A lot of Texans had to delay travel plans last year, but now airports are busy once again. We talked to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association to learn how to protect travel plans with travel insurance.

How do I know if I need travel insurance?

Consider what you’d have to pay out of your pocket if you had to cut your trip short due to illness. Could you afford another ticket? Could you pay if you had to be evacuated for medical reasons? If your flight is delayed and you book an extra night at a hotel? If not, consider travel insurance.

What are the most common travel insurance policies?

Most are called comprehensive plans. They reimburse things you already paid for, like a flight, a cruise, or a hotel deposit. Some offer non-insurance services, like a 24-hour assistance line that can help you coordinate medical care, call your family back home, or provide translation, security, or legal assistance.

Another option is “cancel for any reason” or CFAR coverage, which lets you cancel for any reason or even no reason. It costs more but will reimburse 50 to 75% of the cost of your trip.

Are there policies that cover you if your plans change because of a viral outbreak?

Only “cover for any reason” policies. We suggest you look at a policy and the terms and conditions to understand how coverage may apply to your situation. Sometimes things like a quarantine, sickness, injury, loss of a job, having to work, bad weather, or a government-mandated airport shutdown would be covered, but not the pandemic itself.

Will your health insurance cover injuries or sickness when you’re away, or is there other coverage you should check out?

A comprehensive travel insurance policy can help. Keep in mind Medicare and Medicare supplements generally don’t cover expenses outside the U.S.

What should you expect to pay for travel insurance?

Typically between 5 and 10% of the cost of your trip. If you add “cancel for any reason” coverage, it may cost 40 to 70% more.

Are there other ways to cover losses when you travel?

Yes, contact your hotel and your airline before you cancel a trip. They may let you change your trip without penalty or waive penalties. You could get a refund or future cruise credits. Check with travel suppliers before you file a travel insurance claim.

#TravelInsurance #TravelSafety #Insurance

00:00 Do you need travel insurance?
00:35 How do you know if you need travel insurance?
01:17 What are the most common travel insurance policies?
03:24 Will travel insurance cover trips canceled due to the COVID pandemic?
05:40 Will your health insurance cover injuries or sickness when you’re on vacation?
06:58 What should you expect to pay for travel insurance?
07:47 What are some travel insurance alternatives?
09:28 For travel insurance questions visit https://www.tdi.texas.gov or call 800-252-3439