In This Article
- 1. Athletic events usually aren’t covered.
- 2. Natural disasters aren’t usually covered
- 3. The policy might not start when you want it to
- 4. Most policies offer 24/7 assistance
- 5. Your credit card might cover you
- 6. Pre-existing conditions usually aren’t covered
- 7. It’s for emergencies, not routine procedures or care
If you’ve never purchased travel insurance before, you’ve probably thought about it. After all, things go haywire when we least expect them to, unfortunately.
Whether you’re getting insurance for a visa, peace of mind, or to check a box, we asked the experts from a leading travel insurance company to share their lesser-known tips for getting good coverage without breaking the bank.
The big takeaway is that policies aren’t a one-size-fits-all, and what’s included (or excluded) might surprise you.
Wherever you’re heading, here are 7 unexpected tips from travel insurance professionals that can help you make the best financial decision when heading abroad.
1. Athletic events usually aren’t covered.
It’s easy to assume that “travel insurance” covers all aspects of your trip, but that’s not always the case. Many standard policies exclude professional athletic events, even if you’re not a professional athlete. If you’re traveling abroad and plan to participate in a marathon, for example, any incident that happens during the run may not be covered.On top of that, higher-risk activities like bungee jumping and skydiving are usually excluded as well. If your plans involve running a race, adventure sports, or excursions, you’ll want to pay attention to any exclusions in the terms and conditions.
If you want to be insured for events like this, make sure you choose a policy where it isn’t excluded. If you have trouble finding one, you may have to take out special insurance.
2. Natural disasters aren’t usually covered
While it may sound surprising, most policies don’t automatically cover natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes.
This includes any effects/damage caused by them. Experts recommend checking the “force majeure” or “acts of God” section of the terms and conditions to see what the policy you’re interested in covers and what it doesn’t, especially if you’re going to a part of the world at a higher risk for specific events.
If you’re concerned about losing out on a big trip if there is adverse weather, try to find a policy that offers some coverage, or continue pushing your trip back.
3. The policy might not start when you want it to
While it isn’t always the case, some travel insurance policies can have mandatory waiting periods. This means that your coverage won’t kick in until a certain number of days have passed since you purchased the policy. This can be true even if you bought your insurance today and your trip starts tomorrow.
Before buying a policy, make sure you check the terms and conditions for any mandatory waiting periods, such as 7 days. If there are any, they will be listed there.
If you don’t read the terms and conditions carefully and need to make a claim early into your trip, you might not be covered.
4. Most policies offer 24/7 assistance
It’s easy to focus on the numbers for coverage amounts, deductibles, etc., but having round-the-clock assistance is a guarantee that can be easy to overlook.
24/7 assistance and support is a lifeline in a foreign country. When included in your policy, you will have a dedicated line that you can call any time of day, whether you need advice, have a question, or have another random concern, even involving cash, currency, and your finances.
The great part for you? Your call doesn’t have to have anything to do with the nuts and bolts of your policy. If you’re traveling and need guidance, support, or some direction, 24/7 assistance is a great ally to have.
5. Your credit card might cover you
Some people have travel insurance and may not even know about it! Many credit card companies offer travel insurance perks as part of their credit card plan advantages. If you got your credit card a while back, or can’t quite recall what the entire laundry list of advantages was, it’s time to take a second look to see if your’s does.
That said, travel insurance as part of a credit card perk can be limited. Like any travel insurance policy, make sure you review all of the details so you know what is covered, when it is covered, and to what extent.
6. Pre-existing conditions usually aren’t covered
If you have an existing medical condition, don’t assume that your policy will cover related care or emergencies. For instance, a traveler with asthma likely won’t be covered if they end up needing hospitalization for breathing problems during their trip.
Most travel insurance companies see any known medical condition as a pre-existing condition. So, if you have a medical emergency relating to a known medical condition, the event probably won’t be covered.
Make sure to check the fine print for the policy you’re looking at, and check how your insurance provider identifies pre-existing conditions before purchasing.
7. It’s for emergencies, not routine procedures or care
One big misconception about travel insurance is that it can function like a health insurance plan while you’re traveling. Unfortunately, it can’t. Travel insurance is for unexpected emergencies, like sudden illnesses or accidents. Things like ongoing treatment, annual exams, and routine check-ups aren’t covered.
Experts say it’s best to handle regular appointments before you leave. If you are looking for this kind of coverage while you’re traveling, it’s best to look for short-term health insurance plans that cover where you are going.
