Coverage explained
Eight benefits do almost all the work on a travel policy. Here is what each one does, and what to check on your own quote and certificate before you buy.
Pays for treatment, hospitalization and prescriptions while you are abroad. Most US health plans stop at the border, and a single overnight admission overseas can be extremely expensive.
Check the medical maximum on your quote, and whether treatment abroad is paid directly or reimbursed.
Pays to move you to the nearest adequate facility, or home, including by air ambulance. This is the benefit that turns a bad day into a survivable one.
Check the evacuation maximum, and that repatriation of remains is included.
Reimburses non-refundable costs when you cancel before departure for a covered reason — illness, injury, death in the family, jury duty, a supplier going under.
Check the percentage of your insured trip cost that is reimbursed, and the list of covered reasons.
Covers unused trip costs plus the extra transport home when a covered event cuts your trip short mid-way.
Check the interruption percentage and whether the extra flight home is included.
Daily reimbursement for meals, lodging and transport once a delay passes the plan's waiting period.
Check the delay waiting period and the daily and total limits.
Pays for lost, stolen or damaged bags, plus a separate benefit for essentials while your bag is delayed.
Watch per-item limits on electronics and jewelry.
Removes the look-back exclusion for conditions you already have — but only if you buy within a set window of your first trip payment.
Check the purchase window and any other conditions on the waiver in your certificate.
An upgrade that pays a percentage of your costs when you cancel for a reason no standard plan covers. Strict timing rules apply.
Check the reimbursement percentage, purchase window and how close to departure you may cancel.