1. Don’t ‘opt-in’ on booking sites

It looks easy, but skip the checkbox for travel insurance on booking sites like Kayak, Expedia, or cruise line sites. Here’s why:

You won’t read the policy details because you are focused on something else. You’re in the mindset of picking the right seat on your plane. Or going through the details of your cruise. Make insurance a separate decision when you can focus.

More importantly, you don’t have any choices when you use the opt-in. The travel supplier makes a deal with one travel insurance company. To offer one plan. This plan will often be stripped-down to keep the cost low, but you miss out on important coverage.

Rule #1: You’ll have more focus, selection, and ability to purchase upgrades if you use a travel insurance comparison engine instead.

2. Don’t over-insure your trip

Travel insurance covers your trip costs if you need to cancel. Trip costs are any pre-paid, non-refundable trip expense.

If you insure trip costs that are refundable, you will not be paid back for this if you make a claim. That would mean you could get our refund, and get paid by the insurance company.

Only insure trip costs that are pre-paid, and non-refundable (for cash, not credit or vouchers).

How about credits or vouchers? If you need to cancel your trip, the travel supplier might offer you a credit or voucher. To collect insurance, you would need to refuse the voucher from the supplier. Then you would receive cash reimbursement from the travel insurance company.

Rule #2: Only insure the trip costs that are non-refundable and pre-paid.

3. Avoid sky-high coverage limits

Emergency medical coverage is important if you’re leaving your home country. There are plans with emergency medical limits of $500,000. That is a lot of coverage. Unless you have specific needs, don’t get too focused on the high coverage limits.

For reference: With cruise trips, it is recommended you get a minimum of $100,000 of coverage. That’s because cruises are unique trips that take you far from hospitals.

Emergency evacuation coverage can see limits at high as $2,000,000. Again, this is overdone.

Rule #3: Avoid over-insuring your emergency medical & evacuations ($250,000 to $500,000 is adequate)

4. Compare plan to save money on travel insurance

Rule #1 above talks about avoiding the opt-in coverage when you book. That’s because you only get one option to choose from.

The opposite of that is using a comparison site (like CoverTrip) to get quotes from all companies in the same place. This lets you see coverage and pricing side-by-side so you can find the best pricing.

The cost is the same wherever you purchase because insurance is regulated. You might as well comparison shop to save money on travel insurance.

Rule #4: Use a comparison site to find the best price instead of having one option.

5. Don’t assume cheaper means worse coverage

Travel insurance policy rates are a mystery. You will see two plans that seem like they have equal coverage, but one will be twice as expensive.

Insurance companies have target demographics for their insurance products. They tweak rates to appeal to their target market.

This means you might find a plan that fits your needs, but it’s less expensive than similar plans. This just means their rating was optimized for a different demographic. Save money on travel insurance and buy the cheapest plan that fits your needs.

Rule #5: Find the coverage you need, make sure it’s enough coverage, then buy based on price.

More helpful links:

• Buying travel insurance from a comparison site vs travel agent
• What does travel insurance cover?
• What are the types of travel insurance?

The post 5 Ways to Save Money on Travel Insurance appeared first on CoverTrip.

Unfortunately, most of the bad reviews we hear are because the insured didn’t understand the policy coverage or they had expectations about what the coverage meant without really understanding it.

To be sure you have the right plan and understand the coverage, follow these steps:

1. Get and read the travel insurance plan certificate

It’s important that you avoid making assumptions about the coverage you get with the plan. For instance, many buyers read ‘trip cancellation’ is covered but they fail to review the covered reasons for trip cancellation and they feel frustrated if their claim is denied.

The only way to fully understand your coverage is to read the travel insurance policy certificate, which can be found on the travel insurance provider’s website before you purchase your plan, but will always be sent to you when you buy it. This is the actual legal document that defines your coverage – the agreement between you and the insurance provider.

Don’t worry, all travel insurance plans have a free look period that you can use to review the policy. If you decide it’s not the travel insurance plan for you: consider:

• Making changes to your policy, or
• Canceling your policy

All travel insurance plans allow you to cancel your policy for a full refund (minus a small processing fee) if done within the free look period.

2. Read and understand the policy exclusions

The exclusions are separately defined in the insurance policy and list the situations in which coverage is not applicable (meaning your claim will be denied). Insurance companies have to list these in their policies to limit their own risk. If downhill skiing is specifically listed in the exclusions, any claim you make as a result of participating in downhill skiing will not be paid.

See what travel insurance does not cover for an good overview of common travel insurance exclusions and read your own policy for specifics.

