Wanderwell

What Wanderwell does

Wanderwell is a Portland, Oregon-based boutique travel insurance agency that curates and distributes travel protection and travel medical insurance plans to eco-conscious individual travelers and values-aligned boutique travel companies. The company operates as an intermediary rather than an underwriter and does not develop proprietary insurance technology; it earns commissions on policies issued by established carriers including AXIS Insurance Company (most US states) and Nationwide Mutual/Life Insurance Company (NY and WA), with 24/7 global emergency assistance provided through a third-party arrangement with On Call International. Core products include the Trip Protection Plan (a comprehensive plan combining pre-departure trip cancellation/interruption with post-departure medical, evacuation, baggage, and 24/7 assistance), Travel Medical-Only Coverage (post-departure only, available in single-trip and annual multi-trip formats), and the Safe Travels Voyager plan (represented via Trawick International for destination-specific compliance such as Costa Rica's COVID-era requirements).

The company runs a hybrid go-to-market: a curated affiliate partner program targeting values-first boutique travel companies — including Explorer X, Traverse Journeys, and Elsewhere (acquired by Lonely Planet in 2022) — that recommend Wanderwell to their clients through a dedicated partner portal, alongside direct-to-consumer sales through a self-serve quote system on gowanderwell.com. Wanderwell's brand is anchored by B Corp certification (the only one in the travel insurance space), 1% for the Planet membership, and trade association memberships in the Transformational Travel Council, Adventure Travel Trade Association, and Tourism Cares. Pricing is quote-based rather than tiered, and the company holds a California Insurance License (#0M17536) while distributing under carrier licenses that span all 50 US states and DC.

Name

Wanderwell

Legal name

Wanderwell

Website

https://gowanderwell.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wanderwell is a Portland-based boutique travel insurance agency that distributes third-party-underwritten travel protection and travel medical plans to eco-conscious individual travelers and values-aligned boutique travel companies via affiliate partnerships and direct-to-consumer sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel Insurance

NAICS

All Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services (561599)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411), Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance (6331)

akta.pro primary industry

Travel Insurance (Trip Cancellation/Interruption & Delay) (FSAJAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Duty of Care, Risk Management & Traveler Tracking (THAKAMAE), Travel Insurance Coordination (HSACAKAI)

Keywords

• Travel insurance
• Trip protection plans
• Travel medical coverage
• Eco-conscious insurance
• B Corp insurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Travel Insurance Sales: Wanderwell operates as a travel insurance agency, earning commissions from the sale of travel protection and travel medical insurance plans. Plans are underwritten by AXIS Insurance Company (most states), Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (NY, WA), and Nationwide Life Insurance Company (WA). The company also represents third-party plans such as the Safe Travels Voyager (underwritten by Nationwide). Revenue is generated through policy sales to both direct consumers and affiliate partner referrals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wanderwell is a boutique travel insurance agency that distributes and intermediates comprehensive travel protection plans on behalf of established underwriters such as AXIS Insurance Company and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Its core offerings include a flagship Trip Protection Plan combining pre-departure cancellation/interruption coverage with post-departure medical, evacuation, baggage, and 24/7 assistance benefits, as well as Travel Medical-Only Coverage and the Safe Travels Voyager plan for destination-specific requirements. The company also operates an Affiliate Partner Program enabling values-aligned tour operators to recommend Wanderwell plans to their travelers.

Product overview

Wanderwell is a boutique, values-based travel insurance agency offering two primary insurance products: the Trip Protection Plan (its flagship comprehensive offering combining pre-departure trip cancellation and post-departure medical/evacuation/baggage coverage) and Travel Medical-Only Coverage (post-departure-only medical protection for longer trips or those without prepaid expenses). The company also distributes the Safe Travels Voyager plan through its partnership with Trawick International for travelers needing destination-specific compliance. These core insurance products are supported by an Affiliate Partner Program through which aligned travel companies recommend Wanderwell plans to their clients, including dedicated coverage through partners such as Laura Ericson Group Trips.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trip Protection Plan Comprehensive travel insurance plan that insures both the financial investment of a trip and the traveler during the trip, combining trip cancellation/interruption coverage with post-departure benefits such as medical expenses, emergency evacuation, baggage, trip delays, and 24/7 global assistance. Designed for individual travelers purchasing through the Wanderwell website or via affiliate partners.
• Travel Medical-Only Coverage Post-departure-only coverage providing travel medical care and expenses while traveling, without trip cancellation benefits. Functions as a short-term global PPO plan with direct payment options and access to a global network of doctors, hospitals, and clinics. Available in single-trip (1-360 days) and annual multi-trip formats.
• Safe Travels Voyager Travel protection policy distributed by Wanderwell in partnership with Trawick International and underwritten by Nationwide. Designed to meet specific destination requirements (e.g., Costa Rica COVID-era insurance mandates), providing up to $100,000 for trip cancellation, $250,000 per person for primary medical coverage, and minimum $2,000 travel delay coverage for quarantine accommodations.
• Affiliate Partner Program A program for values-first, eco-conscious tour operators and travel agencies that allows aligned businesses to recommend Wanderwell travel insurance to their clients. Partners receive access to a dedicated Wanderwell Support Team member for plan selection assistance and share alignment around sustainability and responsible travel.

