Why should a traveler buy travel insurance? How can travel insurance cover my vacation investment in the event of a hurricane or other unforeseen severe weather?
Travel insurance gives travelers coverage for unforeseen problems, from a cancelled flight to a serious illness—or in rare cases, even an act of terrorism or the financial default of a travel supplier. If an illness, accident, or other covered unforeseen circumstance forces a traveler to cancel or interrupt their plans, they face two major financial losses—money invested in nonrefundable pre-payments, and medical expenses that in many instances may not be covered by health insurance.
What happens if a traveler must cancel their vacation?
Often a traveler will lose nonrefundable deposits and prepayments that can add up to hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars. A comprehensive travel insurance plan can provide trip cancellation coverage for the traveler's vacation investment—the insurance company reimburses the traveler for all pre-paid, nonrefundable expenses for a covered loss.
How does trip cancellation and interruption coverage work?
It reimburses for forfeited, nonrefundable, unused payments or deposits if the traveler must cancel or interrupt their trip due to a covered reason.
What other coverage is typically included in a Guard travel insurance plan?
In addition to trip cancellation and interruption, the more comprehensive travel insurance plans available today may also cover emergency medical expenses; emergency medical transportation, when ordered by a doctor, to the nearest adequate medical facility; reimbursement for accommodations and expenses incurred due to travel delays; reimbursement for the purchase of essential items if baggage is delayed; and coverage against lost, stolen or damaged baggage.
Does travel insurance cover terrorism?
Many travel insurance policies do not cover terrorism, or only cover terrorist acts that occur on foreign soil. Our travel insurance can cover terrorist incidents both in the United States and abroad.
Is the financial default of an airline, cruise line or tour operator covered?
Many of our insurance programs include financial default coverage if the program is purchased within 15 days of making the initial trip deposit.
Does our travel insurance offer plans tailored to specific types of travel?
Yes. Our travel insurance plans are for an array of budgets, from modest trips to high-end luxury vacations. There are also products for last-minute getaways and extended trips, and specific coverage plans for cruise travelers, golf travelers, students, and sports travel.
How much does travel insurance cost?
The cost of travel insurance is based, in most cases, on the value of the trip and the age of the traveler. Typically, the cost is five to seven percent of the trip cost.
What else is offered with the purchase of a travel insurance plan?
To boost travelers' confidence when traveling, our plans include LiveTravel® assistance, which provides 24-hour, "911" emergency travel agency-type services to all standard retail plans, in case a traveler has to change a flight or a hotel room. There is also added assistance with emergency cash transfers, pre-trip consultation services (travel advisories, passport requirements, inoculation information, etc.), and live messaging, which will relay any e-mail or phone message to family, friends or business associates.
Can I get a refund?
If you are not completely satisfied with the product that we have provided you, you can receive a full refund (less your service fee). Requests must be submitted to refund@getawayinsurance.com in writing within three days of the receipt of your policy, provided it is not past your original departure date.
Are my Credit Cards safe?
To ensure that every transaction is protected, we treat your credit card and personal information with the utmost confidentiality and safety.
In working with AIG Travel Guard and Verisign we provide secure processing of all important customer data, including your credit card number. In the unlikely event of a breach in security, Travel Guard will reimburse you the first $50 of any fraudulent charges. Also, to further aid you, we'll do our best to work with your credit card company to resolve all problems associated with your account. Since AIG Travel Guard first launched their first web site in 1996, they have not had one confirmed case of credit card fraud.
Your purchases are safe with us.
In the event of a covered hurricane or other unforeseen severe weather, travel insurance provides coverage under the Trip Cancellation and Interruption benefit. If your trip is cancelled for a covered reason, we will refund the pre-paid, forfeited, non-refundable trip costs trip up to the limit of coverage.
If a hurricane watch or warning is issued that may impact my travel plans, up to what point can I still purchase travel insurance?
Insurance must be purchased 24 hours prior to when the hurricane has been named. Once the hurricane has been named, Trip Cancellation and Interruption losses resulting from the hurricane are excluded from the coverage of the policy.
If the resort that I will be staying at next week is damaged in a storm before my scheduled departure, can I cancel my trip and be reimbursed for my non-refundable costs?
If the resort is damaged and cannot accommodate you (or provide comparable accommodations), your nonrefundable costs will be reimbursed.
I'm worried that a predicted storm's path will be too near to the location of my upcoming insured vacation; can I cancel for a refund?
If the storm directly affects your travel arrangements or accommodations, you are entitled to Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption benefits. For example: an airport is closed due to the high winds; you are forced to evacuate your hotel/resort; the road you are traveling is impassable due to high water. On the other hand, if you choose to cancel a trip based on what you think might happen — and not because the inclement weather has directly affected your travel arrangements — that would be considered a matter of choice — not a direct loss to your arrangements.
If my airport is closed due to a hurricane or other weather event, and my vacation is delayed, will I be reimbursed?
Yes, travel insurance will cover the expenses incurred if your trip is delayed and will cover reasonable, additional accommodations and travel expenses until travel becomes possible.