3. Check the coverage limits

The coverage limits are the maximum amounts listed for any coverage, and you’ll want to review those to be sure you have adequate coverage. For example, if you want to be sure you have coverage for trip cancellation for a cruise that is costing you over $6,000, be sure the trip cancellation plan maximum covers up to that amount plus any other pre-paid nonrefundable trip costs. Some don’t and this often surprises buyers.

The key to coverage limits is just like with your automobile or home insurance policies – make sure that you have enough coverage for the item you are protecting. If it will cost $35,000 to replace your car, for example, don’t have an auto policy maximum of $20,000 or expect to eat the difference.

4. Look for optional riders for special circumstance

Many plans provide extra coverage for special circumstances like car rental collision coverage, the option to ‘cancel for work reasons’, and pre-existing condition waivers as optional add-ons. If the base travel insurance plan you want to purchase doesn’t have all the coverage you believe you’ll need, look for optional riders.

Don’t be shy about shopping around and comparing plans too. Sometimes a premium plan will automatically include the special circumstances coverage you need for a better price than adding options onto a less expensive basic travel insurance plan.

Related topics

• 8 coverages that might surprise you
• Understanding the free look period/refund policy

The post 4 Steps to 100% confidence in your travel insurance plan appeared first on CoverTrip.

You may have heard or read that this is the way to get full travel insurance protection, all the medical, dental, evacuation, etc., without paying the higher premium related to trip cancellation.

Travelers who are confident that nothing will go wrong and they won’t have to cancel are more likely to try this option because they believe it is less expensive. And it’s too risky.

Trip cost of $0 changes the plan’s effective date

As with all insurance plans, the devil is in the details and in this case, the detail is the travel plan’s effective date. When you purchase a trip cancellation travel insurance plan – a package plan, that is – and select to cover $0 of your trip costs, the policy’s effective date becomes the later of 12:01 a.m. on your scheduled departure date or 12:01 a.m. the day after your purchase date.

This means the effective date of the policy becomes, in effect, the day of your departure because you can’t buy a travel insurance policy after your scheduled departure.

The key is in the ‘look back’ period

When you understand that the’ look-back’ period is the amount of time (60, 90, or 180 days) prior to your policy’s effective date that the insurance company will study for pre-existing conditions, you start to understand.

Even though you purchase your travel insurance plan well ahead of your scheduled departure, if you experience a medical condition within the look-back period prior to your scheduled departure date (which is now your policy’s effective date), then any recurrence of that condition during your trip will not be covered.

Let’s look at an example, shall we?

Let’s say that in March, you plan and pay for a summer vacation to start on July 1st. You purchase your travel insurance plan and enter 0$ trip cost, because you are confident you won’t have to cancel.

Let’s also say you experience a medical condition in April and you recover. You are medically stable and ready to travel but during your trip, you become ill with a medical condition related to your previous illness. Your medical care will not be covered because the pre-existing condition occurred during the look-back period prior to your scheduled departure date.

Related topics

• Covered reasons for trip cancellation
• Making a successful travel insurance claim
• Understanding payment of claims

The post Trip Cost of $0 is too risky appeared first on CoverTrip.

• Some Medicare Advantage plans provide worldwide coverage benefits for senior health care insurance needs, but you will have to verify with your plan prior to traveling outside the US to be sure.
• Some Medicap policies (C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J) provide Foreign Travel Emergency health care coverage for travel outside the U.S. Under these plans, Medigap policies pay 80% of the cost of emergency care during the first 60 days of each trip after a $250 deductible. A lifetime limit of $50,000 applies.

Medicare does not cover health care services when you are outside the US Specifically, it does not provide international travel health insurance coverage except when you are within:

• the US Virgin Islands
• Guam
• American Samoa
• the US Northern Mariana Islands
• inside the US borders

Some exceptions for Travel in Canada and Mexico

There are a few exceptions in cases of travel to Canada and Mexico. In some cases, Medicare can pay for inpatient hospital services in these countries if:

1. You live in or are inside the U.S. and need medical care, but the closest hospital is in Canada or Mexico. When the foreign hospital is closer and easier to get to than one in your home country, Medicare may pay for those services. (Please note the ‘may.’)
2. You are crossing through Canada without delay between Alaska and another state and you need medical care. If a Canadian hospital is closer or easier to get to than the nearest US hospital, Medicare may pay for those services. (Again, please note the ‘may.’)

Cover Medical and Evacuation for Just Dollars per Day

Travel medical coverage – even for seniors – is really a ‘no-brainer’ decision because it gives you loads of important medical coverage for just a few dollars a day.

Let’s take a look at an example to prove our point.

Say you’re 70 years old, traveling from your hometown in Florida and spending a month in Australia with an old military buddy who has retired there.

