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Do I really need travel insurance?

Where you travel to and the complexity of the trip will help determine how comprehensive you need to be when purchasing trip insurance. A comprehensive policy will include such things as: trip cancellation/trip interruption coverage; trip delay; medical expenses; medical evacuation; and lost baggage.

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In a typical travel season 200+ members travel with Austin Skiers to ski resorts in North America or in other countries around the world. After 50+ years of offering trips we have learned that travel plans can and do change, most often without warning. While some of our trips do offer optional (for an added expense) trip insurance through our tour operators, many of our trips do not have this option. We have members who have to cancel at the last minute resulting in a loss of all or the majority of their trip investment. Others suffered an injury requiring medical attention on site and after returning. If you would like to avoid this unfortunate situation, we encourage you to research trip insurance options now.​​

"Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) coverage is generally the most expensive insurance but also gives you the most options.   This type of insurance generally must be purchased within 14 to 21 days of the date you make your first payment (deposit), otherwise you forfeit some of the benefits. Buying may afford you to get a pre-existing condition medical waiver. Standard cancellation benefits apply only for those benefits listed in the policy. It may reimburse you for a portion of the non-refundable, prepaid expenses of your trip if you want to cancel for reasons not listed in the base policy. Each policy will come with their own special rules. In most cases you must cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your trips departure - so no last minute cancellations. Reimbursement is usually between 50-75% of your reservation depending on the plan. Check with the insurance carrier as their cut-off dates will differ.​

When should I buy insurance and what does it cover?

  • ​If you have already signed up for a trip you may still be able to purchase trip cancellation coverage for illness/injury before or during the trip.

  • Make sure it covers the country or countries you're traveling to, including any possible excursions.

  • Be sure to read the fine print and understand exclusions before purchasing.

 

How does it work and what does it cost?

  • Most policies are "reimbursable" which means that you pay upfront and then will have to file for reimbursement by submission of receipts. Some policies may allow for medical costs to be handled directly by the insurer.  Be prepared by understanding what type of policy you are buying.

  • Costs generally run between 5-10% of the cost of your trip but can vary widely by insurer and benefits.

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This article from Forbes outlines the many types and differences of travel insurance.

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If you want to shop around check out SquareMouth who will provide a side-by-side comparison of multiple quotes.​

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​Questions to consider when talking with a travel insurance provider:

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  • Do you cover snow skiing, snowboarding, heliskiing, etc.?

  • When does travel insurance begin/end? 

  • Do you cover other active activities such as Zip Lining?

  • Am I covered in the US and abroad and when would my policy take effect?

  • What medical coverage do you provide? Does your medical coverage act as the primary insurance when covering my medical needs during travel? Is my pre-existing medical condition covered? How is pre-existing defined? Can I obtain a waiver? If not, what is covered under your policy?

  • Am I required to cover 100% of my trip costs or can I choose the amount to cover?

  • Are weather delays/interruptions covered? Are strikes, civil disturbances, terrorist acts covered? 

  • What if I miss a flight or get stranded during a trip - am I covered?

  • Is medical evacuation covered? This is especially important for international destinations!

  • Is there protection for lost, delayed or damaged luggage?

  • What if I decide to cancel my trip for any reason, do you offer that type of policy? What are the requirements or exclusions?

  • Am I covered (Financial Default Coverage) if my travel supplier suffers partial or complete suspension of their business?

  • What documentation is required if I file a claim and how long does the processing take?

  • Do you offer 24-hour assistance to answer my questions while I am traveling?

  • How long has your company been in business? What carrier is underwriting the policy and what is their A.B Best rating? What accreditation do you have? What is your BBB rating?

  • When is the best time to purchase to get the most coverage?

Special Considerations

  • Pandemics: as a general rule Travel Insurance policies don’t provide coverage for pandemics or a fear of getting sick. They typically have a very specific list (Named Perils) – much like you can purchase for your home or commercial business – of covered reasons for cancellation e.g., losing a job or a terrorist attack. The policy language regarding this isn’t anything new as virus exclusions began appearing in policies since the SARS epidemic of 2002-04. Regulation of insurance policies for the most part are governed by states not the federal government who have approved these exclusions for years. Click here for the latest updates on Travel Insurance and Coronavirus. Keep in mind that some plans may exclude epidemics/pandemics and may not provide coverage for related issues.

  • Italy REQUIRES you to purchase 3rd party liability coverage for skiing in their country. You can purchase before you leave, but is available in-country if you forget.

  • Some countries and/or tour operators require you to show proof of vaccination prior to travel. 

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