Travel Insurance FAQ
General FAQ
What is travel insurance?
A travel insurance policy gives you protection against things that might happen to you when you are traveling away from home. So, for example, travel insurance will help you out financially with trip cancellation or interruption payments if you have to cancel your vacation or return home early for various reasons (such as illness or bereavement, for example). Your policy will also give you cover against illness or accident - your domestic health insurance will not necessarily cover you for medical care and related issues such as medical repatriation while you are visiting foreign countries. In addition, you will also be protected against various other issues such as loss or delay of luggage, death and dismemberment, flight delays and missed connections, emergency assistance and flight crashes amongst other things.
Why should I buy travel insurance?
If you travel without an insurance plan then you may be held liable for any costs incurred when something happens. If you were to get sick or have an accident, for example, you would have to pay your healthcare costs. If a close family member died and you had to fly home then you would be out of pocket without a travel insurance/visitor insurance plan to help you out.
Which policy should I choose?
Your aim should be to find the best coverage at the lowest possible cost according to your circumstances. We offer a range of travel insurance plans that can be taken out by U.S. and non-U.S. citizens, immigrants, business executives and students. We also offer plans for both long-term and short-term travel.
Do I have to be in the U.S./a U.S. citizen to buy insurance?
No - all of our plans are available to be purchased online. We also offer a range of options for non-US citizens looking for travel insurance to cover them when they travel outside their home country.
I’m not a U.S. citizen - wouldn’t it be easier to buy travel insurance from a supplier in my country?
If you need medical care in the U.S. it will be costly and the system is complex - buying an American policy will make it easier and more cost-effective to get the coverage you need in case you need treatment.
Can I buy Insurance for my parents?
Yes, you can buy our plans for your parents and for your family and friends. You can buy separate policies or combined ones if you are traveling in a party with many plans.
What do I get as proof of my travel insurance plan?
Once you purchase a plan you will be sent an email with your plan details in an ID format. You’ll also get a hard copy in the mail.
When does my travel insurance plan start?
You choose the start date of the plan when you arrange your coverage. Most people choose to have their coverage start on the date that they begin their trip. If buying coverage that includes trip cancellation then it should start as close to your trip purchase as possible in case you need to cancel before you go.
Do I need any medical tests before buying a travel insurance plan?
No. Do be aware, however, that it is your responsibility to let your insurer know if you have a pre-existing medical condition that may affect your plan otherwise your coverage may not be valid. In these instances the insurer will decide if they need to consult your doctor.
What is a pre-existing medical condition?
If you have had/have a certain type of illness (depending on your policy and insurer) then this may be called a pre-existing condition. These illnesses usually include conditions such as diabetes, AIDS, pregnancy and high blood pressure, for example. Having a pre-existing condition doesn’t always mean that you cannot get coverage but you may have meet certain conditions.
If I get sick/have an accident can I go to any doctor/hospital?
In most cases your plan will allow you to consult any doctor/hospital. You may find it more cost effective from a coinsurance perspective to find an approved healthcare professional/facility from the PPO network if you can.
What is a deductible?
The deductible is the amount you are willing to pay before your policy takes over if you need to make a claim. So, if you choose a zero deductible you won’t have to pay anything towards the cost of your claim and if you choose one of $250 then you pay the first $250 of your claim.
What is coinsurance?
Coinsurance is the percentage share of healthcare/medical costs arranged between you and the insurer. So, for example, your travel insurance plan may state that the insurer will pay 90% of eligible expenses for the first $5,000 of a claim and 100% up to the policy maximum after that. So, if you incur medical costs of $10,000 then the insurer will pay 90% of the first $5,000 ($4,500) and you will pay the remaining 10% ($500). They will then pay the balance of $5,000.
Can I renew my plan when it runs out?
In some cases you can renew our travel insurance plans for up to two years. In others you will have to buy a separate plan for each trip. See individual plan details for more information.
Can I cancel my plan once I’ve paid for it?
