Back when I first started traveling outside the United States I looked at TRAVEL INSURANCE as being an unnecessary expense added to the cost of my trip. Now that I am older and more experienced in the art of travel, I’ve decided it might not be such a bad idea.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance usually includes at least three types of insurance coverage, they are:
1- Trip Cancellation and Interuption Coverage – Provides reimbursment in the event you, or a close family member, are not able to travel for a covered reason. Covered reasons vary from insurance company to company, but most include full reimbursement if you or a direct family member become seriously ill or injured, you lose your job, you or a family member dies, and many other reason (read the fine print).
2- Emergengy Medical Coverage – Provides reimbursment and/or medical evacuation should you or a close relative become seriously ill while traveling.
3- Baggage Loss or Delay – Provides reimbursment should your luggage become lost or delayed.
The cost of Comprehensive Insurance is determined by a sliding scale based on the insured’s age, cost of the trip, and duration of travel. Normally it is about 10%-15% of the tour costs, but shop around for the best deal that meets your needs. Here are a few well respected travel insurance suppliers:
Seven Corners – www.sevencorners.com, 1-800-335-0611
Download SevenCorner’s Comprehensive Insurance Brochure
Policies from Seven Corners can be purchased directly from Exploring Europe at discounted rates. Please give us a call or email for details (1-800-570-1351 or david@davidmcguffin.com). Policies are sold a varied rates depending on one’s age and tour duration.
Travel Guard- www.travelguard.com, tel. 800-826-4919
Access America- www.accessamerica.com, tel. 866-807-3982
Travel Insured International- www.travelinsured.com, tel. 800-243-3174.
Insuremytrip.com - www.insuremytrip.com, tel. 800-487-4722
Also allows you to compare insurance policies and costs among various providers.
Comprehensive Traval Insurance should be purchased within two weeks of putting down a deposit for your tour or travel. All the insurance companies have slightly different policies on this matter so be sure to read the fine print.
For most of my EXPLORING EUROPE tours, deposits are fully refundable for an extended period of time (usually January 5 of your travel year, if the tour departs May-December, or October 15 of the previous year, for winter/spring departures). THEREFORE, it is not necessary to purchase TOUR CANCELLATION or COMPREHENSIVE insurance until that refundable deadline passes.
I believe this type of insurance becomes increasingly necessary with age. If you are a strapping 20 year old with no medical problems, then perhaps you can skip the insurance. However, if you are a “Baby Boomer” or older, it might not be such a bad idea to add a little “peace of mind” to your travels by purchasing insurance.
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My husband and I had booked a European cruise in 2005 (we did purchase insurance) and had to cancel 1 week prior to leaving for the trip due to a medical condition. Thanks to the insurance we were able to get 100% reimbursed. The one thing that I do different now is to keep all of my receipts together, along with credit card statements that payments are posted on, and any other form of receipt to show method of payments for the trip. All of these along with documents signed by the supervising Doctor(s). We would strongly encourage anyone, young or not to purchase travel insurance.