This page answers frequently asked questions (FAQs) about purchasing travel insurance. If your question isn't listed below, please contact us.
General Questions
- I want to make sure that we choose a reliable insurance company. Are the companies on this website reputable?
- What is the definition of a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?
- What is the Pre-Existing Condition Period?
- Can I purchase a Flight Accident Policy if I have already departed on my trip?
- Does Medicare cover foreign travel?
- Do I need travel insurance if I have a Medicare supplement?
- I do not reside in the U.S. or Canada. Am I eligible to purchase travel insurance?
- What does "with US visit" mean?
- What does "no US visit" mean?
Package Policies
- Is there trip insurance available to cover the need to cancel a trip due to the death of a close family member—not one who is traveling on the particular trip?
- I made my own travel arrangements and did not go through an agency. Can I insure my trip?
- How do I determine the total cost of the trip?
- What is the latest date I can purchase travel insurance?
- Can I purchase a Package Policy if I have already departed on my trip?
- What is considered the Initial Trip Payment Date?
- When is the best time to purchase a Package Policy?
- I booked part of my vacation, but not the flight. I would like to purchase travel insurance within the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver period. Do I have to wait until the flight is booked?
- I am interested in travel insurance policies that cover cancellation for any reason. Does this exist?
- When will my coverage become effective?
- Which policies will protect me if my trip needs to be cancelled because of terrorist activity?
- I am in the military. What if I am called to duty or denied leave?
- Is there any company that provides travel insurance to cover loss of frequent flyer program miles due to cancellation of a trip?
- I am only using frequent flyer miles for my trip. How can I make sure to have coverage in case I need to purchase a ticket in the event that I need to end my trip earlier than expected?
- Is it possible to insure the rental of a house or condo?
- What is Financial Default coverage?
- Would a loss due to the Financial Default of a travel agent or tour operator be covered by any of the insurance plans?
- What is the difference between a travel agent and a tour operator?
Travel Visa Policy Questions
- When will the coverage confirmation letter be faxed from your office to the embassy?
- The embassy requires medical and hospitalization coverage along with medical evacuation/repatriation. Do these plans have this coverage?
- If I cancel my trip, can I obtain a refund?
- Do I get a copy of my policy?
- Can I obtain a copy of the coverage confirmation letter that is faxed to the embassy?
Post-Sale
- I made a mistake in entering my data, what should I do?
- I did not receive a copy of my travel insurance policy yet. What can I do?
- How do I cancel a policy I purchased?
- Am I charged a fee to cancel my policy?
- What is the little red number #2 near some of the coverages?
- I have additional trip cost that I would like to insure. What can I do?
Site Use
- My child is under the age of 1. How do I enter his or her age on the Quote form?
- I am going to multiple destinations. What should I use for the Primary Destination?
- I input my family's ages into the quote screen. The quote presented is for the whole family not per person, right?
- Can I view the policy prior to purchase?
General Questions
Q. I want to make sure that we choose a reliable insurance company. Are the companies on this website reputable?
A. All of the companies on our website are rated by A.M. Best which is an independent organization that rates insurance companies according to their financial strength. You can see each insurance company's A.M. Best rating while comparing or viewing policies on our website. For more information and a complete list of our provider's ratings, see A.M. Best Ratings Summary.
Q. What is the definition of a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?
A. The definition of a Pre-Existing Medical Condition varies from company to company. Generally, this would be any injury, disease or illness to You, a Traveling Companion, Family Member, or Business Partner occurring prior to and including the effective date of your insurance.
Q. What is the Pre-Existing Condition Period?
A. This is the number of days that the insurance company will "look back" from the day the insurance was purchased, to see if your claim is related to a Pre-Existing Medical Condition.
Q. Can I purchase a Flight Accident Policy if I have already departed on my trip?
A. These Policies cannot be purchased if you have already departed on your trip. Only Travelex Flight Insure Plus and Travelex Flight Only can be purchased on the day of departure as long as you have not left on your trip.
Q. Does Medicare cover foreign travel?
A. No, Medicare does not provide coverage while outside of the U.S. You should purchase travel insurance for possible medical emergencies while traveling outside of your home country.
