September 2007

I would like to purchase a cancellation policy for an amount less than my trip costs. May I self insure for a portion of the trip?

Some travel insurance plans require you to insure the full prepaid non-refundable trip costs for any claim. Some plans require you insure the full prepaid, non refundable trip costs to obtain certain benefits such as the waiver for pre-existing conditions if purchased within the advantage period. A few policies allow you to insure an amount […]

Do travel insurance policies cover personal liability?

No, travel insurance policies do not generally cover you for personal liability.

I plan on participating in hazardous sports during my vacation. Will the insurance cover me if I get hurt?

Most all travel insurance policies have exclusions for hazardous sports. Refer to the policy certificate for a full list of the exclusions. Some international medical plans have optional sports riders that you can purchase.

What is the difference between trip cancellation and trip interruption?

The “trip cancellation” benefit covers you in the event you have to cancel your trip due to a covered reason listed in your travel insurance policy prior to your departure date. Trip interruption benefit covers you in the event you have to interrupt your trip for the same covered reasons after your departure date, but […]

I am a resident of Canada and looking for travel insurance. Do you have policies that would provide cover for me?

Yes, there are a number of carriers that provide travel insurance for Canadian residents including, AIG Travel Guard, CSA, Global Alert Administrators, TravelSafe, iTravel Insured and USA Assist.

Does the pre-existing condition exclusion apply to a non traveling family member?

For most all travel insurance policies, the pre-existing condition exclusion does apply to a non-traveling family member and the sickness or injury which requires cancellation, interruption or delay of your trip must be unforeseen. Each policy has a “look-back” period of between 60 – 180 days prior to the effective date to determine if a […]

I am currently taking prescription medication. Will this be considered a pre-existing condition?

For many policies, in the event a medical condition is treated or controlled solely through the use of medication (i.e. high blood pressure, diabetes) , and there has been no adjustment or change to the medication during the policy’s “look back” period, the condition would not be considered a pre-existing condition. The “look back” period varies […]

In the event a hurricane watch or warning is issued that impacts my travel plans, may I still purchase travel insurance?

Most travel insurance policies must be purchased prior to the storm being named. Insurance purchased after the storm has been named, would exclude trip cancellation and trip interruption losses resulting from the hurricane. Refer to the policy certificate for full details.

Am I required to insure the full prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs when I purchase travel insurance?

Most travel insurance companies recommend you purchase insurance for the full prepaid, non refundable trip costs. In the event you insure for a reduced amount, the maximum amount payable in the event of cancellation will be limited to the amount insured. In addition, some policies require that the full prepaid costs be insured for certain […]

What information do I need to get a travel insurance quote?

The following general information is useful in obtaining a travel insurance quote: travel dates (departure and return), trip deposit date, prepaid non-refundable trip costs, trip type, residency, destination, and the age of each person to be insured on the policy.