Don’t be excluded! Know what your travel insurance covers—and more importantly, what it doesn’t.
As a traveler, you know your travel insurance is an important part of the trip. But when you get home and start looking at your policy, it’s easy to forget about all the intricacies. Do you know what health coverage, for example, your policy provides? It’s crucial to find out before purchasing a ticket! Check out this article for an overview of which types of benefits are covered and which aren't—and even more importantly: what your insurance doesn’t cover.
The Basics: What is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is a type of insurance that covers travel-related expenses. If you are studying abroad or living in another country, you may be able to access travel insurance through your student health plan or local healthcare provider. If you are going abroad for pleasure, vacation, or business, however, it is important that you research different options and understand exactly what your policy will and will not cover. Many students don’t realize the extent of the coverage that they have on their current trip as well as what kind of coverage they might need for their next journey.
What is Included?
Travel insurance policies are very diverse. Some cover medical evacuation, immediate hospitalization, and even emergency transportation. Others only pay for the medical expenses that you incur during your trip—so you would have to pay for your flight home if you get sick or injured. If you are covered by an employer, they may also cover your trip expenses as part of their benefits package. Finally, some policies include a single-trip maximum so that you cannot be reimbursed for an extended period of time if something goes wrong.
What is Not Covered?
Travel insurance typically does not cover the following:
Pre-existing conditions. For example, if you get sick before your trip and need to see a doctor, you would have to pay for any medication or treatment yourself. Doctors will likely require that you disclose all medications that you are taking before leaving for your trip, but this information is not always provided in a timely manner. You may also face a much higher deductible on medical expenses if the policy limits coverage to the amount of your deductible. If this applies to your travel insurance policy, it could mean that you may have to pay thousands of dollars again if anything goes wrong during your trip. Pet loss or damage . If your pet gets lost or killed while you are abroad, you will probably have to pay for veterinary care and other costs associated with the loss. If your pet is stolen, this coverage may not apply.
. If your pet gets lost or killed while you are abroad, you will probably have to pay for veterinary care and other costs associated with the loss. If your pet is stolen, this coverage may not apply. Medical emergency evacuation . This is only covered if there’s a chance that you may get injured or sick during your trip—for example, if there’s an outbreak of a disease that occurs in that area or if an accident occurs involving a hazardous material in that country.
. This is only covered if there’s a chance that you may get injured or sick during your trip—for example, if there’s an outbreak of a disease that occurs in that area or if an accident occurs involving a hazardous material in that country. Travel delay . If your flight gets delayed and you have to stay overnight somewhere, most policies won’t cover the accommodation cost—unless it is on the way from the airport to your final destination.
. If your flight gets delayed and you have to stay overnight somewhere, most policies won’t cover the accommodation cost—unless it is on the way from the airport to your final destination. Lost or stolen baggage . If you lose your luggage on the way to or from your destination, it usually won’t be covered. Similarly, if your luggage is damaged while you are traveling (unless it was because of a covered risk —for example, an explosion), you would have to cover the cost of repair or damage.
. If you lose your luggage on the way to or from your destination, it usually won’t be covered. Similarly, if your luggage is damaged while you are traveling (unless it was because of a covered risk —for example, an explosion), you would have to cover the cost of repair or damage. Cash and credit card loss . If you lose cash, credit cards, or swiping cards while abroad, you will need to cover the loss yourself. Your carrier may require you to reimburse them for any lost or stolen card numbers as part of the terms and conditions of your account.
. If you lose cash, credit cards, or swiping cards while abroad, you will need to cover the loss yourself. Your carrier may require you to reimburse them for any lost or stolen card numbers as part of the terms and conditions of your account. Personal items purchased online . If you buy equipment or supplies online before the trip and it doesn’t arrive, you will probably not be reimbursed.
. If you buy equipment or supplies online before the trip and it doesn’t arrive, you will probably not be reimbursed. Electronic devices . Your data and electronics are not covered by travel insurance policies. You can purchase a separate device insurance plan through your carrier to cover loss or damage of this type, but that could end up costing a lot of money depending on which plan you need.
. Your data and electronics are not covered by travel insurance policies. You can purchase a separate device insurance plan through your carrier to cover loss or damage of this type, but that could end up costing a lot of money depending on which plan you need. Adverse weather conditions . You may have your trip cancelled or postponed if weather prevents you from getting to your destination. This is usually not covered by travel insurance policies, however. You should find out ahead of time whether weather alerts will offer extra protection before purchasing a policy.
. You may have your trip cancelled or postponed if weather prevents you from getting to your destination. This is usually not covered by travel insurance policies, however. You should find out ahead of time whether weather alerts will offer extra protection before purchasing a policy. Travel delay . If your trip is delayed and a stopover is unavoidable, you may be eligible for overnight reimbursement. Your coverage will be limited to the amount of time that it takes to get actual coverage under your policy.
. If your trip is delayed and a stopover is unavoidable, you may be eligible for overnight reimbursement. Your coverage will be limited to the amount of time that it takes to get actual coverage under your policy. Alcoholic beverages purchased abroad and consumed domestically . You may not have any protection if you purchase alcoholic beverages abroad and then consume them at home—this often happens in nightclubs or bars on streets or beaches while on vacation. You should check with your carrier if this applies to you.
and consumed .
Conclusion
A travel insurance policy is very important, especially if you will be traveling a long distance, going abroad, or doing any type of adventure travel. If something were to happen during your trip, you could find yourself in a very expensive and difficult situation if you are not covered.
Remember that policies can differ greatly from company to company. Read the fine print carefully before making a purchase just to make sure that you are fully aware of what is and isn’t covered in the policy and what your out-of-pocket expenses may be.