Quantifiable outcome

• At least 1% of revenue donated to 1% for the Planet Impact Fund
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Explorer XcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExplorer X is a boutique transformational travel company founded in 2017 by Michael Bennett and Jake Haupert. They offer small group and customized personal travel experiences spanning from Australia to Ecuador to Croatia. Explorer X strongly recommends Wanderwell to their travelers and provides personalized Wanderwell support team connections to clients.
• Traverse JourneyscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTraverse Journeys creates small-group, self-guided and custom itineraries to 25+ countries across six continents, based in Austin, TX with a global remote team. They donate 3% of trip sales to local nonprofits and emphasize cross-cultural connection. Works with Wanderwell to find appropriate insurance plans for travelers.
• ElsewherecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerElsewhere was acquired by Lonely Planet in 2022 and aims for dramatic growth as part of the publication's website. They recommend Wanderwell to their travelers because of Wanderwell's commitment to sustainability, excellent customer service, and B Corp status. 87% of trip dollars stay in-destination.
• Transformational Travel CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravel trade organization advocating for regenerative travel practices. Jake Haupert, co-founder, describes Wanderwell as bringing 'a higher level of integrity to the space, with a bigger commitment to transparency, and a bigger commitment to caring.' Wanderwell is a member and ALLY.
• AXIS Insurance CompanycoreOthersPrimary underwriter for Wanderwell plans in all states except NY and WA. AXIS Insurance Company is an Illinois property and casualty company licensed in all 50 states and DC. Coverage subject to exclusions, limitations, and may not be available in all US states and jurisdictions.
• Nationwide Mutual Insurance CompanycoreOthersUnderwriter for plans in New York and Washington states. Columbus, Ohio-based company providing coverage under policy forms NSIGTC 2000, NSHTC 2000, SRTC 2000, or state equivalent NSM-0431AO (05/24).
• Nationwide Life Insurance CompanycoreOthersUnderwriter for plans in Washington state. Columbus, Ohio-based company providing coverage alongside Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company for WA residents.
• On Call InternationalcoreOthersThird-party provider of emergency, security, consulting and travel assistance services through On Call International. Provides 24/7 global medical assistance included in Wanderwell plans.
• Trawick InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWanderwell works with Trawick International to represent the Safe Travels Voyager travel protection policy, underwritten by Nationwide. This plan meets Costa Rica's COVID-19 travel insurance requirements including $50,000 medical coverage and $2,000 trip delay coverage.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IMG Global (International Medical Group): IMG is a major distributor of international travel medical and trip protection plans. Its product portfolio — including Patriot Travel and trip cancellation plans — competes head-to-head with Wanderwell's Trip Protection Plan and Travel Medical-Only offerings.
• SafetyWing: SafetyWing is a venture-backed digital travel and remote-worker medical insurance provider offering Nomad Insurance globally. It overlaps with Wanderwell's travel medical-only product and competes for the same digitally native, sustainability-aware international traveler.
• Trawick International: Trawick International is a travel insurance provider whose Safe Travels Voyager plan is already distributed by Wanderwell. Both firms sell similar destination-compliance and trip protection products through online channels and partner programs.
• World Nomads: World Nomads is a long-established travel insurance provider built for independent and adventure travelers. It distributes plans from major underwriters (AIG, Nationwide), operates globally, and competes most directly with Wanderwell for the values-conscious, experience-driven traveler segment.
• Seven Corners: Seven Corners designs, markets, and distributes travel insurance and specialty benefit products for international travelers. Its Liaison Travel and Travel Plus plans directly overlap with Wanderwell's core medical and trip protection offerings.

Emerging players

• Battleface: Battleface is a specialty travel insurance provider focused on adventure, extreme sports, and high-risk destinations. It overlaps with Wanderwell's adventure-travel partner ecosystem and could encroach on Wanderwell's core eco-conscious adventure niche.
• Faye: Faye is a venture-backed travel insurance startup offering app-based trip protection with claims and coverage managed digitally. It targets the same digitally native, experience-oriented travelers Wanderwell courts, with stronger technology and a larger marketing budget.

Broad incumbents

• Allianz Travel Insurance: Allianz Travel is one of the largest global travel insurance providers, offering a broad portfolio of trip protection and travel medical plans. It competes with Wanderwell across the same end-customer base but at vastly greater scale and brand recognition.
• AIG Travel Guard: Travel Guard, part of AIG, is a top-tier US travel insurance carrier with comprehensive trip cancellation, medical, and evacuation coverage. It overlaps with Wanderwell's offerings but operates at significantly larger scale through direct and partner channels.
• AXA Partners (Travel Insurance): AXA Partners offers global travel insurance and assistance products including trip cancellation and travel medical coverage. As a broad incumbent, it serves similar customers to Wanderwell but through a much wider product portfolio and distribution footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wanderwelltravelinsurance
• Instagraminstagram.com/go.wanderwell

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wanderwell