We've Got You Covered With Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance Coverage Guide

Understanding what travel insurance covers and whether you need it

Planning to be traveling soon? Should you buy travel insurance? It's a tough call whether spending the extra money is worth it. Are you over 50? Travel insurance goes up significantly as you get older. If you are spending a lot of money on a trip, travel insurance is a must-have.

Travel insurance covers these basics:

• Trip Cancellation or Interruption
• Medical Emergencies
• Emergency Evacuation
• Lost or Delayed Baggage
• Flight Delays and Cancellations

Travel Insurance - What Does It Mean For You?

Trip Cancellation vs. Trip Interruption

Trip Cancellation refers to canceling before your trip whereas trip interruption refers to a problem during your trip. What if you or one of your travel companions gets hurt or sick and you need to cancel your plans? This is where travel insurance comes to the rescue.

Medical Coverage Abroad

What if you have a medical emergency? Suppose you are covered by your medical insurance? You might be. But most medical insurance policies do not cover you outside of the United States. Medicare never covers you when traveling abroad. Find out if you are covered when traveling to your next destination.

What happens if you do get sick and need to be airlifted? Or you need medical care on your flight home? This can be very expensive.

Important: Most domestic health insurance policies provide little to no coverage outside your home country. Medicare provides no coverage abroad. Travel medical insurance is essential for international trips.

Understanding Coverage Types

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Lost or Delayed Baggage

Have you arrived at your destination just to find that you have no luggage? Travel insurance will pay for essential items until your luggage is found and delivered to you. Make sure to have a list of items you packed and keep receipts.

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Flight Delays

Did you get to the airport just to find out your flight has been delayed? Travel insurance will reimburse you for hotel stays and meals while waiting for the next flight. Note that delays caused by your own actions (like traffic) typically aren't covered.

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Medical Evacuation

If you become seriously ill or injured while traveling, medical evacuation coverage can transport you to an appropriate medical facility or even back home. This can cost tens of thousands of dollars without insurance.

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Trip Cancellation

Covers prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel your trip for covered reasons like illness, injury, or severe weather. Some policies offer "cancel for any reason" coverage for additional peace of mind.

Travel Insurance - Do I Really Need It?

Check Your Existing Coverage

Before purchasing travel insurance, check what coverage you might already have:

• Homeowner's/Renter's Insurance: May cover lost luggage but check the maximum payout amount
• Health Insurance: Verify what's covered when traveling away from home and if international coverage is included
• Credit Card Benefits: Some cards provide limited travel insurance if the trip was booked with that card
• Airline Credit Cards: May offer better coverage when traveling with that airline

Note: Both health insurance and credit cards typically do not cover emergency medical evacuations or many trip cancellation scenarios. Read the fine print carefully.

Reading the Fine Print

Once you decide you need travel insurance, read the fine print carefully:

• Check for time limits regarding when you must purchase insurance before your trip
• Verify that your entire trip duration is covered
• Confirm your destination is covered (some policies exclude certain countries)
• If the government advises against travel to a destination, you may not be covered if you go there anyway
• Disclose all medications you're currently taking - failure to do so could void your policy

"Cancel For Any Reason" Coverage

What if a family member back home gets sick and you want to cut your trip short? Most travel insurance policies do not cover this unless it's a death in the immediate family.

There's an option called "cancel for any reason" coverage. If you have elderly relatives back home or simply want maximum flexibility, consider this option for peace of mind. This would allow you to cut your trip short and return home for any reason - even if you just changed your mind and decided not to go.

Final Recommendations

Check the fine print and decide if purchasing travel insurance is right for you. Consider the cost of your trip, your existing coverage, and your personal risk tolerance. For expensive trips, international travel, or if you have pre-existing health conditions, travel insurance is often a wise investment.

You may be glad you purchased it when unexpected situations arise during your travels!