VITAL QUESTIONS TO ASK:

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IS IT A REPUTABLE COMPANY? 

Peruse Insuremytrip.com for reputable companies.

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DOES IT COVER PRE-EXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS AND IS IT THE PRIMARY MEDICAL PAYEE?

Does the travel insurance give you the opportunity to cover pre-existing health problems as well as be the primary payee (as opposed to waiting for your health insurance to reimburse you)?  Many plans offer this option, but you must purchase your travel insurance within 10-14 days of your initial trip deposit (purchase of air ticket, deposit for tour or cruise, any trip payment for which you provided your credit card number).

 

Without pre-exiting health coverage, some insurance companies will take a look at your past medical history to determine if a condition was present during a period that could range from 90 days to one year ago, depending on the policy Buying your plan right away lets you lock in a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver. Note: you must be medically able to travel when you purchased the policy and on the policy purchase date, you insured the full nonrefundable cost of your trip

 

Travel medical insurance can be primary or secondary coverage, depending on the plan. If it’s primary, it will pay out before any other health insurance you have. If you have health insurance and buy travel medical insurance as secondary coverage, your own health plan must pay first.

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DOES IT COVER COVID-19/PANDEMIC-RELATED ISSUES?

After much research, we found most companies who say they cover Covid-19 do not. They only mean if you’re sick with Covid, you can cancel your trip – much like pneumonia or any other illness or accident. Note: we are not aware of any company that would refund your money if vaccines became mandated and most will not cover you for country "lockdowns" or clusures. If this unfortunate event occurred, the trip would be cancelled.  Check out Forbes  “Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans”.  Here are some questions to ask these insurance companies:

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• If a country is closed down due to Covid, will you be refunded for your trip?

• Will it cover quarantine expenses in another country? if you contract Covid during a trip and have to extend your stay because of a quarantine, your travel insurance plan can reimburse you for the extra costs—assuming the plan includes Covid coverage.

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DOES IT COVER ACTS OF TERRORISM OR WAR?

Most travel insurance companies will not; make sure you find one of the few that does.  If they do, check the travel advisory to your area(s) of travel on the day you are purchasing your insurance.  If they say you can travel there, you’re good to go! Here’s an example of a California travel advisory regarding visiting Israel. 

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DOES THE COMPANY PROVIDE A "FREE LOOK" PERIOD AFTER PURCHASING IN CASE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND?

Many like to have the comfort of knowing they can change their mind and cancel their travel insurance with a full refund.  Some companies offer a 14-day ”FREE LOOK” period. Ask if that’s important to you.​

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IS FLIGHT CANCELLATION COVERED? 

Often it is not.

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IF YOU HAVE MEDICAL BILLS TO PAY IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, CAN YOU CALL THE TRAVEL INSURANCE COMPANY RIGHT AWAY SO THEY CAN SPEAK TO THE PROVIDER AND PAY THE BILLS FIRST SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO?

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DOES THE COMPANY OFFER “CANCEL FOR ANY REASON”?

This is important to many travelers these days. It is an extra charge but may be a vital investment.  Some companies will refund 50% of your total travel costs; some 75%.  If this is important to you, find a company that will refund 75%.

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DOES THE COMPANY OFFER COMPETIVE PRICING?

When it comes to travel insurance, pricing is all over the place and very different even for two identical plans. How much you pay for travel medical insurance depends on four primary factors:

• Age

• Trip duration

• Destination

• Coverage limit and deductible

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DOES IT PROVIDE ADEQUATE COVERAGE FOR STANDARD TRAVEL INSURANCE PROVISIONS?

Compare coverage amounts for the following:

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• Trip Cancellation:

• Trip Interruption

• Trip Delay

• Missed Connection

• Baggage coverage

• Baggage Delay

• Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation – minimum $250,000 is recommended. Emergency medical evacuation from a cruise ship can cost between $50,000 and $225,000.

• Accidental Death

• Medical (sickness or injury) – minimum $100,000 is recommended

• Dental (not always included)