Big Cat Travel Insurance 118 Cricklewood Lane, London NW2 2DP

"UPDATE: It is a complete lie that not attaching documents has held this process up. All documents were attached to the original official claim form filled out on the big cat website which was never passed to the third party insurer. This has subsequently been resent by us as a result to which we are again left without a reply. DO NOT consider these a premium travel insurance company, they use AXA to handle their claims in the same terrible way as all the cheaper insurers!! After losing our luggage we contacted big cat to claim for the expenses we incurred 2 months and a lot of chasing all we have had is automated responses, will now be pursuing legal action against them"

"I unfortunately had to make several claims after getting sick while travelling in the US. While it has taken many months to settle the claims (no fault of Big Cat), the director Christopher has been incredibly helpful and punctual. I would highly recommend this insurance company."

"Just bought my policy and cannot praise the experience enough. I was getting cover for a year long independent cycle touring trip around South America and needed cover for cycle touring, mountain, biking, hiking and camping at high altitude. I asked about activity types, altitude restrictions, medical cover, policy duration and price options, trips home and other details. My call was answered instantly without having to listen to any recorded messages or select any options. All my questions were answered clearly, concisely and confidently with the most helpful manner I could wish for. All in all I had purchased the policy within a bout 5 minutes. The Standard policy + Extreme Activity pack, covering me for all activities up to 7000m altitude, cost me circa £450 for 12 months and I can extend to 24 month plan whilst travelling (which was £780) and only the difference between the two policies as the price it was today. The policy also covers me worldwide (excluding North America & Canada) with unlimited trips home if required. Edit: My policy also covers me for mountaineering with special equipment up to 6000m or you can upgrade to the Extreme Plus package for mountaineering over 6000m. Absolutely amazing product, great value and such a pleasant and confident inspiring experience to get covered. I simply can't recommend them highly enough. On the contrary, for anyone looking at similar trips, backpacking etc. I'd previously done lots of reading on insurers that would cover this type of trip but had a pretty unsavoury experience looking at World Nomads who you will no doubt have heard are the go to insurers for any kind of similar trip. A comparative policy would have cost me £1700 for 12 months would have only covered me for activities up to 6000m (£1000 for up to 4500m). Aconcagua in South America I also had little joy calling or emailing World Nomads and either had no reply at all or was told plainly wrong information by staff that sounded completely unknowledgeable about their own policies and options, and like it was a chore to even have to answer the phone to me. The Irish lady I spoke to today failed to listen to what I had asked, and further informed me I would be covered for cycle touring (level 2 activity) but would not be covered for mountain biking (level 1 activity) if I wanted to be covered for the other. When I challenged this and stated that surely I was covered to undertake all activities within the level 1 and 2 bracket and therefore anything at altitudes up to 4500m as stated on level 2 she asked me to hold the line whilst she checked with her colleague before reneging on her own statement. It did not inspire any degree of confidence. And then she proceeded to inform me in no uncertain terms that should I want to change the policy at any time during the term I would have to buy a brand new policy so make sure that I got the altitude right first time. It would have been a helpful statement if she hadn't said it so threateningly. Anyway, go with Big Cat. I obviously haven't had to make a claim (and hope I never do) but I can't recommend the confidence inspiring help and clarity they offer enough. It took me twice as long to write this review as it did to get everything answered and sorted in a quick call. 5* plus!!"

"UPDATE - 01/09/2022 The response from the owner says this case has been settled, this is incorrect and the claim still hasn't been settled. I am still emailing every day and after receiving a response saying a claim handler would be in touch I have received no further contact. Really disappointed with this service to be honest. I made a claim on the 10/03/2022 and I still haven't heard anything. Its understandable that claim processing times are longer due to COVID but wait times are definitely too long. Really difficult especially if you are travelling/backpacking and trying to travel on a budget, as you will basically end up covering costs on your own and won't be reimbursed for a long time."

"If you like throwing money away use these guys. Started a claim 6months ago for surgery still no where near getting an an answer or payout. Takes on average 4weeks to respond to any of your emails that's if they even respond. Will use covid as an excuse as to the lengthy wait for responses but come on the pandemic has been going on for 2years if you haven't got your staffing levels in line you need to stop taking on clients. Have just recieved an email after getting the Financial Ombudsman to contact them saying they were unaware I was having issues to which I replied with 6 complaint emails I had sent previously. This company is a joke don't waste your money."