Answers to Travel Insurance FAQs

How do I insure against trip cancellation due to events caused by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) threat?

A comprehensive plan with the optional Cancel For Any Reason benefit is needed. In order to be eligible for such coverage, the policy must be purchased within 10 to 21 days (depending on the plan) of your very first trip payment or deposit. You must insure ALL pre-paid non-refundable trip costs, and the cancellation must be at least 2 days (48 hours) prior to your scheduled departure date. Cancel For Any Reason plans are the only type of plans that offer trip cancellation protection (up to 75% of trip cost) for fear of traveling, CDC warnings, government restrictions or regulations, country closures, or any reason that was due to the Coronavirus Covid-19 threat.

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Why do I need a travel protection plan if I have credit cards that include travel insurance?

Usually travel insurance from credit cards is limited to coverage for flight accidents, car rental damage or for accidental death while you are traveling. But often this protection is in effect only when you pay for travel with that particular credit card.

Most credit cards do not offer any coverage for travel medical expenses, evacuation costs or trip cancellation expenses. 

What is international travel medical insurance? Why do I need it?

International travel medical insurance addresses the gaps in health insurance coverage for travelers outside their home country. Coverage includes emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, return of dependent children, bedside lodging, accidental death, cost of return flight, and more. 

While domestic private- and government-sponsored health insurance programs may offer fine coverage at home, few are designed for international travelers or expatriates. Even programs that cover international travel often provide limited benefits that do not normally cover medically supervised emergency evacuation, emergency reunion, or repatriation. Home health care providers and insurers are simply not equipped to deal with complications caused by different languages, currency conversion, inexperienced international claims administration and the time zone differences. 

What is travel protection, and why do I need it?

Travel protection is a combination of insurance coverages and travel assistance services packaged to provide comprehensive protection for you and your family before and during your trip. You invest a lot of time and money when you travel. Doesn't it make sense to protect that investment? Remember, no matter how well-planned your trip is, the unexpected can and often does occur.

  • Many primary health plans exclude coverage outside your home country, even outside your home state or region, and very few plans cover medically supervised emergency evacuation, emergency reunion, or repatriation. Travel protection plans offer coverage for medical expenses and emergency evacuation and repatriation in the United States and abroad.

  • If you have prepaid the cost of your trip or even paid a deposit on your trip and find you have to cancel or return home early, a travel protection plan can offer trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage which can help you protect your investment by reimbursing you for nonrefundable fees and expenses due to trip cancellation for a covered reason.

  • Travel protection plans offer additional baggage coverage over and above that provided by the airlines or your credit card, and may also provide benefits if your baggage is delayed.

  • Travel protection plans offer worldwide 24-hour emergency assistance in multiple languages so you can access legal assistance, prescription drug refills and eyeglasses replacement, emergency cash, and more. 

May I purchase coverage up to my date of departure?

You may purchase a comprehensive travel protection plan up to the day “prior” to your departure. International medical insurance plans may be purchased the day of departure with an effective date of 12:01 AM the next day.

If I change my mind after purchasing travel medical insurance or enrolling in the protection plan, is it refundable?

Yes. Generally, the providers will provide refunds as long as you have not departed, have not filed a claim or sent a written request prior to the policy's effective date.

What is a deductible?

A deductible (also known as "excess") is a way for the insurance company to reduce claims and reduce your premium. If your plan has a $100 deductible, you pay the first $100 of expenses "out of pocket" and then the insurance company pays expenses above and beyond the deductible, subject to the plan's limits. Where there is a choice of deductible, the higher the deductible, the lower the cost of the insurance, and vice versa.

Can I purchase travel insurance for my friend, relative or employee online?

Yes. Before purchasing a plan on behalf of a minor under the age of 14, you must first register yourself as an adult on the Travel Insurance Center website. After creating your user ID and password, just hit the “continue” button to reach the purchase page. There, click “edit information” and enter the child’s information. The premium will automatically adjust, and you can complete that purchase.

Do I have to have primary medical insurance to be covered by your insurance?

Having primary insurance is not an eligibility requirement for most plans. However, you should check the plan details for further information on a specific product. There are a few plans that do require applicants to have primary health insurance to be eligible for coverage.

I am confused about the "co-pay" and "co-insurance" with IMG. Is the out-of-pocket 20% calculated before or after the deductible?

IMG requires that you pay 20% of the first $5,000 in medical expenses (for visitors to the United States only) after the deductible, or"excess," is met.

For example: You have a serious accident in the United States that requires hospitalization for a week. The hospital bill is $10,000. If you have a $100 deductible, then you would pay $100 (leaving $9,900 to be paid), and then you would have to pay 20% of the next $5,000. In this case, that’s $1,000. Together, your expenses would be $1,100 (the $100 deductible and your 20% of the first $5,000). And because you hit IMB’s maximum out-of-pocket limit, IMG would pay the remaining $8,900. 

The Travel Insurance Experts