Trip Cancellation

Trip Cancellation provides benefits should you need to cancel your trip. Different Insurers allow you to cancel for different reasons. Some of the more common reasons you can cancel and expect to receive benefits are:

  • Death of you or a family member
  • Serious Injury or sickness to you or a family member
  • Residency of you or a travelling companion is rendered uninhabitable due to unforeseen circumstances
  • Terrorism, Preexisting Conditions and Bankruptcy are also generally covered but coverage is linked the policy deposit/purchase date.

Some insurers offer the ability to cancel for any reason or to cancel for work reasons.

Trip Interruption

Trip Interruption provides benefits should your trip be interrupted. As with Trip Cancellation different Insurers provide benefits for different reasons. Insurers generally provide Trip Interruption benefits for the same reasons as they do Trip Cancellation. See above for an example of reasons this benefit may be available.

Trip Delay/Missed Connection

If your trip is delayed for a predetermined period of time and for a reason covered in your policy documentation, your Insurer will pay benefits up to the maximum amount shown in the policy schedule, to cover the expense of transporting you to a place where you can join/rejoin your trip. Accommodation is sometimes included. You will be required to provide evidence of the incident that occurred to cause the delay. Not all delays outside your control are covered so always check the policy documentation.

Baggage Delay

If your baggage is delayed for a predetermined period of time, an Insurer will reimburse an amount to cover the purchase of personal items up to the maximum amount stated in the policy schedule. Things you are able to purchase vary but generally include personal hygiene/personal care items, the benefits also vary so always check the policy documentation.

Emergency Medical

Emergency Medical benefit covers you in case of sickness or injury on your trip. Dental treatment can also be included under this benefit.

Air Flight Accident

Air Flight Accident covers you in the event that you are killed, dismembered or lose the sight of an eye. As with all benefits the conditions detailed in policy documentation vary.

Rental Car

Rental Car Coverage or Collision Damage Waiver, (CDW) generally provides benefits to cover damage caused by collisions, fire, flood, theft, vandalism, weather, etc for the car you have rented. Some states have restrictions on this benefit, so it is not always available.

Money Back Guarantee

Insurance companies generally allow a cooling off period after purchase. During this period you can cancel your policy and get a full refund minus the policy processing fee. This period can be anything from 5 days to 15 days.

24 Hour Assistance

The ability to speak to someone who can provide advice and services at any time of day when a crisis strikes, is reason enough to buy a Travel Insurance policy for most people; additional benefits such as, legal advice, travel advice, roadside assistance and concierge services are available with some policies.

Medical Evacuation

Medical Evacuation benefit allows you to be taken to an appropriate medical facility. When you're traveling abroad, you are generally moved to a suitable local medical facility, stabilized and moved closer to home.

Terrorism

Unfortunately Terrorist Incidents occur, and occasionally they can affect your travel plans. Details of this benefits vary and are generally documented under Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption.

Accidental Death

Accidental Death or Accidental Death & Dismemberment, (AD&D) provide benefits for loss of life, limbs or eyes during a trip

Preexisting Condition

Preexisting conditions are conditions that existed before the policy was purchased. These conditions are generally excluded unless otherwise stated in the policy documentation.

Underwritten By

The company that underwrites your policy are given an AM Best rating. These Ratings range from A++, (best) to F. "S" indicates that the rating has been suspended. "A.M. Best Company is the leading provider of ratings, news and financial data for the insurance industry worldwide and Best's Ratings are recognized as the benchmark for assessing the financial strength of insurance related organizations and the credit quality of their obligations." - AM Best

Financial Default

Travel Providers occasionally go into Financial Default/Bankruptcy. This benefit generally listed under Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption, covers the cost of your trip if this occurs. For this benefit to be available within your policy, the policy needs to be purchased within a predetermined time after your trip.

Deductible

Deductibles are rare with Travel Insurance but some do exist within policies. For example, you may need to pay the first $50 of any claim relating to baggage loss. This deductible may not apply to a claim for Trip Interruption for the same policy.

Hazardous Sports

Insurance to cover injuries sustained whilst performing Hazardous Sports such as snowboarding, hang gliding, parachuting, bungee jumping, etc can be added to certain policies.