Avanti Travel Insurance
Avanti Travel Insurance offers comprehensive travel insurance with options for single trip, annual multi-trip, and long-stay policies. Their cover includes support for over 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation and baggage cover, and medical emergency cover that can be unlimited on their Deluxe policy.
They insure 85 sports and activities as standard, have no upper age limit, and offer 24/7 medical support. Cancellation cover can be up to £7,500 per person, and policies can be tailored with optional extras. Avanti Travel Insurance is highly rated, including a 5-star Defaqto rating for its Deluxe level cover, and offers no excess on their top-tier policy. Customer reviews mention generally good service, though some claim experiences have reported delays in responses.
Key coverage highlights:
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Medical emergency cover: Unlimited on Deluxe policy
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Cancellation cover: Up to £7,500 per person (Deluxe)
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Baggage cover: Up to £3,000
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No age limit on policies
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Covers over 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions with full disclosure
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85 sports and activities covered standard
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Various levels: Essentials, Classic, Deluxe with increasing benefits
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24/7 medical support and practical help during emergencies
For those with pre-existing medical conditions, detailed disclosure is required to ensure coverage. Avanti Travel Insurance is also known for an easy online quoting process, available on many price comparison websites.
This company has offices in Northampton, UK, and has received awards like Best Travel Insurance 2018/19 by Personal Finance Awards and a 5-star rating from Defaqto for their Deluxe policy.
Customer reviews of Avanti Travel Insurance’s Claim Process
Customer reviews about Avanti Travel Insurance’s claim process are mixed but generally positive with some notable exceptions:
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Many customers praise the claims process as swift, hassle-free, and straightforward, highlighting easy online claim submission and helpful, knowledgeable staff who provide clear communication and personalized assistance. Reviewers mention being well-supported throughout the claim process and appreciate the ability to speak directly with staff rather than automated systems. Several reviewers cited positive personal experiences with claims handled efficiently and reimbursements processed quickly.
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On the other hand, a minority of reviewers report significant delays and poor communication around claims. Complaints mention waiting several months for claim settlements, experiencing frustrating back-and-forths with customer service, and feeling a lack of empathy or care from the company. Some serious claims have been reportedly settled only partially or after prolonged disputes, leading to dissatisfaction and warnings from those customers to avoid Avanti.
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Officially, Avanti states they paid out over £10 million on more than 8,000 claims recently, with 95% of claims decisions made within five working days, emphasizing their intention to maintain rapid processing times.
In summary, while the majority of customers report a positive, fast, and helpful claims experience, there are also several negative reviews describing slow and difficult claim resolution, suggesting experiences can vary significantly by case.
Who underwrites Avanti Travel Insurance
Avanti Travel Insurance Key Points :
- Avanti Travel Insurance receives strong customer feedback overall, with a 4.8/5 rating on Trustpilot from over 111,000 reviews, praising ease of use and affordability, though some report challenges with claims.
- Coverage options include three tiers—Essentials, Classic, and Deluxe—with benefits like unlimited medical expenses on top policies and standard COVID-19 protection, tailored for various trip types including single, annual, and cruise.
- The claims process involves notifying within 30 days, providing policy details, and submitting via phone or email, but users note it can be lengthy or frustrating in practice.
- Costs start from around £10 for basic single-trip European cover, often competitive but varying by age, destination, and health; it’s generally cheaper than similar providers like Staysure for equivalent benefits.
- Specialized for seniors with no upper age limit, covering over 1,300 pre-existing conditions and offering unlimited medical support, making it accessible for older travelers.
- Contact options include sales at 0333 006 3217, customer service at 0333 006 3213, and claims at +44 1403 288 122, with email at info@avanti.co.uk.
- Policy details emphasize comprehensive protection for medical emergencies, baggage, and cancellations, but exclude high-risk activities unless added, with clear requirements for medical declarations.
Avanti Travel Insurance Customer Reviews and Satisfaction
Avanti Travel Insurance is highly regarded, earning awards like Personal Finance Best Travel Insurance from 2018-2024 and a Defaqto rating of 4-5 stars for most policies. Positive reviews highlight the user-friendly website, competitive pricing, and helpful staff, especially for those with medical conditions. However, some customers express dissatisfaction with claims handling, citing delays or denials. On social media, recent posts show mixed experiences, including complaints about slow reimbursements but also promotions for discounts.
