Finding the Best Travel Insurance Plan for You

Finding the Best Travel Insurance Plan for You

Buying travel insurance is an important part of preparing for any trip — so much so, that we require it on our tours. We never travel without it! 

 

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, travel insurance has never been more essential.

 

Life happens. Accidents while traveling are common. 

 

You get caught up the sights and trip over some uneven pavement, twisting your ankle. 

 

You dig in your backpack looking for your phone, and slide off the side of a camel. 

 

As you’re packing to join us in Egypt, your nanny tests positive for Covid-19.

 

We’ve seen it all! 

 

Unfortunately, not all travel insurance companies or plans are equal. Here’s our best guide to buying travel insurance — and finding the right plan for you. 

Best Travel Insurance If You Want All the Bells and Whistles

 

In my opinion, the best and most comprehensive coverage comes from Medjet

 

This company specializes in global medical transport and crisis response. 

 

As a MedjetAssist Member, if you become hospitalized internationally or domestically – 150 miles or more from home – Medjet will arrange medical transportation to a home-country hospital of your choice for inpatient care. 

 

All you pay is your membership fee, and those range from $99-299 annually. 

 

With medical transport costs ranging from $30,000 to over $180,000, this is a huge potential savings. 

 

Binoculars, a camera, photos, and international money scattered across a desk

Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Plans

 

Cancel for any reason coverage allows you to recoup up to 75% of your lost travel expenses should you decide to back out of a trip, or have to cancel, for any reason at all. 

 

The catch? You have to book this type of insurance within 21 days of putting down your initial deposit on a tour or towards a trip (within 21 days of buying your flight, for example). 

 

There are two companies that really excel in this area. Those are: 

 

Travel Insured and Travel Guard

Travel Insured policies are generally a little less expensive (at least in our experience) but both are reputable and provide cancel-for-any-reason policies. 

Best Mid-Range Travel Insurance Companies

 

If you don’t need the bells and whistles, aren’t looking for cancel-for-any reason insurance, and just want solid, middle-of-the-road travel protection, here are the companies we recommend: 

 

World Nomads

 

HeyMondo

 

Allianz

 

passport open to two side-by-side pages, filled with multi-colored passport stamps

Tips on buying the Right Travel Insurance For You

     

     1. Read the fine print. 

 

Make sure you understand exactly what is covered and what is not. Most insurance companies bury this all by telling you the type of coverage, and how big the maximum claim can be. 

 

This is a great overview, but to truly understand how much coverage you’re getting, you’ll  need to read the small print too. 

 

For example, the list may state that you have medical treatment coverage of up to $20,000. But, if you do not read the small print, you may miss the fact that you will need to pay for all of the drugs used. That could include everything from painkillers to a local or general anesthetic. 

 

Not every policy will have this clause or other exclusions, but some will. Being aware of these differences will help you to buy a policy that offers a good level of coverage.

     2. Are there any exclusions on your travel insurance?

 

Some insurers are more risk-averse than others. You always need to check if there are any exclusion clauses. For example, some insurers won’t provide medical coverage to diabetics. When in doubt, get on the phone with them. 

 

     3. Make sure you don’t invalidate your policy

 

You also need to make sure that you do not inadvertently render your policy invalid. For example, by visiting a doctor a few weeks before you are due to travel and being diagnosed with a condition, which you then fail to report to your insurer. 

 

Not all companies require you to do this, but some do. Your responsibilities are usually explained in the terms and conditions.

 

You also need to be careful to provide up to date and accurate information, when you fill out the form. Failure to do so can potentially invalidate your policy.

 

Travel insurance is necessary these days. Be sure you’re covered before you hit the road! 

 

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