You don’t want trip cancellation coverage, but you do want good medical and evacuation coverage. Running these trip details through a comparison engine, we came up with some quotes.

Related Topics

• Why buy travel medical if health care is ‘free’?
• Do you need a pre-existing condition waiver?
• Finding local medical care

The post Seniors Beware: Medicare doesn’t cover you outside the U.S. appeared first on CoverTrip.

If you are just starting your research, read our Travel Insurance 101 tutorial to get the basics.

1. Use a comparison engine to compare plans
2. Compare plans side-by-side to find the best coverage for your trip
3. Select a plan
4. Enter traveler and trip information (you will need ages of all travelers)
5. Enter your credit card payment details
6. An e-mail confirmation will be sent with the policy certificate for your review.

Tip: Use the free look period

Be sure to use the 10-14 day free look period to understand the travel plan, what’s covered and what’s not, and the limits of your plan. If changes to the plan are necessary, make those changes as early as possible.

If you think your plan won’t work

If you realize after reviewing the plan certificate that it won’t work for your travel, you can make changes to your plan as long as it’s within the free review period. Call the travel insurance provider hotline to discuss your options and make changes.

If the plan isn’t what you need, you’ll need to cancel the plan during the free look period. After that time, the plan is considered in effect and you’ll be subject to the rules of the travel insurance plan certificate.

After you’ve purchased your travel insurance, be sure to check out our advice on what to take with you.

Related topics

• What information do you need to buy travel insurance?
• Making changes to your policy
• Canceling your policy

The post How to buy travel insurance appeared first on CoverTrip.

During the review period, travelers also have the option to cancel their policies. After the free look period, the policy is considered in effect and you’ll be subject to the travel insurance plan rules.

Most insurance companies assess a small administrative fee ($5-$8) for the cancellation.

Why would a traveler cancel their policy?

Travelers typically cancel their travel insurance policies when they realize the plan won’t meet their travel needs or after they’ve read the policy certificate and understand they need a different travel insurance plan.

It’s important to note that cancellation is not the only option you have – you can always make changes to the travel policy so it works better for your needs as well. Travel insurance providers allow travelers to make changes to their plan – including increasing or decreasing coverage amounts – right up until the day before their scheduled departure.

How do I cancel my travel insurance policy?

To cancel your travel insurance policy during the free review period, you’ll contact the travel insurance provider directly. In some cases, travel insurance companies require you to cancel your plan in writing, so it’s important to review the policy certificate and understand how to cancel.

You should have received a copy of your travel insurance policy by e-mail (check your spam or junk folder if you don’t immediately find it), and that is where you’ll find the information you need to cancel your policy, including the customer service number and your policy number.

Related topics

• Understanding the free look period
• Making changes to your travel insurance policy
• 9 Coverages that might surprise you

The post Can I cancel my Travel Insurance Policy? appeared first on CoverTrip.

Travelers often make these changes

Some of the changes that are often made are:

• Changes to the specific contact information or traveler information
• Changes to add additional trip costs, such as new tours or airline tickets
• Changes to add additional family members who decided to come along
• Changes to your return date (often due to purchasing air fare later)
• Changes to deductible amounts (either higher or lower) for medical benefits

Adding trip costs to your plan may result in a premium increase, but if your travel costs happen to be lower than you originally estimated, your premium will be reduced and you’ll received a refund for the difference.

When to make policy changes

Changes to your travel insurance policy must be made before you start you trip. All travel insurance plans allow you to change your travel dates and let you increase or decrease the covered trip cost (with appropriate documentation). These changes must be made prior to your scheduled departure date.

It’s important to note that pre-existing medical condition waivers require travelers to purchase an amount of coverage that equals all pre-paid nonrefundable trip expenses.

Changes made during the free review period may include canceling the travel insurance plan if you realize it’s not what you needed for your particular trip.

How to make policy changes

Contact the travel insurance provider to make chances to your policy. When you call them, it’s best to have your travel insurance policy number handy, if possible. You should have received a copy of your travel insurance policy by e-mail (check your spam or junk folder if you don’t immediately find it), and that is where you’ll find not only the travel assistance services hot-line (for when you start your trip), but also the customer service number and your policy number.

Related topics

• What to take with you
• Making a successful travel insurance claim

The post Making Changes to your Travel Insurance Policy appeared first on CoverTrip.

• Travel assistance provides support services in case of an emergency while traveling.
• Travel insurance provides monetary compensation for losses that occur while traveling.

Both types of coverage can be purchased for single trips or multiple trips throughout the year. Travel assistance plans are relatively affordable, and unlike travel insurance, you pay a set rate that isn’t based on the cost of your trip.

While individual plans may vary, the following outlines what each type of coverage provides.

