Please see the end of this article for details on how to learn about specific policies.
Faye is a superhero in the travel world. They’ve saved many a traveler from snafus small and large: lost bags, cancellations, medical emergencies, et. al. Faye brings a fresh, user-friendly approach to a process often fraught with confusion and frustration. If you’ve always eschewed travel insurance, it’s time to reconsider. We recently sat down with the Faye team to learn why.
Why purchase travel insurance
Travel insurance is worth it if you’re concerned about losing your trip investment — often thousands of dollars — or simply want peace of mind.
“I always recommend my clients buy travel insurance because I know firsthand what it can save you in an emergency: My mother broke her ankle at Machu Picchu and had to be airlifted out!” Fora X Advisor Gabrielle Brechner said. “It would have cost us a quarter of a million dollars if she did not have insurance!”
While Gabrielle’s story is the exception rather than the norm — most travel insurance claims deal with less severe situations like missed flights, cancellations and more minor injuries or illnesses — it does serve as a reminder that extreme situations are possible. Whether extreme or mundane, travel insurance protects you for a small percentage of your total trip cost (usually four to 10%).
Traditional travel insurance providers
Policies purchased through well-established travel insurance agencies can be perfectly fine. With thorough reading and scrutiny, there’s likely a policy on the market that matches your specific needs. The problem is that many of these policies are bogged down with heady language and frequent references to details halfway up or down the document, making a straightforward read difficult. Couple that with a bureaucratic claims process, high premiums and lackluster service, and you don’t have a recipe for a pleasant experience.
“Before I started using Faye, I found that so many clients were reluctant to get travel insurance because old-school options seem so inaccessible — their language seems to intentionally confuse you as to what is covered and even how to contact them,” Gabrielle said. “Faye changes all of that. It's so easy to use and to understand what you're getting.”
The benefits of Faye travel insurance
Faye prioritizes user friendliness, service and speed in its approach to travel insurance.
User friendliness: a convenient app and simplified language
Faye’s convenience is largely thanks to its technology, much like popular fin-tech apps such as So-Fi or Robinhood. Obtaining a policy, modifying it and filing claims can all be done from their app. Everything on the app is neatly organized and functionality is crisp. This is especially handy when you’re already on your trip; you don’t have to worry about access to a computer.
Clients of Fora X Advisor Rachel Gutner Silverstein were able to cancel their Caribbean babymoon trip with a refund after their preschool-aged children caught a virus: “The Faye customer service team, via the chat feature on their app, were extremely helpful and responsive, providing peace of mind during a disappointing time for my clients.”
Faye’s app allows you to chat with customer support — people, not bots — in real time to address claims or questions.
“It could have been a stressful experience, the Faye team made the process quite easy!” she added.
Faye forgoes obscure language and fine print. Application and policy documents are simple and easy to understand. You know exactly what type of coverage you’re getting and exclusions are easy to identify. Faye’s policy on pre-existing medical conditions — an area most insurance providers load with stipulations — is a good example. A short paragraph in their policy document explains that so long as you have paid your premium, successfully completed your application and were medically cleared by a physician within 14 days of the first payment toward your trip, treatment for pre-existing medical conditions is covered during travel.
A customizable policy and reasonable rates
Faye offers one policy tier with a slate of optional add-ons. Unlike most travel insurance providers, Faye lets you choose exactly how much of a trip you’d like to cover. This grants flexibility if there are only certain aspects of your trip you’re interested in protecting, such as flight mishaps or nonrefundable hotel deposits. Beyond the standard policy (see below), à-la-carte-style add-ons include coverage for things like rental car damage and theft, pet care and Cancel For Any Reason (CAFR).
“The ability to set your Total Trip Cost to whatever you want to get reimbursed for is a game changer,” Gabrielle said. She noted that she rarely covers all the costs of her trips because medical and lost baggage coverage are the same regardless of your chosen coverage amount. Instead, Gabrielle only covers the amount she’s not comfortable losing, keeping her premium down. Few travel insurance providers allow this degree of flexibility.
Rates hover between five and seven percent of total trip costs, even with add-ons. This is middle-of-the-road, price-wise, but Faye’s coverage is closer to what you get with higher-tier policies from other providers — and all without a bump in cost.
Simple claims process and speedy payouts via a digital wallet
Faye told us their claims department is always available (even on holidays), and the average time to reach a person is less than a minute. Most requests are resolved within 48 hours, and flight-related mishaps are addressed promptly. Faye actively tracks flight information and issues payouts for missed flight connections and delays in real time. This is facilitated by a digital wallet you can use like a credit card. You can also transfer balances from your digital wallet and to another account (like Venmo or the Cash App).
Beyond this, Faye will work with airlines to address accommodations and book a new flight on your behalf. If a local emergency is expected to impact travel, they’ll alert you. If you lose your passport, Faye will work with the US Consolate to make a speedy appointment and cover expedited delivery. This coverage also extends to lost credit cards, a rarity in the world of travel insurance.
Faye travel insurance: what’s covered, plus add-ons
Most travel insurance claims (regardless of the provider) relate to logistics. According to Faye, if your flight is cancelled or delayed by at least six hours, Faye will deposit up to $200 per occurrence directly into your digital wallet — this also applies to inconveniences, such as amusement park or beach closures. Baggage delays, missed connections after three hours or delays caused by security lines, among other flight-related inconveniences, are covered with up to $200 deposits. Lost or damaged luggage is covered up to $2,000. These deposits are not typical among travel insurance providers.
Fora X Advisor Melissa Elliott shared an example of when her client arrived at their destination but their luggage was delayed overnight. Faye noted the delay and automatically deposited money into their account so they could purchase necessities to hold them over until their luggage arrived the following day.