Coverage and Policy Options
Policies come in Essentials (basic), Classic (mid-tier), and Deluxe (premium), covering essentials like medical emergencies, cancellations, and baggage. Deluxe offers unlimited medical and up to £7,500 cancellation per person. Add-ons include winter sports and gadget cover. COVID-19 is included as standard for related cancellations and medical needs. Specialized options exist for cruises and long stays up to 550 days.
Avanti Travel Insurance Claims Handling
To claim, contact +44 1403 288 122 or avanti-claims@ergo-ias.co.uk within 30 days, providing policy number and details. Required documents vary by claim type (e.g., medical reports for health issues), with processing aimed at 5 working days. Some users report inefficiencies, suggesting patience and thorough documentation.
Avanti Travel Insurance Pricing and Comparisons
Pricing is affordable, with single-trip Europe starting at £9-£23 depending on age and tier, and annual worldwide at £135-£211 for younger travelers. It’s often cheaper than Staysure, with similar medical limits but added catastrophe cover. Factors like age and conditions can increase premiums, but monthly payments are available for annual policies over £80.
Suitability for Seniors
With no age cap and coverage for 1,300+ conditions, it’s ideal for seniors, offering unlimited medical on Deluxe and 24/7 support. Trip limits adjust for over-70s (35 days max per trip on annual).
Contact and Support
Reach sales at 0333 006 3217 (7 days), customer service at 0333 006 3213 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm), or email info@avanti.co.uk. Live chat is available during business hours; address is Century House, Century Drive, Braintree, CM77 8YG.
Avanti Travel Insurance, founded in 2009 and based in the UK, has established itself as a specialist provider focusing on inclusive coverage, particularly for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions and older adults. The company, now administered from Northamptonshire since 2017, emphasizes flexibility, no upper age limits, and comprehensive medical protection, winning Personal Finance Best Travel Insurance awards annually from 2018 to 2024.
Unlike many insurers, Avanti does not appear on price comparison sites, positioning itself as a direct provider that prioritizes personalized service over mass-market competition. This approach has garnered a strong reputation, reflected in its 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from over 111,000 reviews, where customers frequently commend the ease of obtaining quotes, transparent policy details, and competitive pricing for those with health issues.
However, feedback is not uniformly positive; some reviewers highlight frustrations with staff knowledge gaps, mis-sold policies (e.g., incorrectly categorizing trips as cruises), and difficulties in the complaints process, where resolutions can feel inadequate. On platforms like TripAdvisor and MoneySavingExpert forums, users share mixed experiences, with praise for setup and affordability but criticisms of claims denials or delays, such as in cases involving cancellations due to illness or ferry disruptions.
Recent social media posts echo this, with complaints about prolonged claim processing times—sometimes up to eight weeks—and instances where similar claims were handled inconsistently, like partial payouts for group cancellations. Despite these, positive mentions include promotions like 20% off policies and seamless renewals, suggesting that while sales and initial setup excel, after-sales support, particularly claims, could be an area for improvement.
Turning to coverage options, Avanti offers three main policy tiers—Essentials, Classic, and Deluxe—across single-trip, annual multi-trip, long-stay, and cruise-specific plans, all including standard COVID-19 protections for cancellations, medical expenses, and repatriation if testing positive within 14 days of departure. The Essentials tier provides basic coverage with £5 million in medical emergency and repatriation, £1,000 for cancellations, and £1,000 for personal baggage, but excludes features like missed departure or end-supplier failure. Classic ups this to £10 million medical, £5,000 cancellation, £2,000 baggage, and adds £1,000 missed departure and £2,500 end-supplier failure.
Deluxe, the premium option, features unlimited medical expenses, £7,500 cancellation, £3,000 baggage, £1,500 missed departure, and no excess fees. All tiers include £2 million personal liability and 10% off COVID tests, with add-ons for winter sports, gadgets, or enhanced cruise protections like up to £10,000 cancellation for Deluxe Cruise. Policies cover over 1,300 pre-existing conditions subject to screening, with 24/7 medical assistance, but require declarations and exclude travel against medical advice or to restricted destinations per the Foreign Office. For trip types, single-trip covers up to 104 days with no age limit, annual multi-trip allows 183 days abroad total (50 days per trip under 70, 35 days over), and long-stay extends to 550 days but caps at age 75. Cruise policies add specifics like cabin confinement benefits.
