Travelers looking to protect their travel investment and ensure certain items are covered during an upcoming trip can easily be confused when trying to navigate the cluttered travel insurance product marketplace. Travelers should not expect the worst when heading out for a little rest and relaxation; but, they should know that the right travel insurance can safeguard one’s vacation investment, and prepare their family for lost baggage, unexpected illness or whatever else comes their way.
Squaremouth.com’s CEO
Chris Harvey provides answers and clarity to its customers’ top questions surrounding the myriad of travel insurance issues and travel insurance products available on the market. Questions ranging from what qualifies as a pre-existing condition to can I purchase travel insurance after I have departed are all covered in this part two Q&A Squaremouth.com series.
Visit Squaremouth’s “”Help and Advice””:http://www.squaremouth.com/pages/travel-insurance-advice.php
section for answers to these and more questions, as well as an insider’s look at the industry. What travelers learn today about travel insurance may surprise them – and it will leave them better protected.
A Sampling of Squaremouth Customers’ Top Q&As:
What is the latest date I can buy a travel insurance policy?
You can typically buy travel insurance up to the day before you leave; however, for policies that include cancellation, it is better to buy as soon as possible after your deposit: the cost is usually the same and you maximize your benefits. If you wait, you run the risk that something will happen before you buy your insurance and you won’t be covered.
What qualifies as a pre-existing’ medical condition?
A pre-existing medical condition can be any reason to cancel, interrupt or delay your trip due to a medical condition that existed before you bought insurance. If your heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma or epilepsy is solely controlled though medication, and remains so within what’s called the “look back” period, this will not be deemed pre-existing’ for insurance purposes. Some plans require you to insure the full pre-paid, non-refundable trip cost to be eligible for pre-existing medical condition cover, refer to the policy certificate for full details of the plan you have chosen.
Can I buy insurance after I’ve left on vacation?
If you only need medical and medical evacuation coverage, you can buy international medical insurance’ policies during a trip. Standard travel insurance policies must be purchased prior to departure.
What’s the difference between trip cancellation’ and trip interruption’ benefits?
The cancellation’ benefit covers you if you have to cancel your trip before your departure date. Trip interruption’ covers you if you have to cut short a trip you are already on.
If my trip is insured on my credit card, should I buy more travel insurance?
Check to see exactly what coverage you already have since what you think you have and what you are actually covered for are usually very different. In fact, credit cards cover accidents but typically exclude illness which helps if you break a leg skiing but not if you have a heart attack on the green. Usually, you are reimbursed only for what was bought with the card.
Why should I buy insurance independently, rather than through a tour operator?
Most experts recommend that you purchase through a third party. A tour operator usually sells policies designed expressly for them. They reap a high commission on those sales, which often leads to higher prices for you and fewer benefits than you will find on the open market.
Using Squaremouth.com, travelers may purchase third party travel insurance products online or call its licensed insurance experts for detailed assistance. The site displays policies in a format that allows for side-by-side comparison, sorts policies by price, benefit or carrier, and instantly lets consumers buy their choice of coverage.