Not all travelers are aware that there are a
couple of things travel insurance doesn't cover. When we buy travel insurance,
we naturally expect to be protected from pretty much everything. However, that
is not what happens. While we know how to use travel insurance to an extent, we
must know about the things it doesn’t cover to better protect ourselves during
a trip. There are several loopholes of travel insurance that can be blamed for
misleading us. For instance, you cannot expect your trip cancellation policy to
cover you under any or all circumstances. To attain this, there is a cancel
for any reason travel insurance add-on which you must purchase. Confusing,
isn’t it? Have a look at some other important things travel insurance doesn't
cover listed right below.
What Travel Insurance Does Not Cover:
What does travel insurance cover? Most travel
insurance will cover canceled trips, medical emergencies, and emergency
evacuations among other things. But these come with a set of conditions.
However, knowing how to use travel insurance effectively is as important as
knowing how to find extremely cheap flights. Getting the best travel insurance
even for an emergency trip on last minute flights is crucial. But even that
doesn’t cover certain important things. Take a look at the below list of things
travel insurance doesn't cover.
1. Bad weather
Even the best travel insurance won’t cover you if
there’s incessant rainfall when you’re hiking at your destination. Unforeseen
bad weather is among the top things travel insurance doesn't cover. However, if
your flights are delayed or canceled while at the airport owing to the weather,
you will be covered by the insurance.
2. Medical evacuation costs
While it may seem logical to you that the
insurance will cover your medical evacuation costs, there are a few conditions
to this. If you need to be airlifted to a medical center, chances of your
insurance covering this will be less. It’s best to have such an add-on included
when you buy the insurance. Even then, there is no guarantee that you will be
evacuated to the best medical facility. It may just be the nearest credentialed
hospital.
3. Pre-existing medical conditions
‘Does travel insurance cover flu’ is among
the most frequently asked questions by travelers. However, if you were thinking
of claiming on travel insurance for illness, know that medical coverage goes
beyond just that. Pre-existing medical conditions are among the top things
travel insurance doesn't cover. For instance, if you were diagnosed after you bought
the insurance, chances of you being covered are less.
4. Risky sports and activities
Adventure travelers take note, risky sports are
among things travel insurance doesn't cover. Many travel insurance policies
won’t cover losses you may suffer due to high-risk adventure activities such as
bungee jumping, caving, scuba diving, snowboarding, skydiving, and such.
Some policies will take it even further by not covering losses owing to any
sports that involve bodily contact (football, volleyball, and so on).
5. Pregnancy and childbirth
Many travelers don’t know that pregnancy and
childbirth are among things travel insurance doesn't cover. If you’re pregnant
while traveling and unexpectedly give birth, your travel insurance won’t
generally cover your childbirth expenses. However, you may be covered in case
there are any complications that arise during the childbirth. Check your policy
carefully before traveling.
6. Mental health issues
The limitations of insurance coverage are set not
just to physical health. There are several travel insurance policies that will
not cover the mental health of travelers. For instance, you have a nervous
breakdown while traveling on your business class flights or even at the
destination. If you end up harming yourself, your policy won’t foot the
doctor’s bill.
7. Medical costs for pets
Medical coverage for your pet is also among the
things travel insurance doesn't cover. This lack of insurance coverage extends
to service animals as well. For instance, if you need to bring a guide dog
along, the insurance policy will not cover the veterinarian expenses. Check
this out and learn how to use travel insurance for pets before making the trip.
8. Lost baggage
Yes, many of the best travel insurance policies
will cover lost baggage. However, it is not blanket coverage but a conditional
one. For example, many policies will require that your luggage be missing for
at least 24 hours before they cover it. This inconvenience may cause you to
miss important medication in your lost bag that won’t be replaced until the
stipulated time.
9. Important lost items
Important or valuable items in your lost baggage
are among the things travel insurance doesn't cover. While you may be assured
that the policy will replace your baggage, important items may not be covered.
Read the fine print and you will note that the policy will actually name items
it does not cover. These may include valuables such as cash, passport,
traveler’s cheques, and tickets to concerts or other events among other things.
10. Civil unrest/War
War and civil unrest among the top things travel
insurance doesn't cover. If you travel to a volatile destination and suddenly
unrest breaks loose, you may need to cut short your journey and fly back home.
In such an event, the insurance won’t cover your cancellation, hotel fares,
ticket booking, and other charges.
11. Lack of documentation
If you’re claiming on travel insurance for
illness or other serious issues, you will not be considered without proper
documentation. For instance, you should have legit medical documentation to ask
for medical coverage. Such a paper trail is necessary for other losses as well.
Otherwise, they become things travel insurance doesn't cover.
12. Unlisted items
Many of the things travel insurance doesn't cover
will be those which aren’t mentioned in the policy. Thereby, when you book international flights and the best travel insurance policy therewith, make sure
everything is mentioned in your policy. If you find that some things aren’t
listed when you read the fine print, contact your travel insurance provider
immediately. Get them to make the necessary changes and ensure you are covered
well for the trip.