By Clare Yates
4 min read
These handy scores give you a quick way to see how comprehensive a policy is – no deep digging required. Here’s how Defaqto ratings work, and how to use them to make smarter choices when buying travel insurance.
What is a Defaqto rating?
Defaqto is an independent financial information business that assesses and rates products like travel insurance, car cover and credit cards. Each product is given a star rating from 1 to 5, based purely on the features and benefits it offers – not on price or customer reviews.
A 5-star rating means the policy is among the most comprehensive on the market. A 1-star rating means it’s much more basic and may lack important features.
Defaqto star ratings are designed to help you compare policies at a glance and understand which ones offer better cover.
What do the different star ratings mean?
Here’s a quick overview of what each rating says about a travel insurance policy:
1 star: Very basic cover, limited protection with few features.
2 stars: Slightly better than the minimum, but still limited.
3 stars: A mid-range policy with average cover and features.
4 stars: Stronger cover with a good range of benefits.
5 stars: One of the most comprehensive policies available.
The higher the star rating, the more features and protection you’re likely to get – such as higher cover limits, fewer exclusions, and useful extras like lost luggage or missed departure cover.
What does Defaqto look at when rating policies?
Defaqto analyses and compares thousands of policies based on up to 100 different features.
For travel insurance, they might include things like:
Medical cover limits.
Cancellation cover.
Baggage and belongings protection.
Excess amounts.
Cover for delays or missed departures.
Emergency assistance.
Protection for COVID-19 or other travel disruptions.
Importantly, Defaqto doesn’t factor in price or customer experience – it’s all about how much protection the policy offers on paper.
Why does the Defaqto rating matter?
A higher Defaqto rating usually means better protection – and that could really matter if something goes wrong on your trip. While it’s tempting to pick the cheapest deal, a lower-rated policy might leave you out of pocket if you need to claim.
Using the Defaqto rating can help you:
Quickly compare cover quality across insurers.
Avoid underinsurance by picking a policy with the features you need.
Make an informed choice, even if you’re not a seasoned travel insurance buyer.
Just remember: the rating tells you how comprehensive a policy is, not how suitable it is for your individual trip. Always check what’s actually included and excluded.
Should you always pick a 5-star policy?
Not necessarily. A 5-star policy will typically offer more extensive protection – but it might also cost more. Depending on your trip, a mid-range 3-star or 4-star policy could still offer everything you need.
For example:
Backpacking for several months? A higher-rated policy might be worth the cost.
Popping over to Europe for a weekend? A cheaper, lower-rated policy might be fine – as long as it covers your essentials.
The key is to balance price with protection. Use the Defaqto star rating as a guide, then read the policy details to make sure it suits your needs.
How to check the Defaqto rating of a policy
You’ll often see the Defaqto star rating displayed alongside the travel insurance product when comparing deals – especially on price comparison websites or insurer websites.
If it’s not there, you can also search directly on the Defaqto website to check a provider’s current rating.
Use Defaqto as a guide – not the only deciding factor
Defaqto star ratings are a helpful shortcut when comparing travel insurance, but they’re not the whole story. A 5-star policy is only useful if it actually fits your trip and needs.
Before buying travel insurance:
Check the Defaqto rating.
Read the policy wording carefully.
Make sure it covers your destination, activities and any medical needs.
With the right cover in place, you can travel with peace of mind – knowing you’ve chosen a policy that won’t let you down when you need it most.