Updated September 29, 2026 · AssureCue Editorial Team
Explorer Travel Insurance vs HanseMerkur
Explorer Travel Insurance vs HanseMerkur: the differences
| Compare |  Explorer Travel Insurance |  HanseMerkur |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance types | Travel | Auto, Dental, Health, Pet, TravelCovers more |
| Provider type | Broker | Insurer |
| Excess from | £0 | €150 |
| Claims channels | Phone, Email | Online |
| Premium from | Not confirmed | €3.36 |
| Monthly payments | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Age range | Single trip no max; annual to 79 | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- HanseMerkur scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.9.
- Explorer Travel Insurance is available in 3 more countries.
- Insurance types: only HanseMerkur offers Auto, Dental, Health.
- Claims channels: only Explorer Travel Insurance offers Phone, Email.
- Claims channels: only HanseMerkur offers Online.
Our verdict on each
Explorer Travel Insurance
Explorer Travel Insurance suits holidaymakers seeking dedicated travel cover with clear age terms covering Single trip no max; annual to 79 and claims support across phone and email. Backed as a broker model with excess at £0, it records an overall rating of 8.9 among travel focused providers on this site.
HanseMerkur
HanseMerkur suits households seeking cover for auto, dental, health, pet and travel under direct insurer management with monthly payments available, while listed premiums sit at €3.36 with excess at €150. Support spans email, help centre and phone and claims run through online for straightforward administration.
Score breakdown
| Area | Explorer Travel Insurance | HanseMerkur |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherExcess sits at £0 which supports low extra cost at claim stage. | 9.0Listed premium sits at €3.36 with monthly payments available. |
| Offer | 8.4Cover stays centred on travel across travel with defined age terms. | 8.8HigherCover spans auto, dental and health with claims through online. |
| Trust | 8.7Broker status is stated as broker under licence 583108. | 9.8HigherDirect placement as insurer with support through email, help centre and phone. |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Explorer Travel Insurance | HanseMerkur |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 583108 | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Explorer Travel Insurance: 4. Additional countries for HanseMerkur: 1.
Pick Explorer Travel Insurance if, pick HanseMerkur if
Pick Explorer Travel Insurance if cost matter most.
Pick HanseMerkur if offer and insurance types matter most.
Side by side, item by item
| Insurance types | Explorer Travel Insurance | HanseMerkur |
|---|---|---|
| Auto | No | Yes |
| Health | No | Yes |
| Travel | Yes | Yes |
| Pet | No | Yes |
| Dental | No | Yes |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Explorer Travel Insurance | HanseMerkur |
|---|---|---|
| Travel insurance | 5 of 291 | 3 of 291 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Explorer Travel Insurance | HanseMerkur |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Monthly |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | HanseMerkur Krankenversicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Germany |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1875 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Help centre, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Explorer Travel Insurance | HanseMerkur | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium from | Not confirmed | €3.36below the median | €5.97 |
Median across 109 listed insurance providers.
Pros and cons
Explorer Travel Insurance
Pros
- Excess is shown as £0, which keeps small claims from being eroded by a large retained amount.
- Cover is dedicated to travel, which suits travellers who value a focused travel range over bundled lines.
- Claims contact spans phone and email, giving you both phone and email routes when you need help abroad.
Cons
- Range stays limited to travel so households wanting bundled home or motor cover may look elsewhere.
- Support runs on email and phone only, so travellers who prefer live chat or help centre contact may find choice narrow.
- Annual cover carries age terms noted in Single trip no max; annual to 79, so older travellers seeking yearly cover should check limits closely.
HanseMerkur
Pros
- Operates as insurer, so cover, servicing and claims sit under direct management.
- Lists cover across auto, dental and health, including auto, health, travel, pet and dental in a single portfolio.
- Monthly payments are available, with billing model shown as monthly for budgeting flexibility.
Cons
- Excess sits at €150, which adds upfront cost on eligible claims.
- Claims run through online only, which limits how claims can be started.
- Support runs through email, help centre and phone only, without live chat for urgent queries.
Who each suits
Explorer Travel Insurance
Who it suits
- Frequent holidaymakers who want travel only protection may choose Explorer Travel Insurance over AXA because cover stays on travel rather than a wide household panel.
- Mature single trip travellers who value phone help may choose Explorer Travel Insurance over MyPhysicianPlan because support spans email and phone with age terms set out in Single trip no max; annual to 79.
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers wanting bundled car, home and health cover in a single place may prefer AXA because Explorer Travel Insurance covers travel only across travel.
- Travellers who want direct insurer placement may prefer TravelSecure because Explorer Travel Insurance acts as broker rather than insurer.
HanseMerkur
Who it suits
- Households seeking several personal lines together, with cover across auto, dental and health.
- Readers who value direct insurer management, as HanseMerkur operates as insurer.
- Budget planners wanting instalments, since monthly payments are available under monthly.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers wanting live chat support may prefer checking andsafe, since HanseMerkur support runs through email, help centre and phone only.
- Readers seeking cover outside auto, dental, health, pet and travel may look at Hiscox, as HanseMerkur lists auto, dental and health.
Country by country
| Country | Explorer Travel Insurance | HanseMerkur |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | No | Yes |
| Guernsey | Yes | No |
| Isle of Man | Yes | No |
| Jersey | Yes | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Explorer Travel Insurance
What excess applies to Explorer Travel Insurance?+
Excess is listed as £0, which reads as free at the point shown. Your final premium will still vary by trip length, destination, age and options chosen, so review the quote summary before payment.
Does Explorer Travel Insurance cover anything besides travel?+
Insurance types are shown as travel. That focus suits travellers who want a dedicated travel provider rather than a bundled household insurer, though you will need separate arrangements for other lines.
HanseMerkur
What is the starting premium at HanseMerkur?+
Listed premium for HanseMerkur sits at €3.36. Actual pricing varies by cover type, excess selected, personal details and underwriting terms, so readers should obtain a tailored quote for auto, health, travel, pet or dental cover before comparing.
What excess applies to HanseMerkur cover?+
Excess at HanseMerkur sits at €150. The excess shapes claim costs because policyholders meet that share before insurer payment applies. Readers should check which claims carry excess, whether options differ by product and how excess affects renewal pricing.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Explorer Travel Insurance vs Income Insurance
- Explorer Travel Insurance vs WorldTrips
- HanseMerkur vs die Bayerische
- HanseMerkur vs KS Auxilia
- Explorer Travel Insurance vs HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AT
- HanseMerkur vs TravelSecure
- HanseMerkur vs HelloSafe (Atlas)
- HanseMerkur vs Getsafe
- HanseMerkur vs WAS Insurance
- HanseMerkur vs MoneyHero
Related by the facts
- BiMPY, also regulated by Financial Conduct Authority
- Insurance providers with Travel
- Insurance providers available in United Kingdom
- HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AT, also regulated by Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin)
- Insurance providers with Auto
- Insurance providers available in Germany