Travel insurance is an important but often misunderstood aspect of travel planning. This guide aims to provide a simple overview of what travel insurance is, what it typically covers, why you may need it, and tips for choosing the right policy. With a better understanding of travel insurance, you can travel with more peace of mind knowing you have financial protection against many unforeseen circumstances.
Table of contents
What is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance provides financial reimbursement if your trip is interrupted or ruined by covered events like trip cancellation, delays, medical emergencies, baggage issues, and more. It protects you against financial losses from unexpected travel mishaps. Policies vary, but they generally cover emergency medical care, trip cancellation or interruption, baggage loss or delays, and travel delays. Some policies also cover rental car damage, Adventurous Activities coverage and Cancel for Any Reason options.
Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?
Here are some of the main reasons you should consider travel insurance:
Financial Protection for Trip Investment – Trips often involve big upfront costs that would be lost if a trip gets cancelled or interrupted. Insurance provides reimbursement for those non-refundable expenses.
Emergency Medical Care Coverage – In-country medical care can be extremely expensive, especially evacuations. Insurance helps pay for overseas medical costs.
Protection Against Trip Delays – Missed connections, bad weather and other delays happen. Insurance covers additional costs for hotels, meals and rebooking flights.
Baggage Loss/Damage Coverage – If bags are lost, stolen or damaged, insurance reimburses you for necessities bought when bags don’t arrive as planned.
Cancel For Any Reason – Some policies allow you to cancel for any reason and get up to 75% trip cost reimbursement. This offers flexibility if plans simply change.
What Does Travel Insurance Typically Cover?
Some standard travel insurance benefits include:
Trip Cancellation – Get trip cost reimbursement if you need to cancel due to a covered reason like illness, injury, employment changes or death of a family member.
Trip Interruption – Receive reimbursement for unused, non-refundable trip expenses if you need to cut a trip short due to a covered reason. Includes cost to get home.
Emergency Medical – Covers costs associated with overseas medical treatment, prescription drugs, evacuations due to illness or injury, and emergency dental care.
Emergency Transportation – Covers expenses related to transporting remains home or transport back home for medical treatment.
Baggage Loss/Damage/Delays – Provides reimbursement for necessities bought when bags don’t arrive on time or covers loss/damage to baggage and personal effects.
Travel Delays – Reimburses additional costs related to travel delays like hotel, meals and rebooking fees.
24-Hour Emergency Assistance Services – Multilingual assistance with medical and travel emergencies.
What Isn’t Typically Covered?
While policies vary, travel insurance generally does not cover:
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions -Unless you purchase a Cancel for Any Reason policy addition in the USA or a policy with this coverage in Canada.
Extreme/Dangerous Activities – Like skydiving, rock climbing, motorcycle riding, etc. unless you purchase Adventurous Activities coverage.
Business Property/Equipment – Special insurance usually required
Expected Events – Like fear of travel, change of heart, etc. Cancel for any Reason can provide some coverage in such cases.
War/Terrorism – Unless bought as a separate policy addition
How to Choose the Best Policy?
Consider Trip Cost – The trip cost will impact the policy cost. For expensive trips, the peace of mind is worth it.
Look at Included Coverage Limits – Check that benefits like trip cancellation, medical, baggage and travel delay offer sufficient coverage.
Examine Exclusions – Be clear on what circumstances and activities aren’t covered to avoid surprises later.
Add Optional Upgrades – Upgrade medical coverage for trips abroad or include Adventurous Activities coverage for adventure travel.
Compare Multiple Providers – Policies and prices can vary greatly across insurance providers for similar coverage.
Read Reviews from Past Claimants – This can provide insight into ease of the claims process for that insurance provider.
Consider Pre-Existing Conditions – Ensure conditions are covered, or look into Cancel for Any Reason coverage upgrades if not.
Purchase Early – Buy within 1-2 weeks of your first trip payment for best protection.
Conclusion
Travel insurance provides invaluable financial protection every traveler should consider. While no one expects trip mishaps, having coverage gives more control to handle problems smoothly when they do happen. Spend time to understand policy inclusions, exclusions, limits and provider reputation. With the right travel insurance choice, you can venture out on trips with a dash more confidence no matter where travels take you.
