An honest review of Faye travel insurance
We Filed a $687 Faye Insurance Claim in Vietnam—Here's What Happened
My dad's bloody nose that wouldn't stop after a Hoi An food tour, the overnight hospital admission, and how Faye reimbursed every penny in 7 days. Here's why I recommend Faye for most international trips.
Why Faye beats traditional travel insurance
- App-based claims: File from your phone, upload photos, track status in real-time
- Fast reimbursements: Days instead of weeks with traditional insurers
- Real human support: Chat with actual people who help you find doctors and understand coverage
- Modern coverage: Built for how people actually travel today, not 1990s policies
This link takes you to Faye's site to build a quote. I may earn a commission if you purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra.
The $687 Hoi An Hospital Story (Every Detail)
🍜 The Setup
My dad absolutely crushed a Hoi An food tour. Amazing food, and I'm pretty sure he had about 3 weeks' worth of sodium in one night. Worth it.
🩸 The Problem
That night back at the hotel, he got a bloody nose. No big deal, right? Except it didn't stop. After over an hour of constant bleeding, we decided to go to the hospital.
🏥 The Hospital
His blood pressure was elevated. The doctors wanted to admit him overnight for observation. I slept there too (they actually gave me a bed!). Service was incredible—he got an elaborate breakfast in the morning that looked better than most hotel buffets.
💰 The Bill
$687 USD total: Overnight admission, monitoring, medications, both our beds, and that fancy breakfast. We paid via credit card before discharge.
📱 The Claim
Filed the claim through Faye's app the next morning. Uploaded photos of receipts, discharge papers, and credit card statement. Everything was in Vietnamese—I didn't translate anything first, just snapped photos of what they gave us.
✅ The Result
$687 reimbursement landed in our account 7 days later. Zero back-and-forth emails. They didn't even ask me to translate the Vietnamese paperwork.
What I Learned
- New travel diet? Maybe ease into it. Going from zero fish sauce to all the fish sauce in one night might not be ideal if you're on blood pressure medication. (But also, the food was incredible, so...)
- Photograph everything. Every receipt, discharge paper, wristband—even if it's in a language you can't read
- Keep credit card statements. Shows proof of payment even if receipts are unclear
- File immediately. I filed the morning after discharge while everything was fresh in my mind
- Don't bother translating. Faye accepted everything in Vietnamese with no questions asked
- Vietnam healthcare is excellent. Seriously, the service was incredible for $687. Both of us got beds, monitoring, meds, and breakfast.
When Faye Makes Sense (Honest Take)
✓ Get Faye If:
- International trip under 60 days
- Traveling with family (odds go up that someone needs something)
- Trip cost over $2,000
- You want app-based claims, not paper forms and fax machines
- Going somewhere your regular health insurance doesn't cover
- Anyone in your group takes medication or has health considerations
Skip Faye If:
- You're traveling 6+ months continuously (SafetyWing's monthly model makes more sense)
- Ultra-budget trip under $1,000 where you'd self-insure anyway
- Domestic US trip where your health insurance already covers you
What Faye Actually Costs
The quick formula: roughly 4–8% of your total trip cost.
Examples:
- $3,000 trip → expect $120–$240 range
- $5,000 trip → expect $200–$400 range
- $10,000 trip → expect $400–$800 range
Exact price varies by age, destination, trip length, and coverage level. Always run a quote for your specific trip.
Faye vs SafetyWing vs Allianz
High-level comparison—always read the actual policy for your situation.
Faye vs SafetyWing
- Faye wins if: Your trip is under 60 days, you're traveling with family, or you want the fastest claims process
- SafetyWing wins if: You're a long-term nomad (6+ months), want monthly billing, or need the absolute lowest monthly cost
Faye vs Allianz
- Faye wins: App-based claims, faster reimbursements, better customer support
- Allianz might work: If you're already buying through an airline checkout and just want something basic
Bottom line: For most international trips under 60 days, Faye is my default recommendation. For long-term travel, check out SafetyWing.
Common Questions
Why Faye over traditional travel insurance?
The app makes a huge difference. When my dad was in the hospital, I filed the claim from my phone at 8am the next morning. With traditional insurers, you're filling out paper forms, mailing receipts, waiting weeks. Faye processes straightforward claims in days.
How fast does Faye actually pay claims?
My $687 claim was reimbursed in 7 days. That's typical for straightforward medical claims with proper documentation. Complex situations (medical evacuations, large claims) take longer, but Faye is consistently faster than traditional insurers.
Does Faye cover pre-existing conditions?
This varies by plan and when you purchase. Generally, if you buy coverage within 14 days of your first trip payment and meet other requirements, pre-existing conditions may be covered. Read the specific policy details for your situation.
What about adventure activities?
Many common adventure activities are covered, but it depends on your plan level and what you're doing. Hiking, snorkeling, and basic activities are usually fine. Extreme sports might need add-ons. Check the policy details for your specific activities.
Can I cancel my trip and get reimbursed?
Faye covers trip cancellation for covered reasons (illness, injury, weather, etc.). The key is buying insurance soon after booking—ideally within 14 days—for maximum coverage. Read the policy for specific covered reasons.
Is there a promo code?
Faye doesn't usually run public promo codes. Pricing is based on your trip details (age, destination, dates, coverage level). Best way to save is choosing the right coverage level for your needs—don't over-insure or under-insure.
Does travel insurance cover eSIM or data issues?
No—connectivity isn't an insurable risk. For reliable data abroad, I use Holafly eSIM (code STEPHANDPETE for a discount) alongside travel insurance.
This is informational content based on my personal experience, not personalized insurance advice. Always review the policy details for your specific situation. I may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page at no extra cost to you.