6 Ways to Get More Value Out of Your Travel Protection Plan

Everything costs more these days, especially travel. We get it. And travel insurance on top of an expensive trip may start to squeeze your travel budget.

Don’t despair – get smart. Try these great travel insurance hacks and tips to get the most value for your travel dollars.

Pre-existing condition coverage is one of travel insurance’s most sought-after feature. Basically, it allows you to be covered for medical expenses and/or prepaid travel expenses if you have to cancel your trip and/or seek medical care for a pre-existing medical condition.

Travel insurance companies vary in whether and how they provide pre-existing condition coverage. So it’s important to pay attention to the details.

If you purchase our Premium Plan you can qualify for Pre-Existing Medical Condition coverage. There are a few details you need to know in order to qualify:

• The travel protection plan is purchased prior to or within 24 hours of your final trip payment
• You are medically able to travel at the time the plan is purchased
• All prepaid trip costs that are subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions have been insured

At our Travel Insurance Definitions page, you can see how we define Pre-Existing Conditions or see Plan Documents for full details.

Also read: What Does Travel Insurance NOT cover?

If you’ve put money down on a trip, buying travel insurance right away is a no-brainer.

We suggest you buy a travel insurance plan when you make your first trip payment, like airfare or a cruise. That way you maximize your coverage period in case you need to cancel your trip.

But, there is more than one advantage to buying travel insurance early.

As mentioned in the last section, coverage for pre-existing conditions is only available with the Premium Plan if you buy prior to or within 24 hours of your final trip payment.

Also, by buying early, your price is locked in.

The cost of travel insurance is going to keep pace with the increases in travel costs. The sooner you buy travel insurance, the sooner your coverage and your price is locked in.

Learn more about timing when you buy

A less expensive trip also results in less expensive travel insurance.

For just about every mode of travel and travel expense short of lodgings, the earlier you buy and pay for your trip the more you’ll save. (Yes, there are last-minute discounts on airfares and cruise cabins, but those are generally reserved for the sales-obsessed and/or the very flexible.)

Once you’ve settled on a location and some basic activities, talk to a travel professional and start planning. Lock in dates, reservations, and locations. Ask about combo discounts, or lower costs for cabin-sharing (if you’re a solo traveler).

A good travel professional knows where the deals are. Don’t be afraid to challenge them to deliver the goods.

Also read: Travel Insurance Price Factors (How We Get Your Quote)

Travel insurance reimburses you for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. You need to know that number down to the dollar and enter it when getting a travel insurance quote.

Suppose you figure your European river cruise will cost $20,000, but only $12,000 of that is prepaid and non-refundable. Regardless of how much you’ve already paid, your insured trip cost is $12,000.

You’d be surprised how much you can save by looking hard at your travel expenses and whittling down the total to prepaid and non-refundable expenses.

Try our Trip Cost Calculator to get an accurate quote

This may not be the biggest cost-saver, but using the services that are included with your plan means you’ll be maximizing the value you get from your travel protection plan.

The services you can use fall into two categories:

• Travel Assistance, which can provide 24/7 live help with almost any issue or emergency while traveling. 
  
  
• Concierge Services, which includes more than dozen different ways we can assist you before or during your trip.

Concierge Services can be used even before your trip begins, even to help you plan it. Pre-trip assistance can help you schedule golf tee times, make restaurant, airline, and rental car reservations, or reserve tickets for entertainment and other special events. 

Most of all, our travel assistance specialists can help you save time and accomplish what you want. And time is money, especially when you’re traveling.

Did you know you and your traveling companions can all travel under the same travel-insurance policy?

In fact, one policy can cover up to 10 individuals. They all have to pay their individual premium, of course, but where this strategy saves is in the administration fee.

Every policy includes a flat administration fee as part of the cost. If a group of 10 on a family cruise buys one policy to cover everyone, that’s one fee instead of 10. Keep in mind that all people listed on each travel insurance plan must live in the same state. If you live in different states, you will need separate plans.

You don’t need to scrimp on coverage to get a good deal on travel insurance. The true value of a travel protection plan might just surprise you.

It just takes some smarts – so if you consider yourself a smart traveler, get a quote today.

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