Comprehensive travel insurance plans are the most widely known form of coverage with the most trip protection coverage available for a single trip. Typically, a comprehensive plan will offer a variety of benefits for travelers, covering a wide range of concerns, such as trip cancellation and going home early, flight delay, baggage loss or damage, 24-hour assistance and some travel medical coverage.
These the most widely known travel insurance plans because they are available for nearly any type of trip for travelers of any age.
Coverage Limits
Coverage limits for comprehensive travel insurance vary between plans and dictate the maximum amount of reimbursement in case of a claim. Typically, trip cancellation and trip interruption limits directly reflect your total trip cost. Other limits, such as medical, baggage and travel delay coverage are independent of this.
Several plans also have optional benefits that can tailor coverage to your specific trip needs. For example, if you’re traveling with business or sports equipment, you may want to compare comprehensive plans that offer coverage options for these items. If you are particularly concerned about illness or injury while traveling, you may want to compare plans with more travel medical or evacuation coverage. Also, several plans offer pre-existing condition waivers, if purchased within a specific time window. These options, often available with comprehensive plans, help to allow you to find the right plan for your trip.
Plan Exclusions
Most travel insurance plans will include a list of exclusions (such as events and items) that are not covered under the listed benefits. It’s always advisable to make sure you are well acquainted with the terms of any plan you are considering. This may help you feel more comfortable that the coverage you do buy will meet your needs and help to avoid issues in the event you file a claim.
Some exclusions can include travel delays that do not meet the required minimum or expensive sports equipment needed for your trip. Also, many plans will exclude pre-existing conditions or adventure activities from medical coverage.
Another popular coverage is trip cancellation. Many plans only provide coverage for a specific list of covered reasons for cancellation. We recommend reviewing this list to be fully aware of which reasons are included and which are not. This can help you to prepare for a claims process, if necessary.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
Travelers take risks when they book trips during stormy seasons. Winter storms can shut down airports, train stations and even whole cities; high wind gusts can cause flight delays; and hurricanes come with their own set of complications for travel.
What can you do as a traveler to make sure you are protected in the event that Mother Nature doesn’t comply with your plans? Purchase travel insurance, of course. The right plan can provide many important benefits to get you back on track and help with many additional expenses.
Flight Delay Due to Weather
In the case of a standard weather-related delay, travel insurance can offer coverage, up to the stated amount, that reimburse for the costs incurred. If the delay lasts six hours or more (depending on the plan details), reimbursement for incidental necessities, like food and temporary lodging, may be available. On the very rare occasion, some plans may pay for these arrangements up-front, eliminating the need to file a claim for reimbursement.
Don’t worry if you are feeling overwhelmed with impromptu arrangements. Most travel insurance companies have assistance services that can help make arrangements for alternative lodging and transportation as needed; such as getting a seat on another flight, changing a rental car reservation or getting a room at a nearby hotel. Some plans may even assist in catching up to a cruise ship that has already left port.
Trip Cancellation Due to Weather
Unfortunately, weather does cause trip cancellations, especially during hurricane season or the winter. If a severe storm wreaks havoc on your travel plans, you’ll be extremely glad you invested in a plan that includes trip cancellation insurance.
In the case that a storm has caused your destination to become uninhabitable – meaning your accommodation is no longer available for you to stay due to damage from the storm, your comprehensive plan may cover trip cancellation up to 100% of your insured trip cost.
The same may be said if damage occurs at your primary place of residence, prior to departing and after you purchased a travel insurance plan. Many comprehensive travel insurance plans will offer trip cancellation benefits if your home is damaged badly enough that you must change your plans to deal with repairs.
Caveat to Coverage
Neither travel delay nor trip cancellation benefits would be available if the coverage is needed for a “known peril”. This is a fancy insurance term for a weather event that was predicted prior to you purchasing your travel insurance plan. If you purchase a plan after the storm has been predicted or, in some cases, after a tropical storm or hurricane is named, you could be denied benefits if you file a claim citing the storm as the reason for coverage.
Bottom line? Don’t hesitate to purchase a plan – especially if you are traveling during a time where weather could be a factor. Hurricane season in the Atlantic stretches from June 1st to November 30th and, of course, the winter months can always be a concern.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
When we select to work with a travel insurance provider, we look closely at the financial stability of that provider’s underwriters, as measured by A.M. Best ratings. We display these financial ratings when you are comparing plans. We also include the A.M. Best rating scale in a list format on this page to help you make an easy, well-informed decision when selecting the right travel insurance plan. Take a look at the guide below to understand how each A.M. Best rating is derived, ranked, and sorted into the list. With a little research, you can feel more confident about the A.M. Best insurance rating system and your selected travel insurance.
