Planning a trip can be fun but one of the last things most people want to think about during the travel planning process is travel insurance. Insurance can be cumbersome and confusing and travel insurance is no exception to the rule. Our goal is to take away some of the confusion around travel insurance. Now more than ever we believe that travel insurance is a necessary and critical component of any trip as we are now making it a mandatory component of all our Travel To Do Good travel experiences.
We work with Travel Guard/AIG as our preferred travel insurance vendor. We believe their Deluxe, Preferred and Essential plans are great travel insurance options for our clients. To get your Travel Guard/AIG quote click here or contact us at 954-649-2922 for more information
Why is it important to have travel insurance?
Its essential, because you never know what might happen while you are traveling. Travel insurance protects you from unexpected losses and financial risks that could occur during a trip. It can also provide coverage for everything from lost luggage to an unforeseen accident or emergency. Traveling abroad without travel insurance is like allowing a lapse in your health insurance – because most medical insurance will not provide coverage for a medical emergency outside the US. For international travelers, travel Insurance can also provide access to additional support services no matter where you are in the world.
What is the cost of travel insurance?
Travel insurance costs varies since there is no size fits all when it comes to travel insurance. In general you can expect to pay 4-10% of the total trip costs however other factors including the type of policy (basic vs full comprehensive) policy holder’s age, state of residence, length of trip and travel destination will impact your rate.
When is the best time to buy travel insurance?
You can in essence add travel insurance at any time, however there are added benefits to buying early. Buying travel insurance, within 15 days after making your initial deposit may entitle you to certain added bonus coverages. Buying early also insures that you don;t forget it.
Covid and Travel Guard/AIG Insurance Commonly Asked Questions
Below are FAQ’s for the most commonly asked questions as it relates to Covid-19 and Travel Insurance – Sourced from Travel Guard/AIG
Am I covered if I contract COVID-19?
If you contract COVID-19 prior to your departure, you may be covered for Trip Cancellation if there is a confirmed diagnosis, including proof of illness from your doctor that states you are medically unable to travel at the time of departure.
If you become ill with COVID-19 while on a covered trip, you could be covered for Medical Expense, Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, and Emergency Medical Evacuation benefits if there is a confirmed diagnosis, including proof of illness from a doctor.
- Trip Interruption can provide coverage for the unused portion of your prepaid and non-refundable expenses, as well as additional transportation expenses incurred to return home or rejoin your trip.
- Trip Delay can provide coverage for additional expenses you may incur for hotel, meals and certain transportation costs incurred if you are required by a physician to quarantine.
- Medical Expense and Emergency Medical Evacuation can provide coverage for medical expenses incurred while being treated for COVID-19.
These coverages are subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance policy. Please click here to access a copy of your insurance policy.
What happens if I am quarantined due to contracting COVID-19 while on a trip?
If you are quarantined as a result of COVID-19, you could be covered under the Trip Interruption/Curtailment, Trip Delay, and/or Medical Expense benefits. A confirmed diagnosis and proof of illness from a physician is required. Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
What happens if I am traveling to a country that requires a COVID-19 test when I arrive, and I test positive?
AIG Travel is treating COVID-19 like any other unexpected illness. When you arrive, if you test positive for the virus, you could be eligible for coverage. If a doctor requires you to be hospitalized or quarantined, you could be eligible for Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, Medical Expense and Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage. A confirmed diagnosis and proof of illness from a physician is required. Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
I want to cancel my travel plans because I’m afraid to travel due to the COVID-19. Am I covered?
Trip cancellation that is due solely to concern or fear of travel related to an epidemic or pandemic, including COVID-19, is not covered.
If the cancellation of your trip is not covered, you may be eligible for an insurance premium refund or a travel insurance voucher. For more information on refunds and vouchers, see the question below regarding “Can I cancel my insurance and get my premium refunded?”
The U.S. State Department has advised against non-essential travel. Am I covered due to the U.S. State Department warning?
There is no coverage for travel restrictions or travel warnings issued by any governmental body or health authority. However, we suggest you contact your travel providers to seek a refund. Should you have other unused, non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs, consult the Unforeseen events portion of your insurance policy. You are encouraged to file a claim if one of the covered reasons could possibly apply to your situation. Please click here to access a copy of your policy.
You may also be eligible for an insurance premium refund or a travel insurance voucher. For more information on refunds and vouchers, see the question below regarding “Can I cancel my insurance and get my premium refunded?”
Can I cancel my insurance and get my premium refunded?
You may be eligible for a refund of your premium under the following conditions:
- You are requesting a refund from Travel Guard within 15 days of purchasing your policy,
- Your request for a premium refund is made prior to the departure date listed on your policy, and
- You have not filed a claim.
For residents of the State of New York or Kansas, please follow this link. Click here to apply for your refund.
