territory legislation) reserves the right to amend, extend cancel or suspend the Promotion and invalidate any affected entries, or suspend or modify a prize, in circumstances where an event beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Promotion.
• The Promoter reserves the right, at any time, to validate and check the authenticity of entries and entrant's details (including an entrant's identity, age and place of residence). In the event that a winner cannot provide suitable proof as required by the Promoter (acting reasonably) to validate their entry, the winner will forfeit the prize in whole and no substitute will be offered. Incomplete, indecipherable, inaudible, incorrect and illegible entries, as applicable, will at the Promoter's discretion (acting reasonably) be deemed invalid and not eligible to win. Entries containing offensive or defamatory comments, or which breach any law or infringe any third party rights, including intellectual property rights, are not eligible to win. The use of any automated entry software or any other mechanical or electronic means that allows an individual to automatically enter repeatedly is prohibited and may render all entries submitted by that individual invalid.
• The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify entries in the event of non-compliance with these Conditions of Entry. In the event that there is a dispute concerning the conduct of the Promotion or claiming a prize, the Promoter will (acting reasonably) attempt to resolve the dispute in direct consultation with the entrant. If the dispute cannot be resolved, the Promoter’s decision will be final.
• EXCEPT FOR ANY LIABILITY THAT CANNOT BE EXCLUDED BY LAW (IN WHICH CASE THAT LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE MINIMUM ALLOWABLE BY LAW), AND SUBJECT TO THE CLAUSE PERTAINING TO GUARANTEES AND WARRANTIES BELOW, THE PROMOTER’S LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, EXPENSE, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH IS LIMITED TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE PRIZE POOL FOR THIS PROMOTION. FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY, THIS LIMIT TO THE PROMOTER’S LIABILITY SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH RESULTING FROM THE PROMOTER’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE.
• TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PROMOTER (INCLUDING ITS RELATED BODIES CORPORATE, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS) EXCLUDES ALL LIABILITY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) FOR ANY INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL LOSS OR DAMAGE ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PROMOTION, INCLUDING LOSS OF OPPORTUNITY.
• Any guarantee or warranty given is in addition to any relevant statutory guarantees and warranties and nothing in these Conditions of Entry restrict, exclude or modify or purport to restrict, exclude or modify any statutory consumer rights under any applicable law, including the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
• The winners agree and consent to participate in and co-operate as required with all reasonable marketing and editorial activities relating to the Promotion, including (but not limited to) being recorded, photographed, filmed or interviewed. The winners acknowledge and agree that the Promoter may use any such marketing and editorial material without further reference or compensation to them.
• Unless otherwise specified, a prize is a single event for the winner (and their chosen travel companion) and cannot be separated into separate events or components.
• The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any tax implications and the entrant must seek their own independent financial advice in regards to the tax implications relating to the prize or acceptance of the prize.
• Failure by the Promoter to enforce any of its rights at any stage does not constitute a waiver of these rights.
• Authorised under: ACT Permit No. TP 24/00972, NSW Authority No. TP/260 and SA Permit No. T24/760.
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What’s on at ITIC APAC 2024?

May 22, 2024

Join us in Bangkok for ITIC APAC 2024 from 16–18 June!

ITIC APAC offers attendees a truly world-class opportunity to learn about the industry and network with an excess of 250 experienced professionals who are seeking to boost their understanding of the local market. A unique market in which to work, the potential that Asia offers to travel and health insurers is not without its problems.

How to overcome complex regulations, addressing the problem of a lack of consumer awareness, and how to develop policies that better meet the needs of consumers, are just some of the topics under discussion at ITIC APAC.

ITIC APAC offers a unique opportunity to expand businesses by connecting with fellow industry professionals. 

Bangkok Food Tour

Join our Food Tour in Bangkok’s bustling Chinatown to taste authentic Thai dishes! Take a tuk-tuk to visit the largest flower market and end the evening at a secret location for a surprise breathtaking view.

Our social events start with a Welcome Party on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and end with our ITIC APAC Farewell Dinner at the elegant Sala Rim Naam for an authentic Thai evening with the backdrop of the stunning River of Kings and La Grande Dame. 

Agenda sessions

On the agenda are discussions about complex regulations, consumer awareness, and policies that better meet consumer needs.

Our speakers bring their extensive expertise and wealth of industry knowledge to each session. They cover the breadth of the travel and health insurance sphere. 

Stay connected and join our conversation #ITICAPAC

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Laura D. Adams

Insurance & Finance Analyst

Laura Adams is one of the nation’s leading finance, insurance, and small business authorities. As an award-winning author, spokesperson, and host of the top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, millions of readers and listeners benefit from her practical advice. Her mission is to empower consumers to live healthy and rich lives by planning for the future and making smart money decisions. She rec...

Reviewed by:

Daniel Walker

Licensed Insurance Agent

Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...

UPDATED: Nov 3, 2014

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Travel Insurance and Rental Cars: What’s Covered?

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If you’re planning on renting a car while traveling, you’ll want to make sure that you’re covered with insurance. Most rental car companies offer some coverage at an extra cost, but these options tend to be expensive. But affordable rental car insurance is out there — it just takes some effort to coordinate.

