Top 5 Things to know about Travel Insurance

Whether considering travel insurance for the first time or the hundredth time, here are a few things to keep in mind.

With hurricane season well underway, and already proving to be a season to remember, and flight issues at an all-time high, not to mention the usual possible reasons for cancellation, such as illness, death in the family, or family emergency, travel insurance is always recommended.

Travel protection is designed to help during unexpected situations, whether a medical emergency, a natural disaster or something bizarre like the recent CrowdStrike incident. These disruptions can turn a dream vacation into a stressful ordeal.

Keep these 5 Things in Mind!

• Don’t Delay
  The best time to buy travel protection is typically at deposit, or within a few days of making your initial trip deposit. This ensures you have the full spectrum of benefits offered by the protection plan. Some coverages, such as CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) coverage, or Pre-Existing Condition coverage have a booking window. Just remember, a policy won’t cover you until it’s purchased.
• Cancellation Coverage
  Know your coverage. Some policies will only cover for medical reasons while others will cancel for any reason. Know the type of policy your are purchasing and what are considered “covered reasons for cancellation”.
• Medical Coverage
  Most medical insurance is not valid outside of the U.S. Make sure you are able to receive the same level of healthcare no matter where you are travelling. Consider a policy with emergency medical coverage and evacuation services.
• How late is too late?
  It depends on the policy. And the person. And the location. Generally, a policy can be purchased up to departure, however, coverages may be limited. For instance, if you are travelling during hurricane season, a policy must be purchased prior to a storm being named.
• Travel Insurance isn’t just Cancellation Insurance
  Most people only think about travel insurance as a way to be covered if you need to cancel. Consider this scenario. Your flight home is canceled. The next available flight isn’t for another two days. You now have additional hotel costs. A plan with Trip Interruption coverage can help. Most plans can also cover lost luggage or bag delays.