Provider
Underwriter
A.M. Best Rating
Effective Date
National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh
United States Fire Insurance Company (comprehensive plans)
A
08/03/2024
SiriusPoint America Insurance Company (comprehensive plans)
A-
04/26/2024
Starr Indemnity & Liability Company
A
12/13/2023
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company
A+
08/10/2023
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
A
12/07/2023
Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s (medical plans)
A
07/21/2021
United States Specialty Insurance Company
A
10/27/2023
United States Specialty Insurance Company
A
10/27/2023
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company
A++
03/28/2024
United States Fire Insurance Company
A
08/03/2023
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
A
12/07/2023
Arch Insurance Company
A+
03/11/2024
MedjetAssist and International SOS are membership programs and not rated by A.M. Best scale:
MedjetAssist is a prepaid, air medical transportation membership program – not a travel insurance policy or healthcare plan. Lloyd’s of London underwrites the program to guarantee that a transport will be available to every MedjetAssist member in a time of need.
International SOS is a global assistance company that specializes in emergency medical evacuation. In the event of an epidemic or security incident, International SOS will provide an immediate response for peace of mind.
FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS
A.M. Best’s Financial Strength Rating (FSR) is an opinion of an insurer’s ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. The following list outlines A.M. Best’s rating scale and associated descriptions.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
A common question we are asked is, “When should I buy travel insurance?” Our customers know a plan is important but aren’t sure of the “travel insurance sweet spot”. Do they purchase before a trip is booked? The same day it’s scheduled? After the trip is paid off? Before or after they depart?
There are only three “rules” about when to buy a travel insurance plan:
After your first trip payment is made. If you want to purchase a comprehensive plan to cover trip cancellation, we recommend you do it after making at least one payment towards your trip, but some plans require you to have already put money down. You will want to have a good grasp of your total expected trip cost. This will allow you to get the most accurate quote for the right travel insurance plan.
As close to that first payment as possible. If you need coverage for a pre-existing medical condition or are interested in optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage, you should be aware that both of these have time-sensitive eligibility requirements tied to your initial trip payment (among other requirements). In other words, once you’ve paid for a part of the trip (whether it’s airfare, accommodations or a down payment for a cruise) you have a limited amount of time to buy a plan to access these benefits.
Prior to when the plan is needed. You must purchase travel insurance coverage before it is needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing. However, you can’t buy any medical coverage once you recognize a need for medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it is too late to protect your trip.
So, in reviewing the three rules, you may still be a little confused on that “travel insurance sweet spot.” We tell travelers to prepare early. As soon as you book and make an initial payment on your trip, start comparing travel insurance plans.
Last Minute Travel Insurance
Travel isn’t always meticulously planned. While many of us like to take the scrupulous approach of scheduling things months in advance, making sure each hotel is booked, each flight secured, each detail firmly in place well ahead of our anticipated departure, there’s no denying that some trips just don’t work that way. Sometimes travel opportunities sneak up on us quite unexpectedly – whether from sheer spontaneity or something more serious that requires us to make hasty arrangements. Just because the planning phase has to be shortened considerably doesn’t mean that travelers should be any less proactive about buying a last-minute travel insurance policy to cover them in the event something goes awry. We’re fond of reminding travelers to purchase their travel insurance immediately after making their first trip deposit, so they’ll have access to all the potential benefits and options available. But what happens if the initial trip deposit and the trip itself go practically hand-in-hand?
Don’t Worry About Fancy Benefits
While Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) policies are extremely popular with many travelers, for good reason, they’re probably not where you want to focus your search if you’re about to depart. CFAR is intended to help you out if you choose to cancel your trip for any reason that’s not stated as being covered on your travel insurance policy. However, if you’re putting together a last-minute itinerary, chances are you won’t be changing your mind. Also, since CFAR policies require you to cancel – and notify all of your travel suppliers of your decision – a minimum of two days prior to your departure, last-minute travelers may not have time on their sides.
Do Keep Up with the News
If you’re planning to depart quickly, you should scan the news and weather for any events that may disrupt your trip. It’s likely that anything you find will not be covered by your travel insurance policy; since travel insurance is only for unforeseen events, any hurricane threats, possible airline strikes, or other threats to your travel experience that are already being discussed in the media will more often than not be considered “known perils” and won’t be covered. Obviously, if you’re determined to travel, you should still purchase a last-minute travel insurance policy to possibly cover other disruptions, but it’s best to enter into your travel insurance purchase having a realistic expectation about what benefits are truly available to you.
Take Advantage of Time-Sensitive Benefits
The good news about being in a hurry is that, since you’ll be purchasing your last-minute travel insurance soon after you’ve made your first payment on the trip, you may be eligible for some very helpful benefits that aren’t offered to travelers who wait. Items like pre-existing conditions waivers offer valuable coverage, but are only available if you buy travel insurance within 10-21 days of your initial trip payment. That’s good news for last-minute travelers.