The claims process begins with notification as soon as possible, ideally within 30 days of the incident, by calling +44 1403 288 122 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or emailing avanti-claims@ergo-ias.co.uk, quoting the policy number and reference ESFI-V2.18. Claims must be submitted within six months, or coverage may not apply.
Required documents depend on the claim: for medical, include reports and bills; for baggage/money, provide receipts and police reports; for delays, carrier confirmations. Processing aims for five working days once received, handled by third-party ERGO Travel Insurance Services. However, user experiences vary; some report efficient payouts, while others describe circular communications, unfulfilled promises, and denials under sections like cancellations, emphasizing the need for thorough records. In one forum case, a claim for a canceled ferry was denied due to undeclared conditions, highlighting strict disclosure rules.
On costs, Avanti is positioned as value-driven, with prices starting under £10 for basic European single-trip cover, though they rise with age, destination (e.g., worldwide including USA is pricier), duration, and medical factors. For a one-week Spain trip, a 20-year-old might pay £9.07 (Essentials), £14.97 (Classic), or £19.33 (Deluxe), while a 60-year-old pays £12.75, £17.70, or £22.87 respectively; annual equivalents range from £34.91-£62.06. Worldwide annual for a 20-year-old: £135.92-£211.01. Excesses are £150 (Essentials), £75 (Classic), £0 (Deluxe).
Premiums have increased due to market factors like higher medical claims, but Avanti offers 20% discounts (excluding add-ons) until September 30, 2025, and monthly payments for annual policies over £80 via Premium Credit Ltd. In comparisons, Avanti often undercuts sister company Staysure (both under Howserv Limited), e.g., £9.07 vs. £11.11 for basic Spain cover, with similar £2 million liability but Avanti adding catastrophe protection for disruptions like terrorism or natural disasters.
Against broader market, it’s competitive for medical-focused needs but may not be cheapest for healthy, young travelers; experts like Martin Lewis advise comparing beyond price for coverage depth.
For seniors, Avanti shines with no upper age limit on most policies, covering those over 50, 60, 70, 80, and beyond, including 1,300+ conditions via screening. Deluxe provides unlimited medical and £7,500 cancellation, with 24/7 support and online management. Annual trips cap at 35 days for over-70s, and long-stay at age 75, but it’s praised for not penalizing pre-existing issues heavily. Users on forums like MotorhomeFun note fair pricing for seniors compared to others.
Contact information includes sales at 0333 006 3217 (local rate, 7 days), customer service at 0333 006 3213 or +44 1376 560 800 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm), renewals at 0333 006 3214, and claims at +44 1403 288 122. Email info@avanti.co.uk or use the online form; live chat operates Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm. Address: Century House, Century Drive, Braintree, CM77 8YG. For emergencies, non-cruise medical is +44 1403 288 123, cruise +44 1403 288 124.
Policy details are outlined in booklets available on their site, with key sections covering benefits, exclusions (e.g., undeclared conditions, high-risk sports without add-ons, war/terrorism unless specified), and limits as per tiers. Policies require UK residency, fitness to travel, and full disclosure; invalid for restricted areas. FSCS protection applies, and complaints data is published biannually.
Coverage Levels Table
| Benefit | Essentials | Classic | Deluxe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancellation/Curtailment | £1,000 | £5,000 | £7,500 |
| Medical Emergency/Repatriation | £5 million | £10 million | Unlimited |
| Personal Baggage | £1,000 | £2,000 | £3,000 |
| Missed Departure | Not covered | £1,000 | £1,500 |
| End Supplier Failure | Not covered | £2,500 | £2,500 |
| Money/Passport | £300 | £500 | £600 |
| Personal Liability | £2 million | £2 million | £2 million |
| Excess | £150 | £75 | £0 |
(Source: Pension Times review)
Sample Cost Table (1-Week Spain Trip, No Conditions)
| Age | Essentials (Single/Annual) | Classic (Single/Annual) | Deluxe (Single/Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | £9.07 / £34.91 | £14.97 / £41.54 | £19.33 / £56.56 |
| 60 | £12.75 / £35.61 | £17.70 / £48.18 | £22.87 / £62.06 |
(Source: IamInsured review; prices exclude add-ons)
In summary, Avanti balances affordability and inclusivity well, though potential claimants should prepare for possible hurdles.
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