Questions & Answers

Get answers to common travel insurance questions. Still have a question after reading these? Give us a call at (800) 423-3632 and one of our customer representatives will be happy to answer your questions.

• Why do I need travel insurance?
  Emergencies happen when you least expect it. Travel Insurance can provide you coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, medical expenses, baggage damage and much more. Plus we offer 24-hour WeCare Traveler Assistance if you experience an emergency while on your trip.
• How do I purchase my travel insurance policy?
  There are three convenient and easy ways for you to purchase your insurance. You may refer to the web site, ask your travel agent or call us at 1-800-423-3632.
• How do I determine the total cost of the trip that I should insure?
  To determine the insurable cost of the trip add together the cost of all of your non-refundable pre-paid trip arrangements. If you insure an amount less than your full trip cost the trip cancellation/interruption benefit will be limited to the amount of coverage you purchase. You must include each person you are purchasing coverage for on the policy.
• When is the best time to buy insurance?
  We recommend you purchase your insurance within 15 days of paying your initial trip deposit. By purchasing within this time you receive the following extra benefits: Waiver of Pre-existing Conditions and Financial Insolvency of the Travel Supplier. For complete details, please refer to the Evidence of Coverage on line or call us at 1-800-423-3632.
• When does my policy go into effect?
  The effective date of your policy for trip cancellation coverage is at 12:01am on the date stated on your Purchase Confirmation/Declaration. Coverage will begin the day after the date of purchase or the day after the postmark date of the mailed application. All other coverages, other than trip cancellation shall take effect at 12:01am on the date you start your covered trip or your scheduled departure date, whichever is later.
• Do I insure for my age at the time of travel or when the insurance is purchased?
  You should enter the age you are on the date you purchase the policy.
• What is a Pre-Existing Condition?
  This refers to a condition occurring during the 60 day period immediately prior to your effective date: 1) for which medical advice, care or treatment was received or recommended by a Physician regardless of whether or not a diagnosis was made; and 2) which produced symptoms or whose onset or manifestation occurred during such 60 day period. These symptoms must have been significant enough to establish manifestation or onset, which would have caused an ordinarily prudent person to seek diagnosis or treatment or enabled a Physician to diagnose such illness, disease, injury or other condition. A pregnancy that exists on the day before your effective date will be considered a Pre-Existing condition.
• What if I take medication for a condition like high blood pressure? Would this be considered a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?
  If your condition is stable and controlled and your medication remains unchanged throughout the 60- day pre-existing period this would not be considered a pre-existing condition.
• Can I extend my policy if I have already departed?
  Yes, you may extend your policy while traveling on your covered trip as long as: 1) you have not experienced an injury or sickness, or have not had medical treatment during your covered trip, 2) coverage under this policy is in force at the time you request an extension, or 3) you pay any additional required premium for such extension if applicable.
• What happens if I have purchased my ticket on frequent flyer points?
  Trip cancellation coverage is not available for the actual value of the frequent flyer points, because no money has been paid for the ticket. However, you are still able to insure the non- refundable tax portion, any upgrade costs and the re-instatement fee. You can still purchase tripinsurance.com Travel Protection to provide coverage for trip interruption, baggage loss, delay and medical to name a few. Make sure you have purchased enough trip interruption coverage to cover the cost of an economy ticket home, plus the cost of any unused non-refundable land arrangement that you might lose if have to interrupt your trip.
• What happens if a terrorist incident occurs delaying my flight home? Am I covered for travel delay?
  Coverage is available if there is a terrorist incident in your city of departure or destination occurring after your effective date if you are scheduled to arrive in or depart from that city within 30 days following the terrorist incident.
• What if I miss my connection due to a flight delay?
  We will reimburse you up to the maximum benefit amount for trip delays of 6 or more hours occurring on or after your scheduled departure date. The following expenses may be submitted, 1) additional transportation cost incurred by you while you are traveling to: continue on your covered trip, or return to your point of origin; or 2) additional expenses incurred for an unplanned overnight stay resulting from such trip delay, (coverage includes expenses incurred for reasonable travel accommodations and meals), or 3) unused non-refundable portion of the prepaid expenses as long as such expenses are supported by proof of purchase and are not reimbursable by another source. Documentation must be provided by the common carrier to certify the delay.
• We were on our way home and the airline went on strike. Do I have coverage for this event?
