Trying to pick the right travel insurance can feel like navigating a maze of fine print and confusing coverage terms.
Many travelers struggle to understand if mid-tier plans like AXA Silver provide enough protection without overpaying for features they don’t need. And with premium prices continually rising, getting this decision right matters more than ever.
I’ve been reviewing travel insurance plans for over a decade and have helped countless clients file claims with various providers. Let me walk you through what AXA’s Silver plan really offers and whether it hits that sweet spot between adequate coverage and reasonable pricing.
In this article...
About the Company
AXA Assistance USA is part of the AXA Group, one of the world’s largest insurance and financial services companies operating in over 60 countries. Their travel insurance products are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, which holds an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best.
AXA sells its plans directly through their website as well as through various comparison sites and travel booking platforms.
💡 Personal Note: When I had clients affected by the 2019 airline strikes in Europe, AXA’s claims department was notably more efficient than many competitors. While no insurance company is perfect, their response times and follow-through were better than industry average during a high-volume claims period.
Plan Highlights
The Silver plan positions itself as AXA’s mid-tier offering, balancing cost with comprehensive coverage:
• Trip cancellation coverage up to 100% of trip cost (maximum $50,000)
• Trip interruption coverage up to 150% of trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of $100,000
• Emergency medical evacuation up to $500,000
• Baggage loss/damage up to $1,500
• Travel delay coverage of $1,000 ($200 per day)
• 24/7 worldwide travel assistance services
• Pre-existing medical condition waiver available (if purchased within 14 days of initial trip deposit)
Recommended Plans
Up to $2,000,000 of Overall Maximum Coverage, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19, Trip Interruption & Travel Delay.
Coverage for in-patient and out-patient medical accidents up to $1 Million, Coverage of acute episodes of pre-existing conditions, Coverage from 5 days to 364 days (about 12 months).
Up to $8,000,000 limits, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Coinsurance for treatment received in the U.S. (100% within PPO Network), Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions covered.
Pricing Insights
AXA Silver typically falls into the mid-range price category among comparable travel insurance plans.
For a 45-year-old traveler on a $3,000, two-week trip, expect to pay approximately $120-160 depending on your destination and age.
The plan offers good value considering its medical evacuation limits, which are higher than many competitors in the same price range.
AXA frequently runs promotions offering 10-15% discounts on their plans, particularly during off-peak travel seasons.
Pricing increases with age become more substantial after age 60, with significant jumps for travelers over 70.
Coverage Details
Trip cancellation and interruption benefits cover a wide range of standard reasons, including illness, injury, death of a family member, jury duty, and weather-related cancellations.
The $100,000 emergency medical coverage is solid for a mid-tier plan and sufficient for most destinations except for the United States, where medical costs are extraordinarily high.
The $500,000 medical evacuation benefit stands out as particularly strong for a Silver-level plan and provides adequate protection for most international destinations.
Baggage delay coverage kicks in after 24 hours (which is standard) and provides up to $300 for essential items.
The plan includes a “missed connection” benefit of $500, which helps cover additional transportation costs if you miss a connection due to a 3+ hour delay of a common carrier.
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | 100% of trip cost (max $50,000) |
| Trip Interruption | 150% of trip cost (max $75,000) |
| Emergency Medical | $100,000 |
| Medical Evacuation | $500,000 |
| Baggage Loss | $1,500 |
| Travel Delay | $200/day (max $1,000) |
| Missed Connection | $500 |
| Pre-existing Condition Waiver | Available if purchased within 14 days of deposit |
| Cancel For Work Reasons | Limited coverage included |
| Rental Car Damage | Optional add-on |
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Exclusions and Limitations
The Silver plan has several important exclusions and limitations travelers should understand:
Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered unless you purchase the plan within 14 days of your initial trip deposit and meet all eligibility requirements.
Mental or nervous disorders are excluded unless hospitalization is required.
“Fear of travel” is not a covered reason for cancellation, even with destinations experiencing terrorism or health concerns.
Adventure activities like bungee jumping, scuba diving below 120 feet, and mountaineering are typically excluded.
The Silver plan does not offer a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade option, which is only available on their Platinum plan.
Claims must be filed within 90 days of the covered event, which is stricter than some competitors who allow 180 days or more.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average travel insurance claim amount | $1,300 | US Travel Insurance Association |
| Percentage of claims related to medical issues | 38% | AXA Annual Claims Report |
| Average cost of medical evacuation from Europe to US | $50,000-$100,000 | Centers for Disease Control |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong medical evacuation coverage ($500,000) | No CFAR option available |
| Solid emergency medical benefits for the price | 24-hour waiting period for baggage delay benefits |
| Good travel delay coverage ($200/day) | Lower baggage loss limits than some competitors |
| Pre-existing condition waiver available | Higher age-based premiums for seniors |
| 24/7 multilingual assistance services | Trip cancellation reasons less comprehensive than premium plans |
Ideal Buyer Profile
The AXA Silver plan is best suited for budget-conscious travelers who want solid medical and evacuation coverage without paying premium prices. It’s particularly good for:
International travelers to regions with moderate healthcare costs (Europe, parts of Asia, Latin America).
Travelers who book trips well in advance and can purchase insurance within the 14-day window for pre-existing condition coverage.
Those prioritizing medical evacuation coverage but willing to accept more limited baggage and cancellation benefits.
It’s less suitable for seniors over 70 (who’ll face high premiums), travelers to extremely remote destinations, or those seeking maximum flexibility with cancellation options.
✅ Pro Tip: If traveling to remote areas like Nepal, Patagonia or African safari destinations, consider upgrading to AXA’s Platinum plan for the higher evacuation limits ($1 million) or look at specialized adventure travel policies that offer more comprehensive coverage for remote locations.
User Feedback
Based on public reviews across platforms like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau, AXA receives mixed but generally positive feedback:
Most positive reviews mention straightforward claims processes for qualifying events and responsive customer service.
Negative reviews often focus on denial of claims that fell outside policy coverage or documentation issues – common complaints across all insurance providers.
The company maintains a B+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, slightly above the industry average.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re concerned about the Silver plan’s limitations, AXA’s Platinum plan offers higher coverage limits, includes CFAR as an option, and provides better baggage loss coverage, though at a roughly 30-40% price increase.
For travelers seeking similar coverage with potentially better pricing for seniors, Trawick International’s Safe Travels Voyager plan provides comparable benefits with more competitive rates for older age groups.
Compared to the Allianz OneTrip Prime plan, AXA Silver offers stronger medical evacuation coverage but less robust trip cancellation protection.
❌ Avoid: This plan if you’re traveling somewhere with extremely high medical costs (like the US) and have pre-existing conditions but can’t purchase within the 14-day timeframe. In that case, look for plans with more flexible pre-existing condition coverage.
Conclusion
AXA’s Silver plan delivers solid value for travelers seeking a balance between comprehensive coverage and reasonable pricing. Its standout emergency evacuation benefit of $500,000 provides substantial protection at a mid-tier price point, while the $100,000 in medical coverage is adequate for most international destinations.
The plan is particularly appealing if you can purchase it within 14 days of your initial trip deposit to secure the pre-existing condition waiver. However, travelers seeking cancel-for-any-reason flexibility or those over 70 facing steep age-based premiums may want to explore alternatives.
For most mainstream international travelers with moderate coverage needs, AXA Silver hits the sweet spot between budget and premium plans, offering substantial protection without unnecessary bells and whistles.
If you want to compare this plan with other options, you can check them out here.
Always review the full policy wording carefully before purchasing. Safe travels!
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Can Save Up to 30%!
