Travel insurance policies come with a money-back guarantee, called a “free-look” period, that usually lasts from 10-15 days. This is standard on most plans, and is a great benefit to the customer. Here are a few reasons to take advantage of the free-look period.

The free-look gives you peace of mind. Buy the policy you think is best, knowing that you can read over every detail and return it for a full premium refund. Buying travel insurance is complicated, and you want to make the right decision. By using the free-look period, you are being thorough and shopping wisely.

Insurance documents are so wordy, it is helpful to take your time reading the details. Most misunderstandings regarding what a policy will or will not cover can be avoided by fully understanding the policy. The only way to do this is to read it.

Print it out, sit down with a highlighter, and read the trip insurance policy (also called a certificate). Mark anything that is unclear, and call the insurance company with your questions. Remember, if you are not completely satisfied in your decision, return it for a refund of premium.

The free-look period expires after the stated number of days. Most companies offer free-look periods of between 10-15 days. The free-look also expires if a claim is made or the departure date arrives. Some companies also charge a small administration fee, typically under $10, when a policy is returned for a premium refund under the free-look guarantee.

3 reasons to buy insurance for your last minute trip

You can get some great deals on airfare and hotels by taking advantage of last minute offers. Oftentimes, airlines and hotels have not sold out and are willing to offer huge discounts just to fill the empty spots. This is great for travelers who have some spare time or flexible schedules. But why would you want travel insurance for a last minute trip?

1. Last minute trips are very cheap to insure because you don’t need cancellation coverage

Since it is last minute, you’re pretty sure there is not going to be an accident or illness that causes the trip to be canceled. Trip cancellation coverage is one of the most popular reasons for buying trip insurance, but is also a major factor in premium (cost of insurance). Last minute trip insurance provides a lot of coverage for a little money.

2. Medical emergencies, delayed flights, and lost baggage can still ruin a last minute trip

It is also important to think of medical emergencies. Even on a short, last-minute trip, anything can happen and you could end up in the hospital. In many cases, travelers end up needing medical evacuation requiring special flights, equipment, and personnel. Medical evacuation can easily cost up to $100,000, and is paid out-of-pocket without insurance coverage.

Medical emergencies and evacuation account for some large claim amounts, but there are other reasons to insure last-minute trips.

Lost, damaged, or stolen baggage can also cause plenty of headaches. With the current TSA rules about carry on baggage, more people are checking their luggage and taking less aboard the plane. That means if there is a lost or delayed bag, you are without clothing and other personal items that you might need. Insurance can pay for you to buy some new clothes and other necessities, and ensure a lost or delayed bag does not ruin your trip.

Missed connections and travel delays can also make your relaxing trip turn terrible. If you are forced to stay overnight because of a missed flight, or change flights and pay extra money, that money is paid out-of-pocket. Travel insurance can help you in this situation, and pay for extra expenses. It will definitely give you some extra peace of mind as you travel.

3. Buy today, fly tomorrow

With easy online quotes and purchasing, you can compare policies and find the best deal, buy online with a credit card, and receive an email confirming your coverage right away. This email will have your policy number and some other information. Print it out and you’re set to go. The insurance company will probably send you an actual card in the mail as well, but once you have confirmation of coverage you are set to fly.

Where can I find last-minute travel insurance?

Travel Guard offers several travel insurance plans including their Pack ‘N Go plan made specially for last-minute trips. It provides coverage for medical emergencies, evacuation, and baggage. Visit travelguard.com to read about Pack ‘N Go and other Travel Guard insurance policies.

A trip insurance policy usually costs 5-8% of the total trip cost

As a general rule of thumb, travel insurance should cost between 5-8 percent of the total trip cost. This applies to “package” plans, which provide coverage for canceled trips, medical emergencies/evacuations, and lost baggage.

It can cost more or less than this, depending on policy benefits offered by the insurance company. The more comprehensive the plan, the higher the cost.

There are several factors that determine the insurance premium

The insurance company uses several factors to determine your insurance premium, including the length of the trip and ages of travelers. It is easiest to use a comparison sit(see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

There is such a thing as paying too little for travel insurance

Even though is seems crazy, you can pay too little for travel insurance. As with many purchases, you tend to get what you pay for, and saving a few bucks on a travel insurance policy can cause nightmares if you need to file a claim.

Maybe the cost is low because there is not enough coverage. Be sure to read and understand the levels of coverage, and make sure you are comfortable with the amount that will be paid if you need to make a claim.

You might also see a low price offered by an un-reputable company. Trip Assured of Tennessee has been in the news recently for selling “travel protection” to clients, even though they did not hold an insurance license. They currently have several suits against them for unpaid claims.

Compare insurance quotes online to find the best company

(see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

Scuba diving guarantees an exciting adventure on your tropical vacation, but comes with risks

Many vacationers who head to the warmer weather decide to take up S.C.U.B.A.(Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving. Many destinations specialize in scuba diving, offering many tours, equipment rentals, and guides.

With the adventure of scuba diving comes additional risk. Any time you are dealing with activities such as this, you are at a higher risk for injury. Even with proper training and diving conditions, it is still riskier than sitting in a chair reading a book (for instance).

Travel insurance is available, but make sure your policy covers scuba diving

Travel insurance is a good idea for most trips, whether you are insuring against the cost of a canceled trip or for medical emergencies while away from home. But how do you know if your travel insurance will cover scuba-related incidents?

All travel insurance policies have a list of exclusions. These are situations in which the policy would not pay. For activities, travel insurance typically excludes injuries resulting from:

• Mountaineering requiring ropes/guides
• Hang gliding
• Parachuting
• Bungee jumping
• Horse, vehicle, or motorcycle racing
• Snowmobiling
• Water skiing
• Snow skiing
• Snow boarding

For scuba diving, different companies have different policies. Some cover scuba diving completely, some cover scuba diving in certain conditions, and others exclude scuba diving all together.

