Gigasure travel insurance review: see policies, Boosts, medical cover, claims and who it suits. Read our full honest verdict first.
I have to admit something. For many years, I would use travel insurance just like I used the “terms and conditions” section of my mobile phone; click on it, check the box, and wish me luck. At the very last second before leaving for the airport, I would select the cheapest policy available, and most likely while queuing for check-in at the airport with a bag between my knees.
Then was when I went to Lisbon on a short vacation. During that time, my luggage went missing and made its way back home in a roundabout manner. It arrived at the hotel after I had purchased enough clothing to last me for a week in case of an emergency, plus a toothbrush that I did not even use. After searching through all of my papers and finding the policy, I realized that I didn’t know anything about the terms of the policy. At this point, I decided that I would no longer consider purchasing insurance as a last resort.
Is travel insurance needed for a visa? That was the question that sent me searching for a better option, because some visa applications do ask for proof of cover. As I continued to see people mention “Gigasure,” I began to wonder about this brand. It is relatively new, uses an app to deliver services, and allows customers to adjust their coverage as needed. Is it a good idea, or simply good advertising? Following some research, here is what turned up.
What Is Gigasure Travel Insurance?
Gigasure, which is a travel-based insurance technology company, began operations in the United Kingdom in August of 2024. The company offers travel insurance, backpacker insurance, and excess car rental insurance. Much of the customer experience takes place via the Gigasure mobile application; customers may purchase an insurance policy, modify their current policy, contact customer service, and submit insurance claims.
The major concept is options. Most travel insurances seem to be similar to a fixed-price menu. What the restaurant chose is what you receive. If you are not fond of the fish, you have no other choice. Gigasure is attempting to create a more open-ended, customized experience, such as a menu that allows you to choose each item individually based on your needs.
That sounds like a great idea. However, the logical next step for any new brand is to find out who’s backing it.
Who Is Behind Gigasure?
As far as I can tell, the industry calls Gigasure a managing general agent (MGA). Simply put, this means that Gigasure creates and markets the insurance products to customers, but other insurance companies have the ultimate responsibility for paying out on the policy if something goes wrong. Based on reports of the launch, SiriusPoint will issue the policies; some sources report that AmTrust International was involved as well. SiriusPoint’s subsidiary International Medical Group will provide claims and assistance services for the policies SiriusPoint issues.
The founders of the company were Ernesto Suarez, a founder of an insurance platform called Halo, which Zurich and Cover More Group purchased. In addition to Suarez, some of the initial members of the team had experience working for Zurich and/or Cover More Group. This means that while the app itself is relatively new, those involved in developing it have worked within the industry for many years.
Gigasure has received awards as well. The 2025 Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards named it “New Business of the Year.” Of course, awards can’t provide insight into how your claim will be handled; however, awards indicate that the company is getting serious attention.
The Which? report also noted that Gigasure is a relatively new brand. While being “new” isn’t necessarily negative, it does indicate that Gigasure has not existed for very long and therefore does not have as much of a history or track record. For this reason, you should review the specifics of their products/services thoroughly.
The Policies: What Gigasure Offers
Here’s a quick tour of the three main products.
Travel Insurance
This is the base policy for holiday makers. Gigasure states that you can modify the amount of coverage you want to have after purchasing the policy, as opposed to having to stick with the amount of coverage that you selected when you purchased the policy. Because limits and exclusions change, you should review the most recent policy language prior to making a purchase.
Backpacker Insurance
At this point, Gigasure becomes slightly more exciting. Gigasure designed the backpacker policy for travelers who will be away from home for an extended period, moving from one country to another, and engaging in activities such as hiking or scuba diving. Gigasure offers two levels of coverage under the backpacker policy: Core and Max.
A few features stand out:
- Back to base coverage allows you to travel back to your country of origin at least once per year while you are on a backpacking trip.
- Search and Rescue cover, which the Max plan includes at no extra cost.
- Temporary Boosts, which you can add for spontaneous activities.
The last option would be a really good choice for someone who has ever had to change their travel arrangements mid-way through their journey.
Car Hire Excess Insurance
This is a more straightforward process. If you rent a car outside your country, and the car rental agency charges you with a very large excess when you cause some damage to the car, then this kind of policy will help to pay back that money. There are many travelers who have no idea what size that excess can be until they arrive at the rental desk, therefore it would be wise to think about this prior to landing.
