Even the most seasoned travelers sometimes feel confused about travel insurance — what’s out there, what it covers, and whether they need it.
While coverage and policies vary from state to state, of course, here are some basics of travel insurance to get you started:
1. There are four main types of travel insurance. What you might need depends largely on what kind of trip you’re taking, what kind of traveler you are, and how frequently you travel. The four main types are:
• trip cancellation and interruption (full or partial reimbursement for a trip you need to cancel prior to departure, a trip that gets canceled because a tour company or resort goes out of business, or a trip that gets cut short for a wide variety of reasons)
• medical (for health issues that occur outside of your normal coverage area)
• evacuation (due to disaster, dangerous weather, political emergency, or medical emergency)
• baggage (reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage)
2. Just because you have health insurance at home does not mean that it will cover you on your trip. You need to check the ins and outs of your health insurance policy. It may cover you while you travel, but many do not. In fact, some insurance policies don’t even cover health emergencies experienced on foreign-flagged vessels — which is what most cruise ships are. Check with your provider, ask your travel agent for suggestions, and of course, direct any insurance-related questions to the provider. As Steves puts it, “Before purchasing a policy, ask your insurer to explain exactly what’s covered before and after you get to the hospital.”
3. Avoid purchasing travel insurance from the company that’s also hosting your trip. The reason for this? If that company goes out of business, so does their insurance. 4. Some companies offer comprehensive coverage that can serve as your primary coverage while you’re traveling. What does this mean, and how can it benefit you? It means that the insurance company will pay first, regardless of what other insurance you have. They don’t even inquire about additional insurance, saving you tons of paperwork and out-of-pocket expenses.
5. Weigh the cost of the trip with the cost of insurance. If you just bought a $79 ticket for a quick weekend in Chicago — is it worth it? Maybe, maybe not. If, however, you’re headed out on a once-in-a-lifetime trip that you’ve been saving for months, travel insurance is likely a great idea.
Last but not least: “Cancel for Any Reason” is the most expensive policy but is exactly as it says. Provided you purchase the policy within 14 days of your initial travel arrangements (whatever you book first: air, cruise, tour, etc.) you can get reimbursed 50-75 percent of the non-refundable payments you made for your trip.
If you’re looking to maximize your fun and minimize your risk, travel insurance might be just the right option for you. Take your time, ask tons of questions, and find what works best for you and your family.
Have questions about insurance – or any other travel-related topic? I’d love to sit down with you in person or over the phone and get to know you and your travel plans better. To get in touch, just click here.
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