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What to Look For in a Travel Insurance Policy

Wednesday, June 7th

What to Look for in a Travel Insurance Policy

When making reservations and bookings for your vacation, consider making one more purchase to protect your financial investment: consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance policies come with a variety of options. Make sure you get the policy to cover your needs and your situation.

Health insurance options: If you'll be travelling outside the U.S., you may want to research purchasing travel insurance that will cover medical costs. Most traditional health insurance plans do not cover medical expenses incurred in foreign countries. Travel insurance with a medical coverage policy can help cover your costs, including those associated with transporting you back to the U.S. If you need special transportation, some of these policies will also cover a medical staff escort.

Trip cancellation and interruption: This is basic coverage. You should consider purchasing this insurance anytime the cost of travel exceeds the cost of the insurance. This insurance will reimburse your costs if you are unable to take your vacation due to illness, injury or other reasons specifically covered by the policy.

Trip cancellation coverage not only reimburses you if you have to cancel, it also reimburses you if your travel provider has to cancel your vacation. This plan will cover you if the travel provider, resort or cruise line goes out of business before your trip occurs but after you've paid for it. All your costs will be reimbursed. Another example is if you're travelling to the beach and your resort is in the path of a hurricane or has been damaged by a hurricane, you can cancel your nonrefundable vacation plan and be reimbursed. This insurance has to be purchased 24 hours before the hurricane has been named.

Interruption or delay coverage can offer you protection in the event of unforeseen travel delays that affect your travel. For example, if you are delayed in reaching your resort, hotel or cruise ship due to airplane flights that have been late or cancelled due to weather, interruption or delay coverage will protect you from losing any money you've paid and help you cover additional costs associated with your travel such as additional nights in a hotel or additional flight costs.

Don't purchase this type of insurance from your travel provider. That means, if you're going on a cruise, don't purchase this from the cruise line company because if the cruise line goes out of business, there's a good chance their insurance will also.

Instead, go online and carefully research different plans and insurance providers. There are a few reliable online sites which compare plans, options and price points for you. A little research will help you learn what to look for in travel insurance.

The Best Travel Insurance Plans Compare Travel Insurance Plans Compare Travel Insurance Plan Reviews What are the best Travel Insurance Plans Best Travel Insurance Plan Reviews

Travel Insurance Plan FAQ

Travel insurance is exactly what it sounds like: coverage for unexpected events before or during a trip. If you've been working and saving for your dream vacation, you want the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you won't lose it all if something happens and you have to cancel or come home early. Travel insurance is the way to go!
Your coverage will always depend on the plan and insurer you select. Typical benefits include trip cancellation or interruption, emergency medical transportation, issues with lost/stolen/delayed baggage, emergency medical/dental coverage, and a 24-hour assistance hotline.
Read all of the fine print of any travel insurance policy you're considering, and you'll quickly see that the coverage is not comprehensive. For example, your policy won't cover anything booked after the start of a "known event" (like a pandemic or natural disaster). You'll also need a rider if you plan on participating in "risky activities and sports" like bungee jumping, skydiving, and so on.
Yes, but you'll have to take a few extra steps (and probably pay a few extra dollars!). You'll need a plan that has a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver, for starters. Other requirements vary by insurer, but it's common to see policies where you have to be medically able to travel on the date you purchased coverage, as well as needing to buy your travel insurance within two weeks of making your first deposit or payment.
It's surprisingly affordable - and a smart way to make sure that you don't lose your vacation money if you have to cancel a trip or come home sooner than expected! The amount you'll pay depends on the travelers' ages, the total cost of the trip, and how much coverage you want.
That's up to you, but can you afford to lose money if something goes wrong before or during your trip? There are always risks involved with traveling, from stolen luggage to having to cancel because your partner or child gets sick, and having a good travel insurance policy is an affordable way to mitigate those risks.
You'll often get offers for coverage at the time you book your flight/hotel/rental car, but they're not always your best option. You might get better coverage for less money by getting a quote online from an insurance referral service or directly from a travel insurance provider. The process is quick and easy: you should have policy documents in your inbox within minutes of finalizing your application and paying the premium.
Absolutely! Millions of travelers get their coverage online every year. Just be sure to check the reputation of any insurer you're considering, and read the plan details carefully so that you get the benefits you need.

Compare Travel Insurance Plans

Select any 2 Travel Insurance Plans to compare them head to head

best-travel-insurance
  • Squaremouth
  • Insure My Trip
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travelex Insurance Services
  • Roam Right
  • Insured Nomads
  • Allianz Travel
  • Quote Wright
  • Travel Guard
  • Seven Corners
  • World Nomads
  • Travel Insurance Center
  • Axa Travel Insurance
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