Boosts: The Feature That Makes Gigasure Different
Okay, this is the part I found most interesting.
You can buy additional features, such as Boosts, directly from the Gigasure app, even after you have purchased your policy and during your travels. To help illustrate this concept, think about your cell phone plan. Instead of buying a large amount of data initially (and potentially overspending), you could buy smaller quantities of data as needed.
That’s why this is important. A few years ago when I went on vacation to the beach, I ended up going on a spur-of-the-moment hike based on a recommendation from a local who told me the views were amazing. And they were. But the entire time we were climbing, I was silently thinking to myself, “Am I even insured?” The concept behind a “boost” type of system is that you would be able to check your coverage status within seconds by using your cell phone. This way, you don’t have to spend any time worrying about it.
However, as long as you read about each Boost, the cost of each Boost, and the limitations of each Boost, flexibility will be beneficial. Some features may be great, but they may need some research on your part.
GigaShield: Flight and Baggage Delay Cover
The second major selling point for Gigasure is GigaShield Flight and Baggage Delay, which provides a real-time monetary benefit to help reduce the stress caused by travel delays. Gigasure created this feature through a partnership with Blink Parametric, an insurtech business focused on rapidly handling low-cost, high-volume travel claims.
Why is this important? This is because the majority of travel related issues do not involve dramatic events. According to the Chartered Insurance Institute, as Gigasure reported during the time of its initial introduction, approximately 25 percent of all travel insurance claims made within the last five years involved flight delays, whereas 31 percent involved lost luggage. Therefore, the vast majority of individuals who travel will experience a delay in receiving their bags as opposed to needing a rescue via helicopter.
In today’s fast-paced world, being able to deal with daily hassles quickly and with less manual intervention is perhaps the single best thing an insurance company can provide.
What About Medical Conditions?
This is the section a lot of people jump to first, and understandably so.
Gigasure may offer insurance coverage for your existing medical conditions, provided you disclose those conditions when receiving an initial price estimate. The company utilizes the services of Verisk, a medical screening organization, to inquire about your current health status during the time you receive a quote.
It may be tempting to omit or minimize this step in order to save money on the cost of your travel insurance. Don’t do that. According to Gigasure’s own research, 24 percent of people in the United Kingdom who make claims on their travel insurance knowingly fail to declare pre-existing medical conditions. This is a big risk, as the non-disclosure of such conditions can result in difficulties if you are making a claim. While being honest about these conditions can seem like a nuisance initially, it is the one thing that will protect you when you really need protection.
If you are having trouble getting coverage, comparison guides for travelers with pre-existing conditions can help you find other alternatives.
How to Make a Claim
Nobody wants to make a claim, however the process itself is more important than any of its features. This is how it works:
- The International Medical Group handles claims.
- You can start a claim online or through the Gigasure app.
- You should first reach out to either your travel agency or the airline when you are making a claim for cancellation to find out if there is an opportunity to receive a refund or re-book.
Step three is where many individuals fail. Most people consider insurance a last resort option rather than an early contact point for individuals seeking financial recovery. Therefore, prior to proceeding with the claims process, determine if there are other methods available to assist in recovering costs.
My own advice? Document every event that occurs with screenshots and photos. Receipts, delay notices, emails sent by the airline, etc. After having to pursue a claim for the first time, I wish I would have documented at least some of what I threw away.
Gigasure Pros and Cons
No review is useful if it only says nice things. Here’s my balanced take.
The good:
- Customisable cover you can change through the app, even while travelling
- A dedicated backpacker policy that offers features such as “Back to Base” and “Search and Rescue” (on Max).
- Real-time flight and baggage delay benefits
- An experienced team and established insurers behind the policies
- Gigasure can consider medical conditions when you declare them
The not-so-good:
- It’s a newer brand without a long public track record
- App-based convenience isn’t for everyone, particularly if you want to speak with a human being
- Flexible cover means more decisions, and more fine print to read
- It launched in the UK first, so availability may depend on where you live
Who Is Gigasure Best For?
Here’s who I think it suits best:
- The backpacker/gap year traveller wants a plan that adapts well to changing plans.