Q. Do I need travel insurance if I have a Medicare supplement?
A. You should check the details of your program to see if you have coverage while outside of the U.S. Most travel insurance plans will pay you after any other Primary collectible insurance has paid the claim and the Primary policy's limits have been exhausted.
Q. I do not reside in the U.S. or Canada. Am I eligible to purchase travel insurance?
A. Yes, you can purchase travel insurance. When entering your information to obtain a quote, select "Other" as your residence and the policies that are available to you will appear with a price.
Q. What does "with US visit" mean?
A. This plan would be needed if you are traveling in the U.S. and the U.S. is not your home country.
Q. What does "no US visit" mean?
A. This plan would be needed if you are traveling outside of the U.S. while outside of your home country.
Package Policy Questions
Q. Is there trip insurance available to cover the need to cancel a trip due to the death of a close family member - not one who is traveling on the particular trip?
A. Yes, most of our Package Policies provide coverage for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption due to a non-traveling family member's unforeseen death or illness requiring you to stay home or return home earlier than expected. Each policy defines "family member" differently, but most include parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, spouses and domestic partners under their definition.
Q. I made my own travel arrangements and did not go through an agency. Can I insure my trip?
A. Yes, all of our policies can be used by people making their own travel arrangements. The policies will cover your prepaid and non-refundable travel arrangements.
Q. How do I determine the total cost of the trip?
A. To determine the insurable cost of the trip, add together the cost of all of your prepaid and non-refundable travel expenses.
Q. What is the latest date I can purchase travel insurance?
A. You can purchase a policy up until the day before you travel. Some policies are available for purchase on the day of departure, however, our recommendation is to purchase as soon as possible to maximize your benefits. If you wait to make a purchase, you run the risk that something will happen before the policy takes effect.
Q. Can I purchase a Package Policy if I have already departed on my trip?
A. These policies cannot be purchased once you have departed on your trip.
Q. What is considered the Initial Trip Payment Date?
A. The Initial Trip Payment Date is the date that money first exchanged hands for the trip you want to insure. This is the date the check is written, not the date it is cashed.
Q. When is the best time to purchase a Package Policy?
A. To receive the most benefit from the travel policy you must purchase the insurance within 7 to 30 days (varies by company and plan) of your Initial Trip Payment Date. If the insurance is purchased within the 7 – 30 day period you receive three enhancements (varies by company and plan) to the policy:
- Protection against the Financial Default of a tour operator, airline or cruise line.
- The Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion is usually waived.
- Terrorism in Itinerary City (included on some policies where the 7-30 day time frame is not required).
Q. I booked part of my vacation, but not the flight. I would like to purchase travel insurance within the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver period. Do I have to wait until the flight is booked?
A. You should not wait until the flight is booked. The policy should be purchased within 7-21 days (depends on company) of your Initial Trip Payment Date in order to get the Pre-Existing Condition Waiver.
Q. I am interested in travel insurance policies that cover cancellation for any reason. Does this exist?
A. Yes, there are a few companies on our website that offer the "Cancel For Any Reason" option. Please see the Cancel for any Reason information page or watch the video below.
Q. When will my coverage become effective?
A. Generally, coverage begins at 12:01AM the day after you purchase a policy. See the policy details for more information.
Q. Which policies will protect me if my trip needs to be cancelled because of terrorist activity?
A. Many of our plans offer Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage for a "Terrorist Incident" that occurs in an itinerary city during the course of travel. Each company defines "Terrorist Incident" differently. There are no policies that offer coverage for the threat of a "Terrorist Incident" or for any war-related activity.
Q. I am in the military. What if I am called to duty or denied leave?
A. If your leave is denied because of declared or undeclared war, most policies will exclude that reason. However, the following plans offer coverage included for "revocation of the Insured previously granted leave or re-assignment due to war”:
- Global Alert! "Preferred" & "Preferred Plus"
- MH Ross "Advantage Bridge"
- IMG "Patriot T.R.I.P."
- Travel Guard "Cruise, Tour & Travel"
- Travel Guard "Protect Assist"
- Travel Insured "Worldwide Trip Protector Gold"
- Travelex "Max"
- Travel Safe "Premier" & "Vacation Insurance"
This coverage can be obtained by purchasing Cancel For Work Reasons with Travel Insured “Lite”, “Lie Expended” & “Worldwide Trip Protector” or Professional Pak with Travelex “Select”.