The key difference is that travel assistance is an assistance services plan and travel insurance is more like a typical insurance plan that provides protection for monetary losses that can occur while traveling.

Related topics

• What travel insurance covers
• What travel insurance does not cover
• When travel insurance is not necessary

The post What is the difference between travel assistance and travel insurance? appeared first on CoverTrip.

The term ‘travel insurance’ is often used loosely by travel agents and it can be confusing to travelers who want to purchase travel insurance. These plans may be referred to as ‘benefit services’, ‘waiver plans’ or ‘travel protection’, but they are not 100% travel insurance.

4 Reasons to be wary of purchasing travel insurance from your travel agent

There are a number of reasons to be wary when offered a protection plan by your travel agent, including:

1. Travel agents earn extra money by selling travel insurance, but they may only offer the travel insurance plans that earn the best commissions
2. Travel agents may have only a few plans to offer from a limited number of travel insurance providers
3. While some travel agencies have at least one agent that is licensed to sell travel insurance, many travel agents are not licensed insurance agents
4. A travel agent’s protection plans may or may not be backed by a legitimate underwriter

Travelers purchasing a ‘travel protection plan’ may not be aware of the differences between a travel protection or waiver plan purchased through a travel agent and a travel insurance plan purchased through a licensed travel insurance agent.

Differences between purchasing from a 3rd party company vs. a travel agent

While some travel agencies combine forces with a licensed travel insurance agent, it’s important to be sure the plan you are purchasing is what you really need. One way travel insurance supports this is by providing a free look period (usually 10-15 days), which you can use to review the policy and be sure you have the coverage you need. During this period, you can also make changes to the coverage or cancel the coverage (for a small fee).

How to avoid purchasing a fake travel plan

1. First, it’s important to understand that travel insurance is a state-regulated industry, so you’ll have legal protection when you purchase from a state-licensed agent. Real travel insurance companies are backed by regulated underwriters and are rated by A.M. Best, a worldwide insurance rating and information agency.
2. Second, it’s important to shop around. This is true of any one-click-to-buy-now plan you find online. Taking the time to compare the benefits and prices for plans offered by your travel agent with the plans offered by independent travel insurance companies is simple with a comparison engine (see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site).
3. Last, it’s important to read the policy carefully (this is also recommended of travel insurance plans) before you commit to buying it. Most travel insurance companies offer a free review period (typically 10-14 days) and allow you to cancel for a refund (usually your plan cost minus a small processing fee). Travel agent protection plans may not allow the same review period.

If you decide to purchase through your travel agent, be sure to ask who you are to call while on your trip if you run into trouble. All travel insurance plans have 24/7 worldwide assistance services that can help travelers in a number of ways.

Summary

• Some plans offered by travel agents may not be 100% travel insurance and those plans don’t provide the same level of coverage
• 3rd party travel insurance companies have a number of plans that can be compared side-by-side with a comparison engine

Related topics

• What is the buying process?
• How much does travel insurance cost?
• 9 Coverages that might surprise you

The post Buying Travel Insurance from a 3rd party company vs. through a Travel Agent appeared first on CoverTrip.

Of course, putting together a comprehensive list of everything that can go wrong on vacation is impossible, but it’s also impossible to put together a comprehensive list of everything that can go wrong with your health, or your home, or your car – that’s why you have insurance protecting those things back home.

Travel insurance is no different – it provides coverage for the things that might go wrong

Shopping based on price alone may get you a bare bones policy that’s cheap, but it may not provide the coverage you need if something happens.

No one wants to think about what can go wrong, but:

• If you can’t afford to lose all the money you paid for a trip, then having ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage could provide a lot of peace of mind.
• If your children are too young to be on their own and you want to be sure they are safe if something happens to you, then having emergency evacuation coverage may be just what you need.
• If your son or daughter is planning a student trip away from you and you want to be sure they have medical coverage, student travel insurance is just the ticket to ensuring their safety.

What risks will you face?

So, how do you know you are covered for the most likely risks? Think a little about who you are, the level of risk you and your personal financial situation can tolerate, and who is coming with you on your trip. Think a little about where you are going, the dangers you might run into, and the coverage you want. See the complete travel insurance coverage guide to understand travel insurance coverage and the options available to you.

Summary

• Shopping based on price alone could leave you wishing for more coverage
• Using a comparison engine helps you choose the right plan based on the coverage you need for your trip
• An important step to understanding what travel insurance coverage you need is knowing what’s available

Related topics

• What does travel insurance cost?
• 9 coverages that might surprise you
• What to do if you have a medical emergency

The post Do not shop for Travel Insurance based on Price Alone appeared first on CoverTrip.