You’ll usually be offered a ‘cooling off period’ - for example, you may be allowed to cancel your policy within 10 days of setting it up.
I understand that my plan will cover my costs if I have to fly home if someone close to me dies - will this cover my friends?
No. In this case the person will need to be related to you by blood or by marriage.
Visitor Insurance (Non-USA)
I’m a U.S. citizen - can I take out this plan?
No, this plan is designed for non-US citizens. Try our Travel Insurance (USA) plan instead.
I’m planning a long trip - will I get cover?
Our plans can be set up to last from 10 days to two years payable on either monthly or daily rates.
I’m 55 - can I take out the Extreme Sports rider optional cover?
Unfortunately not, this policy has an age limit of 50.
I have a pre-existing medical condition - can I buy this plan?
You can if you are aged under 70, have been passed medically able to travel and take out T.R.I.P. Lite cover.
What is T.R.I.P. Lite?
This is an additional policy that gives protection against trip cancellation/delay and baggage delay.
Travel Insurance (USA)
I’m not a U.S. citizen - can I take out this plan?
No, this plan is designed for U.S. citizens only. Try our Travel Insurance (Non-USA) plan instead.
How long can I arrange cover for?
Our plans can be set up to last from 10 days to two years payable on either monthly or daily rates.
I’m 18 - can I take out the Extreme Sports rider optional cover?
Yes, coverage is available here to anyone under 50.
I have a pre-existing medical condition - can I buy this plan?
You can if you are aged under 70, have been passed medically able to travel and take out T.R.I.P. Lite cover.
What is T.R.I.P. Lite?
This is an additional policy that gives protection against trip cancellation/delay and baggage delay.
Student Travel Insurance
I’m enrolled in summer camp - can I set up a plan?
Yes, our plans are aimed at students at school or summer camp.
Is there an age limit on the student plan?
Yes, it is available to students under the age of 25.
How long can I arrange cover for?
Coverage can be arranged for any trip lasting up to 30 days.
What is the maximum trip cost?
$300
I have a pre-existing medical condition - can I buy this plan?
You can if you are aged under 70, have been passed medically able to travel and take out our travel insurance policy within 14 days of paying the deposit due to the travel supplier.
Business Travel Insurance
Who can buy this kind of plan?
The plan is available to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens under the age of 76, their spouses and their families.
Does it just cover business trips?
No, you can use it for vacations as well.
How long does the plan last?
It is designed to be taken out a year at a time - you are covered for any travel in that period so long as it does not exceed 30 days per trip.
Are there any conditions?
You must be a member of an individual or group medical plan and you must travel frequently outside your home country/the U.S. as applicable during the course of any given year.
Immigrant Travel Insurance
Who can take out an immigrant insurance plan?
Both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens who will be traveling, working or living outside their home country for extended periods.
What qualifies as an extended period?
Within the 12 months of the plan you would be expected to live abroad for at least six months to qualify for coverage.
How long does the coverage last?
12 months - you can keep coverage continuous by renewing every year.
Where do you offer coverage?
You can choose from worldwide coverage or coverage that excludes the U.S.A./Canada but includes the rest of the world.
Do I have to pay for the kids?
If both parents take out a plan then up to 2 children under 9 will get free coverage.
Short Term Travel Insurance
What is short term insurance?
These kinds of plans offer temporary or short term medical insurance cover. They offer a good stop-gap solution to various people who find themselves outside a formal plan - i.e. they may be in between jobs or waiting for cover to start when they start a new job.
How long can I buy cover for?
Coverage starts at 1 month and goes up to 12 months. This can be purchased on a daily rates basis.
Can I use any doctor/hospital?
Yes.
I’m not a U.S. resident - can I take out a short term plan?
Yes, but you’ll generally need to have been living in the U.S. for 12 months+.
Will the policy cover my pre-existing medical condition?
No.
Questions? 877.XXX.XXXX 
