Faye Travel Insurance Review (2026): Is It Worth It?

Let’s talk numbers first before getting into the nitty-gritty of what Faye offers…

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The essentials:

How Faye compares to a traditional insurer:

Let me be honest though: Faye is not the cheapest option, and it’s definitely not the right choice for every traveler or every trip.

But for US residents planning on exploring internationally with high, non-refundable costs, the claims experience is truly unique and legitimately worth choosing.

Faye is one of the newer names in travel insurance, but that doesn’t mean it’s something sketchy!

Its policies are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company and Great American Insurance Company, both of which hold an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best and have been around for years. So yes, while the company may be new-ish, the insurers standing behind your coverage definitely are not.

Coverage-wise, Faye is pretty good!

But I’ll be real with you: that’s not the only reason I genuinely recommend it. What actually makes Faye stand out is what happens after something has gone seriously wrong with your trip.

First off, after having made a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) claim myself, I was shook by how easy the claims process was.

I submitted my claim directly through the VERY user-friendly app, and was very easily able to communicate with a staff member within minutes when I had a few questions to ask before starting the process.

They were also fast, which can be a major problem with other insurers. Simple claims are usually resolved within 48 hours, while larger medical claims involving hospitalization or surgery usually take 1-2 weeks.

Once approved, you’ll find your payout in your Faye Wallet, a digital card within the app that can be transferred to your bank (and also works with Apple Pay and Google Pay).

Besides having incredible UX, the app is actually useful, too. You’ll find real-time flight alerts, complimentary lounge access if your flight is delayed by more than three hours, telemedicine on international trips through Air Doctor’s network of 20,000+ doctors worldwide, and Safekeeping, where you can securely store important travel documents like passport copies.

And if your phone unfortunately disappears while you’re traveling (because of course that’s when you’d need your insurance), you can still reach Faye at +1-833-240-7056 (US), +1-804-482-2122 (international), or claims@withfaye.com / support@withfaye.com.

Now for the deets on what you actually get when you go with Faye.

The numbers below are for Faye Forward (international) and Faye First (domestic), which are both underwritten by USFIC and are the plans you’ll most likely be quoted.

Just be aware that in a handful of US states, the policies are underwritten by Great American instead, so you’ll find some coverage limits may be a bit different.

Emergency Medical

• International: Up to $250,000 in primary medical cover, meaning you don’t need to contact your US insurer first.
• Domestic: Up to $50,000 in excess medical cover, meaning your own health insurance pays first and Faye covers what’s left.
• Covers hospital stays, doctor visits, emergency treatment, prescriptions, accidents, sudden illness, and COVID-19.
• Includes up to $750 for emergency dental treatment.

Emergency Evacuation

• International: Up to $500,000.
• Domestic: Up to $250,000.
• Political and security evacuation is covered up to $100,000 on the international plan. This benefit isn’t part of the domestic plan.
• Emergency evacuation has its own limit, so it doesn’t deduct from your medical coverage.

Pre-Existing Conditions

• Pre-existing medical conditions are excluded by default.
• The exclusion can be waived if you buy your policy within 14 days of paying your first trip deposit, so don’t wait!
• Note that you also need to be medically fit to travel when you buy the policy.
• Faye uses a 180-day look-back period, so be 100% sure you’re covered!

Trip Cancellation and Interruption

• Trip cancellation is included in the standard policy as long as you buy Faye at least 48 hours before departure and enter your exact trip cost when purchasing it.
• It covers up to 100% of your non-refundable trip costs for included reasons.
• Covered reasons include: illness, family emergencies, natural disasters, involuntary job loss, and other listed events that you’ll need documentation for.
• Trip interruption covers up to 150% of your non-refundable trip costs on the international plan. The extra 50% helps cover expensive last-minute flights home. On the domestic plan, trip interruption caps at 100%, the same as cancellation.
• Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) is available as an optional upgrade on top of the standard cancellation cover. I used this for a trip to Thailand and got 75% of my prepaid costs back quickly as promised!

Trip Delay and Inconveniences

• Trip delay covers up to $3,500 in total on the international plan, or $2,500 on the domestic plan, both with a max of $250 per day.
• Benefits start after a 6-hour delay and cover meals, accommodation, and any additional transport costs.
• Missed connection coverage pays up to $500 after a 3-hour delay.
• Travel inconvenience pays $200 per covered disruption, with a total of up to $600 per trip.
• Covered disruptions include: flight cancellations, diversions, baggage delays (triggers at 6+ hours, and you’ll need a Property Irregularity Report from the airline), security holds, late hotel arrivals, and rental car lockouts.

Baggage

• Lost, stolen, or damaged baggage is covered up to $2,000 per person.
• But the per-item limit is only $200 internationally and $150 domestically. This is NOT enough to cover laptops, phones, or cameras, which is disappointing but unfortunately common with travel insurance these days.
• Baggage delayed by 12 hours or more is covered up to $300 for essential purchases.
• Passport and travel document replacement is covered up to $50, which will not fully cover a new US passport but is better than nothing

Obviously, no travel insurance is perfect, and there are quite a few “eh” things you should know about before buying Faye:

