Know what’s covered before you buy
Travel insurance includes a number of different types of
insurance. All of these insurance policies cover potential
losses that arise from travel.
What travel insurance covers
Most policies cover the following situations:
-
The trip doesn’t happen as planned:
The cruise is canceled, the flight is delayed, emergency
or medical evacuation is needed. Read the policy to see
just what and who is covered.
-
You can’t make the trip as planned:
Some event keeps you from making the trip. Possible events
are fire, flood, car, wreck, jury duty or weather catastrophe.
Read the policy to see what is covered.
-
Something happens to you or your things
on the trip: This would include such potential losses as
delayed baggage (replacement of essential items) or if
you have an accident or illness during the trip. Coverage
could be provided for medical expenses, the cost of medical
evacuation, overseas funeral expenses and/or the cost of
returning the corpse to the US. Personal liability and
rental car excess coverage may also be provided.
-
Disasters that occur at the intended travel
destination: Earthquakes, quarantines, terrorist activity,
or general strikes are covered as well as failure by airline,
tourist operators, and cruise line. Default by the company
who sold you the vacation package will generally not be
covered.
Cancellation insurance should be considered for any travel
plans made in advance. Benefits are typically limited to
your actual loss. Cancellation insurance typically costs
between 4-8% of your trip cost.
There are also more specialized policies that you can purchase
to deal with specific potential losses. As always, you have
to read the policy to know what you are buying.
Rental car insurance:
-
Check with your auto insurance agent or
company to see if you already have coverage provided by
your own auto policy or if it is possible to add shortterm
coverage for rental cars to your own auto policy because
many times this is less expensive than a temporary short-term
policy.
-
Using a credit card to rent the vehicle
often includes benefits that provide additional coverage.
Flight accident insurance:
-
Policy coverage for accident and death
is generally available for a specific flight, but many
life insurance policies traditionally cover death by airline
crash.
-
Some credit card companies provide coverage
when your ticket is purchased using their card.
Travel major medical insurance:
-
Your health insurance probably won’t
cover you outside the United States. Various types of medical
policies are available to cover the medical risks when
you are traveling. Costs that can be covered include evacuation
to your home, transportation to the nearest medical facility
or the hospital of your choice, medical treatment, optional
prescription drug coverage, and reparation of mortal remains.
What if I have a problem with the insurance agent
or the company?
Call the Ohio Department of Insurance at 1-800-686-1526. The
Department regulates agents and companies that are licensed
to sell insurance in Ohio. The Department’s Consumer
Services representatives can answer your insurance questions
and investigate your complaints about an insurance company
or agent.
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