Travel Insurance Doesn’t Cover Everything

by Steve Dasseos on October 20, 2007

No matter what you’ve been told, trip cancellation travel insurance doesn’t cover you in all situations. It only covers you against “Listed Unforeseen Events”.

What does “Listed Unforeseen Events” mean?
This means that if the event’s not specifically named as a covered reason, you won’t have a valid claim. Or, put another way: a travel insurance plan only covers you for the perils or events that are listed in its Description of Coverage. If it’s not listed (or specifically excluded) it’s not covered.

What do you mean by “Unforeseen”?
Situations or losses that result from sudden and unforeseen conditions or events. Travel insurance benefits do not cover conditions or events that, on the date of purchase, are known to You. Travel insurance covers definite events, not ones that might happen.

Unforeseen is especially important when you want to cover a Pre-Existing Condition. That’s because the claim will probably be denied if there’s not “a turn for the worse”. In other words, if the person with the pre-existing condition has already had “a turn for the worse” prior to you buying your travel insurance, there won’t be any coverage.

Some common Listed Unforeseen events are:

  • You, your companion or a family member has a medical emergency or dies
  • You need emergency transportation / evacuation
  • Your cruise line, airline or tour operator goes broke (unless the supplier’s in bankruptcy now)
  • Bad weather
  • A plane crash
  • Lost, stolen or damaged luggage
  • Cruise ship sicknesses

Here’s an important tip: Every travel insurance policy is different. Even plans from the same company are different from each other. Don’t trust what anyone tells you is covered unless you see it in the policy’s wording, too.

I hope this makes sense. If you want the right travel insurance advice, call us at 1-888-407-3854 and we'll help you figure it all out.

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