Some travel insurance companies will cover scuba divers. Discover which ones in the table below

Here is a helpful table listing major travel insurance companies and which plans provide coverage for scuba diving. Two companies offer complete scuba diving coverage, Travel Guard and Travel Safe.

*Not listed under “exclusions”, also not specifically addressed as being covered
Where can I get travel insurance quotes for my scuba diving trip? (see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

Trip insurance is a must-have for travelers worried about baggage

Lost baggage can ruin an entire trip, and even delays can cause unneeded stress. Your baggage can also suffer rips or tears, or the contents can be damaged beyond repair. If any of these happen on your next trip, how will you make sure the entire vacation is not ruined?

Baggage coverage protects against lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed bags

Most package plans include coverage for baggage, ranging anywhere from $500 all the up to $2500. This is enough coverage to buy new clothes, pay for a lost camera, or get new luggage.

Typical coverage includes:

• Loss
• Theft
• Damage
• Destruction

This coverage applies to travel baggage, as well as passports, visas, and other travel documents. This will provide a lot of peace of mind in a foreign country.

Some items are excluded from baggage coverage, including:

• Animals
• property used in trade, business or for the production of income
• household furniture, musical instruments, brittle or fragile articles
• sporting equipment if the loss results from the use thereof
• artificial limbs or other prosthetic devices, artificial teeth, dental bridges, dentures, dental braces, retainers or other orthodontic devices, hearing aids, any type of eyeglasses, sunglasses or contact lenses
• documents or tickets, except for administrative fees required to reissue tickets
• money, stamps, stocks and bonds, postal or money orders, securities, accounts, bills, deeds, food stamps or credit cards
• contraband

Each company has different specific policy wording in regards to baggage coverage, so it is important to read your certificate thoroughly. There are some general guidelines however.
Tips to get the most out of travel insurance baggage coverage:

• inventory your baggage and belongings, write down a total value
• when shopping for a policy, find a plan that matches your baggage value
• receipts are very important in case of a claim. Many plans pay only 75% of estimated value for items without receipts (to adjust for depreciation)
• in case of a loss, notify the local authorities and get documentation
• also in case of a loss, contact your insurance company as soon as possible, and make any claims in a timely fashion

Here is a table listing the baggage coverage provided by major travel insurance companies. As you can see, some companies offer different plans under different names. The difference is usually some sort of policy upgrade, which provides more coverage for more premium.

A young woman traveling with a group slipped and fell down some stairs at a train station. Since she was towards the rear of the group, it was not discovered until they were on the train and realized she was not with them.

The group was able to exit the train in time and find their friend. She was taken to a hospital for treatment, where she remained for two months.

Her distraught family flew to Japan to take care of her, where she remained unstable in a coma. After two months, the family paid $90,000 for a medical evacuation flight to take her home for further care.

After two additional months of care, she died last Wednesday. She had just turned 33 years old.

Even though money is of no importance to the family after such a tragedy, there is also no need for the additional stress. Their thoughts should be with each other in this difficult time. In the end, that is what is important.

This story truly illustrates that anything can happen.

11. Cancel for any reason insurance coverage protects for any reason

You never know what will happen, and some causes of canceled trips may not be covered.

If you want coverage no matter what, regardless of the reason, some travel insurance companies offer a policy add-on called “cancel for any reason” coverage. This works just as it sounds. Buy the extra coverage and your trip will be covered for cancellation for any reason at all, even if you just decide not to go.

There are some requirements, however:

• the plan must be purchased within 15 days of the initial trip deposit
• you must select and pay for the “cancel for any reason” option
• all pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs should be insured
• your trip is canceled 2 or more days before the departure date

(see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

The simplest form of travel insurance is a travel medical policy, which covers you for major emergency medical expenses.

Many travelers new to travel insurance don’t fully understand the options they have. One of the simplest options is a travel medical policy, which covers emergency medical expenses and medical evacuation expenses.

If you are looking for travel insurance but do not need trip cancellation insurance, most agents recommend a travel medical policy. Travel medical insurance usually covers:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Emergency dental expenses
• Medical evacuation
• Accidental death

Travel medical policies are usually cheaper as well, since there is no trip cancellation coverage. For example: a 30 year old traveler from the US is visiting family overseas, and needs travel medical coverage. For around $40 per month, they can purchase basic travel medical coverage that will cover emergency medical situations.

(see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

10. 24/7 phone support to get help in a foreign country

One of the most stressful aspects of travel is getting beyond language and cultural barriers, and it can be even more daunting in an emergency.

Imagine having an accident while on vacation, but not knowing the local language and procedures. You don’t know the reputable hospitals, how they operate, or how they handle billing.

If you need support in a foreign country, travel insurance companies operate support centers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call and ask questions about coverage, get directed to the nearest hospital, or even have emergency medical arrangements made for you.

These phone centers are staffed with multi-lingual insurance professionals. They are trained to help travelers from across the globe, and get the help you need. (see How to Compare Quotes with a Travel Insurance Comparison Site)

9. You need to cancel a trip after a death in the family

Even though finances are the last thing on your mind in an emotional situation such as a death in the family, it doesn’t hurt to eliminate unnecessary stress. In the case of a death in the immediate family, you know you can take care of family needs and not suffer a financial loss.

Package plans include coverage, usually for the entire trip cost, for cancellation due to the death of you, a family member, or your traveling companion. In order for the plan to pay, the death must occur in the effective time of the policy. This means you must purchase the policy before the death occurs.