What Does Travel Insurance Cover? (2024)

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Travel insurance is designed to cover you for, well, all things travel-related. From the unfortunate scenario of your baggage getting lost in transit to serious injuries while traveling, and of course, the dreaded missed flight.

Let’s take a closer look at the specific situations where travel insurance will cover you and what exactly it entails. It is important to note that each company’s travel insurance policy differs. Therefore, you should always read the fine print and ask questions before signing up.

Lost Baggage

This is the dreaded scenario that all travelers wish to never experience – that sinking feeling of arriving at your destination and your baggage never showing up. Luckily, travel insurance coverage includes lost baggage so you can rest easy knowing your baggage and contents are protected.

It is important to note that you will be required to submit your replacement receipts to the company that you’re traveling with. Without them, you won’t be able to claim back, unfortunately. It’s also best to keep your purchases at an acceptable level and not to go over the top. They will most likely reject expenses that they deem luxuries or non-essentials.

Delayed Baggage

Also a sinking-feeling-in-the-stomach inducer, delayed baggage can be another one of those travel nightmares. Imagine just wanting to take a shower and put some clean clothes on, but the airline has other ideas.

Depending on the travel insurance policy, your basics such as clothes, toiletries, and chargers will likely be covered. There is normally also a time frame applicable between six and 24 hours, from the time of arrival.

Trip Interruption

If for some unforeseeable reason, your trip is cut short and you’ve already incurred costs that aren’t refundable, your insurance has you covered. These include, but aren’t limited to, the passing away of a family member, terrorism threats, or a serious storm/natural disaster.

In any one of these situations, your travel insurance cover will reimburse you for any costs that you might’ve incurred. Again, it is crucial to check in beforehand as to exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Trip Delay

Let’s face it – trip delays are inevitable when you travel. They are even more likely if you’re flying on budget airlines and other forms of “cheaper” transportation. You’re going to want to make sure that your travel insurance covers you for these delays and any costs you might incur during them.

Meals, accommodation, and alternative transport arrangements are all things that you might be covered for should your trip get delayed. This is usually applicable for delays between five and 12 hours.

Trip Cancelation

After months of planning, preparation, and excitement, having to cancel your trip is ultimately the worse-case-scenario. However, your travel insurance will cover you for any costs that you have already incurred should your reason for canceling be one of the following:

• There is an airline strike
• A natural disaster occurs in the country/area of travel
• There is inclement weather in the country/area of travel
• You or one of your family members falls ill or dies
• You are called up for military duty
• You are called upon for jury duty
• You lose your passport or it’s stolen
• You become unemployed

Medical Coverage

One of the most common travel insurance coverage requirements that travelers have is medical cover. This will ensure that if you have a medical emergency or require any medical treatment while traveling, you will be covered.

This is particularly important for senior travelers with unique requirements and potential health risks. It is crucial to make contact with your senior travel insurance provider prior to any procedures taking place. Insurers will need to be made aware of the situation so that the process of initiating your coverage can begin. Also, always have your travel insurance reference number handy so that you can streamline the process.

Medical Evacuation

If you have a medical emergency and can’t be treated at the nearest facility, your travel insurance will cover your being transported elsewhere. This could be to another facility close by or even back to your home country.

All costs involved to move you, whether locally or back to your home country, will be covered. In the event of a death, travel insurance will also include the transportation of ashes/remains.

Covid-19 Cover

The Covid-19 pandemic changed the world as we know it and the way we travel. It has become an integral part of travel and travel insurance, so it’s important to know what you’re covered for. Depending on the specific policy at hand, you will be covered for a variety of scenarios relating to Covid-19. It’s best to look for a plan that will reimburse you if you are forced to cancel or miss parts of your trip due to quarantine for a positive test.

This section of travel insurance is quite extensive and requires a fair bit of research. I could write another article on it altogether, so it’s best to do your research on specific Covid-19 policies ahead of traveling.

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Now that we have addressed what travel insurance does cover, it’s time to look at what your travel insurance does not cover.

Extreme Sports

We all love to travel to unique and wonderful destinations to perform our favorite sport. Whether it’s surfing in Bali, snowboarding in the French Alps, or scuba diving in the Fijian archipelago, we all love a bit of adventure.

Unfortunately, most extreme sports are not covered by standard travel insurance policies. The good news, however, is that you can purchase a separate travel insurance policy that covers you for your favorite extreme sport.

Any Activity Performed Under the Influence

This seems like an obvious one, right? Well, if it isn’t obvious yet, let me break it down. If you fall off a bicycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and require medical attention, you won’t be covered. This goes for any other instance where you might’ve consumed either item.

You will be liable for any costs relating to the accident including medical, repairs, and transportation. Just don’t do it. If you know you’re going to be having a wild night, rather avoid any activities that might nullify your travel insurance.

A Named Storm

This is an interesting one but makes complete sense once you delve a bit deeper. Your travel insurance coverage will protect you from the likes of natural disasters and inclement weather. However, you will need to have purchased your travel insurance prior to such an event occurring.

