My trip to Israel this month left me with the travel itch. That is why we are discussing travel insurance!
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
Usually, the most common uses of travel insurance are trip cancellations, medical emergencies, travel delays, and lost luggage.
1. Trip Cancellations
First off, Trip Cancellation can refund 100% of your trip expenses. This applies if you cancel your trip before leaving. The most common covered reasons include:
- Illness, injury, or death of you, a traveling companion or a family member.
- Severe weather preventing you from reaching your destination.
- A terrorist attack.
Also, you must insure some or all of your trip expenses for this coverage to apply. In addition, Trip Interruption is a welcome addition to this coverage.
Basically, trip interruption reimburses unused trip expenses. However, coverage begins the day you leave for your trip. Many policies with trip interruption also cover the costs of additional transportation incurred if you need to return home early.
Furthermore, the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is another useful feature you can purchase. This benefit offers a partial refund of your expenses. You can expect a 75% refund a majority of the time. This coverage applies if you cancel a trip for any reason other than the ones listed above.
2. Medical Emergencies
There are two main travel medical insurance benefits:
First, Emergency Medical. This coverage reimburses you for the costs associated with medical treatment for an illness or injury during your trip. This can include coverage for physician services, ambulance services, and hospital charges, among other expenses.
Second, Medical Evacuation is included alongside Emergency Medical coverage. This benefit arranges for your transportation to the nearest hospital in the event of a medical emergency. It also brings you home if necessary.
3. Travel Delays
The Travel Delay benefit is available to help if your flight is delayed. Inclement weather or a mechanical breakdown of your plane will trigger this coverage. You can expect a refund for meals and hotel accommodations during your delay.
Missed Connection is for travelers who are delayed, and incur additional costs to catch up to their trip. This benefit can help you if you missed your departure for a reason covered by your policy. Such reasons include severe weather, a mechanical breakdown, or an accident on your way to the airport.
4. Lost Luggage
The travel insurance coverage for your personal items can include lost or damaged items, and delayed luggage.
Is your luggage delayed? You can be refunded up to the policy’s benefit limit to purchase clothes and other essentials. Bare in mind, this benefit won’t refund the cost of the actual items that are delayed. However, you can be reimbursed if your luggage is permanently lost or damaged.
So, coverage for lost or damaged luggage is limited to a per item maximum. This typically ranges from $250-$500.
What does Travel Insurance Cost?
Typically, expect to pay about 10% the cost of your trip. For example, if your trip costs $5,000 then travel insurance will cost about $500.
Unfortunately, we do not write travel insurance here at Thousand Oaks Insurance. However, Google is your best friend in these scenarios. There are many great options just a click away.