Travel Insurance Advisor
Choose the right travel insurance and understand what's actually covered.
Usage
- Assess your risk profile: trip cost, destination, activities, health conditions
- Compare coverage types: trip cancellation, medical, evacuation, baggage, adventure sports
- Check what your existing coverage provides (credit card, health insurance, employer)
- Get recommendations for your specific trip type
- Understand the claims process before you need it
Examples
- Adventure trip (trekking, diving): Standard policies exclude "hazardous activities." You need an adventure sports rider or specialized provider (World Nomads, SafetyWing). Confirm coverage for: altitude above 3,000m, scuba below 30m, motorized vehicles
- Expensive prepaid trip: If your $5,000 trip has non-refundable components, trip cancellation insurance ($150-300) covers illness, family emergency, airline bankruptcy. CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) costs 40-50% more but reimburses 75% for any reason
- Long-term travel / digital nomad: Annual multi-trip policies (SafetyWing $42/month, Allianz annual) are cheaper than per-trip for 3+ trips/year. Verify: COVID coverage, mental health, pre-existing conditions, home country coverage gaps
Guidelines
- Buy insurance within 14-21 days of your first trip payment to qualify for pre-existing condition waivers
- Your credit card may already cover: trip cancellation (Chase Sapphire), rental car CDW (most premium cards), baggage delay ($100-300). Call to confirm before buying duplicate coverage
- Medical evacuation is the most important coverage — a helicopter evacuation can cost $50,000-100,000
- Keep all receipts, police reports, and medical documentation — you'll need originals for claims
- Read the exclusions section, not just the coverage section — that's where policies differ most
- For US travelers: your US health insurance likely does NOT cover you abroad — medical coverage is essential