Travel planning is an exciting experience but many travelers are looking for ways to remain safe from unexpected risks. What happens in case your flight gets canceled? Suppose you fall ill abroad, or your luggage is lost? These are valid concerns of any individual when traveling and this is where travel insurance helps. 

We simply want to help you understand how travel insurance works in practical scenarios.  We’ll make it easy, straightforward, and useful so you can travel smartly. Next time you travel safely, let’s do that.

What is travel insurance: Why It Matters

Travel insurance covers life during tragedy such as sickness even when you are travelling, travel delays or lost baggage. It is even useful in protecting your money when making small trips inside your country or abroad. Many people think their health plan or credit card will cover them, but these often don’t offer much help outside your province or country. If you face a health issue abroad, basic treatment or even hospital stays can be very costly. Travel insurance assists in covering such expenses , as well as other possible charges such as emergency evacuations, lost goods, or trip delays caused by unexpected situations. Travel insurance actually will not stop issues, but it will cover you financially if they occur.

What does travel insurance cover? Types of travel insurance

When planning a trip,  it is exciting to figure out where to go, the airfare, the hotel which is the most suitable and so on. However, they forget about one thing- travel insurance. It is not only in case of a medical emergency. Travel insurance will cover your health, your luggage, and money you might have already lost in case of something wrong at a very low price.

Now here is a concise list of what travel insurance actually covers having different types:

1. Medical Emergencies Abroad: 

The majority of the ordinary health insurance schemes fail to cover the international medical expenses particularly in areas like the U.S whose 3-night hospitalization bill stands at more than 30 000 dollars. A night out in Europe would cost between 300 to 1300 dollars depending on the country. 

• Covers hospital stays.
• Provides ambulance rides.
• Covers emergency dental care.
• Provides medical evacuation or lie-flat seating.

2. Trip Cancellation or Interruption

One application of travel insurance is the reimbursement on non-refundable tickets, tours and hotel booking, hotel stays that cannot be used, activities, and last-minute return flights. A trip without coverage will face up to 100% loss, while cruise lines may only refund 25% or give credit if cancellations occur close to departure.

3. Lost, Delayed, or Damaged Baggage

Travel insurance insures against typical and expensive baggage losses, such as lost luggage, lost sports equipment, or medical equipment replacement, passport, and delays. The maximum compensation of lost baggage is restricted to $ 1,750 on international flights in the U.S. Airlines are expected to pay up to 3,300 dollars of local baggage. Validity covers these gaps and makes the claims simple as most airlines declare such bags as lost 21 days hence.

4. Emergency Support for Dependents and Pets

If you’re hospitalized during travel, who will care for your children or pets?

Some policies provide:

• Up to $500 for child care if you’re hospitalized
  
• Up to $150 for pet boarding (like kennels)

This coverage gives peace of mind especially to solo parents and pet owners knowing loved ones are cared for in emergencies.

5. More Than Your Credit Card Covers

You may think your credit card offers enough coverage. But most cards:

• Only cover cancellations or delays in limited circumstances
  
• Don’t cover emergency medical costs or evacuation, which are often the most expensive risks

Travel insurance acts as full protection, picking up where your card benefits stop.

How much does travel insurance cost?

The cost of travel insurance highly depends on the cost of the journey and the age of the traveller. Jonathan Harty, who owns a MA travel agency, says that a 35 year old consumer may anticipate 3% to 5% increase in the price of a trip whereas a policy may cost a 60 year old about 10%. It may be an affordable price to pay for securing your investment in a honeymoon or trip of a lifetime.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans

Top 5 travel insurance companies for a trip to the United States.

1. World Nomads

World Nomads has two plans, Standard and Explorer, which would suit active travelers and family. Both insure against emergency medical costs, trip cancellation and stolen luggage. The Explorer plan offers unlimited medical coverage, while the Standard covers up to $5 million. The plan also includes mental health support and emergency dental.

2. IMG Global

IMG’s Travel SE and Travel LX plans offer comprehensive coverage and flexible cancellation options, including 100% trip cancellation and 150% trip interruption, medical coverage up to $500,000 (SE) and $1,000,000 (LX), COVID-19 coverage, trip delay coverage, and free cancellation within 10 days.

3. Travel Guard by AIG

Travel Guard is a comprehensive insurance plan for global travelers, offering unlimited medical coverage, 100% trip cancellation, €2,500 lost luggage coverage, 24/7 emergency support, and optional add-ons for rental cars and golf equipment.

4. Trawick International

The Safe Travels USA Comprehensive plan by Trawick provides medical coverage of up to $1,000,000, trip interruption of up to 5000, lost baggage of up to $1000, and medical evacuation of up to 2000000 and covers pre-existing conditions, mental health, COVID-19.

5. Visitors Coverage (CoverAmerica-Gold)

CoverAmerica-Gold provides unique extras and flexible medical protection, including flu shots, COVID-19 testing, quarantine costs, lost or stolen passport replacement, trip interruptions and delays, 100% in-network coverage, 80% out-of-network coverage, and coverage limits between $50,000-$250,000 with deductibles.

Top 3 things to remember

(i) Read your policy to know what types of events are covered by the travel insurance that you want to cover.

(ii) Read the policy thoroughly. Inquire about any coverage limits or exclusions.

(iii) Never forget that travelers should be covered by their home owners policy. However, if you own expensive items, consider obtaining additional coverage.

The source of information is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

FAQs

Is it a good idea to come up with trip insurance?

Of course, particularly in case your travel will include non-refundable tickets or travel abroad. It will save you thousands in the event of cancellations, delays and emergencies.

Which things are covered by flight insurance?

The cover of flight insurance normally includes the hide of a trip, delay in flights, luggage loss in ill cases, mishap demise during air travel. It does not necessarily cover medical coverage.

So what is travel protection?

The term travel protection is used broadly and it covers cancellations insurance, medical emergencies insurance, and even baggage insurance. It serves as a cash reserve when one is on the road.

Which is the best travel insurance?

The optimal plan will depend on your requirements-World nomads is best for adventure travel, and IMG and Trawick are best on medical cover and Travel Guard is good in covering frequent flyers.

Or do I have to purchase the travel insurance after booking?

Can I take out travel insurance when I book the trip? Yes. But an early purchase would have the advantage of allowing you to purchase such benefits as pre-existing condition waivers or the cancel-any-reason upgrade.