Travel Insurance can be that missing piece that gives you peace of mind before and during travel to your dream vacation.
When you're traveling, there are an infinite number of ways things can go wrong. You could lose your bag, catch the flu, crash your car or break your wrist falling off a camel. Travel insurance exists to protect you — and your travel investment — in a wide range of situations like these.
In general, you could not reasonably foresee crashing your car, catching the flu or falling off a camel. But what about a looming storm or an existing medical condition? How does travel insurance work then? Let's take a closer look at how travel insurance defines unforeseen and foreseeable events. Check out the videos listed below.
*Agency ID or ACCAM #: F025641
The short answer is no. Many people pay for a vacation by setting aside money to save up for it. Think about how you’d feel if you were forced to cancel your trip due to an emergency or if your possessions were stolen while on vacation. You’d have to pay to reschedule your trip or replace your items out of pocket.
Travel insurance policies can help provide peace of mind and protection if anything unexpected happens on your trip. For example, if your trip gets interrupted for a covered reason or you get injured while you’re away, the policy is designed to help cover those costs. Things happen, but with travel insurance, you can relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you’re protected.
But one mistake people often make is thinking that travel insurance covers everything. It doesn't. Travel insurance does not cover losses that arise from expected or reasonably foreseeable events or problems.
As you’re reviewing your options for travel insurance coverage, be sure to understand any exclusions that are relevant to your trip. You’ll want to know what risks or situations will not be covered.
Keep in mind that travel insurance policies will vary based on your unique needs and the type of trip you’re planning to take. When travel uncertainties abound, the cost of travel insurance is a small fraction of the potential costs of trip cancellation or travel mishap.
*Agency ID or ACCAM #: F025641
If you're not completely satisfied with your travel insurance plan, you have 15 days (or more, depending on your state of residence) to request a refund, as long as you haven't started your trip yet or initiated a claim. Premiums are non-refundable after this period.
If you’re wondering when you should buy travel insurance, the simple answer is, “as soon as possible.” Ideally, you’ll buy coverage no later than 10 days prior to your trip.
But figuring out the type of coverage you need, how much you need and what supplemental coverage will help protect your trip, requires thoughtful consideration of what you’ll be doing on your trip and what risk factors you may encounter along the way.
If you don’t purchase insurance by that 10 or so-day marker (can vary between companies) or you had to book your trip on short notice, you’ll still be able to buy coverage. Just understand that, typically, the coverage will cost a little more.
Buying travel insurance before your trip is a smart move, but how long before your trip can you buy it?
Typically, you can only buy coverage up to 12 months in advance. This gives you protection should you need to cancel your trip for any covered reason during that year. Buying coverage sooner than that probably isn’t necessary.
When you buy coverage in advance, you won’t have to worry about cancellation fees if you end up cancelling the trip. Your policy will likely cover up to 100% of your trip cost as long as you’re cancelling for a covered reason.
*Agency ID or ACCAM #: F025641
Though you can buy travel insurance before you book your flight, it’s actually better to wait until after you reserve your seat on the plane. This way, you’ll know your ticket price and can make sure your travel insurance will cover the full cost of the ticket, in case you need to file a claim later.
Typically, the more information you have about your trip and your estimated expenses, the easier it will be to buy coverage that best suits your needs.
*Agency ID or ACCAM #: F025641
In general, you can buy coverage any time before the date of your trip. That said, it’s always best to buy coverage as soon as you make your reservations. The sooner you buy travel insurance, the sooner you’ll be protected and the more benefits you may be eligible to receive.
*Agency ID or ACCAM #: F025641
As “global pandemic” became a term that the world learned and experienced in 2020, it ushered in new challenges for those who travel. What that means for you as a potential traveler is that you’ll want to consider whether COVID-19 or any other potential pandemic presents a risk for your trip. Some travel insurance policies provide protection against cancellations related to pandemics. When you’re looking for travel insurance, take the time to read the exclusions in the policy, and make sure it provides both coronavirus and general pandemic protection if you want to be covered for those events.