Insurance Tips & Tools
Travel Insurance
Anyone who is planning to travel should consider insurance of some type. No matter how well you have planned your business trip or vacation, accidents and/or illnesses can occur. Being prepared for any event can only work in your favor.
Generally, if you are traveling in the United States your current insurance policies should cover any accidents, incidents, injuries or illnesses that you might need care for. Check with your insurance agency, prior to your departure, to make sure they will take care of all of your needs.
Individuals planning travel outside of the United States should insure themselves against any unexpected events. Check with your current insurance agencies and ask whether they will cover you while traveling internationally. If they will not, upon request, most travel agents can recommend an international travel insurance agency that can meet your needs.
Most travel insurance policies will cover the following items, but make sure you check the coverage prior to signing and paying for it.
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage loss and/or delay (Most airlines will reimburse you for this)
- Travel document loss
- Missed connection costs
- Medical costs (including "repatriation" - returning you to your home country for care)
- Liability coverage (For damage to another persons property; injury or death to another person)
- Travel delays/interruptions
- Death
- Transportation and/or burial of remains
If you have a "pre-existing condition" most travel insurance policies will not cover them, unless you specifically request this coverage; this generally carries an additional cost. Discuss this issue with your travel and/or insurance agent prior to signing and paying for your coverage.
Currently, Medicare offers no coverage for overseas travel.
Credit card coverage. If you pay for your travel with your credit card, you may be covered for many of the events that travel insurance would provide. Check with your credit card company prior to signing or paying for any additional travel insurance to see what may be provided.
Talk to your insurance agent prior to your trip to learn how to make claims against your policy and what the time limitations are.
Don't wait until the last minute! Most travel insurers allow a 10-14 day window after you pay for your trip to purchase coverage.