Official written revocation/re-assignment by a supervisor or commanding officer of the appropriate branch of service will be required.
Most of our other plans address military leave or being called to duty in order to aid in natural disaster relief other than war.
Q. Is there any company that provides travel insurance to cover loss of frequent flyer program miles due to cancellation of a trip?
A. Each Company views trips purchased using Frequent Flyer miles/points differently.
Please see below:
Global Alert:
Trip Cancellation: Benefits will be paid, up to the Maximum Benefit Amount shown in the Schedule of Benefits, to cover You for the unused non-refundable prepaid expenses for Travel Arrangements, including up to $100 for the cost of airline-imposed fees to rebank frequent flyer miles for air flights to join Your Trip when You are prevented from taking Your Trip...
Travel Insured:
- Customer should insure all taxes and fees/any prepaid non-refundable expenses related to travel.
- If they can re bank or reinstate miles or reward points, they should include that fee in the cost of the trip.
- If their air miles or reward points do not have a program to re bank or reinstate therefore causing them to lose the miles/points, then they can insure for the actual cost of the miles/points.
MH Ross "Advantage Bridge":
Trip Cancellation: Benefits will be paid, up to the Maximum Benefit Amount shown in the Schedule of Benefits, to cover You for the unused non-refundable prepaid expenses for Travel Arrangements, including up to $100 for the cost of airline-imposed fees to rebank frequent flyer miles for air flights to join Your Trip when You are prevented from taking Your Trip...
Travel Safe:
Trip Cancellation: Benefits will be paid, up to the Maximum Benefit Amount shown in the Schedule of Benefits, to cover You for the unused non-refundable prepaid expenses for Travel Arrangements, including up to $150 for the cost of airline-imposed fees to rebank frequent flyer miles for air flights to join Your Trip when You are prevented from taking Your Trip...
Tru Travel: We will cover the cost of the fee under the Trip Cancellation benefit only to retain ones frequent flyer miles used for the Trip in the event of a covered claim up to a maximum of $200.
We would consider this under the section of the certificate that states: "non-refundable cancellation charges imposed by the Travel Supplier."
Q. I am only using frequent flyer miles for my trip. How can I make sure to have coverage in case I need to purchase a ticket in the event that I need to end my trip earlier than expected?
A. There are several insurance companies will allow you to include the price of an economy ticket home as part of your Trip Cost. Although you will not be able to get this amount reimbursed to you in the event of pre-departure Trip Cancellation, this will allow you to increase the amount of post-departure Trip Interruption coverage since the economy ticket is not a prepaid expense. Please call our office for further details.
Q. Is it possible to insure the rental of a house or condo?
A. All of the companies on our website will provide reimbursement of a villa, condo or other rental property as long as there is a written agreement/contract between the insured and the renter. Reimbursement of your prepaid and non-refundable cost will be made if the trip cancellation or interruption was caused by a peril named in the policy.
Q. What is Financial Default coverage?
A. Financial Default coverage is a benefit that is part of Trip Cancellation/Interruption coverage. This protection applies if the airline, cruise line, or tour operator goes out of business and you are unable to travel as a result or suffer financial loss. Since this coverage is time sensitive, you must purchase a policy within 7 - 21 days (depends on company) of your initial trip payment date. All of the plans that contain this benefit have a 7-30 day waiting period from the time of purchase before becoming effective. Additionally, this benefit would only be available if the airline, cruise line or tour operator you are using is listed as either approved or is not excluded from coverage per the insurance company's "Travel Supplier Restrictions" list.
We also offer two companies (CSA Custom Luxe and HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Package Policies) if you purchase prior to or within 24 hours of your final trip payment.
Q. Would a loss due to the Financial Default of a travel agent or tour operator be covered by any of the insurance plans?
A. Financial Default of a travel agency would not be covered; a tour operator would be covered as long as the arrangements were made through a third party and not directly through the tour operator. In the rare occurrence that the Travel Agent did not fulfill the requested service, the best way to recover your loss would be through the credit card company. You may also file a complaint with your State Consumer Protection Agency.