• No annual multi-trip policy: Faye ONLY sells single-trip insurance. If you take several trips a year or are digital nomading indefinitely, I deff recommend looking into SafetyWing.
• The baggage limits are weak: The official baggage limit is up to $2,000, but the problem is the per-item limit is just $200 internationally and $150 domestically. Virtually any important electronic (or even many pieces of camping gear) blows through that limit instantly.
• The CFAR deadline is strict: If you want Cancel For Any Reason coverage, you need to buy it within 14 days of paying your first trip deposit, and yes, they ask for proof! This wasn’t a drawback for me personally when I used it, but can be if you’re not sure about it.
• Adventure sports cost extra: However, the exclusion list is narrower than it looks. Faye’s standard policy excludes skydiving, bungee jumping, cliff diving, scuba diving below 131 feet, unroped rock climbing, and technical mountain climbing (the kind that needs ropes or crampons) above a certain altitude. That altitude threshold varies a lot by state, and a few states exclude technical climbing entirely or include it standard instead. Regular hiking and trekking without technical gear is covered under the base plan at any elevation, but if your trip involves real technical climbing, it’s worth adding the Adventure Sports coverage rather than counting on your state’s specific number.
• There’s only one core policy: Other insurers give you a few choices of plans, but Faye has one policy, then makes you add on each extra you need
• Everything revolves around the app: The app is amazing, but it also means your phone becomes even more important. If it’s lost or stolen on your trip, managing your policy can be a bit stressful, even though you can still contact Faye by phone or email.
• It’s only available to US residents: This is pretty limiting, obviously, as most other competitors insure anyone.

Quick summary:

A few of Faye’s add-ons that give you more than the standard policy, and may be essential depending on your trip:

CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason)

• I used this for a trip to Thailand we weren’t able to take because my husband’s visa was delayed, and I had to show proof of purchase and cancellation easily via the app.
• Reimburses 75% of your non-refundable trip costs.
• Must be purchased within 14 days of paying your first trip deposit (they check!)
• You need to cancel at least 48 hours before departure.

Adventure and Extreme Sports

• This covers a specific list of higher-risk activities excluded from the standard policy: skydiving, bungee jumping, cliff diving, scuba diving below 131 feet, unroped rock climbing, and technical mountain climbing above a certain altitude that varies by state (a few states exclude it entirely or include it standard, so it’s worth adding this coverage if climbing’s on your itinerary rather than checking a number).
• The standard policy already covers activities like regular hiking and trekking at any elevation, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, biking, and horseback riding.

Pet Care

• Covers up to $2,500 in emergency veterinary expenses while you’re traveling.
• Includes up to $250 in kennel fees if your trip is delayed.

Rental Car Care

• Covers up to $50,000 for accidental damage, theft, or vandalism to a rental car.
• Availability varies by state, so do check the details if you plan to use it!

Vacation Rental Damage

• Up to $3,000 for accidental damage

Cancel for Work Reasons

• Available on the international plan only.
• Covers up to 100% of your non-refundable trip costs.
• Applies if your employer requires you to stay behind because of a genuine work emergency.
• Unlike CFAR, this isn’t a “cancel for whatever you want” upgrade. It only applies when your cancellation is due to a covered (and documented) work-related event.

• You’re taking a two-week international trip with your flights and hotels already booked: Faye is probably your best bet because of the strong trip cancellation coverage, an AMAZING app, and a fast claims process.
• You’re heading out on a six-month backpacking trip with no fixed itinerary: SafetyWing is a better fit because its rolling monthly model is designed for long-term, type-B travel.
• Your trip is all about climbing, diving, or other adventure sports: World Nomads may be your best option since its base plan covers a much wider range of adventure activities than Faye’s.

• That 14-day window is required if you want coverage for pre-existing medical conditions or the Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-on.
• The 14-day clock starts the day you make your first non-refundable trip payment, something you will have to prove.
• This doesn’t reset if you book more flights, hotels, or tours later. If you miss the window, there’s no way to add them in.
• You can still buy Faye right up until your departure date, but just know you won’t be eligible for the pre-existing condition waiver or CFAR.
• Buy your policy the same day you make your first non-refundable booking. The premium is exactly the same whether you purchase it on day one or day thirteen, so there’s no reason to wait.
• Faye also includes a 14-day return policy. If you change your mind, you can cancel for a full refund within 14 days of purchasing your policy, as long as you haven’t started your trip OR filed a claim.

Keep in mind that Faye doesn’t have fixed pricing because every quote is based on your specific trip. Things like your age, destination, trip length, total trip cost, and the add-ons you choose all affect the final rate.

As a general rule, expect to pay around 4% to 8% of your total trip cost. For a $3,000 trip, that roughly comes out to somewhere between $120 to $240.

If you add extras like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR), Adventure Sports, or Rental Car Care, your premium will increase. When I got my CFAR policy, I paid around $250 total for a 30-day budget trip to Thailand for reference.

The easiest way to find out what you’ll actually spend is to use the quote widget below. It only takes a minute, and you’ll get an exact price based on your trip!

100% yes! And I say this from legit, personal experience.

Faye offers solid coverage, amazing cancellation options, and a travel app that’s actually fun to use. But what really sets Faye apart is their claims experience.

Most travel insurance companies make this a chore by asking for very specific documentation, or by being super difficult to get ahold of. With Faye, everything happens right on the app, so claims are paid out much faster than you’re probably used to.

I’d easily buy another policy! But even so, it isn’t the right choice for every traveler or every type of trip.

If you’re traveling for months at a time with no return date, SafetyWing is a better fit thanks to its flexible monthly coverage.

If you’re carrying thousands of dollars worth of camera gear or electronics, Faye’s very low per-item baggage limit means you’ll want separate equipment insurance or another provider. (I personally use State Farm).

And if your trip revolves around technical mountain climbing, deep or technical diving, or other high-risk adventure sports, World Nomads offers broader activity coverage in its standard plan.

But for any other US resident, you really can’t go wrong by choosing Faye.

Yes, most companies sell similar coverage, but very few make the claims process feel THIS easy, and that’s why I’d choose it again, especially for a trip where I need CFAR.

If you’re still comparing your options, check out my guide to the best travel insurance for backpackers to see how Faye really compares against competitors!