John Hancock Travel Insurance: Plans, Reputation, and Services
Established in 1862, John Hancock is a well-known life insurance carrier that also distributes travel insurance through industry partners.
John Hancock travel insurance policies are underwritten by the Starr Indemnity & Liability Company and administered by Indiana-based Seven Corners Inc.
The corporation focuses on offering comprehensive single-trip coverage for families, students, solo travelers, and business people.
While John Hancock doesn’t have a flashy website or mobile app, the company offers generous coverage limits, flexible add-ons, and few exclusions compared to other carriers.
For these reasons, John Hancock travel insurance reviews are favorable, and the company has few registered complaints from customers.
Additionally, John Hancock has strong financial ratings and a long-standing reputation in the industry.
Coverage Options | Costs | Customer Reviews & Reputation | Customer Service Benefits | Financial Strength |
---|---|---|---|---|
Plans include three-tiered coverage levels. | The lowest rates are for affordable short-term trips only. | John Hancock has a long history in the insurance industry. | The company offers 24/7 toll-free global assistance. | The parent company and underwriter have strong financial profiles. |
This carrier has a variety of optional add-ons. | Premiums vary substantially based on selected coverage and the trip's duration. | The company has few complaints and many positive reviews. | Online, self-service website features are lacking. | Both companies have excellent to superior ratings from A.M. Best. |
John Hancock Travel Insurance Coverage & Plans
Named after one of the nation’s founding fathers, John Hancock is a leading insurer with over 150 years of industry experience.
Although the company primarily focuses on life insurance and annuities, it also offers travel insurance through industry partners.
John Hancock travel insurance includes a three-tiered suite of products and riders, including coverage for travel interruptions, trip cancellations, emergency medical care, accidental death, and lost baggage.
Plans are listed as bronze, silver, and gold according to their coverage limits.
John Hancock Travel Insurance Bronze Plan
- Bronze-level plans are suitable for economy travelers and families, offering reasonably priced basic coverage that meets visa requirements.
- The plan reimburses travelers for up to 100 percent of their trip cancellation costs or up to 125 percent of trip interruption costs with a $12,500 maximum.
- Add-ons for voluntary cancellations and rental car collisions allow policyholders to beef up their coverage without spending too much.
John Hancock Travel Insurance Silver Plan
- For a moderate increase in premiums, silver plans include substantially higher limits for most expenses, such as missed connections, baggage delays, emergency medical care, and accidental death.
- The plan covers 100 percent of the trip’s cancellation cost and up to 150 percent of the trip’s cost for travel interruptions on itineraries up to 90 days.
John Hancock Travel Insurance Gold Plan
- John Hancock’s gold plan offers the highest coverage limits, including $1 million in medical evacuation coverage and up to $2,500 for baggage and personal effects.
- Gold plans are suitable for business travelers and families who are traveling with valuable possessions or visiting high-risk countries.
- Policyholders may recoup up to 100 percent of the trip’s cost for cancellation and up to 150 percent in travel interruption expenses up to $150,000.
Ideal for single trips, John Hancock travel insurance plans from each tier can be customized according to the travelers’ coverage requirements.
Children under 18 are subject to an additional premium based on their travel costs.
However, the company’s plans have few exclusions, and they can be supplemented with various flat-rate riders.
Covered Excuses | All Plans |
---|---|
Tour Operator Cancellation | Yes |
Injury/Illness/Death of Traveler | Yes |
Injury/Illness/Death of Non-traveling Family Member | Yes |
Injury/Illness/Death of Business Partner | Yes |
Injury/Illness/Death of Host | |
Injury/Illness/Death of Host's Family or Friends | |
Natural Disaster at Destination | Yes |
Tour Operator/Airline/Cruise Line Ceases Operation | Yes |
Terrorism/Evacuation at Destination | Yes |
Home or Business Damaged | Yes |
Jury Duty/Court Appearance | Yes |
Military Deployment | Yes |
Work Related | Yes |
Victim of Crime Prior to Trip | Yes |
Car Accident Prior to Trip | Yes |
Theft of Passport Prior to Trip | Yes |
Separation/Divorce | |
School Related | |
CFAR Coverage (Cancel for any reason) | If a rider is purchased |
The following chart shows the coverage that’s included with each plan.