Many general travel insurance policies offer rental car coverage either as part of their standard plans or as an add-on. Plus, you may have a credit card with rental car insurance already included .

Here's a look at how car rental travel insurance works, what it covers and other options for making sure you’re insured while on the road in a rented car.

Does travel insurance cover car rentals?

Yes, many travel insurance policies include some form of rental car coverage. If it’s not already included in your plan, there may be an option to customize coverage by adding rental car insurance.

Costs vary depending on the overall plan, the coverage limit of the rental car insurance and whether the insurance is primary or secondary.

Primary rental car coverage is the first entity to pay out; "secondary" means the insurance will only cover costs not already paid for by other policies. This is also known as car rental excess insurance, meaning that rental car excess insurance kicks in only after other coverage is exhausted.

If you own a car and have an insurance policy, check if you already have rental car coverage. In the U.S., personal car insurance tends to cover rentals.

» Learn more: Rental car insurance explained

Travel insurance on a rental car

When considering a specific travel insurance policy, comb through its plan documents to see what type of car rental coverage is included.

In general, rental car insurance provided by a travel insurance policy is limited. Unlike a personal car insurance policy or rental car insurance from a credit card, the plan likely won’t cover liability or medical expenses incurred in an accident.

» Learn more: How your credit card has you covered with rental car insurance

Travel insurance policies often offer a collision damage waiver (CDW), which means that the damage your vehicle sustains in an accident will be reimbursed. CDWs may also include coverage for theft.

Some policies exclude specialty vehicles from coverage, while others won’t insure you for cars rented in certain countries.

Of course, it’s also possible to opt for the insurance offered by the rental car company, which can be a hassle-free way to ensure that you don’t end up on the hook in case of an accident.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Finding travel insurance with rental car coverage

To find a policy with rental car insurance, head to a travel insurance provider comparison sites like TravelInsurance.com or Squaremouth.

Here's a search on Squaremouth as an example.

First, input your travel information, including when you’re departing, where you’re going, age and state of residence.

Then, the search engine will create a list of all available policies, which can be filtered to those that include rental car insurance.

Note that the terms of each policy can differ, especially how much coverage you’ll receive for a rental car.

» Learn more: Declining rental car insurance abroad? Know the risks

Credit cards that offer travel insurance with rental car coverage

To get rental car insurance while traveling, you may first want to check your credit cards. Many credit cards offer complimentary rental car insurance for bookings charged to that card.

You’ll find this benefit on a variety of cards, including travel credit cards and cash back credit cards. Here are some options:

on Chase's website

on Bilt's website

Primary rental car coverage with reimbursement up to $75,000.

Primary auto damage collision damage waiver. New York residents are eligible only for secondary coverage.

Primary rental car coverage up to the cash value of most rental vehicles.

Primary coverage when renting for business purposes with reimbursement up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles.

Travel insurance and rental cars recapped

It makes sense to look for a travel insurance policy that also covers a rental car, especially if you’re driving somewhere unfamiliar.

While it’s possible to purchase the insurance plans offered by the rental car company, these tend to be overpriced and overkill for many drivers. Instead, you could consider a travel insurance plan with included rental car coverage, which means you won't have to without needing to make an additional purchase.

Also, check out any personal auto insurance policy you already have to see if it has provisions for rental cars. And before you settle on buying a travel insurance policy, double-check if a credit card you already have offers complimentary rental car insurance.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive?

Soaring premiums have become a prominent driver of inflation, and insurers say that more increases could be on the way. How did it get like this?

• Share full article

By Emily Flitter

If your car broke down two years ago, it probably became a bigger problem than you bargained for.

A confluence of forces were to blame: The Covid pandemic disrupted supply chains, pushing used car prices to record highs and making spare parts hard to get; out-of-practice drivers emerging from lockdowns caused more severe wrecks; and technological advancements like motion sensors made even the simplest parts, like a fender or a rim, expensive to replace .

Things have since improved for car owners — except when it comes to insurance bills. Car insurers are still raising prices steeply: The price of motor vehicle insurance rose more than 22 percent in the year through April, the fastest pace since the 1970s, according to a report the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday. According to calculations by the Insurance Information Institute, a trade group, the average 12-month premium for car insurance was $1,280 in 2023, the industry’s most recent figures.

That has made car insurance a prominent factor preventing overall inflation from cooling more quickly, which could force the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates higher for longer even as the prices for many other essential goods and services have slowed.

Geico recently reported a big jump in quarterly profit on higher premiums and lower customer claims. The share prices of other big auto insurers, like Allstate and Progressive, have beaten the rise in the overall market this year.

That has attracted scrutiny from economists . A key reason car insurance costs are rising so fast right now has to do with how the industry is regulated.

How does insurance regulation work?

Insurers are regulated by the states, not the federal government. In all 50 states, insurance companies must follow specific rules about how and when they can raise the price on their policies.

Each state’s laws are broadly similar, and require insurers to ask regulators for permission to raise prices. Insurers have to make a case — with data to back it up — that the increase is necessary and that they will not make too large a profit on the re-priced policies. This application, known in the business as a “rate filing,” involves complicated paperwork that may take weeks or months to resolve.