Only a few travel insurance companies on InsureMyTrip offer plans that cover medical emergencies and evacuation as well as cancellation, delay, and baggage. Some companies offer cancellation-only plans as well. All plans available on InsureMyTrip must be purchased before you leave Canada, you cannot purchase any of these plans once you have departed. Importantly, you cannot purchase coverage for only a portion of your trip; you must fully insure it. If you do not, then the plan would be considered invalid and not provide coverage.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
Whether you’re traveling for holiday celebrations, or just considering a winter vacation during this peak travel time, careful planning can make a big difference in your travel experience. The volume of travelers, possible winter weather complications, and other unique seasonal disruptions may make travel insurance the right holiday gift for yourself.
Tips for Researching Travel Insurance for a Trip During the Holidays
Evaluate Your Need
You might not need travel insurance. If you’re just planning to head to Grandma’s for a few days, your total non-refundable costs for your trip may be relatively tiny. Take a good look at everything you’d stand to lose if you had to cancel your plans and decide for yourself whether or not travel insurance is a sound investment.
Assess Your Luggage
The holidays are prime time for traveling with items you would hate to lose. Many people carry holiday gifts in their checked baggage. If you’re among them, you may want to consider buying a travel insurance plan that provides coverage for lost items. Keep as much documentation (original receipts and photos of the items) as possible on items you are traveling with and make sure the plan’s baggage coverage limits, both the total and the per-item maximums, match your needs
Watch the Weather
Winter weather conditions can quickly ground flights and delay or outright derail your plans. Even if you don’t think your home or destination are likely to get hit with a blizzard, remember that flights originate from hubs all around the world. A snowstorm in Chicago could easily cause systemic delays and cancellations in Arizona, so you may want to think about getting a travel insurance plan that protects lengthy flight delays or cancellations.
Consider the Kids
The holiday season is also prime season for colds, viruses and all kinds of illnesses. Children are especially prone to the sniffles or worse, so it might be smart to keep a travel insurance plan in your back pocket. A sudden ear infection or stomach bug could rearrange plans or even cancel them all together. (Please note: A licensed, qualified physician must certify that your child is too ill to travel.)
Keep Your Options Open
For some travelers, Cancel for Any Reason coverage is the right solution for traveling during the holiday season. If you’d like some flexibility in your travel plans and want to wait to decide whether you’re taking that cruise with your brother, this type of coverage might be a wise investment. Remember that it’s a time-sensitive benefit – you’ll have to purchase it within 10-30 days of making your initial trip payment – and filing a claim under Cancel for Any Reason typically requires you to cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers 48-72 hours before your scheduled departure.
Business travelers typically have somewhat different concerns than the average vacationer. Business travel insurance can help fill in the gaps and quell the worries of corporate employees. While many people taking pleasure trips worry somewhat about delayed or cancelled flights and missed connections as well as the financial burdens and inconveniences that can often result from these disruptions, most business travelers can be confident that their employers will take care of the financial aspect of a cancellation or lengthy delay. Corporate travelers’ needs, therefore, are more specific than those of the average traveler, and a typical comprehensive policy – the most common form of travel insurance for vacation travelers – may not quite address what enterprise business travelers are looking for.
Medical Coverage for International Business Trips
When traveling overseas for business, medical care is likely a top concern. Business travelers should always check with their employers to find out what the workplace healthcare plan offers in terms of benefits while abroad. Some medical insurance plans cover emergency care outside your home country, but some don’t; among those that do, they may only cover a portion of the costs. However, a travel medical insurance plan can augment your existing healthcare plan to offer complete coverage in the case of an emergency during your business trip. Travel medical may also offer some benefits for emergency evacuation in the event that you need to be transported to a facility that can adequately care for you. Medical Evacuation plans are also available to be purchased separately, and may be a good option for business travelers whose workplace healthcare policies will cover emergency medical care but may not offer benefits for evacuation to hospitals of excellence for adequate care.
Corporate Equipment Loss & Damage Coverage
In addition to medical emergencies while abroad, many business travelers are concerned about the loss or damage of their property. Since business travel almost universally requires traveling with expensive equipment such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones, it’s important to research business travel insurance options that will cover baggage loss or property damage. Be sure to pay close attention to the limits set within the policies, however; many won’t reimburse you for more than $250, which is of course not enough to replace or repair expensive business or enterprise-grade equipment. If you’re unable to find a traditional travel insurance plan with a higher limit, look into specialized corporate and business travel insurance products. These types of plans and coverages are typically harder to find, but the extra effort may be worth it because they usually offer much higher limits for baggage loss and damage with your expensive equipment in mind.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
