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Travel Insurance Defined
Travel insurance is designed to offer protection in the event of unexpected events while traveling. These might include unforeseen medical expenses incurred while on a trip, the financial default of travel suppliers, or lost baggage. Travel insurance can offer protection both domestically and internationally. You can arrange for temporary travel insurance to last for the duration of a single trip, or for multi-trip insurance that will be in effect for a series of trips within an established time frame.
What's Covered?
In addition to medical expenses, financial default of travel suppliers, and lost baggage, travel insurance policies typically offer coverage for the following common travel risks:
- Emergency evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
- Return of a minor child
- Trip cancellation/interruption
- Accidental death, injury or disablement benefit
- Overseas funeral expenses
- Curtailment
- Delayed departure, missed connection
- Damaged baggage, personal effects or travel documents
- Delayed baggage (and emergency replacement of essential items)
- Legal assistance
- Trip cancellation
- Missed flight connection due to airline schedule
- Travel delays due to weather
Some travel insurance providers also offer coverage for:
- Natural disasters
- Car rental collision
- Sports with an element of risk (skiing, scuba diving)
- Travel to high-risk countries (due to war, natural disasters or acts of terrorism)
- Kidnap and ransom insurance
What's Not Covered?
Typically, most travel insurance providers will not offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions that flare up during a trip, or for injuries resultant from alcohol or drug use during a trip. And pregnancy-related expenses incurred on a trip after the first trimester may not be covered.
Benefits
Apart from offering financial protection, travel insurance often comes with other perks. Some providers offer a suite of helpful services that are available via a toll-free telephone call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These may include concierge servicessuch as suggestions for great places to eat or tips on the best tourist attractionsalong with emergency travel assistance, such as a replacement vehicle or, if your flight is delayed overnight, a hotel room.
Costs
The costs of travel insurance policies vary widely, depending on the duration of the trip and the type of coverage desired. For example, a Trip Cancellation/Interruption policywhich will reimburse a policyholder for the loss of non-refundable, prepaid travel expensescosts between 4% and 8% of the total cost of the trip. The peace of mind offered by a travel insurance policy is usually well worth the slight expense.
How to Obtain Travel Insurance
Contact Robins Insurance about obtaining travel insurance. Although you can also obtain trip insurance policies from airlines, cruise lines, tour operators and travel agents, the Better Business Bureau also suggest buying trip insurance from an independent firm rather than a tour operator or cruise line.