What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Last Updated: July 3, 2024

Travel insurance is your comprehensive safety net for unexpected hiccups that can wreck your dream vacation. Most policies cover you for a wide range of events, from flight cancellations and delays to overseas medical emergencies and lost luggage, providing comprehensive security and protection.

Coverage for Canceled Trips

Investing in travel insurance is not just about protection; it’s also about the relief and reassurance it brings. 

For example, Trip Cancellation coverage will help you recoup your prepaid and non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel for a covered reason, such as: 

• Illness, injury, or death of you, a traveling companion, or a family member
• Severe weather that prevents you from reaching your destination
• A terrorist attack at your destination

When you opt for Trip Cancellation coverage you must insure some or all of your trip expenses to receive the full 100% reimbursement. Also, as an added benefit, these policies usually come with Trip Interruption coverage, which kicks in once you start your trip. If you must return home early for a covered reason then Trip Interruption can reimburse you for unused trip expenses and additional transportation costs.

For even greater flexibility, some providers offer the option to add Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage to a policy.. Although this add-on may increase your premium, CFAR lets you cancel for reasons not typically covered by standard Trip Cancellation policies and still get up to 75% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs back. This flexibility lets you control your plans, allowing you to change them if needed.

Coverage for Medical Emergencies

If you get sick or injured while traveling abroad, your regular health insurance likely won’t cover you. That’s where travel medical insurance comes in. 

Most travel insurance policies include two key medical benefits, and special coverage for pre-existing conditions:

Emergency Medical covers costs associated with medical treatment for illnesses or injuries during your trip, including physician services, ambulance rides, and hospital charges. We recommend coverage up to $50,000.

Medical Evacuation coverage helps arrange transportation to the nearest hospital in a medical emergency. This benefit may also cover transferring you to another facility or bringing you home if necessary. We recommend coverage up to $100,000.

While typically excluded from policies, our marketplace offers providers that can give you a waiver for conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Pre-existing coverage is time-sensitive and usually available within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit, so secure it as soon as you book. We recommend a lookback period of less than 90 days.

Coverage for Delays

Flight delays are increasingly common, but travel insurance helps mitigate the inconvenience. When weather, mechanical issues, or other uncontrollable reasons cause significant delays, Travel Delay may cover your food, accommodations, and other necessities.

If a delay forces you to miss a connecting flight, your policy’s Missed Connection benefit may cover the cost of booking new travel arrangements.

Coverage for Lost or Delayed Luggage

Travel insurance also protects your items. If your baggage is delayed by a common carrier en route to your destination, typically between 12 and 24 hours, you can get reimbursed for clothes, toiletries, and other essentials while you wait for your bags to arrive. 

If your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged during a trip, you can be reimbursed up to a specific limit per item, typically $250-$500. 

Other Travel Insurance Benefits

• 24-Hour Assistance: All providers offer 24/7 emergency assistance, including medical referrals, legal help, and pre-trip information.
• Rental Car Coverage: Some policies offer optional rental car damage coverage.
• Non-Medical Evacuation: Covers evacuation costs in cases of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or civil unrest.
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment: Provides a cash payment for unintentional loss of life or limb during your trip.
• Adventure & Sports Coverage: If your trip involves risky activities like skiing or scuba diving, look for policies that cover these sports.
• Cruise Coverage: Tailored policies for cruisers often include high evacuation coverage and other benefits specific to cruise travel.

Before purchasing travel insurance, it’s essential to read the policy details carefully to ensure the coverage meets your specific needs.

Our Promise to You

Getting travel insurance is essential to protecting your well-earned trip. That’s why we’re dedicated to creating a simple, streamlined process so you can make the best decision without the endless search. 

Most policies are comprehensive, offering a range of benefits before and after departure, but not all, so check out our compare tool to help you.

By comparing quotes, reading reviews, and tailoring your coverage, you can ensure you get the best travel insurance policy for your needs. And if you run into any trouble, our team is available to help. 

Visit Squaremouth today to get a travel insurance quote and travel with confidence.