The data has to include an analysis of loss trends from the past couple of years, as well as projections for replacement costs and profits. If insurers are deemed to profit too heavily, regulators can make them return money to customers.

The threat of returning money is not an idle one. At the height of pandemic lockdowns in 2020, when many cars sat idle, insurers returned almost $13 billion to customers through dividends, refund checks and premium reductions for policy renewals, according to the insurance ratings agency AM Best.

California was one of the most active states: Insurers there returned $3.2 billion to customers in 2020.

Ricardo Lara, the state’s insurance commissioner, “directed the department to do a very close analysis to make sure that drivers weren’t overcharged,” said Michael Soller, a spokesman for the California Department of Insurance. But starting in late 2021, the state became the poster child for a new problem: an epic backlog of insurers’ requests to raise prices.

How a massive paperwork jam explains rising prices.

When the pandemic shut down most economic activity, it messed up insurers’ ability to use the past to predict the future. For months, they were frozen. They did not submit new rate filings to regulators for a spell — until they did, all at once, in the second half of 2021.

The prices of cars and parts were jumping and drivers were back on the roads and crashing left and right after a hiatus behind the wheel.

“You went from this period of incredible profitability to incredible losses in the blink of an eye,” said Tim Zawacki, an analyst who focuses on insurance at S&P Global Market Intelligence. No companies were willing to stick their necks out by offering lower premiums in the hope of winning new business, he said.

“Everyone was together in significantly pushing for rate increases.”

In California, the most populous U.S. state, insurers were getting creamed by expensive claims.

But the state’s regulator did not start approving insurers’ requests to raise rates until near the end of 2022. The backlog grew so large that the average wait time for approvals was longer — by several months — than the six-month policies that insurers wanted to sell.

“When state regulators delay or prevent companies from accurately pricing insurance, insurers may not be able to absorb the costs,” said Neil Alldredge, the president of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, a trade group that represents many home and auto insurers. The squeeze can lead insurers to leave some states or stop some business lines, he added. “Inefficient regulatory environments in states like California, New Jersey and New York, combined with inflation and increased catastrophic losses, have left consumers with fewer choices of insurers and higher costs,” he said.

California is still the slowest state in the continental United States for auto insurance rate filings, taking an average of 219 days to approve a price proposal for a personal auto policy, according to S&P data provided by Mr. Zawacki.

“We fight for consumers by analyzing all of the data, not just what insurance companies spoon-feed us,” Mr. Soller, the California Department of Insurance spokesman, said.

The S&P analysis showed that New Jersey, the 11th-most populous state, had the sixth-longest wait time, while New York, with the fourth-largest population, had the 7th-longest wait times.

“The department performs a comprehensive review of requests to amend rates or rating systems to ensure compliance with New Jersey law,” said Dawn Thomas, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.

Ms. Thomas said the regulator needed to ensure that each proposed premium increase was “reasonable, adequate, and not unfairly discriminatory,” and that sometimes the insurers’ requests needed to be challenged or denied.

A spokeswoman for New York’s regulator declined to comment.

When will the jam clear?

Shortly before the pandemic, the umbrella organization for state insurance regulators, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, formed a team of data scientists to help regulators deal with their rate filings, which has gotten more complicated in recent years.

The data team became fully operational in 2021 and its mission is now to help speed up the review process: 37 states have signed up to use it.

This month, during a call with analysts to discuss Allstate’s earnings, company representatives said they had recently reopened their California auto insurance business after getting permission to charge higher rates. The company still wanted to raise prices in other states.

In New York and New Jersey, for example, “even with the rate approvals that we got late last year, we still don’t feel like we’re at the appropriate rate level to want to grow in those two states,” said Mario Rizzo, the president of Allstate’s property-casualty business.

How much higher will premiums go?

In 2021, insurers’ personal auto businesses started recording losses. According to David Blades, an analyst for AM Best, the industry lost $4 billion in 2021, $33 billion in 2022 and roughly $17 billion last year.

According to Dale Porfilio, the chief insurance officer at the Insurance Information Institute, the trade group, many companies still need to raise prices to make up for those bad years.

Last year, insurers raised auto premiums by 14 percent, the biggest increase in over 15 years. Mr. Porfilio’s best guess is that premiums this year will rise another 13 percent.

“It’s going to take time for every company to get their rates to where they want to be,” he said.

Emily Flitter writes about finance and how it impacts society. More about Emily Flitter

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A Monthly LGBTQ+ Writing Party

Phoenix Mercury vs. Washington Mystics

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins

Salute to indy.

Upcoming AARP Events

Featured event, hip historian: arizona history happy hour.

Thursday, Jun 20, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. MST

Online Event

Retirement Planning: Strategies for Today and Tomorrow

Friday, May 24, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. MST

A Virtual Hatha Yoga Class for All

Friday, May 24, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. MST

View All AARP Events

• Immediate access to your member benefits
• Discounts on travel and everyday savings
• Subscription to AARP The Magazine
• FREE second membership

Contact AARP in Phoenix

• AARP Arizona

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