Essential Travel reviews

On-line problem with medical screening

I had to use the phone because after entering the information for the on-line medical screening it would not return to the previous screen and all the original details were lost, although I did get a reference no. for the medical screening.

When I phoned in, the agent was helpful and sorted it all out, and at least the ref. no. for the medical screening meant that I did not have to repeat the screening questions.

If you need to use the medical screening, may be better to do it over the phone.

Excellent telephone response just a pity website played up and extra cost for health cover a bit steep.

I have health cover for free through Nationwide Flex Account, underwritten by UKI and fortunately that has been re-confirmed just in time for current holiday. But I'd already paid the basic cost as well to essential, so I'm hoping they'll refund it as its no longer needed.

good value for your money

I would recommend essential travel because it easy to understand and good value for your money

efficient and high quality service.

Able to pick up items not available ob high streets outside of London and so quick and easy to get your products.

Site looks good, easy to use but is seriously slow.

There is nothing wrong bar the fact that the site is slow. It times out half way through requests and downloads take an age.

I use a gigabyte connection and know my user speedy.

Easy Straight forward

Does what it says on the tin

Found exactly what i need

I needed insurance to cover specific requirements. I checked out this company and got exactly what i neede at a very low cost!

Hastle Free Service

I was impressed with how easy it was to complete the online form and within seconds everything was done. I would certainly use this company again and again.

Meet and Greet nice'n'easy

We used meet and greet yet again at Birmingham airport usually book it via Essential Travel who we also have our annual Travel Insurance with - as usual it was so easy to drop off the car right by departures and to come out of arrivals on our return and get back in our car outside and drive off home. Will be using it again in June when we go to Oman and again in November when we go to South Africa. It's cheaper than a taxi and a far less hassle. The lads are so organised and polite wouldn't use anyone else.

Amazing price!

After spending many hours online looking at insurance quotes for my 16 year old who is going away with family friends, I resigned myself I was going to need to pay a fortune for comprehensive cover. The price comparison sites were either way to expensive or wouldn't let me go ahead with the policy as he was under 18. Then lo and behold, I came across this site! The price was well within what I wanted to pay and after reading what it covered I went ahead with the policy. In all honestu, at first, due to the sheer cheapness, I did not think it could possibly be legit but yes, the company is regulated by the Financial Ombudsman and underwritten by White Horse who is a part of the Thomas Cook Group. I know they are reputable as I am an ex employee and sold policies like this many times! The only reason I did not give 5 stars was I am unsure of what they will be like if we need to make a claim. Hopefully we won't find out!

This review has been reported to customer service by the company 4 days ago for violating other Trustpilot Guidelines.

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Following this investigation, it will either be deleted or returned to Trustpilot.

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makes insuraning simple

The site was quick and easy to use. all the information was there that you needed. and very reasonable prices as well.

Very good

The service I got from Ryan was excellent Thankyou very much Ryan.

A straightforward, affordable policy which gives us peace of mind.

This was one of the few companies we could find willing to insure our 15 year old daughter travelling independently. Having recently begun to compete abroad in Taekwondo tournaments, her Licence fee includes insurance to cover her while competing. However we needed a policy to include cover for training outside the tournament venue - again Essential Travel were willing to cover this at an additional (but what we considered reasonable) cost.
What parent would not worry about their daughter competing in any martial art but with Essential's Policy we at least have peace of mind that, should anything happen, our daughter will be covered.
Many thanks Essential.

Very competitive rates.

Very easy to book online. Able to get cover for 13 year old who is travelling as part of group. Website very clear and confirmation received immediately.

Quick and easy to book and knowing my 17 year old is covered gives us peace of mind!!

Easy to follow website and booking the insurance was so simple, plus so many other sites only offer very basic insurance and have to be travelling with an 18 year old...so it was great to find a site who will cover my son for his summer hols and as he is travelling at 17 gives us peace of mind

reliable and quick to set up

It is quick and easy. No trick questions. Very stright forward

The Pilot had all the information to my questions and landed me with the right policy

This is our 2nd year with Essential Travel Insurance and shows we are satisfied with the cover it provides. The young lady who dealt with my application was informative and knowledgeable. When I asked her about medical screening, she advised that as there was no change to our circumstances ( my wife suffers with athritis ) from the previous year, there was no need for further screening..
The lady was very helpful

Good service

Booking through Essential is very easy.
The package I use includes various levels of Scuba Diving cover.

I mistakenly booked a wrong package. When I rang to cancel it was very easy. I then booked the correct one.

Easy & Quick

The on-line system is really easy and quick to use. Not only was the price extremely competative, it was also a very smooth process.

I was obtaining insurance for my daughter who is travelling with her school friend & family (not many insurance companies have this option). In addtion to this, she had toenail surgery in February of this year which had to be declared, (with another company I waited over 20 mins on the phone to give details of the surgery and whether she would be covered in the end I gave up), with Essential Travel I could do this on-line. It was quick and very efficient, it was only minor surgery and was covered in the drop down list of ailments. The extra charge was only a small amout.
The paperwork came through very quickly and the whole process was stress free.