Unless otherwise noted, limits apply to bronze, silver, and gold packages, respectively and some coverages may vary by state.
Coverage | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
---|---|---|---|
Trip Cancellation | 100 percent | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Cancel for Any Reason | Up to 75 percent (With Optional Rider Only) | Up to 75 percent (With Optional Rider Only) | Up to 75 percent (With Optional Rider Only) |
Trip Interruption | 125 percent | 150 percent | 150 percent |
Interrupt for Any Reason | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Accident and Sickness Medical Expenses | $50,000 With a $0 Deductible and up to $750 for Emergency Dental Care | 100,000 With a $0 Deductible and up to $750 for Emergency Dental Care | $250,000 With a $0 Deductible and up to $750 for Emergency Dental Care |
Emergency Evacuation, Medically Necessary Repatriation, and Repatriation of Remains | $250,000 per Event | $500,000 per Event | 1,000,000 per Event |
Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) | $25,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
Air Flight Only AD&D | $300,000 or $500,000 (With Optional Rider Only) | $300,000 or $500,000 (With Optional Rider Only) | $300,000 or $500,000 (With Optional Rider Only) |
Baggage and Personal Effects | $1,000 | $2,500 | |
Baggage Delay | $250, 12 Hours or More | $500 12 Hours or More | $500, 12 Hours or More |
Airline Ticket Change Fee Coverage | $200 (Subject to Certain Conditions) | $200 (Subject to Certain Conditions) | $200 (Subject to Certain Conditions) |
Travel Delay | $500, 3 Hours or More | $750, 3 Hours or More | $1,000, 3 Hours or More |
Missed Connection | $200 | $750 | $1,000 |
Itinerary Change | In Case of Terror Attacks | In Case of Terror Attacks | In Case of Terror Attacks |
Reimbursement of Miles or Rewards Points | Up to $200 | Up to $200 | Up to $200 |
Rental Car Damage | $50,000 (With Optional Rider Only) | $50,000 (With Optional Rider Only) | $50,000 (With Optional Rider Only) |
John Hancock trip insurance offers three optional add-ons at each level.
These include:
Rental Car Collision Coverage
-
- The optional rental car collision rider provides $50,000 in coverage for $9 per day with a $0 deductible.
- It offers supplemental or excess coverage for accidents, damage, vandalism, or theft.
Air-Only Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage (AD&D)
- Additional air-only AD&D coverage of $300,000 or $500,000 is available for a flat rate of $19 or $27, regardless of the destination or trip’s duration.
Cancel-For-Any-Reason (CFAR) Provision
- John Hancock’s CFAR rider lets travelers recoup up to 75 percent of their insured travel costs if they cancel their plans at least 48 hours before departure.
Pre-existing medical conditions are generally subject to a 180-day look-back period, but this can be reduced to 60 days with an endorsement.
Additionally, John Hancock uniformly excludes injuries related to contact sports and inherently dangerous activities, such as skydiving, parachuting, bungee jumping, scuba diving, and mountain climbing.
If you plan on engaging in these recreational activities during your travels, review the terms before you select a plan.
John Hancock Travel Insurance Costs
As a rule of thumb, travel insurance premiums equal four to eight percent of the total cost of your trip according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Additionally, rates vary depending on the length of your stay, which countries you’re visiting, and your age.
For example, to secure a visa for long-term stays, travel insurance is required by many countries.
From the perspective of an insurance company, more extended stays may increase the likelihood of your filing a claim.
Additionally, some countries are more dangerous than others due to tropical illnesses or political instability.
Also, older travelers might be more likely to require medical care, which could increase your premiums.
Finally, due to local insurance regulations, rates may vary depending on your state of residence.
Premiums for John Hancock travel insurance start at $24, $31, and $54 for bronze, silver, and gold packages, respectively.
This is based on a short-term, low-cost domestic trip.
Additional charges apply for children based on their itinerary’s cost.
You will also pay more if you choose a plan that lets you cancel for any reason or if you decide to purchase a rider for rental car accidents and other incidentals.
To request a personalized quote based on your specific travel plans, use the John Hancock Travel website, or call the company directly.
In case your plans change, John Hancock lets you cancel your policy within 14 days of your purchase as long as your trip hasn’t started and you haven’t filed a claim.
Written notice might be required in some areas.
The free-look option is not available to residents of Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, or Virginia.
