As a visitors insurance buyer, we recommend that you carefully research, compare and buy the right visitors insurance suited to your needs by selecting the most appropriate deductibles, policy maximums, limits and premiums. Once you selected your travel insurance plan based on these criteria, you’re set to buy. After you make the purchase, there’s a little bit more research need to make sure you get the right visitors medical insurance.
One of the biggest complaints travelers have about finding travel insurance for the U.S. is that they didn’t understand what the plan actually covered and their claims were denied. While price, deductible, and policy maximum are important, those aren’t the only things you must pay attention to if you are to take full advantage of your U.S. Travel insurance policy.
4 important steps to take after you buy your visitors insurance plan
1. Read the Description of Coverage & Exclusions
You will receive “Description of Coverage” document with your email confirmation of purchase. This is the document that outlines the legal agreement between you and the insurance company so it’s extremely important that you read it carefully. Pay specific attention to the exclusions so you know what events will not be paid for – by your insurance plan. For example, if you have a few too many drinks and stumble off a curb and break your ankle, your medical care may not be covered because no losses will be paid while the traveler is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
2. Call if You Have Questions
Most of the travel medical insurance plans come with a free look-up period, also known as “Review Period”, that is some days after your purchase. If you read the plan and have questions during this time, you may call the travel insurance company and get answers. If you discover the plan will not meet your needs, you may modify the plan or cancel it for a refund and get the right plan. Don’t wait too long – the typical review period is about a week. After that, you’re stuck with the plan you bought.
3. Double Check the Traveler Details
Claims are sometimes denied simply because the traveler details were wrong. While this may seem like a technicality, the travel insurance plan’s rules are clear and they won’t pay benefits if the trip is somehow different than the details you provided, or you forgot to add one person to your policy, or your age was listed incorrectly, for example. Double check those details right after you receive your confirmation and call the travel insurance provider quickly if you need to make changes. Changes after the free look-up period cannot be made, so do this quickly.
4. Print or Carry Copies of Your Travel Insurance Documents
You must print them, or keep them in your email to access, or save them to a portable drive but you must have your visitors insurance documents on your trip. You should also share a copy with at least one person you trust who is not traveling with you in case the worst happens and you die on your trip. You should have the contact information for the travel insurance company handy, along with your policy number and other details in case you need to get in touch on the road.
To learn more about your rights as a travel medical insurance policyholder visit Travel Insurance Policy Holder Rights or find the best travel medical insurance for your next trip. If you have any questions about travel insurance for the U.S. or any other country, please get in touch with our award winning Customer Success Team.