Q. What is the difference between a travel agent and a tour operator?
A. A travel agent is someone who books flights, cruises and tours. A tour operator is a company which specializes in the planning and operation of pre-planned vacations, which are usually sold to the public through travel agents.
Travel Visa Policy Questions
Q. When will the coverage confirmation letter be faxed from your office to the embassy?
A. Your embassy letter will be faxed to the number entered on your application within 15 minutes after you have purchased your plan
Q. The embassy requires medical and hospitalization coverage along with medical evacuation/repatriation. Do these plans have this coverage?
A. The InsureMyTrip Travel Visa Medical and InsureMyTrip Travel Visa Plus plans come standard with $50,000 in medical coverage and $300,000 in medical evacuation/repatriation. This fully complies with the embassy requirements for the Schengen states, as well as some other countries, since most of them require $37,500 or $37,000 worth of medical coverage in order to obtain a travel visa.
Q. If I cancel my trip, can I obtain a refund?
A. If you purchase the InsureMyTrip Travel Visa Medical plan and your travel visa is denied, your policy cost is fully refundable provided that you notify us in writing (via fax or email) of your request to cancel the policy prior to your departure and include proof of the denial from the embassy. Our email address is customercare@insuremytrip.com and our fax number is (401) 921-4530. Please remember to include your order number on all correspondence.
If you purchase the InsureMyTrip Travel Visa Plus plan, you can receive a refund of the cost, minus the service fee, within 10 days of the effective date of the coverage, provided it is not past the original departure date. You must notify us in writing (via fax or email) of your request to cancel the policy. Our email address is customercare@insuremytrip.com.
Q. Do I get a copy of my policy?
A. A copy of your policy and an ID card will be emailed to you within 24 hours of purchase directly from the insurance company and mailed to you within 7-10 business days of purchase.
Q. Can I obtain a copy of the coverage confirmation letter that is faxed to the embassy?
A. Yes, you will receive an email with this letter attached if the fax was sent successfully.
Post-Sale Questions
Q. I made a mistake in entering my data, what should I do?
A. You can send an email to customercare@insuremytrip.com to make changes to your policy. Please include your order number on all email correspondence. If you prefer, you can call us with your changes at our toll free number (800) 487-4722.
Q. I did not receive a copy of my travel insurance policy yet. What can I do?
A. If you selected to receive your policy via email, please allow 24 hours for it to be sent by the insurance company and check any spam or junk mail folder for the email. If you selected to receive your policy via postal mail, please allow 7-10 business days to receive it from the insurance company. If you have not received your policy in the appropriate time, you can contact our Customer Service Department and we will have the policy resent.
Q. How do I cancel a policy I purchased?
A. All cancellation requests must be made in writing. An email can be sent to customercare@insuremytrip.com to request cancellation.
Q. Am I charged a fee to cancel my policy?
A. InsureMyTrip does not charge any additional fees to cancel a policy. However, most insurance companies will retain a non-refundable administrative fee.
Q. What is the little red number #2 near some of the coverages?
This notes that the coverage will be secondary to any primary coverage you may have.
Q. I have additional trip cost that I would like to insure. What can I do?
If you have already purchased a travel insurance plan but now have additional trip cost to insure you do not need to purchase a second plan. Our Customer Care Agents are able to assist you over the phone in making this change to your plan. Adding trip cost to your plan will result in a premium increase. There are some coverages that are time sensitive so you should add any additional trip cost as soon as possible.
Site Use Questions
Q. My child is under the age of 1. How do I enter his or her age on the Quote form?
A. For children under the age of 1, enter 0 or <1.
Q. I am going to multiple destinations. What should I use for the Primary Destination?
A. The Primary Destination is the place where you are going to spend a majority of your time while on your trip.
Q. I input my family's ages into the quote screen. The quote presented is for the whole family not per person, right?
A. Yes, the quoted premium is the final cost for all traveler ages entered. The benefits illustrated on the Quote are per person benefit limits unless noted by a red asterisk.
Q. Can I view the policy prior to purchase?
A. Yes, you can view all coverage details by clicking on the underlined terms in the Product compare or Quote pages. A box will appear showing a description of benefits.