- Adventure-minded holidaymakers who might add activities along the way.
- App-comfortable travellers who like managing things from their phone.
- People who hire cars abroad and want to avoid a surprise excess bill.
And who might want to look elsewhere?
- Travellers who prefer a long-established brand with decades of reviews.
- People who like to buy once and never think about it again.
- Anyone who isn’t based in a region Gigasure currently serves.
How Does Gigasure Compare With Other Insurers?
I would consider it like this. You can view traditional insurance companies as the equivalent of a standard family car: consistent, predictable, and somewhat unexciting. On the other hand, you can see Gigasure as the equivalent of a modular camper van. With Gigasure, you can customize your vehicle (or plan) based upon what you intend to use it for; however, you will need to actively participate in the process.
If you prefer an easy-to-understand annual plan with few changes, then you may find a standard insurance company to be simpler. On the other hand, if you value flexibility and would like to have the option to add additional coverage when needed, Gigasure is a great alternative. Regardless of which type of policy you select, obtain quotes from at least two or three different providers, and compare more than just the cost. Review the medical coverage limits, deductible levels, cancellation benefits and prohibited activities side-by-side.
Tips Before You Buy
- The terms of the insurance contract are boring, however, they are the only part that matters if something goes wrong.
- Declare everything. Medical conditions, activities, trip length, all of it.
- Excess checks. If you buy a very expensive policy that has a huge excess, it could turn out to be quite costly.
- Think about your real-life travels. A week at the beach? Skiing for a week? Traveling through Southeast Asia for six months? The proper type of travel insurance depends entirely on your travel plans.
- Save the paperwork. Digital or paper, keep it somewhere you can find it quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gigasure travel insurance legit?
Gigasure is a UK-based MGA that began operating in August 2024. Well-established insurance companies write its policies and International Medical Group processes its claims. In addition, the industry recognizes it. Like all providers, please review the current policy terms and regulatory information prior to purchasing.
Does Gigasure cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Gigasure can cover your existing medical conditions as long as you provide information about these conditions during the time you obtain an insurance quote. This process utilizes a screening procedure that Gigasure developed in conjunction with Verisk.
What is a Gigasure Boost?
A Boost is an extra benefit that you can add to your insurance through the app at any time, even after purchasing it or during travel.
Who underwrites Gigasure policies?
Reports at the time of the program’s introduction indicate that SiriusPoint underwrites the policies, and some of the reports also mention AmTrust International.
How do I make a Gigasure claim?
You can make your claim via the web, or by using the Gigasure Mobile App. The International Medical Group will process your claims.
Does Gigasure offer backpacker insurance?
Yes. It has Core and Max backpacking plans. Some features include Back to Base coverage, and the Max plan includes Search and Rescue coverage.
Final Verdict: Should You Choose Gigasure?
So, where do I land?
If you are a traveler that changes your itinerary as you go, Gigasure’s model makes a great deal of sense. Gigasure seems to have developed its model of Boost systems, backpacker features, and delay compensation systems based upon how travelers currently experience their journeys, rather than what insurers believed travelers experienced 20 years ago.
However, since this is a relatively new brand, you’ll need to do some research before deciding on how much flexibility you want. I recommend getting quotes, reading the policy wording carefully, comparing those quotes to several competitors and then choosing the option which works best for your travel plans, not solely based upon price.
I am now treating buying travel insurance as similar to packing a good quality rain coat; something I don’t look forward to as part of the trip itself, but when the conditions are bad I am so happy I have it.
Always verify the current policy terms, conditions and exclusions from the provider prior to making a purchase. This article aims to provide general knowledge, not financial or insurance advice.
Trusted Resources for Further Reading
If you would like to verify some part of the review, you can use these reputable resources.
- Gigasure Travel Insurance Review: Which? is a very popular UK based consumer organization, and this review explains how well Gigasure deals with medical issues, and claims. While only members can see some of the complete verdict, many parts of the free part provide an excellent place to start.
- New Travel-Focused MGA Launches: Insurance Times is a well-known U.K.-based trade publication. The article discusses Gigasure’s August 2024 launch. It details the founders of Gigasure, as well as those involved with the company. Additionally, it identifies the insurance companies that provide coverage for Gigasure’s products.
