5 Must-Know Tips for Choosing the Right Travel Insurance Plan
When planning a trip—whether it’s a weekend getaway or a months-long adventure—many travelers forget a crucial detail:
Choosing the right travel insurance.
From medical emergencies to trip cancellations or lost luggage, having coverage can make all the difference.
But with so many plans out there, how do you find the best fit?
Here are five essential tips to help you pick the right travel insurance and enjoy your journey with peace of mind.
1. Determine Your Coverage Needs
The first step in choosing travel insurance is to figure out what coverage fits your specific trip.
Here are a few questions to ask!
Are you taking a short vacation, or will you be gone for an extended period?
Do you have any pre-existing conditions, or plan on doing high-risk activities like skiing or diving?
Are you traveling alone, or will you be with a group or family?
Will you be traveling to a region with higher medical risks or limited healthcare access?
Your coverage needs can vary greatly depending on these details, so it’s important to match your policy to your travel plans.
- Short trips: For quick vacations, prioritize plans that cover trip cancellations, delays, and basic emergency medical needs.
- Longer trips or gap years: If you’re traveling for an extended period or living abroad as a digital nomad, you’ll need more comprehensive coverage, including evacuation and major medical insurance for your extended stay.
- Adventure travel: Planning on engaging in high-risk activities like extreme sports? Make sure your insurance policy specifically covers these, as some plans exclude coverage for such activities.
PRO TIP: Go Travel Insured offers both short-term and long-term policies, allowing you to select a plan tailored to your trip length and needs.
2. Look Into Emergency Medical and Evacuation Coverage
Medical coverage is one of the most important parts of any travel insurance plan.
If you’re heading abroad, you can’t assume your regular health insurance will cover you.
Emergency medical coverage can save you from costly bills if you get sick or injured while traveling.
Plus, it’s essential to look for a policy that includes medical evacuation—just in case you need to be flown back to your home country for treatment.
Emergency evacuations can be incredibly expensive—sometimes tens of thousands of dollars.
To avoid these risks, make sure your policy has sufficient coverage limits.
A good rule of thumb is at least $100,000 for medical expenses and $250,000 for evacuation, depending on where you’re going and the activities you’re planning.
PRO TIP: Go Travel Insured’s short-term and long-term policies include coverage for medical emergencies and evacuation to give you peace of mind wherever you are.
3. Pay Close Attention to Exclusions
All insurance policies come with exclusions, these will outline what the plan will not cover. Knowing these is an essential part of being able to avoid surprises later on.
Common exclusions you might come across include:
Pre-existing conditions: Some plans only cover sudden illness or injuries that occur during the trip, excluding pre-existing conditions.
Adventure sports: High-risk activities are often excluded unless you purchase additional coverage.
Pandemic-related issues: Some plans may exclude cancellations or delays related to pandemics. (We didn’t think we’d ever have to include this in a blog!)
It’s important to carefully read the fine print - especially if you have any health issues or plan on doing adventurous activities.
If certain exclusions concern you, ask about policy add-ons to cover these specific needs.
PRO TIP: Go Travel Insured makes it easy to understand what is and isn’t covered in each of their recommended plans so that you can choose with confidence.
4. Consider Coverage for Trip Cancellations, Delays, and Lost Baggage
Travel interruptions can happen to anyone!
Having a policy that covers trip cancellations, delays, and lost baggage can really save you time, money, and stress when (not if) things don’t go as planned.
Look for a policy that reimburses you for prepaid travel costs if you need to cancel because of unexpected events like illness, bad weather, or family emergencies.
If you’re delayed, some plans can even help cover extra costs like accommodation and meals!
Lost luggage coverage is another big plus, especially if you’re traveling with valuable items. This ensures you’ll be compensated if your luggage is lost or damaged, so you won’t be stuck without essentials during your trip.
PRO TIP: Many of Go Travel Insured’s plans include coverage for trip cancellations and delays, making them a great choice for travelers seeking extra protection!
5. Compare Value, Not Just Price
It’s easy to be drawn to the cheapest travel insurance plan, but price shouldn’t be your only consideration.
Travel insurance is an investment in peace of mind, so it’s important to evaluate the overall value of a policy.
Beyond the price, look at the benefits, coverage limits, and exclusions.
For example, a slightly more expensive plan might offer better medical coverage or include additional perks like rental car insurance.
If you’re traveling multiple times a year, an annual multi-trip plan could save you money compared to buying separate coverage for each trip.
This type of plan can be especially useful if you have frequent or spontaneous trips planned!
Tip: Go Travel Insured offers various plans for different budgets and needs, helping you find affordable protection that doesn’t skimp on coverage.
In Conclusion
Choosing the right travel insurance plan is an essential step in planning a stress-free trip.
By considering factors like your trip duration, specific medical needs, and potential travel disruptions, you can find the best coverage that fits your journey and provides peace of mind.
Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a year-long adventure, Go Travel Insured offers a variety of plans to suit your needs, allowing you to focus on the fun ahead.
With the right coverage in place, you can relax knowing you’re protected, no matter what unexpected events may occur.
Explore Go Travel Insured’s recommended plans and find the perfect one for your upcoming trip.
Need guidance picking one out? Feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help.
info@gotravelinsured.com
888.811.4626