While some travelers may have good luck while on their trip, such as never missing a flight and never experiencing lost luggage, most people will likely be faced with an issue while traveling at least once in their lifetime.
For this reason, it is recommended to always consider purchasing trip insurance for your travels to not only give you peace of mind, but to also ensure that you’re covered in the event of the unexpected.
But what does travel insurance cover? And equally important, what doesn’t it cover? Let’s take a look at trip insurance coverage options and benefits.
What Trip Insurance Does & Doesn’t Cover
In the infographic below, you’ll see what exactly trip insurance does and doesn’t cover. Keep in mind that these are generalizations and that trip insurance benefits and coverage varies from plan to plan.
As always, when you’re thinking about buying trip insurance, be sure to read the policy documents thoroughly before you make your purchase.
Does Trip Insurance Cover Baggage Loss?
Yes, in general! More often than not, trip insurance will cover expenses related to baggage loss, damage or delay. This could include financial reimbursement for valuables claimed as part of the policyholder’s total ‘trip cost’ as well as coverage for a change of clothes and other necessities.
If an American-run airline causes your baggage to be lost, delayed or damaged there are a number of things they should be able to provide for you, including an overnight bag with basic hygiene items.
For information about handling lost baggage at the airport, check out our post here. Before you purchase trip insurance make sure to read the policy docs so you understand how the insurer’s baggage loss policy works.
Does Trip Insurance Cover Intoxication?
No. Neither an accident caused from intoxication nor alcohol poisoning would be covered by trip insurance as consuming alcohol is deemed high-risk activity.
Does Trip Insurance Cover Emergency Medical Evacuation?
Yes! Depending on the trip insurance plan you have, it may cover emergency medical evacuation, a complicated procedure that would cause an uninsured traveler upwards of $100,000.
If you’re going on a cruise or traveling to a more remote, hard-to-access destination, you’ll want to consider trip insurance with an emergency medical evacuation. It could literally save you thousands.
What’s more, if your policy includes Sickness & Accident coverage, urgent medical care could be covered up to $500,000.
Does Trip Insurance Cover Dental Care?
No. Unfortunately, unless the dental work is caused by a more significant injury or illness, it wouldn’t be covered by trip insurance.
So while you’ll be able to get the care you need, you should expect to foot the bill. It’s also worth noting that prescription medications are generally not covered by trip insurance. Any prescriptions filled for antibiotics or painkillers would need to be paid by the policyholder.
Does Trip Insurance Cover illnesses?
Yes, it does! Plan coverage will vary from policy to policy, but, in general, under the Accident & Sickness benefit new illnesses and injuries requiring urgent medical care could be covered up to the $500,000 limit.
Does Trip Insurance Cover Trip Interruptions?
Yes, if the policyholder has the Interruption For Any Reason insurance add-on. Basic trip insurance might reimburse the couple if their interruption is for one of a limited number of covered reasons like sudden and severe inclement weather.
Travelers can add Interruption For Any Reason coverage to their standard policy and be covered for expenses related to trip interruption caused for any reason.
Trip insurance covers a number of other benefits including costs related to missed connections (plane or ship connections) trip delay, passport assistance, and rental car collision. You can read more about the hidden benefits of trip insurance here.
Is Trip Protection Worth It?
Many travelers confuse trip protection offered by airlines, cruise lines, or tour operators with comprehensive trip insurance. While they sound similar, there are important differences:
Trip protection plans:
- Are usually the same cost or more expensive than standard travel insurance
- Provide more limited coverage
- May only offer credits for future travel rather than cash refunds
- Rarely include emergency medical or evacuation benefits
- Typically only cover the specific booking, not your entire trip
These plans might be sufficient for simple domestic trips with few moving parts. However, for international travel or complex itineraries, comprehensive travel insurance generally offers more robust protection at a significantly better cost.
What Does VisitorsCoverage Insurance Cover?
VisitorsCoverage is a marketplace designed to allow you to compare and contrast the top travel insurance options in five minutes or less. So you can find the best insurance for you, at the price point you’re looking for and all the benefits you want your insurance to cover.
If you’re ready to buy trip insurance before your next trip or just have some questions about what trip insurance plans through VisitorsCoverage cover, our award-winning Customer Success Team of licensed travel insurance agents is happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance Coverage (FAQs)
What happens if my flight is delayed but not cancelled?
If your flight is significantly delayed (typically 3-12 hours depending on your policy), trip insurance may provide benefits for additional expenses like meals, accommodations, and local transportation. You’ll need to save receipts and document the delay with statements from the airline. This coverage is separate from trip cancellation and usually has per-day and maximum benefit limits.
If I get sick before my trip but don’t want to cancel, will insurance help?
Yes, if you’re medically able to travel but your condition requires accommodation changes, trip insurance may cover these modifications under the “trip interruption” or “itinerary change” benefit. This might include switching to direct flights to reduce travel time, upgrading accommodations for recovery, or adjusting activities to accommodate your condition. However, make sure that you have proof (like a doctor’s note or medical reports) on hand. Medical documentation will be required when filing a claim.
Can I buy trip insurance after something bad happens at my destination?
Once an event becomes “known” or foreseeable—like a hurricane that has been named, civil unrest that has begun, or a disease outbreak that has been declared—insurance purchased afterward typically won’t cover losses related to that specific event. Insurance is designed for unforeseen circumstances, so timing matters significantly.
How does travel insurance handle trip delays that cause me to miss a cruise departure?
If a covered delay (like a flight delay due to weather) causes you to miss your cruise departure, travel insurance may cover additional transportation costs to join the cruise at the next port, along with accommodation expenses during the delay.
Does insurance cover emergency pet care if I’m delayed returning home?
Most standard policies don’t include this benefit, but some premium travel insurance plans now offer coverage for additional kennel fees or pet boarding if your return is delayed for a covered reason. This typically requires documentation of both the delay and the extra pet care expenses.
Will travel insurance reimburse me if I need to buy replacement items for delayed baggage?
Yes, if your baggage is delayed (typically 12-24 hours), trip insurance usually covers reasonable expenses for essential items like clothing, toiletries, and necessary medications until your bags arrive. Keep all receipts, as insurers require documentation and typically have daily and maximum limits for these expenses.
What happens if I need medical care in a country with a public healthcare system?
Even in countries with public healthcare systems, non-residents often don’t qualify for free or subsidized care or may face long waits. Travel insurance with medical benefits can give you access to private care facilities and doctors who speak your language. Some policies also include “hospital of choice” benefits allowing transfer to preferred facilities.
What if I need to return home early because a family member who isn’t traveling with me gets sick?
Most trip insurance plans cover trip interruption if a covered family member (definitions vary by policy but typically include immediate family) experiences a serious illness or injury requiring hospitalization. This coverage generally reimburses you for unused pre-paid expenses plus the additional cost of an early return flight.
If my child gets sick while traveling, will insurance cover a parent to stay with them if hospitalized?
Yes, most travel insurance policies with medical benefits include coverage for a family member to remain with a hospitalized child. This typically covers accommodations, meals, and transportation for one person. Some policies even cover the cost of flying another family member to the location if a child would otherwise be hospitalized alone.
Does travel insurance cover unexpected work obligations that force me to cancel my trip?
Standard trip insurance typically doesn’t cover cancellation due to work obligations unless you’re formally laid off or your employer revokes previously approved vacation time. However, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage would allow you to cancel due to work requirements, typically reimbursing 50-75% of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs.