You won’t be covered, unfortunately, if you decide to purchase travel insurance after the storm has been named. Again, rather be safe than sorry and always get yourself a travel insurance policy.

Pregnancy

When it comes to pregnancy, it is important to note that your travel insurance policy needs to have been purchased before you fell pregnant. If this is not the case, then you will not be covered for any medical expenses, unfortunately.

Again, it is crucial to check in with your travel insurance to ascertain whether or not you are covered before traveling during pregnancy.

Medical Tourism

Many people travel for medical reasons. It is often cheaper to have cosmetic work done in other countries than it is in your own. The problem here is that medical tourism is not covered by travel insurance. This means that should something go wrong, you’re on your own.

While this can be somewhat risky, many feel the benefits far outweigh the risks and opt to do so anyway.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Pre-existing conditions are an interesting one because travel insurance providers will begin by defining what constitutes a pre-existing condition. In some instances, they will take a look back at your medical history. This period can stretch back up to a year and they will take note of any notable medical events or conditions in your history.

Again, it differs from provider to provider and each views them differently, therefore, always check beforehand with regard to your coverage. Many providers do cover pre-existing conditions but certain rules apply. Check before you purchase!

Political Unrest

If there is currently political unrest in an area you are traveling to, or there’s a history of political unrest, you might not be covered. This may include things such as civil riots, government regulation/prohibition, and declared/undeclared wars.

Standard travel insurance policies will generally exclude these events from their policy cover. It is possible, however, to buy additional coverage or a specific policy that covers political unrest and these scenarios.

Tech

For digital nomads, tech is their bread and butter. It’s what they use to make money, and without it, well, they won’t be able to survive. If you damage or lose your phone, laptop, or tablet through negligence by either dropping it or leaving it somewhere, you won’t be covered unfortunately.

However, if your tech/electronics are either lost, damaged, or stolen whilst onboard an airplane or with a tour operator, your travel insurance should kick in. It won’t be unlimited and the amount is usually capped, depending on the operator.

Not all travel insurance companies are created equal. I’ve heard horror stories in the past and the last thing you want is to have your travel insurance coverage fall short. At the very least, you want to be covered for medical expenses and be able to get home in the event of an emergency.

You’re also going to want to have coverage for personal injuries, lost or damaged baggage and personal items, and any damages/accidents that you cause. These should cover the majority of things that could go wrong and the major expense that you may incur.

Luckily for you, I’ve done the research and hard yards to find a few of the best companies for travel insurance coverage. Let’s take a look at the various options for travel insurance coverage for your next trip.

SafetyWing

The first travel insurance provider that I’m going to talk about is SafetyWing. SafetyWing advertises itself as a nomad insurance company that provides clients with medical coverage around the world, regardless of where you are.

Off the bat, they are a great company to opt for, with COVID coverage included in their policies. Another huge advantage is that it is possible to purchase a SafetyWing policy even if you have already set off on your trip.

SafetyWing has been designed by nomads, for nomads, so it has been carefully created for those on the go. The standard policy will set you back $42 for four weeks of coverage, with a $250 deductible and maximum coverage of up to $250, 000. This policy is designed for the 18 – 39-year-old category, but there are other policies available for those outside of this age range.

Now let’s take a quick peep at some of the medical benefits:

• Hospital room and nursing services
• Ambulance services
• Intensive care coverage
• Emergency dental work
• Physiotherapy and chiropractic care
• Urgent charges
• All other eligible expenses

There are, however, a number of notable exclusions in their nomad insurance policies. These are as follows:

• Cancer treatment
• High-risk/extreme sports
• Any pre-existing injuries or diseases

SafetyWing also covers a wide range of travel-related issues in their nomad policy:

• Personal liability
• Trip interruption
• Trip delay
• Natural disaster
• Political evacuation
• Lost checked luggage
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• Emergency medical evacuation

To find out everything you need to know, take some time to navigate their super user-friendly site and find the full list of coverage and benefits.

World Nomads

The final travel insurance provider that I can recommend is World Nomads. Hey Mondo has the philosophy that every trip and every traveller is unique, which is 100% true. Therefore, each trip will require tailored travel insurance coverage depending on the type of trip, the length, and so on.

World Nomads is cover by travellers for travellers and they have different travel insurance coverage related to the length of your trip. They offer coverage for a Single Trip, Annual Multi-trip, and Long Stay Coverage.

You can also buy cover from World Nomads after you have departed and they cover a wide range of activities and pursuits.

The best bit? You can purchase this insurance after departure!

There you have it – all you need to know about travel insurance coverage. I hope this guide comes in handy and that all your questions have been answered!

As I have mentioned throughout the guide, it’s always best to continue to research. Every person is different in who they are and how they travel and this will determine the travel insurance coverage that you require.

The world is your oyster and for you lucky shuckers, travel insurance has changed the way we move. No longer do you need to worry about your baggage getting lost. You don’t have to lose sleep thinking about your flight that might get canceled. With travel insurance, you’re covered, and that’s the peace of mind every traveler needs.

So, book that flight, buy that cruise, pay for that tour, and get traveling! There are countries out there that aren’t going to explore themselves.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

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