Have you ever planned a trip and been offered travel insurance? Sometimes it can be tough to know exactly what travel insurance is, but it’s important to understand it before you decide if you want to pay for it or not. Our Newark Airport parking company reminds you to get all of the details on the coverage and the fine print (that could turn into problems if you file a claim) before you agree.
Types
You’ll find several different types of travel insurance that can protect you while you’re on your trip. These include:
Medical
If you need to see a doctor or dentist during your trip, medical insurance will cover your expenses for you. There’s also a policy called “accidental death and dismemberment,” which will cover you for the duration of your trip (including your flights).
Car Rental
If you rent a car during your trip and get into an accident, car rental insurance will cover you. However, you may not need this, as some credit card companies cover car rental insurance.
Luggage
Luggage insurance will cover your luggage if it’s lost or stolen (however, many policies don’t cover luggage that was lost or damaged during flights). This coverage may be a good idea if you’re traveling with several very valuable items.
Trip
If you prepaid for a trip and end up needing to cancel it because of an illness or a family emergency, you’ll be reimbursed for your prepaid costs. Trip insurance will also cover you if your flight is delayed or canceled and you need to stay in a hotel overnight. You’ll also be covered if you need to cut your trip short (say someone falls ill or you run into some dangerous weather).
Where Can You Buy Travel Insurance?
There are several different ways to buy travel insurance. One is through your credit card company, another is through your travel agent, and a third is through your insurance carrier. Before you choose which insurance you’d like, however, note the details of each policy and the prices.
Each one’s policy may differ, along with its prices. Before you make a decision, however, check with your health insurance company, auto insurance company, and credit card company beforehand, as they can sometimes cover you in certain situations.
Lastly, some things to remember before you buy:
- Check whether the policy has a “primary” or “secondary” label.
- This will determine whether you’re covered through the policy or need to go through your insurance first.
- Possible destination restrictions.
- You may not be able to use certain policies in all countries.
- Optional payment plans.
- Some payment plans may be more realistic than others. Check to see what each policy offers.
- Possible cancellation policies.
- Can you cancel your travel insurance once you buy it?
- Reimbursements vs. covered expenses.
- Some policies may only offer a reimbursement instead of a covered expense. Do your research and find out which would be best for you.
- Fine print.
- As we said before, don’t choose a travel insurance policy without reading all of the fine print. You don’t want to get stuck in a messy situation just because you didn’t know something.