If you cancelled your insurance policy due to COVID-19 concerns but are not eligible for a refund given the criteria listed above, you may be eligible instead for a travel insurance premium voucher for the full value of the policy purchased under the following conditions:
- You request a voucher prior to your trip departure date,
- You confirm that you have not incurred any travel supplier fees, penalties, or unused, non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs, and
- You have not filed a claim.
The voucher can then be used as form of payment toward the purchase of a future policy. The premium for your new policy will be calculated based on the details of your new trip. If the new premium is greater than your original premium, there will be additional premium charged. If the new premium is less than your original premium, no amount of the original premium will be refunded. The voucher is a courtesy accommodation and has no cash value. Please note that once you cancel your policy and receive a voucher, you will not be able to file a claim against the original policy or trip.
All premium vouchers are valid for two years from issuance date.
If I rebook my covered trip for later in the year, can I apply the travel insurance premium from my original trip to the rebooked trip?
If the request is made prior to your travel dates, you may modify your insurance policy and apply the entire premium paid to a new booked trip. In order to make a change to the travel dates listed on your policy, the new travel dates cannot be more than one year beyond the original travel dates. Your new premium will be calculated based on the details of your rebooked trip. If the new premium is greater than your original premium, there will be additional premium charged. If the new premium is less than your original premium, no amount of the original premium will be refunded. Please note that once you modify your policy, you will not be able to file a claim against the original policy or trip.
I have upcoming travel. Will I be able to cancel my trip and be reimbursed?
It depends on the reason for cancellation. If you need to cancel your travel plans, please consult the “Unforeseen” events portion of your insurance policy to see a list of reasons for Trip Cancellation that may be covered, along with General Exclusions from coverage. If one of the covered reasons could apply to your situation, you may be eligible to be reimbursed for your unused, non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs if you need to cancel your trip. Please be specific about why you cancelled, as coverage depends on the exact reason for cancellation. Please click here to access a copy of your insurance policy.
If the cancellation of your trip is not covered, you may be eligible for an insurance premium refund or a travel insurance voucher. For more information on refunds and vouchers, see the question above regarding “Can I cancel my insurance and get my premium refunded?”
What if the airline, cruise line or travel supplier cancels my flight, cruise, tour, etc. due to COVID-19?
If the airline, cruise line or travel supplier cancels your travel arrangements due to COVID-19, there would be no coverage under the insurance policy. However, we suggest you contact the airline, cruise line or travel supplier to seek a refund. Should you have other unused, non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs, please consult the “Unforeseen” events portion of your insurance policy to see details of the events covered under your policy. Please click here to access a copy of your policy.
Even though the cancellation of your travel arrangements is likely not covered, you may be eligible for an insurance premium refund or a travel insurance voucher. For more information on refunds and vouchers, see the question above regarding “Can I cancel my insurance and get my premium refunded?”
Am I covered if I have Cancel for Any Reason coverage?
If you purchased Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, regardless of the reason for cancellation, you may be covered for a percentage of the loss provided the trip is cancelled more than 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure date. The amount of coverage will be based on the level of CFAR coverage purchased.
Can I purchase a policy with CFAR (Cancel for any reason) coverage?
CFAR coverage is only available at the time a plan is purchased and, unless otherwise noted on your policy, must be within 15 days of your initial trip deposit. As a result, if you have an existing insurance policy, you are not eligible to add CFAR coverage.
Does travel insurance cover the cost of any COVID testing as a requirement to enter or exit a country, such as the CDC’s testing requirements for air passengers entering the United States that are effective January 26, 2021?
No, travel insurance will not cover the cost of a general COVID-19 test that may be required for travel. However, Medical Expense may cover testing in the event a policyholder becomes ill during a trip and a test is ordered by a physician as part of a diagnosis. Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance policy. Please click here to access a copy of your policy.
How do I get a letter verifying Medical Expense coverage, which certain countries are requiring for entry?
To request a letter verifying Medical Expense coverage, please contact the AIG Travel World Service Center 24/7 at 800.826.1300, or email us at travelguardupdates@aig.com. Please include the following information in the email:
- Travel Guard policy number (if already booked)
- Name(s) of the Policy Holder(s)
- Email address you would like the letter sent to
- The destination(s) for your trip
- The travel dates of your trip
- Your phone number and mailing address
Please allow up to 5 business days from the date of your request to receive your letter. In some cases, additional time may be required for us to verify eligibility based on the country’s published requirements, which can vary by destination.
My destination requires a negative COVID test (or other documentation, such as proof of immunization/vaccination) within 72 hours of arrival. If I cannot obtain this documentation (e.g. due to lack of availability) am I covered if I must cancel or interrupt my trip?
No, travel insurance will not provide coverage for this reason. We urge customers to regularly review entry requirements to their destination to ensure compliance with the latest entry protocols.
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