Travel Insurance FAQs

Why is travel insurance necessary?

Travel insurance covers unexpected events that could cause you to lose money when you travel or plan your trip. These include trip and hotel cancellations or interruptions because you or a member of your group becomes seriously ill or dies, unexpected mishaps including natural disasters and acts of terrorism, a medical emergency calling for hospitalization and/or evacuation, and baggage loss. Your travel plans may also have to be cancelled because your hotel, airline or travel agent closed down business and travel insurance can also cover such prepaid, non-refundable expenses.

Does travel insurance cover all types of travel?

Yes, travel insurance can cover all types of travelers going abroad for different reasons. You can find a variety of plans on our website for individuals, couples, families, students, business people, and expatriates. Insurance coverage is offered for vacations, adventure trips, sports travel, cruise trips, business trips, missionary travel, short notice trips, and more.

How do I buy travel insurance?

Regardless of how you plan your travel – through a travel company or independently – travel insurance can be purchased online through an agent or directly from the travel insurance company.

How do I know if the insurance company I choose is reliable?

The insurance companies featured on our website have the A.M. Best Company credit rating. A.M. Best is an independent organization that rates insurance companies based on their financial strength. Its ratings help policyholders assess the companies’ creditworthiness. All our providers’ ratings are available at www.ambest.com.

What type of information do I have to supply when I buy travel insurance online?

Personal data for all travelers has to be provided such as date of birth, address including e-mail address, contact information and so on. Trip information such as itineraries, schedules, passport/visa details, and total cost of the trip including expenses per person would also have to be supplied to the travel insurance company.

How do I calculate the total cost of my trip?

The total insurable cost would be the sum of all your prepaid and non-refundable travel costs.

How do I calculate per person trip cost?

The insurance company pays the full amount of the insurance based on the claims per person. The per person travel insurance cost would differ according to the traveler’s place of residence, age, pre-existing health conditions, time of policy purchase, and policy coverage.

The total cost of the trip can be divided among the members based on the amount paid by each person. Cost can be divided equally among each member of a group if all of them are included in the trip. If one person in your group paid for the trip, the cost should be assigned to that person.

When should I purchase travel insurance and when will coverage start?

Travel insurance can be purchased up to 24 hours before the date of your trip. Your coverage would begin at midnight the day after you purchase it. However, it is highly advisable that you buy at the earliest, as there’s always the risk that something could happen before coverage begins.

What is the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver?

Many travel companies do not cover pre-existing medical conditions. Policies that come with a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver extend coverage for pre-existing conditions.

How can I become eligible for the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver?

To qualify for the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver and get coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, you have to obtain insurance for all your non-refundable travel arrangements and purchase your policy within 7-21 days of the first trip payment date.

Do I have to wait till my flight is booked to get the Pre-Existing Condition Waiver?

No.

Can I buy a Flight Accident Policy after I begin my trip?

No, this policy has to be purchased prior to your departure.

Does Medicare offer coverage for foreign travel?

No. Medicare covers you only if you are in the U.S. You have to buy an international medical insurance policy to cover potential medical emergencies when you are traveling abroad.

Is travel insurance necessary if I have a Medicare supplement plan?

This can be verified by examining your Medicare supplement plan and checking whether it covers you when you are traveling outside the U.S. Travel insurance companies may pay you after Medicare pays the claim and the limits of the primary policy have been reached.

Am I eligible to purchase travel insurance if I do not reside in the U.S. or Canada?

Yes. Just choose the ‘Other’ option when you state your residence on the insurance policy form to obtain quotes for the policies available to you.

What do the terms ‘with U.S. visit’ and ‘no U.S.’ mean?

If the U.S. is not your home country, a ‘with U.S. visit’ plan is necessary for travel in the U.S.

A no ‘US visit’ plan is meant for travel outside your home country which does not include travel in the U.S.

Can I get insurance to cover trip cancellation due to the death of a close family member who is not is traveling with me?

Yes, you can. Most travel insurance plans offer coverage for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption caused by the death or serious illness of a family member who is not traveling with you. Definitions of ‘family member’ may differ among policies, though parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, spouses and domestic partners are generally included.

What kind of terrorist activity protection do travel insurance policies offer?

Travel insurance companies define the term ‘Terrorist Incident’ differently. You can get Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption protection for a ‘Terrorist Incident’ that occurs in a city in your travel itinerary. No policy offers coverage for war-related incidents or a "Terrorist Incident" threat.

Will my travel insurance cover the rent of a house, villa or condo?

Yes, many policies offer such coverage provided you can provide valid proof of the written agreement/contract you made with the renter. If the trip cancellation or interruption was due to a reason specified in your policy, you will be reimbursed for your prepaid and non-refundable costs.

Will insurance plans cover a loss due to the Financial Default of a tour operator or travel agent?

Financial Default of a travel agency (a rare case) is not covered and your best options would be to approach the credit card company for reimbursement. It is also advisable to lodge a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency in your state.

Financial Default of a tour operator would be covered on the condition that the travel arrangements were not made directly through the tour operator, but through a third party.

Can I get protection for Frequent Flyer tickets?

Yes, this is possible under some conditions and with some companies. Contact your insurer for details.

Travel Insurance FAQs

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