BEFORE YOUR TRIP
OVERVIEW OF TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY TYPES 7
We always recommend that our clients protect their vacation investment with appropriate trip insurance policies. This has become even more imperative with COVID-19 when so much in our world has become more uncertain.
While we will work with you to find the right insurance coverage for you, all the options can be overwhelming. Therefore we’ ve pulled together some information about different types of coverage and terms so you can make the most informed purchase. TRIP CANCELLATION / INTERRUPTION INSURANCE Trip cancellation / interruption insurance covers you if unforeseen events cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip. In general, this coverage is meant for illness, injury, or death suffered by the insured or a member of the insured’ s immediate family. Some policies also cover cancellation in the event of illness, injury, or death to the insured’ s travel companion. Most policies exclude trip cancellation in the event of war, civil disturbance, or a change in your own financial circumstances. Some policies also exclude travel to specific destinations that are prone to political unrest.
Many comprehensive travel insurance policies now include coverage if travel suppliers( airlines, travel provider, cruise lines etc.) default, however, it is important to understand exactly what is covered by your policy. Some policies only cover tour operator default if the operator ceases operations entirely, which it may not do even if it files for bankruptcy.
When considering trip cancellation insurance, take time to think about how much money you’ ll be putting down before your trip. Are you purchasing expensive airline tickets that can’ t be refunded? Are you putting down a large nonrefundable deposit on a cruise or tour? If the answer is yes, or if you might cancel for any reason, then buying trip cancellation insurance may be a prudent idea.
MEDICAL / MEDEVAC INSURANCE
Medical insurance encompasses several types of coverage. Emergency medical evacuation insurance covers the cost of transportation if a qualified physician determines that you must be evacuated for treatment to the nearest medical facility or to your home country( if it’ s warranted), due to injury or sickness. Travelers visiting remote areas or developing countries and traveling on a cruise should particularly consider this type of policy.
Other types of medical insurance coverage include:
• An app, or service you can call, that will direct you to English-speaking doctors while you are overseas. In some cases the policy will also provide a physician monitoring service, where a qualified physician from the U. S. will monitor the treatment you are receiving by a local physician via telephone.
• Cash payment to the insured or beneficiary in the event of accidental death, loss of sight, or loss of limb.
• Expenses for repatriation of the insured’ s remains in the event of death.
Keep in mind that you may need to pay up front for your medical services, and then your insurance company will reimburse you later, once you’ ve filed a claim. On the other hand, some services provide“ proof of direct payment” to the
7 https:// www. smartertravel. com / travel-insurance-need-know / 18 BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE