Reliance Travel Care USA vs Travelex Travel Select
Reliance Travel Care USA is underwritten in India by Reliance General; Travelex Travel Select is a US-based plan from Travelex. That changes who handles claims, how disputes are resolved, and what currency the premium and deductible sit in. We break down what that means for a real hospital visit.
Travelex Travel Select carries this one 4 to 0. The decisive lines are typical premium band and age eligibility; the consolation for Reliance Travel Care USA is a couple of secondary lines.
Quick verdict
Both deliver strong overall protection — pick on price or insurer preference.
Lower starting premium (~$90/month) without giving up the essentials.
View PlanBetter suited for older travellers: accepts up to age 84, comprehensive payouts.
View PlanSide-by-side: who wins what
| Feature | Reliance Travel Care USA | Travelex Travel Select | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage limit | $250k | $250k | |
| Lowest deductible | - | - | |
| Pre-existing condition cover | Acute-onset | Acute-onset | |
| Direct billing at hospitals | Yes | Yes | |
| Hospital network size | Large | Large | |
| Typical premium band | ~$255 | ~$165 | Travelex Travel Select |
| Avg claim settlement | 23 days | 25 days | |
| Age eligibility | 1-70 | 0-84 | Travelex Travel Select |
| COVID covered | Yes | Yes | |
| Emergency evacuation | $250k | $1M | Travelex Travel Select |
| 24×7 support | Yes | Yes |
Who should choose which
- You want the lower monthly premium.
- You want faster claims processing.
- The trip is long — this plan covers up to 364 days.
- The traveller is older — this plan accepts up to age 84.
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.
- No major weak spots versus the other plan for typical visitor needs.
Claims experience
| Metric | Reliance Travel Care USA | Travelex Travel Select |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of claims | Slower | Slower |
| Typical claim time | 19–30 days | 21–32 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▾
NRI visitors split fairly evenly between these two.
Based on typical user preferences (age, coverage, cost). Not a popularity poll.
Where they're the same
- Reliance General and Travelex both run direct-billing, so the family doesn't front the ER bill and chase reimbursement later.
- COVID-19 treatment is in scope on both — handled like any other illness, not a separate rider.
- 24×7 phone support sits behind both plans — useful when a hospital admits at 2am IST and you need pre-auth.
- Neither plan is fixed-benefit; both reimburse real charges up to the medical limit, which is what you want for an unpredictable US bill.
PED limited to acute onset only
Not auto-renewable; PED window is brief.
Other comparisons you might want
More comparisons for Reliance Travel Care USA
Treat this page as a decision aid, not insurance advice. We have no commercial relationship with Reliance General or Travelex; the brochures, sample certificates and rate cards we used are dated 2026 and may be revised by the insurers without notice.