Some direct travel insurance products show little correlation between strength of features and higher premiums, according to the latest Travel Insurance Report from researcher Plan For Life.

Marketing and Product Development Manager Rael Solomon says this suggests pricing is based more on brand reputation than features.

“The challenge to compare Australian direct travel insurance products is made complex by the large number of products, range of features and lack of consistent pricing information available,” he said.

The report analyses 24 providers, supported by 10 underwriters, with a total of 136 travel insurance products or plans.

Mr Solomon says the benefit of Plan For Life’s research is that it uses an actuarial approach to benchmark product feature scores and average premiums for each plan type.

In the “international comprehensive cover: single trip” category, Plan For Life reviewed 27 products.

It says about 80% of plans fit within the “general cluster range” for product feature scores and average premiums.

Outside the general cluster are Qantas and QBE, which offer high features together with premiums at the top end of the range.

Jetstar has a feature score within the general cluster range, but an average premium above the cluster.

In the “international essentials cover: single trip” category, 17 plans were reviewed.

Plan For Life found 88% of plans fit within the general cluster of average premiums, between $97 and $200.

The full report is available here.