In most cases, your travels with go without a hitch. You'll not have to experience the nightmare of being seriously ill or injured in a foreign country. But if you do, the last thing you want is not having the support or financial means to get treated and flown home.

For that alone, you may find travel insurance is worth every cent.

If you can't afford travel insurance, then you can't afford travel.

The five critical components of travel insurance

Travel insurance is ultimately a legal contract created by lawyers. You should spend the time to read the fine print and description of coverage (policy wording) thoroughly and ask questions if you don't understand what your policy covers.

Trip cancellation

Trip cancellation covers you for costs if you suddenly find you can't go on your trip for some unforeseen reason such as illness, an accident, or the death of a close relative. The critical thing to remember here is that for this section to be useful, you have to buy travel insurance when you start booking tickets and not the week before you leave.

Not all travel insurance plans cover cancellation. , some cover your non-refundable, pre-booked costs if your trip is interrupted after you've left home, so please read the description of coverage (policy wording) relevant to you carefully.

Medical Emergencies and Evacuation

If there is one reason to buy travel insurance, this is it.

Hospital costs in the USA can approach $10,000 per day, while emergency transport home for treatment (medical evacuation) can easily exceed $100,000. Take the time to read this part in detail, especially the cover for emergency evacuation, limits on medical expenses, and emergency dental work. Also, make careful note of the general exclusions outlined in the coverage description (policy wording).

Baggage and personal belongings

While the loss of your personal belongings is often the main reason, most people buy travel insurance. It is not the most important. Health is the main reason you should purchase travel insurance. 

If you are taking your laptop, camera, and other valuables with you, some of our travel insurance plans allow you to specify these items to cover their higher value. Check your policy benefits and description of coverage (policy wording) carefully for the limits on this cover and exclusions, particularly for cash, high-value items, and sporting equipment.

Coming home early and resuming your trip

Travel insurance usually ends the minute you arrive home, so if you have bought a policy for 12 months and come home after 4, you aren't entitled to a refund on the 'unused' portion. For some of our guidelines, you can resume your trip on the same policy; you just won't be covered for the time you're at home. 

The description of your insurance coverage (policy wording) may be challenging to understand. Key terms such as "medical evacuation," "trip interruption," or "curtailment" are a few of those clauses that you need to understand. 

The details for expenses if you have to return home early and the exclusions that are not covered are incredibly confusing. 

Double-check with the insurance provider if you are unsure of what your plan cover. 

Not all travel insurance is the same.