Can a travel insurance app really keep you safer? Here's the surprising answer

A travel insurance app may be the last place you'd look when you're concerned about safety. But for experienced travelers, it is becoming a first stop.

Take Rasa Urbonaite, who always relies on the Allianz travel insurance app when she travels. It supplies her with safety information about her destination, including places to avoid and notifications of any potential dangers.

"My first concern when traveling alone is safety," says Urbonaite, the chief marketing officer for a wedding planning platform in California. "The smartphone apps are a huge assistance. I receive travel alerts, which helps me be aware of my surroundings. I feel more safe because of the app's information about surrounding locations."

Travel insurance is a popular add-on to vacations, and that includes trips planned for this fall and winter. The Generali Global Assistance 2024 Holiday Barometer, a measure of travel behavior, suggests that 42 percent of Americans will buy travel protection this year -- a significant increase from the 38 percent of Americans who bought travel insurance in 2022.

A travel insurance app can make your next trip safer, but you don't have to download a smartphone app to take advantage of all of its safety features. Many travel insurance companies offer similar services by phone or online. The latest safety features include upgraded travel alerts and telemedicine support. Experts say it's better to focus on these benefits than on the platform.

Can travel insurance improve your travel safety?

But can travel insurance really keep you safer? The latest generation of smartphone apps is trying.

For example:

Most travel insurance smartphone apps allow travelers to receive real-time alerts about their destination and access their policy information.

Many comprehensive travel insurance policies also include 24-hour global assistance services that give you immediate access to help in emergencies -- everything from medical referrals to emergency evacuations.

You can also expect support -- either through a smartphone app or through the insurance company's website -- for your pre-trip planning.

"Travel insurance is designed not just to protect financial investments in travel but also to enhance safety and provide assistance during trips," explains Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association."These features collectively work to mitigate risks and offer solutions promptly, making travel safer and more secure."

Here are the latest travel insurance features that can help you travel safer

Most of the major travel insurance companies already have well-developed apps used for purchasing insurance or claims.

For example, the newest version of Faye's app includes your destination's visa and vaccine requirements, health mandates, and even the plug type you should bring along with you. "We also provide local emergency numbers and medical assistance information like nearby pharmacies to save you time," says Lauren Gumport, a spokeswoman for the travel insurance company. That's in addition to the app’s core features that provide customer support and let you file claims.

The latest version of Allianz's smartphone app, Allyz, also features robust security features. For example, it will quickly connect you to the Allianz 24/7 travel assistance team to guide you through any stressful situation on the road. "Whether you need help with a claim due to an accident on the road, or you want reassurance on the best hospital care nearby, having a trusty app and access to a live team who are dedicated to your safety can make all the difference during a stressful situation,” says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA.

The help isn't limited to an app or phone number. Generali Global Assistance also includes a suite of services that provide immediate help with unexpected problems during a trip. That includes 24/7 travel assistance, roadside travel service, telemedicine and ID theft resolution services. Generali also has a concierge service that promises to make your upcoming trip "smoother and more enjoyable," which allows policyholders to schedule golf tee times, buy tickets for events and make restaurant reservations.

INF Visitor Care, which provides visitor insurance for inbound travelers to the U.S., offers a robust presence on WhatsApp, where you can ask questions about safety and security and get an answer from a real person. "I think most travelers need to be cognizant of insurance companies being able to meet their needs at a moment's notice," says PK Rao, INF's president.

How travel insurance keeps you safer

So how does travel insurance keep you safer? Many of the features are preventative, which is to say the insurance company will send you safety alerts before your trip or inform you about any medical requirements, like vaccines.

But sometimes they can help you get to safety when you run into trouble. Chris Yang recalls when one of his clients ran into trouble on a recent trip to Spain.

"His rental car broke down, and he used his travel insurance app to get help," recalls Yang, a financial consultant who often advises clients on travel matters. "The insurance company's app permitted live GPS location-sharing with the local assistance team, speeding up the rescue. This experience showed exactly how relevant it is to have a strong travel insurance policy that enables access to modern safety features."

Here's what you need for safety when you buy travel insurance

Is there a checklist of must-have safety features you should look for when you buy insurance? Actually, there is, says Jenna Hummer, a spokeswoman for Squaremouth.

The most safety-forward policies include virtual MD options, roadside assistance for car travel, a 24/7 nurse advice line, access to emergency travel funds, an emergency message relay service, and legal consultation services.

"Travelers should look for these emergency benefits when searching for a policy," she adds. "More coverage or benefits does not always mean a higher premium, so it’s important to review and compare policies to find the best option for your trip."

Here’s my latest guide on buying travel insurance this summer. Is an app required? Many large travel insurance policies have a smartphone app that includes all of the safety features you need, but it's not absolutely necessary. Some insurance companies use a different platform, like WhatsApp, but the results are generally the same.

The transformation of travel insurance from a dry contract to a dynamic, life-saving tool reflects our changing relationship with travel. In an era where global uncertainties loom large, we're not just looking for new experiences -- we need safety in those experiences. So as you plan your next adventure, remember that the best souvenir you can bring home might just be the story of how your travel insurance app saved the day.

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected].