Travel Insurance 101. A guide to what travel insurance is, and what you should and should not expect from your policy.

1. Jim Grace Purpose
The Presents:
of Travel
Insurance
Travel Insurance: 101
Hint: not a guarantee that
nothing will go wrong.
@JimGrace3
JimGrace.com

2. Travel insurance is often seen as a “luxury” purchase or something that’s
“nice to have, but not necessary.”
While that may sometimes be true, such as the traveler who is planning a trip for a
few days away but stays relatively close to home, this is more often
not the case.
@JimGrace3
JimGrace.com

3. The purpose of a travel insurance policy is
not to guarantee
nothing will go wrong while you are traveling.
A travel insurance policy does
not mean you won’t be inconvenienced
or end up canceling or changing your plans.
@JimGrace3
JimGrace.com

4. Travel insurance policies seek to provide you with the knowledge that if a delay,
cancellation, or disaster does occur that impacts your plans…
you will be able to recover some of the costs you may have lost and have access to
assistance services that may not have otherwise been available to you.
@JimGrace3
JimGrace.com

5. It’s not
a one-size-fits-all product. It’s crucial to read any insurance policy’s
terms carefully and be sure that you fully understand them before purchasing.
Since many claims issues eventually arise because travelers are not aware of the limitations
of the policies they have purchased, it’s essential to do
your homework
and know exactly what is covered, and what is not.
@JimGrace3
JimGrace.com

6. Travel insurance is also often intended to act as a supplement to insurance coverage
you may already have, so be aware of which coverage is considered
“primary”
… and which are “secondary.”
@JimGrace3
JimGrace.com

7. Medical Insurance providers may provide you with some level of medical coverage
while traveling,
but only up to a certain threshold.
A travel insurance policy with secondary coverage can bridge
the gap
to fully protect you against an unforeseen medical emergency that happens
while you’re away from home.
@JimGrace3
JimGrace.com

8. True, homeowner’s insurance or insurance offered as part of your credit card
membership may give you some protection against financial loss in the event
your belongings are lost or damaged…
but a comprehensive travel insurance policy can supplement those
benefits with secondary coverage that will offer
more complete protection.
@JimGrace3
JimGrace.com

9. Knowing what travel insurance is intended to do can help answer questions
you may have about purchasing a travel insurance policy for your next trip.
Prepare:
read, research, and understand different policies and their benefits.
Keeping expectations realistic and knowing what you’re looking for in a travel insurance
policy can help you make a more
@JimGrace3
JimGrace.com
confident purchase that will be right for you.

10. Asking questions during the researching and buying process is important.
I can help, and know dozens of other trusted and experienced resources available to
consumers. Reach out to me on twitter, follow my blog, and most importantly,
know what you are purchasing.
@JimGrace3
JimGrace.com