  Coverage is available provided the delay was 6 or more hours occurring on or after your scheduled departure date and the strike was unforeseen at the time of purchase. We will reimburse you subject to the maximum benefit amount for trip delay for the following expenses incurred as a result of the trip delay: 1) additional transportation cost incurred by you while you are to return to your point of origin; 2) additional expenses incurred for an unplanned overnight stay resulting from such trip delay. Coverage includes expenses incurred for reasonable travel accommodations and meals; 3) unused, non-refundable portion of the prepaid expenses as long as such expenses are supported by proof of purchase and are not reimbursable by an other source.
• What happens if the airline loses my baggage at the start of my trip?
  Coverage is available for any baggage and personal effects, passports or visas that are lost, stolen, or damaged during your covered trip. You must submit documentation from the common carrier for such loss, the receipts for the necessary purchases or reimbursements and take all reasonable steps to protect, save or recover your baggage and personal effects. Please refer to your Evidence of Coverage. The policy provides for baggage delay benefits, if your baggage is delayed by the airline by at least 12 hours, for the costs of necessary personal items while on your trip.
• Can I cancel my policy if I don’t want it anymore?
  You can cancel your policy within the 10-day free look period. Please see your Evidence of Coverage
• Do I need to take the documents you sent me about my insurance with me and should I read them first?
  Yes, you must read your documents as soon as you receive them to make sure the information is correct and you are happy with your coverage. The Evidence of Coverage explains the Policy benefits, limitations, conditions and exclusions. The Purchase Confirmation/Declarations contains the maximum benefit limits for the coverage purchased. These two documents form your policy/certificate of insurance and must be taken with you on your trip so you may refer to them in case of an emergency.
• I have made a mistake on my policy. What can I do?
  Please call us with all of the details and we will be happy to assist you. You may call 1-800-423-3632. We may request documentation regarding your changes.
• How do I make a claim?
  If you need to make a claim please call our claim department at 1-888-584-6171 or visit our Claims Information page.
• I am renting a beach house at a cost of $10,000.00 for my family of eight. How do we calculate the trip cost and properly cover each traveler?
  When calculating the trip cost you should divide the $10,000.00 by each person, then add the airfare along with any other non-refundable travel arrangements and insure each traveler for their total trip cost.
• I am in the hospital at this time but thinking about traveling in three months. Am I able to purchase an insurance policy?
  Your Physician must clear you for travel prior to purchasing the insurance.
• What happens if I need to go to the hospital during my trip?
  You must call one of the WeCare Assistance numbers found on your Purchase Confirmation/Declarations. This travel assistance service is available on a 24/7 basis.
• What if I need to cancel my trip?
  You must call your travel supplier within 72 hours of the event causing the need to cancel, unless the event prevents it and then as soon as is reasonably possible. Failure to do so may result in reduced benefits.
• I have read my policy and notice some of the words are capitalized-why?
  A word or phrase is capitalized because they are key words. You will find a clear explanation of these words or phrases under the definition section in the policy.
• Why do I need to list up to five traveling companions on the enrollment form?
  Any claims associated with traveling companions, whether or not insured on your policy, are restricted only to those named on the enrollment form.
• What is the difference between travel accident and common carrier accident?
  Common carrier accident coverage provides benefits for accidents occurring while you are on a plane, train, ship, taxi or bus. Travel Accident coverage provides benefits for accidents occurring during any other time.
• What is flight accident insurance?
  Flight accident insurance provides benefits for accidents involving aircraft or taxi services provided by the air carrier.
• What is the maximum Emergency Medical Benefit on the Enhanced Travel Protection plan?
  The maximum benefit is $50,000 for emergency medical treatment, and $50,000 for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. Optional increased coverage is available at a fee. Please refer to the Description of Coverage or the web under plan description for further details.
• What is Rental Vehicle Coverage all about?
  This benefit covers physical loss or damage to a rental vehicle during your covered trip for which you are liable, provided you rented the vehicle from an approved commercial rental vehicle agency and you declined a collision damage waiver. If you should have an accident or sustain damage you must file a report with the police and rental agency. This benefit is only available to the insured who purchased this coverage and is not transferable. Note that this benefit is not available to residents of Oregon and North Carolina.
• What is trip cancellation and when does it apply?
  Trip cancellation is a benefit for cancellation of your covered trip. The covered risk that causes you to cancel must occur after your effective date and prior your scheduled departure date.
• What is trip interruption and when does it apply?
  Trip interruption is a benefit for interruption during your covered trip. This covered risk that causes you to interrupt your trip must occur on or after your scheduled departure date and prior to your scheduled return date.
• My traveling companion is unable to travel with me, however I still want to travel, what should I do?
  We will reimburse the single supplement upgrade cost when your traveling companion cancels his or her travel plans with you or interrupts your covered trip as a result of one of the covered risks.
• Why is age important?
  Age is important as the premium is calculated based on age, trip cost and trip length.