Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion vs Travelex Travel Basic
Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion settles directly with US hospitals; with Travelex Travel Basic, the family typically pays first and claims back. On a $40k emergency-room bill that distinction is the entire experience. Below: every line that matters for a visiting parent.
Most parents visiting the USA prefer Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion for this combination of coverage and budget.
Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion carries this one 7 to 4. The decisive lines are coverage limit and direct billing at hospitals; the consolation for Travelex Travel Basic is typical premium band and age eligibility.
Quick verdict
Strongest all-round mix: comprehensive cover, direct billing, PED protection.
View PlanPremiums are within a few dollars — neither is a clear budget winner.
Both are senior-friendly — choice depends on PED needs and budget.
Side-by-side: who wins what
| Feature | Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion | Travelex Travel Basic | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage limit | $100k | $50k | Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion |
| Lowest deductible | - | - | |
| Pre-existing condition cover | Acute-onset | Acute-onset | |
| Direct billing at hospitals | Yes | No | Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion |
| Hospital network size | Large | Large | |
| Typical premium band | ~$173 | ~$100 | Travelex Travel Basic |
| Avg claim settlement | 21 days | 28 days | Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion |
| Age eligibility | 1-70 | 0-79 | Travelex Travel Basic |
| COVID covered | Yes | Yes | |
| Emergency evacuation | $250k | $500k | Travelex Travel Basic |
| 24×7 support | Yes | Yes |
Who should choose which
- You want a higher coverage cap ($100k vs $50k).
- You prefer cashless hospital billing over reimbursement claims.
- You want faster claims processing.
- You want the lower monthly premium.
- The traveller is older — this plan accepts up to age 79.
Real-life cost scenarios
What you'd pay out-of-pocket on a typical US medical bill, using each plan's mid-tier deductible and coinsurance.
How we calculated
How we calculated
How we calculated
Plan limitations side by side
- Lower evacuation cover ($250k).
- Won't accept travellers above age 70.
- Lower coverage cap ($50k).
- Reimbursement-only — pay first, claim later.
- Slower average claim settlement (~28 days).
Claims experience
| Metric | Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion | Travelex Travel Basic |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of claims | Moderate | Slower |
| Typical claim time | 17–28 days | 24–35 days |
| Common issues |
|
|
Typical experience — actual times vary by case complexity and documentation.
If something goes wrong: emergency flow
A simple, repeatable sequence so a stressed family member knows exactly what to do.
- 1Visit the hospital
Go to the nearest ER. Don't delay over network checks in a true emergency.
- 2Show your insurance card
Present your insurer ID and policy number at admission.
- 3Call the 24x7 helpline
Notify the insurer within 24 hours so they can coordinate with the hospital.
- 4Cashless or reimbursement
In-network: hospital bills the insurer directly. Out-of-network: collect every bill and receipt.
- 5Pay only your share
You cover the deductible plus your coinsurance %; the insurer settles the rest.
Go to the nearest ER. Don't delay over network checks in a true emergency.
Present your insurer ID and policy number at admission.
Notify the insurer within 24 hours so they can coordinate with the hospital.
In-network: hospital bills the insurer directly. Out-of-network: collect every bill and receipt.
You cover the deductible plus your coinsurance %; the insurer settles the rest.
Things most people miss
The fine print that decides whether a claim gets paid in full, partially, or not at all.
What a deductible actually costs you▾
Coinsurance — the hidden second bill▾
Pre-existing conditions — the small print▾
Network restrictions in real ERs▾
Why claims get rejected▾
Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion — Closest match to what most NRIs choose for parents visiting the USA.
Based on typical user preferences (age, coverage, cost). Not a popularity poll.
Where they're the same
- Neither plan treats COVID as an exclusion; it's covered up to the standard medical limit on both.
- Both Bajaj Allianz and Travelex keep a round-the-clock claims line, not just business hours.
- Neither plan is fixed-benefit; both reimburse real charges up to the medical limit, which is what you want for an unpredictable US bill.
- Both lean on a large US hospital network, so finding an in-network ER usually isn't the bottleneck.
Coverage cap may be low for serious illness
Lower medical caps; PED is acute-onset only.
Other comparisons you might want
More comparisons for Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion
BackToIndia is independent — we don't sell Bajaj Allianz Travel Companion or Travelex Travel Basic and earn nothing from either Bajaj Allianz or Travelex. Plan data is reviewed by our editorial team in 2026; always confirm specifics against the official policy wording before purchase.