Dived into a great insurance

Customer advisor was very helpful ensured that I had the right cover for my type of diving 2nd time I have used this company everything is ok

5 Star

As it should be

grt site for covering any travel needs!

My 14 year old daughter is goin on holiday with her grandparents& i had trouble getting her holiday insurance because of her age, but thankfully i was able to get it thru essential travel, quite reasonable too&covers her for almost everything! def recommend essential travel to any1 :-)

Quick & easy to use

I wanted insurance for my 16 year old who is spending 2 weeks on her own in the US. Straight forward, easy to use, and they say she's covered. Seemed quite a reasonable price. Let's hope she doesn't need to use it!

Could do better on website presentation.

The service is very acceptable, however the new website is not as good as the previous one where one's choice was listed on one page without having to scroll down to see which package is best suited to one's needs. Also the new website does not react at times to instructions given.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Reply from Essential Travel Ltd

Hi Mr Robins

Thank you for taking the time to review your experience with Essential Travel. We're disappointed to hear you were not entirely pleased with our website.

We constantly work on the appearance and presentation of our website to ensure customers find what they are looking for easily, without any confusion.

We appreciate your feedback and will keep it in mind as we continue to make sure the website is simple to use and responds to instruction accordingly.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Kind regards,
Essential Travel

Excellent

Thoroughly recommend courteous and very helpful.

even for an oldie, efficient and easy

SEEING THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE USED YOUR SERVICE, WE FELT COMFORTABLE USING YOU AGAIN.

Changed my mind

I choose Essential Travel because I had used the company before. When my policy came through by email I checked and found extra cruise cover had been omitted. Phoned up and was told it would cost an extra £77. Needless to say I was not happy so cancelled my policy within the 14 day limit and went with AVIVA. They did provide the extra cruise cover at no extra cost within their policy and their like for like cover was £40 less than Essential Travel. You need to be a lot more competitive guys

Monday, May 13, 2013

Reply from Essential Travel Ltd

Hi Mr Longmire-Browns

We're sorry to hear you did not find our policy cover competitive enough.

Please keep in mind that all our rates are based on claims information from previous years and, unfortunately, they are reflective of the perceived risk.

Thank you for your feedback.

Kind regards,
Essential Travel

Cheap. But not nasty!

I required travel insurance for my 13 year old daughters who are travelling unaccompanied to the USA later this year. Essential was one of the few companies I found that caters for that market and at a surprising low price. The cover is more than adequate although it has to be said that figures for the excess waivers were not so readily traceable. But got that I'd award it five stars. If we have to make a claim this review and the raring could go down as well as up.

"Essential" is , simply ..................... essential !

This is the easiest way to take out insurance for your annual holiday.
There`s no hassle , no hidden terms ,and the price is very , very , competitive.

no problems

good quick service

What if two travellers have different requirements?

Tried to book travel insurance for my wife and I but had to do it as two separate transactions as the system assumes that two travellers want identical cover. I wanted sports grade 3 cover and she only wanted sports grade 1 (shallower scuba dives), but I couldn't book both of those in one transaction. Only two grade 3s or two grade 1s. So had to go through the whole process twice. Very frustrating.

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Reply from Essential Travel Ltd

Dear Mr Rogers,

Thank you for your feedback and we're sorry to hear that you experienced some frustration.

Please note that this is something we're working hard to change to meet our customers' requirements.

We wish you a lovely trip.

Kind regards,
Essential Travel

No Problems at all and really cheap

Essential Travel's website is so easy to use and and i found there prices so much cheaper than any other insurer :) There my account area is such a good idea to will defo use them again

Don't bother going anywhere else

I have used Essential Travel for many years now for car parking and insurances and have never had cause to regret it.

First time to use essential insurance!

Seemed professional and friendly and informative when placing the order for insurance! First time I've used Essential insurance company. Would probably use this company again!

Good Value and clear over the phone

My friend tried to do this on line for me but could not because my address does not have a street name so l had to purchased over the phone. The girl l spoke to was most helpful when l told her, she explained that l had to put in that space for street name my house name again and it would of been accepted hopefully when l come to use you again this will be the case.

Good service as ever that reassures me ahead of travel.

As a returning customer I found the process of booking travel insurance with Essential Travel pretty easy. The online option is pretty self-explanatory and I made a relative's policy without problem. Mine required a medical screening and that's, likewise, not that hard. The ability to save your details and return later to complete payment and take out a policy is an appealing, helpful one.

My only minor complaint is that the staff member I spoke to over the phone was very abrupt in spite of being very helpful. Booking travel insurance can be a nerve-wracking process and it's more reassuring to do things like this if you're dealing with friendly, personable staff who make you feel comfortable. Still, overall I rate what Essential Travel offers and I'm happy for now. I hope if I should ever need to rely on my policy that the service would deliver then as well.

Good

I would advise my friend to use this

good service

my friend told me about the insurance and when we go away we will use the service again

great service !

After googling Travel insurance for under 18's I was directed to many sites that wouldn't allow me book cover for my 14 year old if he wasn't travelling with me. Your site did :) ! It was straight forward to use and I received my documents in the post today so I am very happy and would most certainly use you again x