In a personal example, Faye covered the cost of a hotel room for Melissa after she was stranded at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Her flight had been delayed until the next morning, so she chose to stay at the hotel onsite, enjoying a night’s rest rather than waiting in the terminal.
According to Faye's policy, even involuntary trip cancellations are covered. Perhaps you suffered a severe injury or illness prior to your trip. You can get back up to 100% of the trip cost, or $40,000 of the non-refundable costs, Faye shared. This is bumped up to 150% or $60,000 for trip interruptions. Fora X Advisor Melissa Friedman-Levine’s husband was set to ride his bike from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine — a collective booking totaling over $30,000. Six weeks before his departure, he fractured his tibia. Left unable to ride, his trip was cancelled.
“Faye was easy to work with and we recouped the entire amount,” Melissa said. “Huge supporter of Faye. And my husband is rescheduled for his ride in 2026!”
Emergencies and evacuations
Few things are as scary as suffering a severe injury or illness during your vacation. Faye covers emergency medical expenses up to $250,000. This is primary coverage; there are no copays or deductibles to consider. Additionally, Faye will cover up to $500,000 for medical evacuation. Had Melissa’s husband broken his leg in Mexico, for example, Faye would have covered medical treatment. If you suffer a traumatic injury in a destination that lacks the capability to treat you, Faye will cover the expenses of flying you home for treatment.
Faye’s basic policy also covers up to $100,000 for non-medical evacuation. This covers expenses related to fleeing from a natural disaster, like a typhoon or earthquake, or sudden conflict.
Add-ons: CFAR, pet care, extreme sports
Faye offers several add-ons. None are bundled, so you are free to pick and choose your coverage. Add-ons include a Cancel For Any Reason policy that covers up to 75% of non-refundable costs of a trip, no questions asked. The pet care option will reimburse you for kenneling a pet for up to three days if you are delayed from returning home. This plan also covers emergency medical and other pet-related care if your pet travels with you. Rental car coverage will cover damage or theft up to $50,000. And the vacation rental damage add-on will cover up to $3,000 for unintentional damage.
Fora’s relationship with Faye
“I have nothing but rave reviews from clients about Faye,” Melissa said. “They are very easy to work with, super responsive and pay claims quickly.”
Most Fora Advisors agree: Faye has served their clients well. Booking your Faye policy with a Fora Advisor unlocks a lower minimum premium. Normally, all Faye plans have a $1,000 minimum booking policy. In other words, you must cover at least $1,000 of your trip costs. If you book your policy with a Fora Advisor, though, that minimum drops down to $500.
A Fora Advisor can help you decide if an add-on is worth the extra cost or what parts of a trip to cover. Your advisor can highlight whether a hotel’s rate is refundable and therefore not worth covering, for instance. However, specific questions about claims must legally be directed to a Faye representative.
Faye travel insurance FAQs
Below, Faye answers common questions about travel insurance.
How does Faye travel insurance compare to insurance offered by cruise lines or airlines?
Faye offers comprehensive travel insurance, which covers every aspect of your trip from your departure date to your return date. First-party travel insurance, such as that offered by a cruise line, only covers specific portions. For example, if your flight is cancelled and you miss your cruise departure through no fault of your own, cruise insurance won’t cover you. Faye travel insurance will, and they’ll even cover alternative arrangements to join your cruise ship at a different port.
Does Faye have any downsides?
Faye only offers one policy tier, so there’s no option to increase coverage, even if you’re willing to pay a higher premium. For example, you can’t boost optional rental car coverage from $50,000 to $100,000. If you require higher coverage, a Fora Advisor can assist you.
Can I get a Faye policy with a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes. Pre-existing medical conditions are covered by Faye if the policy was purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit and you’re medically cleared by a physician to travel.
Does Faye offer annual travel insurance?
Faye does not currently offer annual travel insurance policies. There are plans to offer this service in the future. A Faye policy can last up to 180 days and multiple policies can be scheduled back to back, however.
Does Faye travel insurance cover theft?
Yes. Under Faye's policy, your belongings are covered against theft of up to $2,000. Clothes, phones, laptops and other personal items are all included. Optional rental car insurance covers up to $50,000 if a vehicle is stolen and/or damaged due to reasons outside your control.
Are Faye travel insurance policies refundable?
Yes. Faye plans allow you to cancel coverage as late as 14 days after the purchase so long as your trip hasn’t begun, you have incurred no losses and you have not filed any claims.
Who owns Faye travel insurance Company?
Faye is the brand name of Zenner, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Are there exceptions to Faye’s policy based on where you legally reside?
Yes. Some states have specific regulations that affect the type of coverage Faye can offer. For example, CFAR policies cannot be sold to New York residents. A Fora Advisor can explain state-specific changes to the basic policy or add-ons.
More travel inspiration
Check out articles on a few destinations where it’s especially wise to purchase travel insurance (perhaps due to extreme sports, transport between airports and resorts, extreme weather and otherwise):
The Best Places to Stay in Costa Rica, from Papagayo to Tico Beach
What’s the Best Island to Visit in Hawai‘i for the First Time?
Please note the following is for informational purposes only. If you have questions about policy or plan specifics, your Fora Advisor will connect you with a Faye representative. Fora is under no obligation to update this article in the event Faye's policies change. The information below was provided by Faye and is the most up-to-date information available at the time of original publication. Fora makes no representations, warranties or guarantees of any kind, whether express or implied, regarding the accuracy and/or completeness of this article or the suitability of Faye insurance for your particular circumstances.