Additionally, rules regarding full and prorated refunds may vary depending on your state, so make sure to read the fine print before you purchase travel insurance from John Hancock or any other company.
John Hancock Travel Insurance Reviews & Reputation
Both John Hancock Travel and its underwriter, the Starr Indemnity & Liability Company, have a positive reputation based on favorable customer reviews and a low number of complaints.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, John Hancock had just 20 closed complaints in 2018 and seven in 2017, with more than $700 million in direct premiums written annually.
Likewise, its underwriter, the Starr Indemnity & Liability Company, had 11 closed complaints in 2018 and 13 in 2017, although travel insurance represents a small portion of its accident and health division.
John Hancock travel insurance reviews from TrustPilot show that the company has an excellent reputation, which has earned it a TrustScore of 7.4.
Current and previous policyholders were happy with the claims process as well as the outcomes.
Likewise, Seven Corners, who administers John Hancock’s travel insurance, has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the company has responded to all seven complaints within the past 12 months.
Customer Assistance Services
All John Hancock trip insurance policies include 24/7 emergency travel assistance starting at the bronze level.
Multilingual customer service is available by phone using the company’s toll-free hotline, provided by Seven Corners’ customer service representatives.
The company’s call center agents are knowledgeable, courteous, and helpful when answering general questions or addressing emergencies, according to John Hancock travel insurance reviews.
Before departure, customers may use the company’s basic, self-service website to request a quote, compare plans, or purchase travel insurance.
In the event of an incident, the site also includes necessary claims documents for each type of coverage, including trip protection, baggage, medical, and rental car collision.
Completed forms may be submitted by mail, email, or fax.
They can also be uploaded online through the Seven Corners customer portal.
Should you need assistance during your trip due to a medical emergency or travel delay, agents can arrange local services or provide general travel information, such as currency exchange rates, local weather forecasts, and entry requirements related to visas and vaccinations.
Agents can also recommend interpreters, contact regional embassies, or assist with the passport recovery process.
In addition, customer service representatives can help you locate nearby medical facilities, arrange medical transportation, or guarantee payment when required for hospital admission.
These services are available around the clock no matter where you’re traveling.
John Hancock Travel Insurance Financial Stability
When comparing insurance companies, financial stability is one of the most important considerations after policy selection and coverage limits.
A strong rating shows that the company is collecting adequate premiums to meet all financial obligations and to pay claims promptly.
In the insurance industry, several independent rating agencies assess the financial fitness of underwriters.
All John Hancock travel insurance policies are administered by Seven Corners Inc. and underwritten by the Starr Indemnity & Liability Company.
Starr has been in the insurance business since 1919 and was incorporated in 1950.
According to financial analysts with A.M. Best, the Starr Indemnity & Liability Company has an excellent ability to meet ongoing insurance obligations, which has earned it the agency’s second-highest rating of A.
Phone Number & Contact Information
Homepage URL | www.JohnHancockTravel.com |
Provider Phone | 1-866-888-7803 |
Headquarters Address | 303 Congressional Blvd., Carmel, IN 46032 |
Year Founded | 1862 |
Best Alternatives to John Hancock Travel Insurance
Not satisfied with what John Hancock has to offer? These companies provide great travel insurance alternatives:
Additional Providers
There are several other travel insurance providers that deserve consideration as well which you can see in our Best Travel Insurance Companies article.
These companies didn’t make our list of top providers but we have created some more detailed reviews that you can view below:
- Allianz Travel Insurance Review
- Aon Travel Insurance Review
- Carnival Travel Insurance Review
- Chubb Travel Insurance Review
- CSA Travel Insurance Review
- Expedia Travel Insurance Review
- Hotwire Travel Insurance Review
- IMG Travel Insurance Review
- InsureMyTrip Travel Insurance Review
- JetBlue Travel Insurance Review
- John Hancock Travel Insurance Review
- Medjet Medical Transport Insurance Review
- Orbitz Travel Insurance Review
- Patriot Travel Insurance Review
- Priceline Travel Insurance Review
- Progressive Travel Insurance Review
- Red Sky Travel Insurance Review
- Ripcord Travel Insurance Review
- Travel Insured International
- Travelex Travel Insurance Review
- USAA Travel Insurance Review
- USI Affinity Travel Insurance Review
- World Nomads Travel Insurance Review